Stern Pinball is the world's largest and only currently active pinball machine manufacturer, operating since 1999 when Gary Stern acquired Sega's pinball division. The company produces approximately 20,000-30,000 units annually across Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition variants, leveraging major entertainment licenses including Star Wars, Marvel properties, Pokémon, Dungeons & Dragons, and others. Beyond manufacturing, Stern operates comprehensive ecosystem services including the Spike electronics platform, Insider Connected digital platform, Stern Army grassroots network, and Pro Circuit Championship tournaments, while facing ongoing criticism regarding pricing strategy, quality control, market saturation, and competition from boutique manufacturers like Jersey Jack and Spooky Pinball.
Pokémon by Stern Pinball continues to capture the attention of the world as games make their way into homes and location globally
SPIKE 3 Speaker Lights are now available to purchase
Stern participated in Q West Festival in Key West, Florida hosted by Brian Quinn (Impractical Jokers certified pinhead)
Star Wars: Fall of the Empire has released a latest code update with team stream
Major manufacturer criticized for weak Transformers and Star Wars playfields; strong code but weak mechanics
Pinball manufacturer celebrating 40th anniversary at Expo 42; planning booth surprises and announcements
Major manufacturer; reportedly developing new AC/DC with new songs; multiple recent game perceived as low-quality per community comments
Major pinball manufacturer, released Transformers game designed by Elliott Eisman
Largest pinball manufacturer; actively reaching out to adjacent communities via YouTube influencers; loaning machines for reviews.
Major manufacturer; released Transformers (2026 cornerstone title); ~35,000 games/year production capacity; design by Stawasz/Eisman
[Triage: Gary Stern founded and led Stern Pinball for decades, and Jack Danger later became CEO/spokesperson as part of a generational leadership transition or organizational restructuring.]
[Triage: Stern Pinball relocated to a new, larger facility, representing a progression from their previous 110,000 square foot factory to an expanded operation.]
No linked glossary terms
The Walking Dead Remastered Premium has been added to the IFPA Stern Rewards Program
Stern Army locations receive first priority shipment of new Stern games for hosting official Launch Parties
Alex Kelley emerged victorious at the Mid-Atlantic Pinball Open Stern Pro Circuit event as a first-time winner
Nick Weyna (Stern Pinball staff) secured his first-ever Pro Circuit victory at Pinball at the Zoo
Eric Stone won the Pintastic Stern Pro Circuit tournament
Factory tours now available exclusively for Insider Connected All-Access members with paid subscription
Stern Pokémon Pinball is scheduled for launch with coordinated arcade launch parties
The Walking Dead Remastered Premium is now available through the Stern Rewards Program
Factory tours at Stern are limited availability and will fill up quickly
The Walking Dead Remastered's SPIKE 3 Technology is nominated for a Webby Award
Pokémon by Stern Pinball is shipping globally to homes and locations
The Stern Army is expanding globally with troops in multiple locations
Stern's target demographic for the survey is 'older white men'
Stern regularly releases machines at software version 0.9 as a business model decision
Stern Pinball received Insider survey responses indicating the highest concentration of theme entries (over 30) debuted in the 1980s
Stern releases software at version 0.9 to avoid pushing machine costs to $15,000-25,000
Stern Pinball has thousands of unsold new-in-box games sitting in a Chicago warehouse
Stern's media tour was strategically timed to boost John Wick sales due to market slump
The media tour would not have occurred if John Wick was selling well
Stern Pinball is not selling the John Wick game and the media tour is a panic sales recovery effort
Stern deliberately excluded critical voices from the media tour and only invited people likely to provide positive coverage
Stern will release vault remakes of Metallica or Godzilla using semantic tricks to avoid calling them limited editions
Stern previously went on record stating they would never make more limited editions
Stern could reduce prices by $2,000 per game while maintaining profitability and dealer margins
Blood Red Kiss Edition Elvira's House of Horrors is limited to 500 units at $12,999 MSRP
Stern's Chicago factory is a giant Costco-sized warehouse with production not yet at full capacity
Stern Stranger Things Pros come first in November, Premiums arriving late November; Deadpool and Bond in December
Previous Elvira 40th Anniversary Edition sold for $20,000-$25,000 on secondary market with only 199 units produced
Venom is dead on arrival and will be one of Stern's worst-selling games of all time
Two consecutive game failures would destabilize Stern's entire distributor base
Stern has hit a price ceiling and games are no longer appreciating in the secondary market
Jurassic Park Anniversary Edition at $13,000 is not selling out despite distributor availability
Stern is functionally converting Premium Edition into Limited Edition with $3,000-$4,000 price increases for minimal added value
Distributors pay approximately $8,000 for a Stern Premium machine
Stern Premium MSRP is $9,799 with MAP minimum of $9,500
Stern is ramping a new factory in August for manufacturing capacity
Venom will be produced in 1,000 units at $13,000, higher than Stranger Things (~500-600 units)
Stern's price increases are likely permanent even after supply constraints are resolved
Stern is implementing QR code connectivity on newer machines for online leaderboards and remote tournament play
Stern Pinball increased Pro model prices by $500 and Premium model prices by $1,000
Stern released a teaser with the Marvel Avengers logo and 'assembling soon' text, indicating an upcoming Avengers pinball machine
Stern Pinball is the world's leading maker of real pinball games
Stern tried home versions with Batman and Iron Man Classic models without much success
The Transformers Pin provides an entry point into the rapidly growing community of pinball play and ownership
Stern is the world's only maker of real pinball games
The Transformers Pin uses genuine Stern commercial-quality parts including flippers, slingshots, pop bumpers, and traditional pinball plunger
Transformers Pin is designed and engineered exclusively for the home market
Stern Pinball's new website launched on June 2, 2010
The new Stern logo features a flipper and a pinball
Stern's website is one of 100,000 sites presently on the web to feature a Facebook 'like' option
Stern Pinball Inc won the 2005 Small Business Manufacturer of the Year award from Start Magazine
The mechanical centerfold mechanism opens and closes with interchangeable photo inserts
Playboy is now in production and should last for about 4 months if things go according to plan
Manufacturer of CSI; referenced in context of the 'stern dog years' era of code quality
Major pinball manufacturer; pipeline includes Borg game, Goldfinger Spike 3, Elwin Fallout; criticized for code-reliance and expectation mismanagement
Major pinball manufacturer; preferred by license holders; produces ~3 games/year; mentioned as passing on Back to the Future, Goonies, Gremlins in favor of Transformers, Venom, John Wick
Modern pinball manufacturer; produced Ripley's Believe It or Not (2004); continues production post-Williams/Bally era
Major pinball manufacturer; released Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye in May 2026; expanding European distribution via multiple importers; hosting media events with limited advance notice and asset access
Released Transformers More Than Meets the Eye, adjusting European distribution, multiple code updates to portfolio games
Pinball machine manufacturer based in Chicago; brought executives and new Transformers game to Park Avenue Open Day; establishing new European office in Amsterdam.
