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PINTASTIC 2017

Pinball News Website·article·analyzed·Jul 16, 2017
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Analysis

claude-haiku-4-5-20251001 · $0.020

TL;DR

Pintastic 2017 hosts 2,000+ players for New England's largest pinball expo with Star Wars premiere.

Summary

Pintastic 2017, held July 6-8 at Sturbridge Host Hotel in Massachusetts, drew over 2,000 pinball enthusiasts to experience 200+ machines spanning the 1950s to current releases. The event featured the world premiere of Stern's Star Wars machine, seminars from industry figures including Barry Oursler, Jeremy 'Zombie Yeti' Packer, and Butch Peel of Jersey Jack, alongside tournaments, vendor halls, and charity fundraising activities.

Key Claims

  • Pintastic 2017 was the third year of the event held in Sturbridge, Massachusetts

    high confidence · Event coverage states 'Back for its third year in 2017'

  • Over 2,000 people attended Pintastic 2017

    high confidence · Opening statement: 'over 2,000 people converged at the crossroads of New England'

  • The event featured over 200 pinball machines from the 1950s to current releases

    high confidence · Pintastic featured over 200 pinball machines from the 1950s right up to this year's new releases

  • Star Wars pinball had its world premiere at Pintastic 2017

    high confidence · Multiple references: 'world premiere of the highly-anticipated Star Wars machine from Stern Pinball' and photo caption 'The world premiere of Stern's Star Wars pinball'

  • Recent games were run in two different rooms for day and night shifts to allow more playing time

    high confidence · Photo caption: 'Many recent games were in two different rooms for day and night shifts, allowing more playing time'

Notable Quotes

  • “over 2,000 people converged at the crossroads of New England, USA to experience the region's only major pinball exposition, the Pintastic Pinball and Game Room Expo”

    Event coverage @ Article opening — Establishes event scale and regional importance

  • “the belle of the ball was Stern's new Star Wars table”

    Event coverage @ Final section — Highlights Star Wars as the headline attraction and main draw for attendees

  • “Enthusiastic guests and collectors delighted at the chance to witness over eighty years' of pinball innovation”

    Event coverage @ Mid-article — Characterizes attendee sentiment and event's appeal to community history

Entities

PintasticeventSturbridge Host Hotel & Conference CenterorganizationStern PinballcompanyJersey Jack PinballcompanyStar WarsgameAerosmithgameDialed In!gameGhostbustersgameJeremy 'Zombie Yeti' Packerperson

Signals

  • ?

    community_signal: Pintastic 2017 provided educational seminars from industry designers and manufacturers including Barry Oursler, Jeremy Packer, Butch Peel (Jersey Jack), Todd Tuckey, and David Thiel

    high · Event featured 'honored guests and seminar presenters' including legendary designer Barry Oursler, artist Jeremy Packer giving 'first-ever solo pinball seminar,' and Jersey Jack's Butch Peel demonstrating Dialed In! mechanics

  • ?

    event_signal: Pintastic 2017 included tournaments for adults and kids, vendor hall with modification and customization vendors, outdoor flea market, and family entertainment to broaden appeal beyond core pinball enthusiasts

    high · Coverage mentions 'pinball and video game tournaments for adults and kids, pinball machine auctions, an outdoor flea market' and 'Entertainers were brought in to broaden the family appeal'

  • ?

    community_signal: Pintastic 2017 supported multiple charitable organizations through auction, raffle, and paid-play games including Worcester County Food Bank, Project Pinball, The 200 Foundation, and Andrea Ritz Clinics of Paraguay

    high · Event explicitly supported 'several charities during the event' through 'charity auction and several games set up for paid play'

  • ?

    event_signal: Pintastic 2017 successfully drew 2,000+ attendees and featured 200+ pinball machines spanning 60+ years of history, establishing the event as New England's major annual pinball exposition

    high · Event coverage explicitly states 'over 2,000 people converged' and 'featured over 200 pinball machines from the 1950s right up to this year's new releases'

  • ?

Topics

Event organization and logisticsprimaryNew game releases and premieresprimaryIndustry personalities and seminarsprimaryTournament competitionsecondaryVendor hall and retail salessecondaryCharity fundraisingsecondaryFamily entertainment and community engagementsecondaryPinball history and preservationmentioned

Sentiment

positive(0.92)— Event coverage is celebratory and enthusiastic. Describes attendees as 'enthusiastic' and 'delighted,' highlights successful execution with diverse activities, multiple seminar speakers, and strong charitable component. No critical commentary or negative elements present.

