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METALLICA REMASTERED REVEALED

Pinball News Website·article·held·Oct 16, 2024
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Analysis

claude-haiku-4-5-20251001 · $0.021

TL;DR

Stern Pinball announces Metallica Remastered with modern electronics, new modes, and premium pricing.

Summary

Stern Pinball officially revealed Metallica Remastered on October 16, 2024, a modernized remake of the 2013 Metallica pinball game featuring Spike 2 electronics, LCD display with concert footage, 22 songs (8 new), UV lighting, Expression Lighting system, and new game modes based on recent Metallica albums. Limited to 500 LE units at $12,999 and Premium models at $9,699, the game is now available through authorized distributors with band involvement in design and content creation.

Key Claims

  • Metallica Remastered is limited to 500 games globally in the LE model

    high confidence · Stern Pinball Inc. press release, explicitly stated in product specifications

  • The game includes 22 total songs, 8 more than the original 2013 Metallica game

    high confidence · Official announcement specifying expanded music catalog

  • Metallica Remastered was designed by John Borg with software by Raymond Davidson

    high confidence · Stern Pinball Inc. announcement crediting design team leadership

  • The game includes over 1,000 new speech calls with band callouts

    high confidence · Official product specifications in press release

  • Metallica Remastered runs on Stern's modern Spike 2 electronics platform

    high confidence · Official technical specifications in announcement

  • LE units include Expression Lighting System as standard; Premium models can add it as accessory

    high confidence · Official pricing and feature specifications

  • The game adds new modes based on Metallica's 72 Seasons (2023) and Hardwired…to Self-Destruct (2016) albums

    high confidence · Official announcement of expanded rule set enhancements

  • Premium Edition MSRP is $9,699 USD and LE is $12,999 USD

    high confidence · Official pricing table in press release

Notable Quotes

  • “Metallica is one of the quintessential pinball games that has been treasured and respected for over a decade now. We're incredibly proud of the entire Stern team in collaboration with Metallica for their thoughtful yet modern recreation of this beloved game, staying true to the design philosophies that have shaped pinball today and for years to come.”

    Seth Davis, President and CEO of Stern Pinball, Inc. — Official company leadership endorsement of the remaster project and design philosophy

  • “Stern Pinball has ensured that extra care and attention to detail has gone into every facet of Metallica Remastered while respecting the timeless classic game created by pinball legends John Borg and Lyman F. Sheats Jr., Jr.”

    — Emphasizes preservation of classic design while modernizing technology

Entities

Stern Pinball Inc.companyMetallica RemasteredgameMetallicaorganizationJohn BorgpersonLyman F. Sheats Jr.personRaymond DavidsonpersonSeth Davisperson

Signals

  • ?

    announcement: Official announcement of Metallica Remastered by Stern Pinball on October 16, 2024, with full technical specifications, pricing, and immediate availability

    high · Press release from official Stern Pinball channels with CEO quote and complete product details

  • ?

    product_launch: Metallica Remastered is now available for purchase through authorized Stern Pinball distributors and dealers worldwide in Premium ($9,699) and Limited Edition ($12,999) variants

    high · Official statement: 'Metallica Remastered pinball games are now available through authorized Stern Pinball distributors and dealers worldwide'

  • ?

    design_innovation: Game features multiple mechanical and lighting innovations including new Sparky bash mechanism, RGB-illuminated Skulls, UV lighting effects, and Expression Lighting system with synchronized animations

    high · Detailed specifications of three new sculptures, UV effects, and cabinet lighting integration

  • ?

    product_strategy: Metallica Remastered LE strictly limited to 500 units globally with exclusive features (Expression Lighting standard, mirrored backglass, custom art, numbered plaque, Certificate of Authenticity), creating collectible scarcity

    high · Explicit '500 games globally' limit with sequential numbering and CoA for LE variant only

  • ?

    collector_signal: $3,300 price premium between Premium ($9,699) and LE ($12,999) reflects collectible status and exclusive features, positioning LE as high-value limited release

