# Transformers Pinball Release - Pinball Expo-Vimeo 2011 - Chicago

**Source:** Stern Pinball  
**Type:** video  
**Published:** 2011-11-01  
**Duration:** 4m 19s  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KWMGtnqPf0

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## Analysis

Stern Pinball showcases Transformers at Pinball Expo 2011, with overwhelmingly positive reception from players and collectors. George Gomez's design receives praise for excellent shot layout, fast gameplay, thematic integration of the Transformers license, and interactive mechanical elements like the Optimus Prime ramp. Gary Stern emphasizes commitment to annual releases and community engagement.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Transformers is a fast game with good shot design and changing gameplay elements — _Multiple players describing gameplay experience at Expo_
- [HIGH] George Gomez designed Transformers and made effective use of the Transformers license with 1980s references and fan-specific content — _Designer/staff attribution and direct quotes about design choices_
- [HIGH] Stern produces three or four new pinball models per year — _Gary Stern statement at end of video_
- [HIGH] The game features an Optimus Prime ramp with mechanical lift action — _Player describing 'He lifts up and it hits' mechanic_
- [HIGH] Transformers features multiball modes as a favorite gameplay element — _Multiple players identifying multiball as standout feature_

### Notable Quotes

> "It's a fast game, it's a live game. You know, there's good shots, it's always an ever-changing game."
> — **Stern designer/staff**, Opening segment
> _Characterization of core gameplay philosophy_

> "The worst problem we can possibly have is there's too many people who want to compete. We're gonna run out of time."
> — **Tournament organizer/Stern staff**, Early segment
> _Demonstrates overwhelming player demand at Expo_

> "The biggest reaction is how in-your-face it is. Shooting me, one of the audio and toy toys was just phenomenal. There's a lot of the game sort of fighting back at you, which I think fits really well with the Transformer theme."
> — **Player**, Gameplay description section
> _Highlights aggressive interactive design that reinforces theme_

> "I worked on it a little bit. I was there to make sure it's a Transformer phantom. Plug in a lot of this crowd grew up with the Transformers. They loved the Transformers. They know everything about them. We've got all kinds of inside stuff in the game that if you're a Transformers fan, you totally relate to."
> — **Designer/staff member**, License discussion section
> _Confirms deliberate fan-centric design choices and Easter eggs_

> "I hope that in fifteen years people are talking to me about Transformers."
> — **George Gomez (implied designer)**, Late segment
> _Expresses hope for game's longevity as a classic title_

> "We are continuing to make pinball machines, three or four new models a year, and we're just going to keep doing it because we have to."
> — **Gary Stern**, Final statement
> _Company strategy statement on release cadence and commitment to market_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| George Gomez | person | Pinball designer credited with Transformers design; frequently praised for shot layout and design quality |
| Gary Stern | person | Owner/leader of Stern Pinball; makes statement about company production goals and market commitment |
| Transformers Pinball | game | New Stern Pinball machine being showcased at Pinball Expo 2011; featuring Transformers IP license |
| Stern Pinball | company | Major pinball manufacturer releasing Transformers and maintaining 3-4 game/year production schedule |
| Pinball Expo | event | Pinball community event where Transformers is being demonstrated and tournament is being held |
| Prison City Pinball | organization | Collector/enthusiast group from Jackson, Michigan attending Expo |
| Optimus Prime ramp | product | Mechanical feature in Transformers Pinball with lift action; highlighted as standout element |
| All-Spark | product | Implied central game element referenced in Transformers thematic gameplay |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Game design and shot layout, License integration and fan appeal, Tournament and competitive play, Community enthusiasm and reception
- **Secondary:** Mechanical features and interactivity, Stern production strategy

### Sentiment

**Positive** (0.95) — Overwhelmingly enthusiastic reception from players and collectors. Multiple 10/10 ratings, praise for design, gameplay, and thematic execution. No criticism or negative commentary present. High energy and excitement throughout.