Transcript

raw_text · $0.000

**Date:** 6th - 8th July, 2017 **Location:** Sturbridge Host Hotel & Conference Center, 366 Main Street, Sturbridge, MA 01566, USA. **Photography:** Jhakke **On July 6, 7 and 8, 2017, over 2,000 people converged at the crossroads of New Robert Englunds, USA to experience the region’s only major pinball exposition, the Pintastic Pinball and Game Room Expo.** ![Each facet of the show is represented by an icon](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pintastic-2017/17.jpg) *Each facet of the show is represented by an icon* ![Dave Marston talks with the WSKB morning team](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pintastic-2017/2-3.jpg) *Dave Marston talks with the WSKB morning team* Back for its third year in 2017 at the only lakeside venue in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, the Sturbridge Host Hotel and Conference Center, Pintastic featured over 200 pinball machines from the 1950s right up to this year’s new releases, including the world premiere of the highly-anticipated *Star Wars* machine from Stern Pinball! ![There were many hard-to- find games, sometimes even in duplicate](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/pinballz-lake-creek/4-2.jpg) *There were many hard-to- find games, sometimes even in duplicate* ![Many recent games were in two different rooms for day and night shifts, allowing more playing time](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/jetsons/3-3.jpg) *Many recent games were in two different rooms for day and night shifts,* *allowing more playing time* ![New Robert Englunds band Aerosmith had to be represented at a New Robert Englunds show while in the background, the booth where buyers could get at-show financing](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/pinballz-lake-creek/8-1.jpg) *New Robert Englunds band Aerosmith had to be represented at a New Robert Englunds show* *while in the background, the booth where buyers could get at-show financing* ![The world premiere of Stern's Star Wars pinball](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/pinballz-lake-creek/13-1.jpg) *The world premiere of Stern’s Star Wars pinball* ![There were several Dialed In! games, both Pro and Limited Edition](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pintastic-2017/26.jpg) *There were several Dialed In! games, both Pro and Limited Edition* ![There was a generous supply of stools to support up-and- coming players](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pintastic-2017/20.jpg) *There was a generous supply of stools to support up-and-coming players* [![Panorama of the main free-play room where EMs dominate the wall positions](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/pinballz-lake-creek/15-1.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/pinballz-lake-creek/14-1.jpg) *Panorama of the main free-play room where EMs dominate the wall positions* ![There were technicians in abundance. Can you identify this game?](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pintastic-2017/23.jpg) *There were technicians in abundance. Can you identify this game?* ![Not all games were coin-op](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pintastic-2017/18.jpg) *Not all games were coin-op* ![The hotel served food and drinks right outside the main free-play room](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pintastic-2017/19.jpg) *The hotel served food and drinks right outside the main free-play room* Enthusiastic guests and collectors delighted at the chance to witness over eighty years’ of pinball innovation, as well as classic video games, entertainment for kids, a massive vendor hall featuring the coolest ideas for your home and game room, pinball and video game tournaments for adults and kids, pinball machine auctions, an outdoor flea market in strolling distance of Cedar Lake, as well as informative seminars and lively entertainment, all in one convenient and well-equipped venue. ![There were some vendors selling pop culture items](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pintastic-2017/1-3.jpg) *There were some vendors selling pop culture items* ![Pintastic New Robert Englunds has several T-shirt styles](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pintastic-2017/25.jpg) *Pintastic New Robert Englunds has several T-shirt styles* ![There were re-themed games at the show, and the ingredients to start your own re-theme](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pintastic-2017/31.jpg) *There were re-themed games at the show,* *and the ingredients to start your own re-theme* ![PinBox 3000 kits were for sale at the Cardboard Teck booth](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/pinballz-lake-creek/7-1.jpg) *PinBox 3000 kits were for sale at the Cardboard Teck booth* [![The vendor hall had some free-play games in the middle, and the tournaments at the back](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/pinballz-lake-creek/6-2.