Major pinball manufacturer with upcoming releases including Transformers (with rumored cut transformer toy), Pokemon (delayed code approval), and speculation about Fallout and Goldfinger
Major pinball manufacturer; producer of Foo Fighters machine; referenced in gameplay discussion
Major pinball manufacturer; released Transformers (More Than Meets the Eye); planning Tales of the Arabian Nights release
Pinball manufacturer (inferred as manufacturer of Beetlejuice based on game references)
Pinball manufacturer releasing code update for John Wick
Pinball manufacturer releasing Transformers and managing Pokémon, Walking Dead Remastered, John Wick titles
Dominant manufacturer by volume; moved 87 machines in April with median pricing 7,800-8,200
Major pinball manufacturer mentioned in context of Transformers media day
Manufacturer of Pokémon Pinball; major pinball manufacturer with Spike 3 platform; releases promotional videos and manages code updates
Major pinball manufacturer; subject of Walt's critique regarding code quality across different design teams and perceived shift toward sanitized content
Major commercial pinball manufacturer; produces Pro/Premium/LE models; audience target at conventions like Fanime
Pinball manufacturer of Batman 66
Major pinball manufacturer; subject of criticism regarding growth decisions and workplace stress; multiple rumored upcoming titles
Manufacturer of Transformers Limited Edition pinball machine
Added Pokemon Pro and Premium to Stern Rewards Program
Major pinball manufacturer; subject of criticism for Transformers incomplete mech, Pokemon Costco strategy, mass production prioritization
Manufacturer of Pokémon, Deadpool, Star Wars Fall of the Empire; cited for QC issues (guardrail placement on Pokémon)
Major pinball manufacturer; releases quarterly; discussed as potentially working on original-themed Dracula game
Manufacturer of Transformers pinball game; allegedly had internal staff leak mech information before official launch
Major pinball manufacturer; released John Wick (2015 KISS remake mentioned as possible future project)
Manufacturer of Batman 66 pinball machine being streamed; major industry player
Major pinball manufacturer; recently released Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye and Pokemon pinball; runs manufacturing facility with ~200 employees; one shift per day currently; high production volume of Pokemon machines
Manufacturer of Foo Fighters Pinball
Manufacturer of John Wick Pinball; released gameplay video referenced by host
Manufacturer of Deadpool machine used in this qualifier
Manufacturer of Pokémon Pinball; holding media day event
Major pinball manufacturer; criticized for Transformers execution failure and Pokemon code update delays
Manufacturer of Pokemon Pinball game being celebrated at this tournament event
Manufacturer of Star Wars: Fall of the Empire pinball machine
Major manufacturer; subject of discussion regarding AI placeholder images, Star Trek announcement, Pokemon code delays, Transformers release strategy
Major manufacturer; released Pokemon, Harry Potter, Dungeons & Dragons at TPF; growing social media presence
Major pinball manufacturer releasing Star Trek, Transformers, and unannounced Dracula game; experiencing staffing issues and marketing/website management challenges
Major pinball manufacturer; produced Simpsons Pinball Party (2003) and Jurassic Park; discussed in context of manufacturing philosophy changes over time
Manufacturer of Transformers; hosts preview events for new games; recently shifted design focus toward code quality and playfield layout over mechanical toys
Manufacturer of Transformers pinball machine; George Gomez and design team made decision to remove transformation mechanic.
Major manufacturer; subject of hardest game analysis and licensing discussions regarding Walking Dead Remastered and potential Star Trek title
Pinball manufacturer; revealed Transformers cornerstone game; The Pinball Capital has two on order
Major pinball manufacturer with multiple upcoming releases, experiencing staffing issues and AI image marketing gaffe
Manufacturer of King Kong Pro; Jamie toured their office space with Keith Stern and Gary Stern
Major pinball manufacturer referenced in context of upcoming Star Wars pinball game and current games in circulation.
Major pinball manufacturer; referenced in context of James Bond 007 and other titles; Gary Stern is founder/family connection
Manufacturer offering $99/year home leaderboard subscription; Jack Danger hired after homebrew success; represented at Expo.
Major pinball manufacturer; Pokemon and other recent releases at museum use Stern hardware
Pinball manufacturer whose machines are distributed by Compulsive Pinball
Manufacturer of Transformers pinball machine; headquarters in Elk Grove Village, Illinois
Manufacturer announcing Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye pinball game with Gen 1 theme
Major pinball manufacturer; releasing Transformers, Fallout, and multiple 2024 titles; criticized for operational stress and cost-cutting decisions
Major manufacturer; games discussed (Star Wars Pro); Stern Game Room of the Month contest mentioned as example of intentional design
Manufacturer of Transformers pinball; praised for securing Hasbro cooperation and original voice talent
Manufacturer with extensive machine showcase at festival including Pokémon (LE/Premium/Pro), and multiple titles in free-play area
Manufacturer of Godzilla and other machines discussed; source of original components and designs
Manufacturer of Transformers pinball game with Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition tiers
Manufacturer of Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye pinball machine
Official publisher/manufacturer of Transformers pinball machine
Major pinball manufacturer; held Media Day for Transformers reveal; known for recent attention to game reliability
Manufacturer announcing and releasing Transformers pinball on May 20th, featuring connected gameplay platform and tiered editions
Manufacturer announcing Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye pinball machine
Manufacturer of the Transformers pinball machine shown in gameplay video
Manufacturer of Transformers pinball machine
Manufacturer of the Transformers Limited Edition pinball machine featured in this gameplay footage
Manufacturer of Transformers pinball machine and other commercial titles being discussed
Manufacturer of Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye pinball, cornerstone 2026 release
Manufacturer of Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye pinball machine; produced this official gameplay premiere
Competing pinball manufacturer; contrasted unfavorably with JJP on design philosophy; employer of Keith Elwin
Manufacturer of Transformers Pinball; presented game at media event; previous releases criticized by Dirtypool include Star Wars and Pokemon
Major pinball manufacturer releasing new G1 Transformers game with Pro/Premium/LE tiers
Manufacturer of Pokémon Premium pinball machine
Released Transformers pinball machine
Manufacturer of Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye; revealed official gameplay stream and design team
Manufacturer of Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye; published official gameplay stream
Manufacturer of Transformers pinball; hosts attended media event; known for selective press invitations to manage information flow
Manufacturer of Transformers pinball machine; hosted media day event
Manufacturer of pinball machines; mentioned as source of cornerstone pro machines acquired through Capital Pinball's Re-Pin Program (Star Wars Fall of the Empire, Pokémon)
Manufacturer that revealed Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye; held media event at Elk Grove Village, Illinois headquarters
Manufacturer of Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye pinball machine
Manufacturer announcing Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye as second 2026 cornerstone release
Manufacturer of Star Wars: Fall of the Empire
Major pinball manufacturer; subject of extensive criticism for Transformers game design compromises, rapid release strategy, and private equity-driven business model pressuring employee burnout
Manufacturer of the Transformers pinball game; released the title under standard Pro/Premium/LE tier structure
World's largest pinball manufacturer; developer and publisher of TRANSFORMERS: More Than Meets the Eye
Manufacturer of Transformers: More than Meets the Eye; released in Pro ($6,999), Premium ($9,699), Limited Edition ($12,999) tiers
Manufacturer of Transformers 'More Than Meets the Eye' pinball machine; revealed game on this date
Manufacturer of Transformers pinball machine; subject of episode analysis
Manufacturer of Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye, world's largest pinball manufacturer, headquartered near Chicago O'Hare
Major pinball manufacturer; releasing Transformers More Than Meets the Eye; maintaining 750-unit LE limit and no price increases
Manufacturer of Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye cornerstone game, officially revealing Wednesday May 20, 2026
Major pinball manufacturer; hosts suggest as potential partner for boutique punk pinball division; mentioned as attending media day for Transformers
Major manufacturer revealing Transformers Limited Edition this week; subject of criticism regarding reveal scheduling and three-tier pricing model
Major pinball manufacturer; maker of Batman 66 remake; known for doing classic game remakes.