    high · Official MSRP pricing with feature differentiation between tiers

Transcript

raw_text · $0.000

| | | --- | | CHICAGO, IL – October 16, 2024 – Today, Stern Pinball, Inc., revealed Metallica Remastered – a technologically advanced version of one of Stern Pinball’s greatest hits. Metallica Pinball was originally released in 2013 and is one of the most successful and beloved pinball games ever. Metallica Remastered has elevated the game to the modern era with gameplay, electronics, and presentation improvements. Metallica Remastered pinball games are available now in Premium and Limited Edition (LE) models, along with a full line of accessories available soon.Metallica Remastered is updated with a full-color LCD display featuring all-new animations and live concert video footage. Stern’s modern Spike 2 electronics will power the gameplay experience.  Fans will enjoy expanded gameplay and improved presentation with 22 songs (8 more than the original) and expanded gameplay rules. Cabinet improvements include an Expression Lighting system and 2 all-new art packages by Metallica artist Rhys Cooper.  Players will experience the same great flow from the original Metallica playfield layout with geometry and mechanical improvements, new versions of gameplay toys, updated mechanical devices, and new UV lighting effects. Since forming in 1981, Metallica has become one of the most influential and popular bands in musical history. Through their groundbreaking music, electrifying live performances, and a cultural impact that has extended beyond music, Metallica has garnered a massive global following of dedicated fans. Their critical acclaim and influence match the Hall of Fame band’s commercial success in the world of rock music and pinball. Stern Pinball has ensured that extra care and attention to detail has gone into every facet of Metallica Remastered while respecting the timeless classic game created by pinball legends John Borg and Lyman F. Sheats Jr., Jr. The design team, led again by John Borg and software engineer Raymond Davidson, has created a modern version of the original masterpiece. John Borg’s classic playfield architecture has been enhanced with three all-new sculptures: Sparky, the Hammer, new RGB-illuminated Skulls, and a new Metallica logo spell-out on the back panel. Dramatic UV lighting effects have been implemented throughout the playfield and on Sparky, and the game includes numerous quality and durability refinements. The iconic Lyman F. Sheats Jr. rule set has been carefully enhanced to add two new game modes based on Metallica’s two most recent albums, last year’s Grammy-winning 72 Seasons and 2016’s Hardwired…to Self-Destruct, as well as a new “Blackened” Wizard Mode. The Metallica Remastered software also includes numerous refinements throughout and an enhanced illuminated insert array to support the new game rules while preserving the classic gameplay feel from the original.Metallica Remastered features an entirely new suite of presentation elements, including all video content and animations, new sound effects, and over 1,000 new speech calls that include callouts by the band. Eight new Metallica songs have been seamlessly integrated into the game and include new supporting animations, movies, and HD-quality live concert footage selected by the band. The Expression Lighting system for the cabinet and speakers comes standard with the Limited Edition version and is available as an accessory upgrade for Premium models. Limited to 500 games globally, the highly collectible Limited Edition model includes the Expression Lighting System™ and Speaker Expression Lighting. These integrated lighting systems are synchronized to custom light shows specifically designed for every song and dynamically responsive to game events. The LE version also includes a full-color Remastered mirrored backglass, full-color reflective high definition cabinet decals with hand-drawn artwork by Rhys Cooper, exclusive custom powder-coated pinball armor, a custom designer-autographed bottom arch, upgraded audio system, anti-reflection pinball playfield glass, shaker motor, a sequentially numbered plaque, and a signed Certificate of Authenticity. Metallica Remastered includes Stern’s ever-expanding Insider Connected™ platform, which enables players to interact with the game and a global network of players in multiple ways, including ongoing code updates from Stern Pinball to extend and improve the experience over time. Through Insider Connected, players can track progress, earn new game-specific Achievements, and extend the fun with four “Crank it Up” modes and “End of Line” Wizard Mode as Challenge Modes only with Insider Connected. Registration for Insider Connected is available at insider.sternpinball.com/ or in the Insider Connected App. Download it today on iOS and Android. “Metallica is one of the quintessential pinball games that has been treasured and respected for over a decade now,” said Seth Davis, President and CEO of Stern Pinball, Inc. “We’re incredibly proud of the entire Stern team in collaboration with Metallica for their thoughtful yet modern recreation of this beloved game, staying true to the design philosophies that have shaped pinball today and for years to come.” Pricing and Availability: Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (“MSRP”)\*:  \*MSRP for sales to USA end-users before any VAT, GST, Sales Tax, Duties, or other taxes.  Premium Edition:                                                   $US 9,699 Limited Edition:                                                     $US 12,999 Metallica Remastered pinball games are now available through authorized Stern Pinball distributors and dealers worldwide, which can be found here or via request for availability on the game information page here. Stay up to date by following Stern Pinball on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. **About Insider Connected** Insider Connected™ is Stern Pinball’s community network that allows players and owners to engage with pinball games in rapidly expanding ways. The platform unites pinball players around the world and enhances fun through a variety of helpful online features. Insider Connected is included with every new Stern product and is available as an add-on for existing games.Registration for Insider Connected is available at insider.sternpinball.com or in the intuitive Insider Connected™ mobile app on iOS and Android. By tapping a device on any enabled machine, players can track and resume game progress wherever they play, earn new game-specific achievements, engage with the pinball community, and participate in promotions and Challenge Quests. In addition to offering benefits to players, Insider Connected allows Stern to serve its game owners worldwide by upgrading games, offering new features and quests, and extending the longevity of machines for years to come. **About Stern Pinball, Inc.** Stern Pinball, Inc. creates compelling entertainment that inspires a lifetime love of games, sparks passion, forges friendships, and connects people everywhere through fun, innovative, technologically advanced pinball games and experiences.  Headquartered minutes from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport in the heart of North America, the company creates, designs, engineers, manufactures, markets, and distributes a full line of technologically advanced terrestrial and digital pinball games, parts, accessories, and merchandise.  Stern Pinball serves digital, consumer, commercial, and corporate markets around the globe.Recent Stern Pinball titles include Metallica Remastered, The Uncanny X-Men, John Wick, JAWS, Venom, Foo Fighters, James Bond, Rush, Godzilla, The Mandalorian, Led Zeppelin, Avengers: Infinity Quest, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Stranger Things, Elvira’s House of Horrors, Jurassic Park, Black Knight: Sword of Rage, The Munsters, The Beatles, Deadpool, Iron Maiden, Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Wars, Aerosmith, Ghostbusters, KISS, Metallica, Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, Star Trek, AC/DC, Batman, and Spider-Man.  A broad range of players enjoy Stern Pinball’s games, from professional pinball players competing in high-stakes global competitions to novice players discovering the allure of the silver ball for the first time.  To join the fun and learn more, please visit www.sternpinball.com. **About Metallica** Formed in 1981 by vocalist/guitarist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich and including guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo, Metallica has become one of the most influential and successful rock bands in history, selling nearly 125 million albums worldwide and generating more than 17 billion streams while playing to millions of fans on all seven continents—more than 1.3 million of whom belong to the band’s fiercely loyal and consistently growing Fifth Member fan club. Metallica’s catalog of multi-platinum studio albums includes Kill ‘Em All, Ride the Lightning, Master of Puppets, …And Justice for All, Metallica (commonly referred to as The Black Album), Load, Reload, St. Anger, Death Magnetic, Hardwired…to Self-Destruct, and most recently the Grammy-winning 72 Seasons, released April 14, 2023 on the band’s own Blackened Recordings label. Metallica’s awards and accolades include nine Grammy Awards, two American Music Awards, multiple MTV Video Music Awards, a 2009 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and Sweden’s Polar Music Prize. In 2017, Metallica established the All Within My Hands Foundation to give back to communities that have supported the band. To date, All Within My Hands’ collective efforts have raised nearly $15 million – providing $8.2 million in grants to career and technical education programs, over $3.6 million to combat food insecurity, and more than $3.5 million to disaster relief efforts. |
Rhys Cooperperson
James Hetfieldperson
Lars Ulrichperson
Kirk Hammettperson
Robert Trujilloperson
Insider Connectedproduct
Spike 2product
Expression Lightingproduct
72 Seasonsgame
Hardwired…to Self-Destructgame
  • ?

