# EAG INTERNATIONAL 2016 **Source:** Pinball News Website **Type:** article **Published:** 2016-01-12 **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2016/01/12/eag-international-2016 --- ## Analysis Coverage of EAG International 2016 at Excel London on January 11, 2016, showcasing pinball machines and arcade games. Stern Pinball's Spider-Man Vault Edition drew significant attention on the Electrocoin stand, while Heighway Pinball exhibited multiple Full Throttle variants and unveiled Alien pinball artwork. The show featured various arcade games, redemption machines with pinball mechanics, and nostalgic license revivals, though overall attendance appeared lighter than previous years. ### Key Claims - [HIGH] Spider-Man Vault Edition was the primary focus of visitor interest on the Electrocoin stand — _Direct observation at EAG 2016: 'most interest focused on the new Spider-Man Vault Edition'_ - [HIGH] Heighway Pinball exhibited four Full Throttle machines with two featuring large backbox LCD and two with regular 10-inch screens — _Direct observation: 'Two machines had the large backbox LCD, while the others had the regular 10″ screens'_ - [HIGH] Heighway Pinball displayed playfield artwork from their upcoming Alien pinball machine — _Direct visual documentation: 'Heighway Pinball were also showing the playfield artwork from their upcoming Alien pinball'_ - [HIGH] EAG 2016 had noticeably lower attendance than previous years — _Direct observation: 'The aisles used to be packed with visitors, but this year it was much quieter'_ - [HIGH] Pink Panther Jewel Heist appeared on several stands at the show as a returning license — _Direct observation: 'Another former pinball theme seems to be making a comeback. It's time to think pink'_ ### Notable Quotes > "Pinball pickings were likely to be slim, but there was still plenty to keep fans of the silver ball interested." > — **Article author**, Opening paragraph > _Sets expectations that pinball presence at EAG 2016 would be limited but noteworthy_ > "The aisles used to be packed with visitors, but this year it was much quieter." > — **Article author**, Mid-article observation > _Indicates declining attendance trends at EAG compared to historical years_ > "The upside for visitors is how they can easily try any of the games without queuing." > — **Article author**, Closing observations > _Frames lower attendance as a positive for gameplay experience_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | EAG International 2016 | event | Annual amusement gaming trade show held January 11, 2016 at Excel London in the Docklands | | Excel London | organization | Venue hosting EAG 2016 in halls N1 & N2; also hosting London Boat Show simultaneously | | Stern Pinball | company | Pinball manufacturer exhibiting Spider-Man Vault Edition through UK distributor Electrocoin | | Electrocoin | company | Stern Pinball's UK distributor; exhibited four pinball machines at EAG 2016 including Spider-Man Vault Edition | | Spider-Man Vault Edition | product | New Stern Pinball release featuring updated dot-matrix display animations; primary draw at Electrocoin stand | | Heighway Pinball | company | British boutique pinball manufacturer; exhibited Full Throttle variants and Alien playfield artwork at EAG 2016 | | Full Throttle | product | Heighway Pinball motorcycle-themed game; four variants exhibited with different screen configurations | | Alien | product | Upcoming Heighway Pinball machine; artwork displayed at EAG 2016 with Andrew and Roman present | | Andrew Heighway | person | Heighway Pinball founder/representative present at EAG 2016 displaying Alien artwork | | Pink Panther Jewel Heist | product | Arcade game appearing on multiple stands at EAG; represents revival of Pink Panther licensed theme | | Star Wars Battle Pod | product | New version of arcade game with cooperative play shown at EAG 2016; multiple Star Wars merchandise also featured | ### Topics - **Primary:** Trade show coverage and exhibits, New pinball machine releases and previews, Heighway Pinball product lineup, Stern Pinball Spider-Man Vault Edition reception - **Secondary:** Arcade game industry trends, License revivals and nostalgia marketing, Show attendance and industry health - **Mentioned:** Pinball mechanism applications in non-pinball games ### Sentiment **Neutral** (0.5) — Article is primarily descriptive and factual in tone. Shows mild concern about declining attendance ('fairly quiet') but emphasizes positive aspects of lighter crowds. Generally positive about games on display, particularly Spider-Man Vault Edition and Heighway machines. ### Signals - **[licensing_signal]** Revival of classic licensed themes (Pink Panther, Star Wars) appearing across multiple vendors indicates strong IP nostalgia marketing trend (confidence: medium) — Multiple observations: Pink Panther Jewel Heist 'appeared on several stands' and Star Wars merchandise prevalent across show - **[market_signal]** Declining trade show attendance at EAG 2016 compared to historical years suggests potential softening of amusement industry engagement (confidence: high) — Comparative observation: 'The aisles used to be packed with visitors, but this year it was much quieter' noted across show floor - **[announcement]** Spider-Man Vault Edition officially presented at EAG 2016 with new dot-matrix display animations (confidence: high) — Direct exhibition and gameplay documentation: 'most interest focused on the new Spider-Man Vault Edition' with video of 'new dot-matrix display animations' - **[product_strategy]** Heighway Pinball's Alien machine in development phase; playfield artwork publicly shown at EAG 2016 (confidence: high) — Direct visual display: 'Heighway Pinball were also showing the playfield artwork from their upcoming Alien pinball' with photography documentation --- ## Transcript Date: 11th January, 2016 Location: ExCel London, Docklands, London The annual EAG International amusement show began today at the usual venue of the Excel London in the East End of the city. Pinball pickings were likely to be slim, but there was still plenty to keep fans of the silver ball interested. ![Excel London, home of EAG 2016](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/eag-international-2016/14.jpg) Excel London, home of EAG 2016 ![Excel was also hosting the London Boat Show, as you can see by this rather large vessel](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/eag-international-2016/15.jpg) Excel vessel moored outside With the