Major pinball manufacturer where Jeremy Packer currently serves as studio art director
Manufacturer of Transformers, Pokemon, Fallout, and other upcoming titles; subject of discussion regarding design decisions, licensing, and release cadence
Manufacturer of Transformers G1 pinball machine; criticized for slow response to Reddit leak and lack of official gameplay video
Manufacturer and publisher of the official Transformers pinball machine
Major pinball manufacturer; audience expresses desire for them to produce commercial Beastie Boys machine
Manufacturer of Star Wars: Fall of the Empire
Manufacturer whose Spike 2 cabinet was replicated for Dark Chaos physical build
Mentioned in error by speaker during opening commentary ('Merlin's Arcade by Stern')
Multiple modern games present (John Wick, Walking Dead, Mando, Elvis, RoboCop); merchandise available
Major pinball manufacturer releasing Transformers game on May 20th with three trim levels; holding media day at Chicago headquarters on May 20th
Major pinball manufacturer; releasing Transformers; subject of speculation about intentional leak; noted for recent return to original designs.
Announces and leaks Transformers pinball; maintains complex multi-platform content infrastructure
Manufacturer of Transformers cornerstone pinball machine; released second trailer May 15, 2026
Major pinball manufacturer under sustained criticism in episode for: LE pricing model, Spike 3 cost-cutting perceived as reducing quality perception, rapid game release cadence, code immaturity at launch, and engineering failures on IP marquee features.
Major pinball manufacturer; developed Transformers; accidentally leaked game details via Insider Connected app
Major pinball manufacturer referenced for game sales and sponsorships
Manufacturer of Transformers, Pokemon, Fallout; criticized for rapid release cycle, LE value collapse, and inability to control leaks
Manufacturer; released Pokemon Pro code update with licensing and achievements
Major pinball manufacturer; released/leaked Transformers playfield images via Insider Connected app
Major pinball manufacturer; referenced for comparison on theme choices and market positioning
Major manufacturer; released leaked Transformers images via Insider Connected app
Manufacturer of Transformers pinball machine; subject of discussion regarding design and production
Pinball manufacturer confirming Transformers as next Cornerstone release
Manufacturer releasing the Transformers pinball machine
Major manufacturer; recent releases: Pokémon, Transformers (imminently), Sonic (June), Fallout; criticized for slow code updates on Pokémon.
Only major pinball manufacturer in 2009-2010 market when Multimorphic was founded; traditional design competitor
Major pinball manufacturer; rumored to be developing Goldfinger Bond edition, unlicensed Dracula game, and Ozzy Osbourne music game
Major pinball manufacturer criticized for aggressive release schedule; releasing Pokemon, Transformers, Sonic, and Back to the Future in rapid succession
Manufacturer of Iron Man pinball machine, released standard and vault edition versions
Major pinball manufacturer preparing to reveal 'Cornerstone' game via media showing May 20th; rumored to hold Transformers license
Major pinball manufacturer; described as industry backbone; Kaneda defends against criticism, noting their production volume and market dominance
Major manufacturer announcing Cornerstone title (rumored Transformers) with media day May 20; Pokemon LE currently shipping with bare-bones code
Major pinball manufacturer hosting media preview for next cornerstone game
Developing Transformers pinball by Elliott Eisman; released Pokémon code update .82
Pinball manufacturer; released Pokémon pinball game and code update version 0.82
Manufacturer of Pokemon pinball; criticized for poor code update presentation and Insider Connected integration
Manufacturer of Pokémon Premium
Manufacturer of Jaws 50th Anniversary Premium pinball machine; credited with design improvements and cosmetic enhancements for anniversary edition
Manufacturer of Batman 66, referenced in context of the mystery game teaser as NOT the manufacturer of the upcoming mystery title
Manufacturer of Pokémon Pro; responsible for manufacturing defects including node board issues and lane guide misalignment
Major pinball manufacturer; rumored to be producing Transformers machine; hosts Insider Connect digital platform
Major manufacturer with dominant market share; discussed for need to elevate Limited Edition offerings and improve theme licensing strategy
Manufacturer of multiple machines featured in tournaments including Star Wars: Fall of the Empire, King Kong: Myth of Terror Island
Manufacturer of Pokémon pinball machine; released v0.82 code update
Announced Spike 3 Expression Speaker Lights accessory ($199.99) compatible with Star Wars, The Walking Dead Remastered, and Pokémon Spike 3 games
Major pinball manufacturer; employer of Raymond Davidson since 2020; produces music-licensed and themed pinball machines
Major pinball manufacturer; covered games include Lord of the Rings, Walking Dead Pro, Venom Premium, Kiss Pro, Pawn 60th, Godzilla 70th
Major pinball manufacturer; discussed games include Guardians of the Galaxy Pro, Avengers Infinity Quest, Ghostbusters Pro, Godzilla 70th, Pokemon LE
Established pinball manufacturer; referenced as comparison point for production scale and licensed IP strategy (Pokémon example)
Major pinball manufacturer, producer of Star Wars Fate of the Empire and Walking Dead Remaster
Major manufacturer; releasing Pokemon pinball game currently shipping; discussed manufacturing challenges with orbit alignment
Largest pinball manufacturer; produced Godzilla (approaching all-time sales record), Jaws 50th, Star Wars; significantly higher production capacity than competitors
Major pinball manufacturer; discussed in monthly market analysis with pricing data for multiple titles
Manufacturer of The Walking Dead Remastered on Spike 3 platform
Major pinball manufacturer; subject of market analysis segment
Major pinball manufacturer; released Walking Dead Remastered in 2025
Major pinball manufacturer; machines analyzed include Star Wars Premium 2017, Elvira's House of Horrors, King Kong LE, Kiss Premium, Lord of the Rings LE
Major pinball manufacturer that contracted Randy Martinez for artwork on Star Wars Comic Edition, Mandalorian, and John Wick; operates factory in Chicago.
