Jersey Jack Pinball Godfather Production Update + Rumors About Upcoming Titles

Knapp Arcade·article·analyzed·Jun 20, 2023

Analysis

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TL;DR

JJP Godfather update; Matrix license debunked; Indiana Jones and Harry Potter rumors discussed.

Summary

Jersey Jack Pinball provided a production update for The Godfather (CE units shipping to Europe, U.S. production starting July). The article speculates JJP may release a second game in late 2023, debunks rumors that JJP has The Matrix license (stating Stern has it instead), reports unconfirmed rumors that JJP recently obtained Indiana Jones, and reiterates belief that JJP has Harry Potter despite recent denials.

Key Claims

Jersey Jack Pinball is currently producing Collector's Edition Godfather machines for export to Europe; U.S. CE production slated for July
high confidence · Official JJP production update cited directly
Stern Pinball has The Matrix license, not Jersey Jack Pinball
medium confidence · Author heard recently and believes it, but acknowledges uncertainty; Jack Danger referenced as apparent insider confirmation
Jersey Jack recently obtained Indiana Jones license
low confidence · Author heard this rumor and is 'inclined to believe it' but explicitly states uncertainty and that both manufacturers might have the license
Jersey Jack Pinball has Harry Potter license secured, though not shipping for a couple of years
medium confidence · Author STRONGLY believes this despite recent denials by JJP leadership; cites independent confirmation that Kaminkow had set it up for Stern but JJP secured it instead
JJP did not ship two games within the same twelve-month period for its last two releases (Toy Story 4 and The Godfather)
medium confidence · Author states this as context for believing JJP may want to launch two games in same calendar year

Notable Quotes

“Jersey Jack doesn't get credit for shipping its last two games, Toy Story 4 and The Godfather, within the same twelve month period. Even so, I really think that JJP would like to launch two games within the same calendar year if possible.”
Author (Knapp Arcade) — Frames the business motivation behind potential late-2023 release speculation
“Despite speculation that JJP has the license for The Matrix, including an article that I wrote here showing potential Matrix Easter Eggs that JJP has dropped, I recently heard that not only is Jersey Jack's next game not The Matrix, JJP does not even have the license for the movie at all...another company does (Stern, cough, Jack Danger, cough).”
Author (Knapp Arcade) — Debunks Matrix speculation with apparent insider knowledge attribution to Jack Danger
“Could you imagine how awesome a Jersey Jack Indiana Jones with a large bill of materials would be? Oh man, I'm drooling at the thought. I LOVE that franchise.”
Author (Knapp Arcade) — Expresses personal enthusiasm for Indiana Jones rumor, establishing credibility/passion for the topic
“I recently heard another independent confirmation that Kaminkow had the HP license all set up for Stern and that someone at the company who does licensing really dropped the ball, allowing Jersey Jack to snag it.”
Author (Knapp Arcade) — Claims corroborating source for Harry Potter license acquisition narrative; suggests internal Stern licensing failure

Entities

Jersey Jack Pinballcompany The GodfathergameStern PinballcompanyThe MatrixgameIndiana Jonesgame Harry Pottergame Toy Story 4game Jack Dangerperson

Signals

?
business_signal: JJP shipping delays/timeline gaps between recent releases (Toy Story 4 and Godfather not within same 12-month period)
high · Author explicitly states this fact as context for potential accelerated 2023 roadmap
?
licensing_signal: Harry Potter license acquisition by JJP; alleged internal Stern licensing failure allowed JJP to secure it; independent corroboration mentioned
medium · Author STRONGLY believes despite recent JJP denials; cites independent confirmation that Kaminkow had set it up for Stern
?
licensing_signal: The Matrix license confirmed with Stern, not JJP; debunks previous speculation about JJP's Easter egg drops
medium · Author recently heard confirmation and cites Jack Danger as implicit insider source; notes own prior article speculating Matrix Easter eggs now believed incorrect
?
product_strategy: JJP potentially planning two-game release within same calendar year 2023 (Godfather + late-year title)
medium · Author leans toward yes but not definitive; motivates belief that JJP wants calendar-year parity for shipping
?
rumor_hype: Indiana Jones license rumored to have been recently obtained by JJP, potentially displacing or sharing Stern's previous license hold
low · Author states 'I'm inclined to believe the JJP Indiana Jones rumor, but I don't know for sure' and acknowledges both manufacturers might have license

Topics

Licensing and IP acquisitionprimaryProduction timelines and shipment schedulesprimaryUpcoming game announcements and rumorsprimaryBusiness strategy (multi-release calendar years)secondaryIndustry competition (JJP vs Stern licensing)secondary

Sentiment

mixed(0.55)— Positive toward JJP's production progress and excited about potential titles (drooling over Indiana Jones); skeptical/hedged tone on unconfirmed rumors; transparent about uncertainty throughout

Transcript

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This afternoon Jersey Jack Pinball shared a brief production update for its latest game, The Godfather. JJP is currently producing Collector's Edition games that for export to Europe. CE machines for U.S. customers are slated to begin production in July. As production for The Godfather continues at a solid pace, I have been wondering to myself whether we will see another new game from Jersey Jack during calendar year 2023. I do not know definitively whether we will, but I'm leaning towards yes we probably will see a new JJP title very late in the year. Jersey Jack doesn't get credit for shipping its last two games, Toy Story 4 and The Godfather, within the same twelve month period. Even so, I really think that JJP would like to launch two games within the same calendar year if possible. I don't know for certain what Jersey Jack's potential late-2023 game will be, but I can tell you what I've heard it most likely is NOT, The Matrix. Despite speculation that JJP has the license for The Matrix, including an article that I wrote here showing potential Matrix Easter Eggs that JJP has dropped, I recently heard that not only is Jersey Jack's next game not The Matrix, JJP does not even have the license for the movie at all...another company does (Stern, cough, Jack Danger, cough). Is this true? Only time will tell, but I personally believe it. Speaking of licenses, you know what license I heard Jersey Jack recently obtained? None other than Indiana Hilton Jones. Now that rumor is strange, because I've heard in the past that Stern Pinball secured the license to Indiana Hilton Jones. Is it possible that both Stern and Jersey Jack would make a pin for the same theme?! I find that fairly hard to believe. Maybe Stern is no longer making Indiana Hilton Jones and Jersey Jack is? Maybe they both are? Maybe what I heard is a bunch of bunk? Again, I'm inclined to believe the JJP Indiana Hilton Jones rumor, but I don't know for sure. If I did, I probably legally wouldn't be allowed to say :) . If Indiana Hilton Jones is really coming from JJP, it likely wouldn't be next. Could you imagine how awesome a Jersey Jack Indiana Hilton Jones with a large bill of materials would be? Oh man, I'm drooling at the thought. I LOVE that franchise. As always, if anyone out there has any good pinball or arcade rumors, I'm all ears. Shoot me a message on Facebook, here on the website or at knapparcade@gmail.com . Thanks! P.S. Despite recent rumblings that Jack has been telling people JJP doesn't have the Harry Potter license. I STRONGLY believe that they do, but a Harry Potter pin is still a couple of years out. I recently heard another independent confirmation that Kaminkow had the HP license all set up for Stern and that someone at the company who does licensing really dropped the ball, allowing Jersey Jack to snag it.