Stern Pinball News...Insider Connected App, New Disney Theme?, Newer Music Pins?

Knapp Arcade·article·analyzed·Aug 4, 2022

Analysis

claude-haiku-4-5-20251001 · $0.014

TL;DR

Stern's new Disney-connected president hints at IP expansion and 90s music themes.

Summary

Knapp Arcade reports on Stern Pinball's latest Insider Pinball Podcast episode featuring new President Seth Davis (former Disney executive). Key revelations include 43,000 registered Insider Connected accounts, an upcoming Insider Connected mobile app in development, hints of future non-Marvel/Star Wars Disney IP licensing, and Stern's strategic pivot toward 1990s and newer music-themed games as classic rock/pop acts become exhausted.

Key Claims

Stern Pinball has 43,000 registered Insider Connected accounts
high confidence · Seth Davis (Stern President) stated during Insider Pinball Podcast episode, reported by Knapp Arcade
Stern is actively developing a mobile app for Insider Connected
high confidence · Seth Davis mentioned app in development during podcast; no timeline given
Stern is considering Disney themes beyond Marvel and Star Wars
medium confidence · Seth Davis hinted at future Disney property that isn't Marvel or Star Wars; based on his Disney background
Stern is actively looking at music themes from the 1990s and newer acts
medium confidence · Stern believes it's exhausting classic 70s/80s acts; podcast discussion suggests strategic shift
Wireless code updates via Insider Connected are functioning smoothly for most users
medium confidence · Knapp Arcade's personal experience with four connected machines; some user reports of issues exist

Notable Quotes

“His ties with Disney were obvious, so definitely look for more Stern Pinball machines featuring Disney properties in the future. There was even hints that a future Stern game may include a Disney theme that isn't Marvel or Star Wars.”
Knapp Arcade (article author) — Direct hint at upcoming non-Marvel/Star Wars Disney licensing; suggests strategic IP expansion
“Stern seems to know that it's running out of famous acts from the 70s and 80s that it can create pinball machines around so the company has started looking at bands from the 1990s and possibly newer.”
Knapp Arcade (article author) — Reveals Stern's recognition of music theme saturation; signals strategic pivot to newer IP

Entities

Stern PinballcompanySeth Davisperson Nate Shiversperson Insider ConnectedproductInsider Pinball PodcasteventKnapp Arcadeorganization Disneycompany Marvelcompany

Signals

?
business_signal: Insider Connected showing strong adoption with 43,000 registered accounts; wireless update infrastructure stabilizing
high · Seth Davis reported 43,000 registered accounts; Knapp Arcade reports smooth wireless update experience across four machines in different locations
?
licensing_signal: Seth Davis's Disney background signals strategic pivot toward expanded Disney IP licensing beyond Marvel and Star Wars
medium · Seth Davis is former Disney executive; article notes 'His ties with Disney were obvious' and hints at 'a future Stern game may include a Disney theme that isn't Marvel or Star Wars'
?
personnel_signal: Seth Davis appointed as new President of Stern Pinball; former Disney executive signals leadership transition toward IP-licensing-focused strategy
high · Seth Davis introduced as 'the new President of Stern Pinball, the former Disney executive'
?
business_signal: Stern recognizes saturation of classic 70s/80s music catalog; deliberately shifting focus to 1990s and newer music properties for future themed games
medium · Podcast discussion revealed 'Stern seems to know that it's running out of famous acts from the 70s and 80s that it can create pinball machines around so the company has started looking at bands from the 1990s'
?
technology_signal: Stern developing mobile app for Insider Connected ecosystem; represents expansion of digital platform beyond web portal
high · Seth Davis mentioned app in development during podcast; Knapp Arcade notes 'an app certainly would be easier than logging into Stern's website'

Topics

Insider Connected ecosystem expansionprimaryDisney IP licensing strategyprimaryMusic-themed pinball gamesprimaryStern Pinball leadership transitionsecondaryWireless code update functionalitysecondary

Sentiment

positive(0.75)— Article is optimistic about Stern's direction under new leadership and future IP prospects. Author expresses satisfaction with Insider Connected wireless updates. Tone is informative and appreciative of strategic pivots.

Transcript

raw_text · $0.000

Last night, Stern Pinball rolled out the latest episode of its Insider Pinball Podcast series, hosted by the pinball podcasting legend Nate Shivers. The new episode featured an interview with the new President of Stern Pinball, the former Disney executive Seth Davis. The main topic of discussion was the company's Insider Connected system, including what's new and what's coming. I was able to glean a few interesting pieces of information from the episode, including that Stern currently has 43,000 registered Insider Connected accounts. The other noteworthy thing that I came away with was that Stern is actively working on an app for Insider Connected. There was no word on when the app will be ready, but an app certainly would be easier than logging into Stern's website when you need to look at your Connected account. Beyond the Insider Connected talk, it was cool to get a sense of what Stern's relatively new President is like. To me, Seth Davis came across as being very likeable and competent. His ties with Disney were obvious, so definitely look for more Stern Pinball machines featuring Disney properties in the future. There was even hints that a future Stern game may include a Disney theme that isn't Marvel or Star Wars. The theme discussion also delved into music pins for a little while. From what I could gather from the conversation, Stern seems to know that it's running out of famous acts from the 70s and 80s that it can create pinball machines around so the company has started looking at bands from the 1990s and possibly newer. Speaking of Insider Connected, I updated all four of my connected machines with the company's new code last night. I personally thought that the process couldn't have gone smoother. The wireless updates are so much more convenient than having to break out a computer and memory stick. I have heard some reports of people having issues with wireless updates, but at my house they were flawless on two games that came from the factory with Connected kits and two that I installed myself in different parts of my house nowhere near my wireless router. I did update all of the machines one at a time though. I wonder if the people who are having issues are trying to update all of their connected games at the exact same time? Anyone who is interested in hearing the interview can do so by logging into their account on the Stern Pinball website: https://insider.sternpinball.com/login