Manufacturer; multiple modern titles analyzed in pricing segment
Former employer of Lyman Sheets before he started consulting business
Manufacturer of Pokemon by Stern Pinball, secured landmark 30th anniversary license from Pokemon Company
Major pinball manufacturer; games analyzed include Walking Dead (original and remake), Teenage Mutant Turtles Pro, Foo Fighters Premium, X-Men LE, Ghostbusters
Primary manufacturer announcing monthly news, products, and community initiatives
Primary manufacturer subject of criticism for code delays and high production volume strategy
Major manufacturer; Pokemon is reported as fastest-selling game in 25-year company history earning 2.5x revenue of other machines; sponsoring Q West Comedy Festival; planning European distribution restructuring
Major manufacturer claiming Pokemon is fastest-selling in 25-year history, earning 2.5x other machines; restructuring European distribution; sponsored QWest Comedy Festival
Market-dominant manufacturer; Pokemon release driving record sales velocity and operator earn rates; production schedule shows May gap before next Cornerstone; discontinuing Stranger Things, Uncanny X-Men, James Bond; rumored next title is Transformers
Manufacturer of Rush pinball machine
Manufacturer of John Wick Pro pinball machine used in this tournament match.
Manufacturer of The Walking Dead pinball machine being played in this tournament
Manufacturer of Wheel of Fortune pinball machine used in tournament
Manufacturer of John Wick Pro
Major pinball manufacturer; Kaneda has personal relationships with staff; known for customer service gestures
Manufacturer of Pokémon pinball; working with Pokémon Company on licensing; expected to continue code updates for years
Manufacturer of King Kong Premium and recent Stern releases discussed (Stranger Things, Motor World)
Manufacturer of the 24 pinball machine being played
Manufacturer of Iron Man (2010)
Major pinball manufacturer; subject of speculation regarding Fallout, Transformers, and AC/DC releases
Modern manufacturer; produces Godzilla and other recent releases; only company capable of producing games with Godzilla's programming complexity; market leader
Pinball manufacturer; released Pokémon pinball at Amusement Expo 2026 with exceptional pre-order demand
Pinball manufacturer; was lifestyle sponsor of Q-West 2 comedy festival; operated pop-up free play arcade at Lost Boy Creations; featured latest titles including Pokemon and Dungeons & Dragons: The Tyrant's Eye
Major manufacturer; currently shipping Pokemon, Jaws, and other recent titles; anticipating large code update for Pokemon
Major manufacturer criticized for Pokemon code delays, topper production, D&D topper delays, and Goonies limited production (999 units)
Major pinball manufacturer; produces Pokémon; George Gomez works here; working on multiple potential titles (Lord of the Rings, Journey)
Pinball manufacturer producing Pokémon machine; licensing from The Pokémon Company.
Major pinball manufacturer, creator of Insider Connected platform
Manufacturer of Deadpool (Jared's purchase), Jaws, and other machines discussed; Keith Elwin designed Jaws
Major pinball manufacturer; criticized for software development efficiency; producing Transformers, Sonic, Fallout in 2024-2025
Pinball manufacturer; acquired Sega operations in 2000; used compatible board sets with late Sega machines
Major manufacturer; referenced for flipper feel benchmark, dealer network, and passed on He-Man license
Major pinball manufacturer; subject of JJP criticism regarding brick shot design; operates Insider Connected network
Major pinball manufacturer; rumored to announce Transformers Gen 1 game
Major pinball manufacturer; produced Ghostbusters, Metallica, WWE, and Iron Maiden
Manufacturer of Pokemon Pinball; game designed by Gomez; licensing approval delays noted for Insider Connected
Major pinball manufacturer; upcoming releases include Transformers (Elliott Eismin) and Fallout (Keith Elwin) by end of year.
Major manufacturer; confirmed to be releasing Transformers Generation 1 (Elliot Eismin designer); launches with minimal launch code requiring extended updates per Don
Manufacturer with YouTube explainer videos for ruleset documentation
Was rumored (incorrectly) to be making Masters of the Universe pinball at one point
Major pinball manufacturer; rumored to have cornerstone release by mid-June 2026; speculation centers on Transformers, Fallout, or AC/DC remaster
Major pinball manufacturer; releasing Transformers, Pokemon, Fallout, AC/DC, and others in 2025-2027
Major pinball manufacturer; produces machines discussed including Pokemon, Harry Potter, Godzilla, Deadpool; produces Insider Connected digital ecosystem
Major pinball manufacturer; produces Pokemon, Godzilla, King Kong, Jaws, Jurassic Park, Star Wars, and upcoming Cornerstone game
Major pinball manufacturer; Pokemon 2026 release driving hype; Transformers rumored as next cornerstone game
Manufacturer of Pokémon pinball, licensed major IP, managing licensing constraints and code approval
Competing pinball manufacturer referenced in comparative context
Major pinball manufacturer; released Pokémon in 2026; known for large IP licenses (Godzilla, Deadpool, Star Wars); dominant market position
Manufacturer rumored to be working on AC/DC (John Borg original design on Spike 3) rather than music pin remasters; positioned as having Marvel IP dominance that JJP aims to counter with DC
Manufacturer; discussed re: Terminator 3 pistol-grip shooter feature; machines played at Comet Kingdom
Pinball manufacturer producing Winchester Mystery House (500 units), Pokemon Pinball machines
Pinball manufacturer; Phantom Amusement stocks 10-12 new Stern machines and maintains Stern Insider leaderboard
Sponsor of Stern Rewards Program for qualifying IFPA players
Major pinball manufacturer; Pokemon LE pricing at $12,999; developing Transformers; subject of LE value retention criticism; criticized for coil stop durability issues.
Rumored to have John Borg working on remastered KISS and/or all-new AC/DC machines
Major established pinball manufacturer; discussed as comparison point for licensed IP strategy (e.g., Pokemon); large production capacity; mentioned as industry leader.