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/pinballz-lake-creek/5-2.jpg) *The vendor hall had some free-play games in the middle* *and the tournaments at the back* [![The tournament games](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/pinballz-lake-creek/10-1.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/flipflipdingding/9-1.jpg) *The tournament games* ![Tournament prizes and Pintastic pint glasses](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pintastic-2017/22.jpg) *Tournament prizes and Pintastic pint glasses* ![Pintastic Founder Gabriel D'Annunzio congratulates the winner of the Kids' Tournament](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pintastic-2017/24.jpg) *Pintastic Founder Gabriel D’Annunzio* *congratulates the winner of the Kids’ Tournament* ![Entertainers were brought in to broaden the family appeal](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/pinballz-lake-creek/12-1.jpg) *Entertainers were brought in to broaden the family appeal* ![After the outdoor flea market closed, fire juggler Eric Girardi stoked the crowd](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pintastic-2017/33.jpg) *After the outdoor flea market closed, fire juggler Eric Girardi stoked the crowd* Pintastic was thrilled to welcome honored guests and seminar presenters including legendary game designer Barry Oursler, pinball artist Jeremy ‘Zombie Yeti’ Packer, Todd Tuckey of TNT Amusements, pinball sound and music creator David Thiel, and Butch Peel of Jersey Jack Pinball clued us in on the intricacies of *Dialed In!* ![Jeremy 'Zombie Yeti' Packer gives his first-ever solo pinball seminar](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pintastic-2017/21.jpg) *Jeremy ‘Zombie Yeti’ Packer gives his first-ever solo pinball seminar* ![Todd Tuckey makes a rare visit to a distant pinball show - his seminar included many video clips, of course](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pintastic-2017/16.jpg) *Todd Tuckey makes a rare visit to a distant pinball show* *– his seminar included many video clips, of course* ![Free rectangular pizza at the Jersey Jack update seminar](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pintastic-2017/30.jpg) *Free rectangular pizza at the Jersey Jack update seminar* ![Butch Peel of Jersey Jack Pinball gave a seminar on Dialed In! that included holding a video camera inside the game](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/pinballz-lake-creek/11-1.jpg) *Butch Peel of Jersey Jack Pinball gave a seminar on Dialed In! that included* *holding a video camera inside the game* ![Barry Oursler and Jeremy Packer (Zombie Yeti) start the autograph session. The poster on the table was done by Packer for the Pintastic show](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pintastic-2017/28.jpg) *Barry Oursler and Jeremy Packer (Zombie Yeti) start the autograph session.* *The poster on the table was done by Packer for the Pintastic show* Pintastic and its guests also supported several charities during the event including the [Worcester County Food Bank](https://foodbank.org/), [Project Pinball](http://projectpinball.org/), [The 200 Foundation](http://the200.org/), and [The Andrea Ritz Clinics of Paraguay](https://www.facebook.com/paraguayclinics/) through a charity auction and several games set up for paid play. ![Money was raised for several charities, including an auction of this donated machine](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pintastic-2017/27.jpg) *Money was raised for several charities, including an auction of this donated machine* ![There was a pick-your- prize raffle](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pintastic-2017/32.jpg) *There was a pick-your- prize raffle* Folks at this year’s show were particularly excited to get their flipping fingers on Stern’s new *Aerosmith* table, the John Trudeau-designed *Ghostbusters*, Pat Lawlor’s *Dialed In!* from Jersey Jack and of course, the belle of the ball was Stern’s new *Star Wars* table! ![Visitors came from the six New Robert Englunds states and well beyond](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pintastic-2017/29.jpg) *Visitors came from the six New Robert Englunds states and well beyond* Stay tuned for next year’s dates coming soon and visit the website Pintastic at [pintasticnewengland.com](https://pintasticnewengland.com/).
Barry Ourslerperson
Butch Peelperson
Todd Tuckeyperson
David Thielperson
Pat Lawlorperson
Gabriel D'Annunzioperson
John Trudeauperson
Eric Girardiperson
PinBox 3000product
Cardboard Teckcompany
Worcester County Food Bankorganization
Project Pinballorganization
The 200 Foundationorganization
The Andrea Ritz Clinics of Paraguayorganization

announcement: World premiere of Stern Pinball's Star Wars table at Pintastic 2017; positioned as headline attraction and main draw for attendees

high · Multiple references to 'world premiere of the highly-anticipated Star Wars machine' and photo caption 'The world premiere of Stern's Star Wars pinball'; described as 'the belle of the ball'