# Stern Pinball Shifts James Bond Production from Pro to Limited Edition

**Source:** Knapp Arcade  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2022-11-30  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.knapparcade.org/stern-pinball-shifts-james-bond-production-from-pro-to-limited-edition

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## Analysis

George Gomez announced on PinTech Live that Stern Pinball has shifted James Bond production focus from Pro Edition to Limited Edition machines, with Pro units now appearing in locations and LE units expected to ship soon. Gomez also shared prototype development footage including a rejected GI Joe-based jetpack mechanism and early rocket assembly designs.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Stern Pinball has shifted James Bond production from Pro Edition to Limited Edition machines — _George Gomez stated this directly during PinTech Live broadcast on Marco Specialties' show_
- [HIGH] Bond Pro machines have begun appearing on location across the country over the past two weeks — _George Gomez's statement during the broadcast_
- [HIGH] Customers who ordered Bond LEs should begin receiving them soon — _George Gomez's statement during the broadcast_
- [HIGH] The James Bond licensor rejected the original jetpack prototype because 'the eyebrows were too bushy' — _George Gomez shared this detail and showed the prototype on stream_

### Notable Quotes

> "Stern Pinball has shifted James Bond production from Pro Edition to Limited Edition machines"
> — **George Gomez**, PinTech Live broadcast (afternoon)
> _Direct announcement of production shift affecting game availability and customer fulfillment_

> "the eyebrows were too bushy"
> — **James Bond licensor (reported by George Gomez)**, During prototype discussion
> _Illustrates licensor approval standards and iterative design constraints for licensed IP_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| George Gomez | person | Legendary pinball designer at Stern Pinball; Chief Creative Officer and Head of Product Development; guest on PinTech Live broadcast |
| Stern Pinball | company | Major pinball manufacturer; producer of James Bond pinball machine |
| Marco Specialties | company | Pinball parts distributor; operator of PinTech Live show on Facebook; hosted George Gomez broadcast |
| James Bond | game | Stern Pinball licensed machine based on James Bond franchise; subject of production shift announcement |
| PinTech Live | event | Pinball-focused broadcast/show operated by Marco Specialties; platform for George Gomez announcement |

### Topics

- **Primary:** James Bond production and availability, Game design prototyping and iteration, Pro vs Limited Edition distribution strategy
- **Secondary:** Licensor approval constraints

### Sentiment

**Neutral** (0.5) — Announcement is factual and straightforward; no editorial commentary. Prototype reveal content is presented as curiosity/behind-the-scenes insight without positive or negative framing.

### Signals

- **[design_philosophy]** Iterative prototype development process for licensed IP involving mechanical mockups (GI Joe figure) and assembly iterations before final design (confidence: high) — Gomez demonstrated original prototype using GI Joe figure and early rocket assembly designs on stream
- **[licensing_signal]** James Bond licensor exercising granular creative control over playfield mechanics, rejecting prototype based on aesthetic details (eyebrow design) (confidence: high) — Gomez reported licensor rejected original jetpack prototype specifically because 'the eyebrows were too bushy'
- **[product_strategy]** Production shift from Pro Edition to Limited Edition indicates supply chain or demand management decision for James Bond (confidence: high) — George Gomez stated Stern has shifted Bond production from Pro to LE; Pro units now in locations, LE units shipping soon

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## Transcript

Stern Pinball's George Gomez was a guest on this afternoon's broadcast of PinTech Live, the pinball parts retailer Marco Specialties' pinball show. During the stream, George stated that Stern Pinball has shifted James Bond production from Pro Edition to Limited Edition machines. Bond Pros have begun popping up on location all across the country over the past two weeks. Customers who have ordered Bond LEs should begin receiving them soon.

Also during the interview, George shared a video of his original prototype for the James Bond flying jetpack dude in the game, made using a GI Joe figure.

Here's a picture of the original James Bond jetpack guy prototype, which the Bond licensor rejected because "the eyebrows were too bushy."

Here's one of the early prototypes of the James Bond rocket assembly:

Those who are interested can check out the interview on Marco's Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/marcospec

_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 7fee64a3-5497-4595-8486-9c44681d42a9*