Major pinball manufacturer discussed for Pokemon, Transformers, Godzilla, and other releases
Manufacturer of multiple Dennis Nordman games: Wheel of Fortune (2007), Pirates of the Caribbean (2006), Elvira's House of Horrors (2019)
Major pinball manufacturer; criticized for pricing strategy, IP enforcement, and social media strategy
Major pinball manufacturer providing arcade machines for event activation
Pinball manufacturer whose Pokémon machine was featured in the CBS segment with Roger Sharpe
Dominant pinball manufacturer with ~75-80% market share, criticized for siloed development and high pricing despite limited innovation in recent releases
Manufacturer with confirmed pipeline (Transformers, Fallout, AC/DC/KISS remasters) and rumored Dracula and Bill & Ted
Implied manufacturer of Venom
Manufacturer of Pokemon; subject of remaster speculation; managing IP approval delays for code updates
Major pinball manufacturer; holds Pokémon license (licensing source unclear per author)
Sponsor/prize provider; provided NIB pinball machine as championship prize to Viggo Löwgren
Manufacturer of King Kong, Jaws, Harry Potter, Metallica Remastered, and other games discussed
Manufacturer of Pokémon and other referenced titles; contrast point for design philosophy (tournament-focused vs. casual)
Major pinball manufacturer facing criticism for LE value depreciation, oversaturation (15,000-20,000 units/year), and lack of LE differentiation from Premium editions
Manufacturer of Jaws pinball machine (2024)
Major manufacturer; hosts Keith Elwin and other designers; referenced for multiple recent game releases
Major pinball manufacturer; Kaneda criticizes new LE pricing at $13K-$20K+; makes Pokémon and upcoming Transformers
Major pinball manufacturer; mentioned for D&D Pinball, ball coatings, Bond 60th manufacturing QA issues, and customer service
Manufacturer of pinball machines distributed by Compulsive Pinball
Manufacturer of Pokémon Premium
Major pinball manufacturer, produces Pokemon, Dungeons and Dragons, Harry Potter, Elton John, Avatar
Manufacturer of Pokémon pinball machine using Spike 3 platform
Major pinball manufacturer. Referenced regarding modern game features, LCD screens, and lighting specifications.
Manufacturer of Pokémon Premium
Manufacturer of machines featured in video
Major pinball manufacturer; Pokémon mentioned as recent release with complex code
Manufacturer of the Rush pinball machine
Major pinball manufacturer; target of critique for designing accessible games like Pokémon Pinball and making design compromises like removing guns from John Wick
Major pinball manufacturer with US and Brazil facilities
Manufacturer of Aerosmith and other pinball machines, producer of the Spike 2 platform
Manufacturer of Pokémon Premium pinball machine
Manufacturer of Pokémon Premium and other modern pinball machines discussed
Manufacturer of Pokémon Premium
Major pinball manufacturer, based in Chicago area near American Pinball's Palatine facility
Manufacturer of Pokémon LE and other machines; subject of quality control discussion; uses Spike 3 platform and has made recent design changes (zip ties, cash box locks).
Manufacturer of Batman '66 pinball machine
Manufacturer of Pokémon Premium Edition pinball machine being unboxed
Manufacturer of Pokémon Pinball, Transformers, Harry Potter, and Mountain Dew commission game
Major pinball manufacturer providing championship prize
Major pinball manufacturer with rumored Mountain Dew machine, Transformers Cornerstone game, and Pokémon titles
Pinball manufacturer sponsoring the Stern Pro Circuit tournament series
Major pinball manufacturer with factory historically located within a mile of TPC; games featured at opening including Meteor (1979)
Major pinball manufacturer; hosts 'Stern of the Union' monthly address; produces Pokemon
Major pinball manufacturer; Godzilla, Jaws, Jurassic Park, King Kong, Pokemon, and rumored Transformers Cornerstone titles mentioned as shipping/upcoming
Manufacturer of Pokémon Pinball; acknowledged as dominant in production capacity
Major pinball manufacturer with factory in Elk Grove Village; recently released multiple games approaching or at 1.0 code versions
Manufacturer and primary subject of newsletter
Commercial pinball manufacturer observed by Marco Pinball crew evaluating homebrew games at Expo
Manufacturer of Pokemon Pinball; criticized for LE cabinet decal quality (regular stickers vs. radial); praised for playfield clarity and audio-visual design; expected to deliver significant code updates
Primary subject of episode; manufacturer of connected pinball machines; developer of Insider Connected app
Mentioned as competitor that was making 'good games' during Gottlieb's difficult 1980s period
Major pinball manufacturer, Emily won two new-in-box Stern machines as Lions Classic prize
Manufacturer releasing D&D 1.0 code update; primary subject of video
Manufacturer of Batman machine used in review; known for using hot glue on ribbon cables and specific installation designs
Major pinball manufacturer; their Venom machine is featured prominently and was ordered by Dutch Pinball Museum
Manufacturer discussed extensively; producer of Spike 2 platform machines (21 total produced according to Kurt); Keith Elwin designs for Stern mentioned
Manufacturer of Pokemon Pinball; responsible for assembly and quality control issues discovered during unboxing
Modern pinball manufacturer; host suggests they should remaster Alaska
Major pinball manufacturer with upcoming Mountain Dew, Transformers, and Fallout machines
Sponsored championship prize of NIB (new-in-box) pinball machine for winner
Provided NIB (new in box) pinball machine as championship prize
Major manufacturer; Jurassic Park referenced as Pinball Pursuit's first rental machine
Largest pinball manufacturer; releasing Pokémon as multi-generational IP play
Major pinball manufacturer; George Gomez and Jack Danger are designers for Stern
Major pinball manufacturer; headquarters approximately 15 minutes from Pinball Capital venue
Major competitor criticized for fragile business model, high fixed costs, weak artwork-focused design, and vulnerability to sales variability
Major pinball manufacturer; currently pausing Pokemon LE production pending cosmetic parts; subject of production and market discussion
Major pinball manufacturer, subject of discussion regarding early game releases, code updates, warranty policy changes, and upcoming Pokémon machine.
Pinball manufacturer; discussed as later innovator in melody-based game openings
Mentioned as later entrant to game start melodies in pinball sound design
Manufacturer of Pokémon, Jaws, Stranger Things, and other games discussed
Major pinball manufacturer; operates All Access membership program with factory tours; discussed for their closed system approach and market dominance.
Major pinball manufacturer; producing Pokémon; now shipping Limited Edition units
Comparative reference point for reliability and production methodology; manufacturer of Pokemon and other recent games
Major manufacturer, developing Fallout and Transformers per insider reports, shipping Pokemon units, Kaneda reports good working relationship, drops 'banger' games every 4 months
Major pinball manufacturer; released King Kong, Walking Dead Remaster, and Star Wars Empire (all discussed at TPF 2026).
Had booth at TPF run by Fun Distributing; no new announcements or accessory drops; Pokemon competition with leaderboards
Pinball manufacturer; Project Pinball purchases machines at full cost; provided production decals at cost for Dean Grover's prototype restoration
Manufacturer of Pokemon, criticized for packaging decisions, praised for manufacturing capacity
Pinball machine manufacturer; providing new-in-box machine as prize
Major pinball manufacturer discussed in context of potential acquisition of Turner Pinball technology
Major pinball manufacturer with multiple machines discussed in secondary market pricing segment
Modern pinball manufacturer that Commander mentioned used to be nice but expressed preference for Williams machines
Mentioned in context of Gamatron machine with Lightning ROMs that Mike was testing with altered speech sounds.