Boat Show occupying the southern halls (which are closest to the water), EAG was in halls N1 & N2. ![EAG 2016](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/eag-international-2016/38.jpg) Inside halls N1 & N2 As we saw in yesterday’s preview, Stern Pinball’s UK distributor Electrocoin had four pinballs on their stand. ![The Electrocoin stand](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/eag-international-2016/20.jpg) The Electrocoin stand The pinballs were busy all day, with most interest focused on the new Spider-Man Vault Edition. ![Pinballs on the Electrocoin stand](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/eag-international-2016/18.jpg) Pinballs on the Electrocoin stand ![The new Spider-Man Vault Edition](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/eag-international-2016/19.jpg) The new Spider-Man Vault Edition ![It was nice to see a shiny Spider-Man playfield](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/eag-international-2016/17.jpg) It was nice to see a shiny Spider-Man playfield Here’s a video of some of the new dot-matrix display animations in the Vault Edition. Meanwhile, over at the Heighway Pinball stand, there were four more games to play. In this case they were differing versions of their Full Throttle model. ![The Heighway Pinball stand](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/eag-international-2016/23.jpg) The Heighway Pinball stand ![The four Full Throttle machines](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/eag-international-2016/22.jpg) The four Full Throttle machines Two machines had the large backbox LCD, while the others had the regular 10″ screens. Opposite the Heighway stand was a reminder how motorbike racing is a popular theme for video games. ![MotoGP bike racing game](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/eag-international-2016/32.jpg) MotoGP bike racing game Heighway Pinball were also showing the playfield artwork from their upcoming Alien pinball. ![Andrew and Roman with the Alien artwork](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/eag-international-2016/16.jpg) Andrew and Roman with the Alien artwork ![Alien playfield artwork](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/eag-international-2016/43a.jpg) Alien playfield artwork As usual, there were several mini-pinball games which dispense either rubber balls or toy capsules. ![Three toy pinball toy dispensers](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/eag-international-2016/25.jpg) Three toy pinball toy dispensers ![A Magic Circus game](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/eag-international-2016/26.jpg) A Magic Circus game Another toy pinball turned up on one of the many merchandise stands. ![An 'exciting' mini football game](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/eag-international-2016/27.jpg) An ‘exciting’ mini football game Although not pinball machines, pinball mechanisms did turn up in a couple of redemption games, such as this flipper-powered mini air hockey. ![Beat the Clock head-to-head mini air hockey game](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/eag-international-2016/28.jpg) Beat the Clock head-to-head mini air hockey game ![A pinball plunger is fitted to this Angry Birds redemption piece](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/eag-international-2016/36.jpg) A piece ![Practicing pinball skill shots finally pays off](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/eag-international-2016/37.jpg) Practicing pinball skill shots finally pays off A throwback to solid-state days appeared on this Alice in Wonderland pusher, with an infinity lighting effect. ![An infinity lighting topper](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/eag-international-2016/29.jpg) An infinity lighting topper Maybe it’s time for this effect to return to pinball. The depth if this topper would make it suitable for use in a backbox. ![The infinity lighting box doesn't have much depth](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/eag-international-2016/30.jpg) The infinity lighting box doesn’t have much depth Not surprisingly, Star Wars was a popular theme at the show, from a new version of the Star Wars Battle Pod game with co-operative play, to stand-ups and other assorted merchandise. ![The non-pod version with added multi-player play](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/eag-international-2016/21.jpg) The non-pod version with added multi-player play ![Star Wars stand-ups](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/eag-international-2016/24.jpg) Star Wars stand-ups, toy dispensers and more Another former pinball theme seems to be making a comeback. It’s time to think pink. ![Pink Panther Jewel Heist appeared on several stands](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/eag-international-2016/33.jpg) Pink Panther Jewel Heist appeared on several stands And if pink is not your colour, maybe green is more agreeable? ![Another licence making a comeback](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/eag-international-2016/35.jpg) Another licence making a comeback One classic licence which never goes away is Pac-Man, and now you can play the world’s largest version of the game, or Galaga instead. ![The World's Largest (apparently)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/eag-international-2016/39.jpg) The World’s Largest (apparently) On our travels around the show, we discovered the Heighway Pinball crew chilling out at the Polar Krush stand. ![Getting Kool with the Krush](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/eag-international-2016/41.jpg) Getting Kool with the Krush There’s no doubt that the show was fairly quiet during this first day. The aisles used to be packed with visitors, but this year it was much quieter. ![A quiet day at the show](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/eag-international-2016/40.jpg) A quiet day at the show The upside for visitors is how they can easily try any of the games without queuing. ![Plenty of fun games to try](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/eag-international-2016/31.jpg) Plenty of fun games to try To end our coverage of EAG 2016 we have our customary video walk around the show, otherwise known as the Seventeen Minute Tour. (Note: An earlier version of this video tour was truncated. This is the full length version.) _(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: f08afc00-e725-45a4-9acd-b7c66a37cb2d*