# Is Grateful Dead Pinball in the Works? First Official Stern Transformers Gameplay Stream

**Source:** Knapp Arcade  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2026-05-22  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.knapparcade.org/blog/is-grateful-dead-pinball-in-the-works-official-stern-transformers-

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## Analysis

Stern Pinball released official gameplay footage of Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye featuring the design team. The game launches with substantial content including five main missions, three side missions, and various modes, with four challenge modes (Prime Training, Optimus vs. Megatron, Topper Mode, and 40th Anniversary Movie Mode) coming in post-launch updates. Additionally, unverified rumors suggest a Grateful Dead pinball machine is in development, with speculation about which manufacturer might produce it.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye code is very far along at launch with only final Wizard Mode and Challenge Modes missing — _Stern design team statement during official gameplay stream_
- [HIGH] Four challenge modes will arrive in future post-launch updates: Prime Training, Optimus vs. Megatron, Topper Mode, and 40th Anniversary Movie Mode — _Stern Pinball gameplay stream commentary_
- [HIGH] Transformers Multiball features approximately fifty clips; total of around one thousand clips throughout the game — _Mike Kyzivat statement during official gameplay stream_
- [LOW] A pinball machine based on The Grateful Dead is rumored to be in development — _Knapp Arcade rumor reporting; described as early investigation stage with unknown sourcing_
- [LOW] Stern is rumored to have games based on AC/DC and a remastered KISS in development; Jersey Jack is rumored to have Van Halen; American Pinball is rumored to have a music pin in development — _Knapp Arcade speculation based on unverified rumors_

### Notable Quotes

> "The game's code is very far along at launch, probably more so than most recent Stern releases. According to the team, the only major pieces not available at launch are the final Wizard Mode and the Challenge Modes."
> — **Knapp Arcade (reporting on Stern design team statements)**, n/a
> _Indicates strong code maturity for Transformers launch compared to recent Stern releases_

> "Everything originally designed for the main game IS in the code now — Five main missions and three side missions, two in-lane modes, mini-wizards, Tech Spec Mania, Combiner Multiball, and Rescue Optimus."
> — **Stern design team (via Knapp Arcade report)**, n/a
> _Documents complete feature set available at launch_

> "Mike Kyzivat mentioned during the stream that the game is packed with clips...the Transformers Multiball alone has around fifty of them. There is another thousand clips throughout the rest of the game."
> — **Mike Kyzivat**, n/a
> _Reveals substantial licensed video content integration in the game_

> "word on the street is that a pinball machine based on the band The Grateful Dead is in the works. I literally know nothing more than that, but I am looking into it to see if there's any truth to it."
> — **Knapp Arcade**, n/a
> _Introduces early-stage Grateful Dead pinball rumor with acknowledged uncertainty_

> "This doesn't really seem like a Stern or a Jersey Jack theme to me, but both are rumored to have games based on other bands already in the works"
> — **Knapp Arcade**, n/a
> _Speculation on manufacturer fit for Grateful Dead theme and related band game rumors_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Stern Pinball | company | Manufacturer of Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye; revealed official gameplay stream and design team |
| Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye | game | New Stern Pinball game; official gameplay premiered May 22, 2026; design team includes Elliot Eismin, Elizabeth Gieske, Mike Kyzivat, Jack Danger |
| Elliot Eismin | person | Designer of Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye |
| Elizabeth Gieske | person | Lead coder for Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye |
| Mike Kyzivat | person | Stern design team member; mentioned video clip content during Transformers gameplay stream |
| Jack Danger | person | Stern design team member on Transformers gameplay stream |
| Grateful Dead | product | Band subject of rumored pinball machine in early development; no manufacturer confirmed |
| Jersey Jack Pinball | company | Mentioned as rumored to have Van Halen pinball in development |
| American Pinball | company | Rumored to have music-themed pin in development; confirmed first game is Cirqus Voltaire remake |
| Cirqus Voltaire | game | Confirmed as American Pinball's first game title; remake/remaster of classic game |
| Knapp Arcade | organization | Pinball news/media outlet reporting on Transformers gameplay and Grateful Dead rumor |
| [name withheld pending review] | person | Music artist creating original music for 40th Anniversary Movie Mode in Transformers |
| Stan Bush | person | Original artist; 'The Touch' featured in 40th Anniversary Movie Mode callback to 1986 Transformers film |