Manufacturer of Dungeons and Dragons pinball machine; primary exhibitor at Gary Con 2026
Major manufacturer; Kaneda discusses pricing ceiling ($13K), strategy of feature/cost reduction, Spike 3 platform potential, and declining secondary market value retention
Major manufacturer; upcoming releases include Transformers G1 and a remaster (AC/DC or KISS); booth run by Fun distributor
Largest pinball manufacturer; showcased Pokémon at TPF; released Pokémon LE this week; managing Insider Connected implementation
Major pinball manufacturer; has strongest marketing infrastructure in industry with dedicated field marketing program led by Michael Grant; Pokemon game shipping but still has app integration issues
Major manufacturer; Kaneda criticizes $13k+ pricing for games without toppers; references James Bond 60th $20k pricing
Manufacturer of Austin Powers (2001) and other machines discussed; major pinball manufacturer
Manufacturer of Pokémon Pinball; representatives Lloyd, Joanna, and Stefan attending stream
Pokémon booth at TPF with multiple machines; Pokémon available in Pro/Premium/LE tiers; Walking Dead and John Wick also on display
Major pinball manufacturer with booth at Texas Pinball Festival; producing Pokemon, Circus Voltaire remasters; no new game announcements mentioned (Jack withheld details from seminar)
Major manufacturer; displayed Pokémon machines (Pro/Premium), Star Wars: Fall of the Empire, Walking Dead Remastered at TPF
Major pinball manufacturer announcing code update for John Wick
Major pinball manufacturer; produces Aerosmith, Pokemon, and other games; has vault/archive system for discontinued titles; referenced by host as not providing Pokemon to Flip N Out
Major pinball manufacturer with significant booth presence at TPF 2026, displaying Pokemon and other titles
Major manufacturer; criticized for four years of money-losing LEs that damaged collectability; Pokemon LE in secondary market
Major manufacturer criticized alongside others for quality control issues in modern releases
Major pinball manufacturer exhibiting at TPF 2026 through Fun! vendor stand
Manufacturer of Jaws and Pokémon; confirmed as Pokémon release publisher for 2026
Major manufacturer; producing Pokemon, Godzilla, King Kong; discussed for manufacturing scale and quality control challenges
Major pinball manufacturer, discussed as ideal publisher for Back to the Future remake
Manufacturer of multiple pinball machines featured at the arcade
Major pinball manufacturer; rumored to debut Pokemon topper at TPF; typically represented by Marco Specialties at show
Major pinball manufacturer, games featured include Foo Fighters (2023), The Uncanny X-Men (2024), Black Knight: Sword of Rage (2019)
Major pinball manufacturer, referenced for animation quality and design sophistication compared to Turner's smaller studio
Major pinball manufacturer; employer of Seth Davis; maintains game collection and 15-minute daily play policy
Manufacturer of Star Wars: Fall of the Empire and other modern licensed pinball games
Pinball manufacturer; author references King Kong: Myth of Terror Island (Stern, 2025) as influenced by Congo's design
Referenced in discussion of iconic sound design examples (Star Wars theme overuse, Stranger Things Demogorgon tension)
Launched Insider Connected in 2021, validating connected pinball concept that Scorbit had pioneered
Major pinball manufacturer, showcased Star Wars: Fall of the Empire at Expo 2025
Manufacturer of The Walking Dead pinball machine
Manufacturer announcing The Walking Dead Remastered; pursuing remaster strategy following Metallica Remastered success
Manufacturer of Star Wars: Fall of the Empire
Manufacturer of Walking Dead Remastered and other Spike 3 platform games
Manufacturer of Star Wars: Fall of the Empire, King Kong, and Dungeons & Dragons
Major pinball manufacturer; Venom (2023) cited as last modern game added to IPDB
Manufactures pinball machines; runs the 2026 Stern Pro Circuit competitive series
Rumored potential partner to produce Back to the Future with Dutch Pinball, based on cryptic comments; partnership unconfirmed
Manufacturer of Pokemon by Stern Pinball; described as 'the largest manufacturer of pinball games in the world'
Manufacturer of King Kong and other nominees; won two TWIPY awards through King Kong
Modern pinball manufacturer; produced Lord of the Rings machine referenced in Barenaked Ladies song
Major manufacturer ruled out as unlikely candidate due to DCC being too new/risky for their typical licensing approach
Manufacturer of Pokémon Pinball, releasing it as their first 2026 title
Major pinball manufacturer; home pinball products start at $5,000, cited as market comparison point
Major pinball manufacturer; releasing Walking Dead Remastered and other modern machines; has streaming channel and content production infrastructure in Chicago facility
Major pinball manufacturer; employer of Raymond Davidson; uses C++ codebase and Lyman Sheets' modular system architecture
Pinball manufacturer launching Stern Army program to promote location pinball; offers priority shipment to Army locations; provides marketing assets and webinars to members
Pinball manufacturer; employs Raymond Davidson, John Borg, Lyman Sheets, and other software/design team members; produces music-themed games and uses C++ code architecture
Manufacturer and organizer of Stern Army program; provides resources, assets, prize support, and priority game shipments to Stern Army locations
Major pinball manufacturer; subjects of discussion include Pokemon manufacturing issue, Godzilla Gold rumor, pricing, communication failures
Major manufacturer; produced Pokemon; compared to boutique manufacturers in pricing and design philosophy
Criticized for poor NDA/leak security; subject of speculation about intentional leak strategy
Stern Rewards Program sponsor; offers incentives for IFPA-ranked competitive players
Manufacturer of Pokémon pinball
Major pinball manufacturer; producing Pokémon pinball and hosting the Stern Pro Championship
Major pinball manufacturer; released Walking Dead remaster, producing Spike 3 cabinets with expression lights
Major pinball manufacturer participating in Worldwide Beetlejuice Pinball Day celebrations on October 14th with Walking Dead gameplay reveal
Pinball manufacturer; JC recently completed factory tour visit
Competing pinball manufacturer; referenced with friendly ribbing at JJP seminar; Premium model used as price comparison for Harry Potter Arcade Edition
Major pinball manufacturer mentioned in pitch setup discussion; referenced as industry standard
Major pinball manufacturer; displayed ~200 machines at Pinball at the Beach; working on Walking Dead remaster code
Major pinball manufacturer; released Pokémon Pinball; securing major IP licenses; producing at high volume; mentioned as market leader that operators/collectors prefer over Jersey Jack
Major pinball manufacturer; referenced in layout flow comparison context
Competitor manufacturer; used as comparison point for ball size and standard equipment
Manufacturer of Star Wars pinball; largest pinball manufacturer
Manufacturer of The Walking Dead, Batman, and rumored new Star Wars pinball, based in Chicago, Illinois; recently held Batman pinball factory stream event
Manufacturer of Pokémon pinball machine currently in production
Major pinball manufacturer using Spike 3 platform in recent games including Walking Dead remake
Manufacturer of Jurassic Park Limited Edition and Dungeons & Dragons machines discussed in stream
Manufacturer of Walking Dead Remastered; Neil references their code enhancement plans
Major manufacturer present at Pinball at the Beach with extensive game collection; brought ~200 games to the show
Major pinball manufacturer; discussed in context of designer assignments and manufacturing timelines
Major pinball manufacturer; producing Pokémon; acknowledges and addressing Bulbasaur lane ball guide issue
Manufacturer of Pokémon; responsible for playfield pressing and quality control; affected by manufacturing tooling error
Manufacturer producing and developing Star Wars: Fall of the Empire; hosts the live-stream demonstration.