    content_signal: Metallica directly involved in game development including new speech callouts, live concert video selection, artwork direction (Rhys Cooper), and design collaboration

    high · Multiple references to 'selected by the band' for concert footage, custom art packages, and band callouts in over 1,000 new speech lines

  • ?

    gameplay_signal: Game adds 22 total songs (8 new), new game modes for 72 Seasons and Hardwired albums, new Blackened Wizard Mode, and enhanced rule complexity while maintaining original playfield flow

    high · Official specifications detailing new modes, songs, and rule enhancements preserving classic gameplay

  • ?

    technology_signal: Metallica Remastered runs on Spike 2 electronics with full-color LCD display, HD concert video, updated audio system, and Insider Connected integration for continuous updates

    high · Technical specifications confirming Spike 2 platform, LCD display capabilities, and Insider Connected features

  • $

    market_signal: Premium tier at $9,699 positions below original 2013 Metallica market rates, LE at $12,999 targets collector segment; both prices consistent with modern Stern premium releases

    high · Official MSRP pricing in press release context of recent Stern titles mentioned

  • ?

    product_concern: No product concerns, defects, or reliability issues mentioned in official announcement

    high · Quality improvements explicitly noted: 'numerous quality and durability refinements'

  • ?

    licensing_signal: Metallica licensing partnership involves active band participation in design direction, content creation, and promotional alignment, indicating strong IP relationship

    high · Multiple references to band collaboration, voice content by band, artwork selection by band, and official band credit in announcement

  • ?

    business_signal: Stern Pinball's remaster strategy extends classic titles with modern technology and expanded content while maintaining original design philosophies, creating new revenue from established IP

    high · CEO quote emphasizing 'thoughtful yet modern recreation' respecting 'design philosophies that have shaped pinball'