### Signals

- **[business_signal]** Stern committed to 3-4 new pinball models per year production schedule (confidence: high) — Gary Stern: 'We are continuing to make pinball machines, three or four new models a year, and we're just going to keep doing it because we have to.'
- **[event_signal]** Transformers Pinball tournament at Pinball Expo 2011 drawing large numbers of competitors and enthusiasts; design team present for signings (confidence: high) — Multiple references to tournament setup, crowds wanting to play, design team signing autographs
- **[sentiment_shift]** Players expressing strong approval and desire for Transformers; game regarded as exceeding currently released Stern titles (confidence: high) — Multiple '10 out of 10' ratings, 'tops all the Stern games currently released', 'awesome game' repeated throughout
- **[design_philosophy]** Gomez intentionally integrated 1980s Transformers references and fan Easter eggs to appeal to nostalgia-driven audience (confidence: high) — Designer statement: 'I hit a lot of beats from the old '80s movie and took it from the old show and stuff like that' and 'all kinds of inside stuff in the game that if you're a Transformers fan, you totally relate to'
- **[announcement]** Official Stern Pinball release of Transformers with George Gomez design; positive market debut (confidence: high) — Game actively being played at Expo, tournament in progress, multiple player testimonials

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## Transcript

it's it's really rewarding to come in here and see all these people checked about the game it's a fast game it's a live game you know there's good shots it's always an ever-changing game we very much appreciate the enthusiasts that are here their appreciation for our games we need them we're at the pinball expo and we're a tournament in a with transformers are new pinball machine that as in his team live Iran all design and it is has done a wonderful job any great title for a good ball I mean I really never know i always think how they gonna like it and they gonna like it people who are into it people are loving it sir that's going along the worst problem we can possibly have is there's too many people who want to compete we're gonna run out of time traveled hundreds of miles from jackson michigan with Anne Frank Aston and our prison city pinball II now we're here to throw down on some transformers we had the whole design team sit at the table we sign autographs for a couple of hours I couldn't have asked for a better reception hi the game it's an awesome game it was really fun they loved the game absolutely love the game and they should it's really an excellent game I'm a little bit of a judge and I'm sure this is a great game it's awesome game there are really good shots best gameplay gameplay is excellent for today was just a dream now it's a reality people are loving it is like blowing people's minds like all the shots the shots are good there's a lot to choose from it has a lot of features it's a very fast game pray fast gonna have a lot of Nursing around it's complicated and it's hard just to get everything wet and it requires practice but it's worth it I like hitting the balls where the bumblebee is hot bumpers are close and lots of good Rams the ramp was the ramp with oculus crime I thought it was cool he lifts up and it hits Adam biggest reaction is how in your face it is shooting me one of the audio bought toys was just phenomenal there's a lot of the game sort of fighting back at you which I think fits really well with the transformer theme I tell you we hit one with the transformers takes good advantage of the license I worked on it a little bit I was there to make sure it's a transformer phantom plugin a lot of this crowd grew up with the Transformers they loved the Transformers that know everything about them we've got all kinds of inside stuff in the game that if your Transformers fan you totally relate to I hit a lot of boats from the old 80's movie and took it from the old show and stuff like that you can't accept you can or you can be an auto by I played as an Autobot utter one Autobot Autobot ha ha Autobot good guy I got the cool cars then a good team good guys always win I'm a Decepticon of my family's not a box Decepticon this up again you have to love the Decepticons Decepticons just look cooler I like being the bad guy because their money cooler than the Autobots I mean what would you rather be a jet fighter or a truck you know mr. green multiball modes a favorite part of the game to get them all to go home multiball probably the multi balls I like those coolest feature i would say everything yeah everything everybody's got to play this game awesome go on play transformers it's an awesome game it tops all the stern games currently released Gomez designs are always great i always like as clues designs i hope it becomes a classic people come up to me tonight they're talking to me about games i did 15 years ago right i hope that in 15 years people are talking to me about transformers can't wait to get ours I love stern pinball I love pinball just want to thank Gary for keeping the game going look forward to the future a 10 mile for sure we are continuing to make pinball machines three or four new models a year and we're just going to keep doing it because we have to go Gary stern

_(Acquisition: youtube_auto_sub, Enrichment: v3)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 98bb5426-da1f-4ad5-a637-6d528ed931bc*