Major manufacturer with confirmed Pokémon release and upcoming Transformers, Fallout, AC/DC, and KISS remasters
Manufacturer of Pokémon Pinball
Major pinball manufacturer, producing Pokémon Pinball and Walking Dead Remastered with noted launch and design issues.
Major pinball manufacturer; released Pokémon Pro with identified ball drain issue
Released Version 0.92 'Rebel Rebellion (Part 1)' code for Star Wars: Fall of the Empire on March 12, 2026
Manufacturer of Godzilla pinball machine being modified
Referenced as manufacturing precedent for strategic talent acquisition; example of Keith Elwin hiring model
Video source; appears to be Stern's official commemorative production about Mustang pinball machines
Manufacturer posting holiday-themed content
Source of the video post; major pinball manufacturer
Manufacturer of Venom pinball machine
Modern pinball manufacturer; produced the 2007 Spider-Man machine that initiated Project Pinball
Pinball manufacturer where Greg Ferrer worked as art director for many years
Major pinball manufacturer; produces Venom, Stranger Things, Jaws, and many other titles discussed.
Major pinball manufacturer; previously built Medieval Madness remasters; now scaling back third-party manufacturing work; establishes pricing standard for industry
Major pinball manufacturer; John Trudeau was designing Iron Maiden for them; expected to separate from Trudeau professionally
Major pinball manufacturer where Keith Elwin is employed as designer; factory located near Chicago airport with new facility Keith has not yet visited
Manufacturer of Iron Maiden; Tim Sexton is employee; manufacturing constraints affecting distribution speed to West Coast
Referenced as competitor with topper code integration; compared against Jersey Jack's technology innovations
Manufacturer releasing multiple code updates including John Wick, Uncanny X-Men, and Jaws 50th Anniversary
Major pinball manufacturer producing Stranger Things and other games discussed
Major pinball manufacturer; Tim Sexton formerly employed as designer; recent game titles include Zeppelin
Major manufacturer referenced in discussion of unsigned translite and marketing practices.
Manufacturer of Jurassic Park and King Kong; Keith Elwin primary designer
Dominant pinball manufacturer; positioned as arcade-focused workhorse maker; known for proprietary OS, reliable hardware, Insider Connected feature, and high production capacity
Manufacturer of Pokémon; halting production on X-Men, James Bond, Stranger Things; Avengers Premium out of stock
Major pinball manufacturer; upcoming Star Wars game with media day September 10
Pinball manufacturer; subject of humor regarding pricing, limited editions, and product delays
Manufacturer; Don participated in hands-on Beetlejuice build; seeking themes that sell 1,000+ units; new unreleased game possibly coming to Pinball at the Beach
Manufacturer of Pokemon pinball machine (IP discussed)
Manufacturer of the C3PO Star Wars Expression Light topper; Don contacted them for troubleshooting support
Major pinball manufacturer; released Star Wars The Pin; implied to have designed machine under time/creative constraints
Major pinball manufacturer, released Star Wars, Metallica, and other recent titles
Major pinball manufacturer, releasing Star Wars pinball
Major pinball manufacturer; subject of speculation about potential Ghostbusters Remastered and strategic licensing reserves
Major manufacturer; Fallout, Pokemon, AC/DC Remastered, Transformers in pipeline; Expression Lights supply delays; denied Don dealer day access (other content creators allowed)
Major manufacturer; dominates connectivity market with Insider Connected; has real-time achievement system; rumored to be working on Corvette game
Major pinball manufacturer; Don discusses their games selling through to distributors; January 2026 game expected at TPF
Major pinball manufacturer; produces Kong, Funhouse (Pinball Brothers design), Star Wars Costco edition; employs designer Elwin
Manufacturer of Star Wars: Fall of the Empire and other modern pinball machines. Subject of performance criticism and praise throughout stream.
Major manufacturer with upcoming releases including Pokemon/Transformers; subject of speculation regarding production delays and launch timing
Emailed Don during the midnight release code-word reveal event
Major manufacturer; discussed for social media strategy, theme licensing competition with Spooky
Major pinball manufacturer; operates Insider Connected service; conducted media tour; under scrutiny for IC paid membership false advertising
Manufacturer of X-Men; demonstrated proprietary 3D modeling approach in development; moving toward more innovative game design
Major pinball manufacturer; flagship booth at Expo 2024; X-Men ranked among highest-hype games; donated structural materials to homebrew booth
Released official King Kong Topper days before Expo 2025; described as underwhelming; higher priced than competitor offerings
Game manufacturer; producing Star Wars machine under NDA; primary focus of mod market
Manufacturer of Pokemon, Godzilla; praised for recent theme choices; targeting arcade/family markets
Manufacturer with Kong game reveal event scheduled April 17th in Chicago
Major pinball manufacturer (implied context)
Major pinball manufacturer, released King Kong; held playtest event with ~35 attendees
Major pinball manufacturer; discussed for limited edition strategy and James Bond design
Major pinball manufacturer; released Godzilla, James Bond, Foo Fighters, Toy Story 4, Rush, Venom, Queen; criticized for high prices but praised for Godzilla and recent Foo Fighters
Major manufacturer; moving to new factory in August; releasing Venom in September; has multiple designers on staff
Modern continuation of Stern; later redesigned Sea Witch as The Beatles
Major pinball manufacturer; produced Godzilla and Bond Premium; handled cabinet replacements for affected Bond machines
Major pinball manufacturer; referenced for pricing strategy, version bloat (Pro/Elite/Premium/LE tiers), and Metallica/Godzilla releases
Major pinball manufacturer developing Jaws as cornerstone release; expanding production capacity
Manufacturer criticized for aggressive LE pricing strategy (Venom LE priced above historical Tron LE rates despite market saturation); distributor inventory crisis reported
Largest pinball manufacturer; managing significant backlog from Godzilla sales; expected next title in August predicted to be non-Keith Elwin title to manage manufacturing load
Referenced as established manufacturer with reliable track record and production consistency, contrasted favorably with Pinball Brothers
Major established manufacturer criticized for hiding playfield issues and lack of community engagement
Major pinball manufacturer; recently released Avengers, Iron Maiden, Jurassic Park; announced new streaming user agreement
Major manufacturer; praised by Jason for superior flipper response and latency; makes Alien themed machine
Major pinball manufacturer; has multiple games at Pintastic including Black Knight (described as Swords of Rage), Deadpool, and other new releases.
