# STAR WARS SEMINAR

**Source:** Pinball News Website  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2017-06-17  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2017/06/17/star-wars-seminar

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## Analysis

Steve Ritchie presented details about Jersey Jack Pinball's upcoming Star Wars game at the Northwest Pinball and Arcade Show in Tacoma, Washington. He discussed the licensing challenges with Lucasfilm, particularly around artwork approval, and revealed gameplay features including four selectable starting characters and nine multiball modes. Greg Freres showcased the iterative approval process for cabinet, backglass, and playfield artwork.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Star Wars Pro model production would begin in about a week — _Steve Ritchie statement at Northwest Pinball and Arcade Show seminar_
- [HIGH] Stern/Jersey Jack's dealings with Lucasfilm had difficulties, especially regarding artwork approval — _Article states 'it was clear from Steve's talk that his and Stern's dealings with Lucasfilm on the Star Wars franchise had not been without some difficulties'_
- [HIGH] Players can choose one of four starting characters: Luke, Leia, Han, or R2-D2 — _Steve Ritchie gameplay description at seminar_
- [HIGH] The game features nine multiball modes — _Steve Ritchie statement at seminar_
- [MEDIUM] Stern secured the Star Wars licence by offering more money than other potential bidders — _Steve Ritchie statement when asked how Stern secured the licence_

### Notable Quotes

> "He said they had a lot of fun despite all the grief from the licensor, although they didn't interfere with the design of the playfield."
> — **Article paraphrasing Steve Ritchie**, N/A
> _Indicates Lucasfilm exerted significant control over visual elements but allowed designers freedom on playfield mechanics_

> "When asked how Stern Pinball were able to secure the Star Wars licence said it was simply that they offered more money than anyone else."
> — **Steve Ritchie**, N/A
> _Candid admission about competitive licensing bidding process in the industry_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Steve Ritchie | person | Legendary pinball designer presenting Star Wars game details; currently at Jersey Jack Pinball |
| Greg Freres | person | Presented artwork approval process and iterative design changes for Star Wars game |
| Star Wars (pinball game) | game | Upcoming pinball machine designed by Steve Ritchie; licensed from Lucasfilm; features four character selection and nine multiball modes |
| Jersey Jack Pinball | company | Manufacturer of Star Wars pinball game; appears to be referred to as both JJP and Stern in context |
| Lucasfilm | company | Star Wars IP rights holder; exercised significant control over artwork approval for pinball game |
| Northwest Pinball and Arcade Show | event | Trade show in Tacoma, Washington where Steve Ritchie presented Star Wars game seminar |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Star Wars licensing and IP approval challenges, Star Wars game design and gameplay features
- **Secondary:** Steve Ritchie's design philosophy and process, Artwork iteration and licensor feedback, Production timeline and release schedule

### Sentiment

**Mixed** (0.55) — Positive tone about game design and team accomplishment, but underlying tension evident regarding licensor difficulties. Steve described having 'a lot of fun despite all the grief from the licensor,' indicating frustration balanced with professional optimism.

### Signals

- **[design_philosophy]** Jersey Jack/Steve Ritchie prioritized playfield mechanical design freedom while accommodating licensor visual control requirements (confidence: medium) — Steve stated licensor 'didn't interfere with the design of the playfield' despite strict artwork approval process
- **[event_signal]** Steve Ritchie seminar at Northwest Pinball and Arcade Show provided significant details about upcoming Star Wars game (confidence: high) — Full seminar report published on Pinball News with photographs and detailed discussion of design process
- **[licensing_signal]** Lucasfilm exerted significant control over Star Wars game artwork (cabinet, backglass, playfield) requiring iterative approval process, but did not interfere with playfield mechanical design (confidence: high) — Greg Freres presented multiple rounds of artwork ideas that required licensor approval; Steve noted 'the licensor' caused 'grief' but didn't interfere with playfield design
- **[announcement]** Star Wars Pro model production beginning within one week of seminar date (confidence: high) — Steve Ritchie statement that 'production of the Pro model would begin in about a week'

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## Transcript

Steve Ritchie spoke recently at the Northwest Pinball and Arcade Show in Tacoma, Washington, where he gave more details about his upcoming Star Wars game.

You can read the full show report in our Shows section, but here’s the relevant part about Star wars.

!Steve Ritchie
Steve Ritchie

Steve said he was recovering from some optical treatment and therefore had to avoid the kind of bright light shining through the multiple glass panels in the seminar area.

He then continued by thanking the many people at Stern Pinball who had contributed to his latest game Star Wars which is soon to be released. He said production of the Pro model would begin in about a week.

Although always diplomatic about the details, it was clear from Steve’s talk that his and Stern’s dealings with Lucasfilm on the Star Wars franchise had not been without some difficulties, especially in getting approval for their artwork ideas for the game.

Steve was then joined by Greg Freres who talked further about the artwork approval process.

!Steve and Greg
Steve and Greg

Greg showed pictures of the team’s initial ideas, working through the first licensor submissions to the final approved product.

![Initial cabinet art ideas](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/pinballz-lake-creek/80a.jpg)
Initial cabinet art ideas ![Click to expand](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/pinballz-lake-creek/80a.jpg)

![Initial backglass art ideas](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/pinballz-lake-creek/81a.jpg)
Initial backglass art ideas ![Click to expand](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/pinballz-lake-creek/81a.jpg)

![Initial playfield art ideas](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/pinballz-lake-creek/82a-1.jpg)
Initial playfield art ideas ![Click to expand](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/pinballz-lake-creek/82a-1.jpg)

After showing a promo video for Star Wars Steve described the gameplay, saying at the start of the game you can choose one of four characters – Luke, Leia, Han or R2-D2. He said they had a lot of fun despite all the grief from the licensor, although they didn’t interfere with the design of the playfield.

Steve said there are nine multiball modes in the game, and when asked how Stern Pinball were able to secure the Star Wars licence said it was simply that they offered more money than anyone else.

We’ll have much more about the new Star Wars Pinball game very soon here at Pinball News.

_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-15 | Item ID: a8a61219-c499-4cf6-8eed-e74c264383b1*