### Signals

- **[announcement]** Stern Pinball released official gameplay video of Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye featuring design team presentation (confidence: high) — Official YouTube stream with design team (Elliot Eismin, Elizabeth Gieske, Mike Kyzivat, Jack Danger) discussing game features and code status
- **[code_update]** Transformers code is substantially complete at launch; only final Wizard Mode and Challenge Modes deferred to post-launch updates (confidence: high) — Design team stated 'The game's code is very far along at launch, probably more so than most recent Stern releases' with specific feature list confirmed in code
- **[product_launch]** Four challenge modes planned for post-launch delivery: Prime Training, Optimus vs. Megatron, Topper Mode, 40th Anniversary Movie Mode (confidence: high) — Official design team communication during gameplay stream describing challenge modes and delivery plan
- **[design_innovation]** Transformers features extensive video clip integration: ~50 clips in Transformers Multiball alone; ~1,000 clips throughout game (confidence: high) — Mike Kyzivat statement: 'the game is packed with clips...the Transformers Multiball alone has around fifty of them. There is another thousand clips throughout the rest of the game'
- **[rumor_hype]** Grateful Dead pinball machine rumored to be in development; early-stage investigation with no confirmed details (confidence: low) — Knapp Arcade: 'word on the street is that a pinball machine based on the band The Grateful Dead is in the works. I literally know nothing more than that, but I am looking into it'
- **[rumor_hype]** Multiple band-themed pinball games rumored in development across manufacturers: AC/DC and remastered KISS (Stern), Van Halen (Jersey Jack), unnamed music pin (American Pinball) (confidence: low) — Knapp Arcade speculation: 'both are rumored to have games based on other bands already in the works' with specific titles mentioned
- **[licensing_signal]** Transformers game integrates authentic IP assets including 1986 film footage, music by Knights of Unicorn, and Stan Bush's 'The Touch' (confidence: high) — Design team commentary on 40th Anniversary Movie Mode: '1986 movie assets and music by Knights of Unicorn and the iconic song "The Touch" by Stan Bush'
- **[market_signal]** Grateful Dead theme shows demand from pinball community based on message board activity; virtual pinball table has existed for years (confidence: medium) — Knapp Arcade: 'there definitely seems to be demand for one from a decent number of people based on the message boards. A virtual pinball Grateful Dead table has existed for years'
- **[product_strategy]** Speculation on which manufacturer (Stern, JJP, American Pinball) would be best fit for Grateful Dead theme based on existing portfolio and strategy (confidence: low) — Knapp Arcade: 'This doesn't really seem like a Stern or a Jersey Jack theme to me... I wonder if this is a theme that the new management at [American Pinball] would take on?'
- **[product_launch]** American Pinball's first game confirmed as Cirqus Voltaire remake; new management in place (confidence: high) — Knapp Arcade confirmation: 'its first game is now confirmed to be a remake of Cirqus Voltaire'

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## Transcript

News Is Grateful Dead Pinball in the Works? First Official Stern Transformers Gameplay Stream k knapparcade May 22, 2026 Happy Friday everyone! A three day weekend Friday at that. Nice. I have a couple of items for everyone this morning. First up, a couple of minutes ago, Stern Pinball shared the first official gameplay video of its new game that was revealed on Wednesday, Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye. The stream consists of the game's design team, the designer - Elliot Eismin, lead coder - Elizabeth Gieske, Mike Kyzivat and Jack Danger. They never specifically mentioned what version of the game they used in the stream, at lease I didn't hear them say it, but I believe that it's a Premium. The game's code is very far along at launch, probably more so than most recent Stern releases. According to the team, the only major pieces not available at launch are the final Wizard Mode and the Challenge Modes. Everything originally designed for the main game IS in the code now — Five main missions and three side missions, two in-lane modes, mini-wizards, Tech Spec Mania, Combiner Multiball, and Rescue Optimus. The four challenge modes coming in a future update will be accessible through the game menu and will include: \- Prime Training — solo skill-building objectives \- Optimus vs. Megatron — split-flipper two-player versus mode \- Topper Mode — unlocked via the accessory topper \- 40th Anniversary Movie Mode — "The Mode" or "Transformers The Mode" (a callback to the 1986 animated film), using 1986 movie assets and music by Knights of Unicron and the iconic song "The Touch" by Stan Bush. !Advertisement Ad 2 of 3 Mike Kyzivat mentioned during the stream that the game is packed with clips...the Transformers Multiball alone has around fifty of them. There is another thousand clips throughout the rest of the game. TRANSFORMERS: More Than Meets The Eye by Stern Pinball Gameplay Premiere - YouTube Tap to unmute Stern Pinball Stern Pinball * Next up, I have a quick pinball rumor. I am still very early in my process of investigating this, but word on the street is that a pinball machine based on the band The Grateful Dead is in the works. I literally know nothing more than that, but I am looking into it to see if there's any truth to it. In terms of pure speculation, I wonder what company would make a Grateful Dead pin? This doesn't really seem like a Stern or a Jersey Jack theme to me, buts both are rumored to have games based on other bands already in the works, a brand new AC/DC and a Remastered KISS at Stern and Van Halen at Jersey Jack. American Pinball is rumored to have a music pin amongst its first games in development. I wonder if this is a theme that the new management at that company would take on? We don't have any history there to guide us there, other than the fact that its first game is now confirmed to be a remake of Cirqus Voltaire. New sponsor slot Your sponsored ad here Be the first to claim this placement. Contact knapparcade@gmail.com today Has anyone else out there heard about a potential Grateful Dead pinball machine? The band isn't my cup of tea, but there definitely seems to be demand for one from a decent number of people based on the message boards. A virtual pinball Grateful Dead table has existed for years (images below). I have no idea if this rumor is true, but it's one to keep an eye on. Posted 37 minutes ago k About knapparcade Site administrator Comments (0) Please sign in to join the conversation. No comments yet Be the first to share your thoughts on this post! Related Articles Is Grateful Dead Pinball in the Works? First Official Stern Transformers Gameplay Stream 37 minutes ago Distro Shares Image of Tales of the Arabian Nights Remake; Transformers Pinball Gameplay Videos; Cool Games from Golden State about 23 hours ago Stern Pinball Reveals Next Cornerstone Game, Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye 2 days ago Subscribe to Updates Get the latest pinball news, blog posts, and event announcements delivered to your inbox Subscribe !Advertisement Ad 1 of 2 New sponsor slot Your sponsored ad here Be the first to claim this placement.

_(Acquisition: web_scrape, Enrichment: v5)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-08-03 | Item ID: ac965b05-da2c-4418-aeb9-e7a477e3be0f*