Major pinball manufacturer; Split Second and other recent games discussed
Major pinball manufacturer, releasing Stranger Things at $6K+ Pro price point, criticized for incomplete code and build quality issues
Major competitor manufacturer; discussed through Beatles pinball release and other rumored upcoming titles
Modern pinball manufacturer; collaborated with Ryan Clader on limited-edition merchandise
Company headed by Gary Stern; emerged from Data East connections; knowledge source on Capcom dynamics
Major pinball manufacturer; releasing James Bond with both Gomez and Elwin versions; experimenting with pricing strategy
Major pinball manufacturer; machines cost approximately $40,000 AUD in Australia per Ryan C report
Major manufacturer discussed for licensing Star Wars, Marvel, Jurassic Park, Stranger Things, Mandalorian. Emphasis on mass production model requiring major IP.
Major pinball manufacturer; employer of Keith Elwin; recently experienced personnel departure; has strong design and manufacturing capabilities
Major pinball manufacturer; subject of criticism regarding quality control, new factory output, pricing strategy, and potential shift toward Spike 3 and downloadable content model.
Major pinball manufacturer, announced Spike 3 development, new connectivity system, manufacturing improvements
Modern pinball manufacturer; referenced through characteristic mechanical sounds ('shrill noise that the modern sterns make')
Manufacturer of Rush, Godzilla, and other games; mentioned as having highest sales/popularity in recent releases.
Market leader in pinball manufacturing; consistent quality and designer talent; premium pricing ($13,000 LE + $2,000 toppers); upcoming releases include John Wick and Metallica; Pokémon teased via social media.
Major manufacturer praised for consistent code updates and game polish; competitor to Jersey Jack; making Jaws, James Bond, Batman, Elvira
Major pinball manufacturer; hosts praise Jaws code quality and theme integration; Elton John and Stranger Things referenced
Major pinball manufacturer; recent releases (Turtles, Mandalorian, Rush, Godzilla, Foo Fighters) analyzed for difficulty and design trends. Focus of discussion on game difficulty progression.
Pinball manufacturer referenced for standard parts and design conventions compared to Atari's unconventional approach.
Major pinball manufacturer; recently released Dungeons & Dragons; developing unannounced games; known for media day events
Pinball manufacturer; assumed to make games referenced like Iron Maiden
Manufacturer of Jurassic Park pinball machine; subject of code update praise
Major pinball manufacturer; produces Star Wars Pro and other machines; recently implemented UK/EU recommended retail pricing
Major pinball manufacturer; hired Keith Elwin and Zach Sharpe in 2017; produced Batman 66 and Star Wars among other games mentioned
Manufacturer confirmed to be producing the announced title with John Borg
Major pinball manufacturer under analysis for next six product releases
Major manufacturer; moving to new factory in August; shipped James Bond, Foo Fighters, Venom in first half of 2023; likely to announce Vault Edition by year-end
Major pinball manufacturer with 2024 production schedule heavily weighted toward Keith Elwin designs and licensed rereleases
Pinball manufacturer; host speculates about pricing/value in 2020
Major pinball manufacturer criticized for marketing practices, launch formula, internal leaks, and PR incompetence
Manufacturer of modern games played at IFPA 16 including Stern Kiss, Stern Black Knight: Sword of Rage, Stern Munsters LE, and other titles
Manufacturer of X-Men and other recent releases; discussed for quality control practices and frequent code updates
Pinball manufacturer; George praised Jurassic Park, also discussed Elvira; parts used in restorations
Pinball manufacturer that adopted Vari-Target in solid-state game Ripley's Believe It or Not
Pinball manufacturer that donated items to the charity auction
Modern pinball manufacturer; produces Star Wars topper; manufactured ~500 Monopoly board replacements; manufactures Rick and Morty and Stranger Things
Major pinball manufacturer; recently released Avengers LE; dominant market player
Modern pinball manufacturer; produced WWE pinball game with player-controlled kicker mechanism similar to Champion
Manufacturer of Pokémon pinball; discussed for production speed, competitive positioning, Transformers in development
Major pinball manufacturer; potentially developing Lord of the Rings and Tron VE per speculation
Modern pinball manufacturer; Orin Day worked there on games including Space Jam and Baywatch (Data East versions referenced)
Major pinball manufacturer announcing 30th anniversary party at Pinball Expo with entertainment guests and rumored game releases
Major manufacturer competing with JJP and other boutique makers; recent Avengers release referenced
Major pinball manufacturer; mentioned in tournament game list (NBA Stern referenced)
Major pinball manufacturer; subject of price increase rumors, code update criticism, playfield manufacturing issues, LCD display development
Major manufacturer referenced for production volume (200-400 games/week) and reliability comparison
Major pinball manufacturer; announced Iron Maiden as new game; hosts/sponsors circuit finals
Major pinball manufacturer; announced Tim Sexton's hire; releasing AC/DC Lucy remaster; producing three new games per year; hiring strategy focused on strong tournament players
Manufacturer of TMNT pinball machine
Major pinball manufacturer; released Uncanny X-Men in September 2024; notorious for customer service issues according to hosts
Implied reference; modern pinball manufacturer mentioned in adjacent industry context
Machine manufacturer; Alley game visible in auction
Manufacturer rumored to be producing Guns N' Roses pinball
Major pinball manufacturer; recently announced Aerosmith, Batman 66; hired Keith Elwyn as designer; discussed for pop-bumper drainage issues
Major manufacturer; licensing Harry Potter potentially; diagnosing TMNT glider assembly issues; speculation about Back to the Future
Major manufacturer; modern Stern games do not appear to have adjustable flipper voltage (per George)
Major pinball manufacturer; expected to announce new game 'The Monsters' at CES; most raffled machines through Project Pinball; factory tour at Pinball Expo
Major pinball manufacturer; released Stern Pinball 30 Years anniversary book; producing 3-4 games per year
Major pinball manufacturer; mentioned in context of show themes and manufacturing capabilities.
Pinball manufacturer; produced Foo Fighters machine; had panel discussion at MGC
[Triage: The company progressed from a 4-day work week to a more restrictive 3-day production schedule, representing a policy change over time rather than a factual disagreement.]
[Triage: Stern Pinball's employee count likely increased over time as the company expanded, making this a progression rather than a genuine conflict.]
[Triage: The statements describe different time periods: stable pricing for 3 years followed by a shift toward price increases and premium pricing in recent releases.]