BATMAN 66 CONFIRMED

Pinball News Website·article·analyzed·Sep 15, 2016

Analysis

claude-haiku-4-5-20251001 · $0.021

TL;DR

Stern announces Batman '66 pinball with Adam West/Burt Ward voices; three-tier pricing, 240 LE units planned.

Summary

Stern Pinball officially announced Batman '66 Anniversary Edition pinball machine on September 15, 2016, celebrating both Stern's 30th anniversary and the Batman TV series' 50th anniversary. The game features HD displays, TV footage, voices of Adam West and Burt Ward, and is available in Premium ($8,599), Limited Edition ($9,999), and Super Limited Edition ($14,999) models, with 240 LE units planned across two themed series.

Key Claims

Stern Pinball celebrates 30 years in business with Batman '66 release
high confidence · Official press release dated September 15, 2016
Game features actual TV footage from the original Batman series
high confidence · Press release states 'the game includes a second high definition display on the playfield as part of an interactive game feature' and 'enables the game to feature actual TV footage from the iconic series'
Joe Kaminkow of Ka-Pow Pinball inspired the project and was Stern's first game designer 30 years ago
high confidence · Gary Stern quote: 'Joe, who was instrumental in starting Stern Pinball 30 years ago and served as our company's very first game designer'
Super Limited Edition features a three-times more powerful audio system than previous generations
high confidence · Press release: 'high-fidelity 3-channel audio system that is three times more powerful than audio systems of previous generations'
No Pro model planned for Batman '66
high confidence · Press release explicitly states 'The company has no current plans to produce a Pro model'
Limited Edition production limited to 240 units across two named series
high confidence · Press release details: 'two series of 120 games each' with episode names and bat gadget names
Game uses SPIKE-2 electronic platform
high confidence · Press release: 'In conjunction with Stern's new SPIKE-2 electronic pinball platform'
Purchasers receive VIP meet-and-greet invitation with Adam West at Chicago Pinball Expo
high confidence · Press release: 'All purchasers who make a deposit on their game will also receive a VIP invitation to an exclusive meet and greet with Batman (Adam West)'

Notable Quotes

“We are very proud to celebrate our 30th year in business by making a 50th anniversary Batman '66 game in collaboration with our good friend, Joe Kaminkow. Joe, who was instrumental in starting Stern Pinball 30 years ago and served as our company's very first game designer, is now one of the gaming industry's leaders.”
Gary Stern, Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball @ N/A — Confirms Ka-Pow Pinball's Joe Kaminkow's foundational role at Stern and current status as gaming industry leader; contextualizes the collaboration as celebrating both anniversaries

Entities

Stern PinballcompanyKa-Pow PinballcompanyBatman '66gameGeorge GomezpersonLyman SheetspersonJoe Kaminkowperson Gary Sternperson Adam WestpersonBurt WardpersonBatman TV Series

Signals

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licensing_signal: Collaboration with Adam West and Burt Ward, original Batman and Robin actors, for voice work and live meet-and-greet appearances
high · Press release: 'voices of none other than the original Batman and Robin, Adam West and Burt Ward' and VIP meet-and-greet details
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collector_signal: Strategic Limited Edition production plan with 240 total units across two series: 120 named after TV episodes, 120 after bat gadgets; Super Limited Edition via invitation/application
high · Press release specifies LE production: 'two series of 120 games each' with named series and application process for Super Limited
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market_signal: Three-tier pricing: Premium $8,599, Limited Edition $9,999, Super Limited Edition $14,999; no Pro model produced
high · Official MSRP listed in press release; explicit statement 'no current plans to produce a Pro model'
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announcement: Official announcement of Batman '66 Anniversary Edition with full pricing, production details, and availability information
high · Official press release from Stern Pinball dated September 15, 2016
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product_strategy: Three-tier pricing model with Super Limited Edition offering premium audio (3-channel, three times more powerful), unique art package, translites, and topper
high · Press release details three tiers with Super Limited Edition at $14,999 featuring distinct audio system and accessories

Topics

Game AnnouncementprimaryPricing and Product TiersprimaryAnniversary CelebrationprimaryTechnology (SPIKE-2, HD Displays)secondaryLimited Edition Production StrategysecondaryVoice Talent and Celebrity PartnershipsecondaryCompany Historysecondary

Sentiment

positive(0.85)— Press release is celebratory and promotional in tone, highlighting milestone anniversaries, high-profile talent, innovative technology, and exclusive experiences. No criticism or negative elements present.

Transcript

raw_text · $0.000

**Stern Pinball in Collaboration with Ka-Pow Pinball Celebrates 30 Years in Business with Release of Batman ‘66 Pinball Game!** Holy Golden Anniversary, Iconic Batman TV Show Turns 50! **ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL** – September 15, 2016 – Stern Pinball, Inc., the world’s oldest and largest producer of arcade-quality pinball machines, proudly announced today the availability of its highly anticipated Batman ‘66 Anniversary Edition pinball machine. Stern Pinball is celebrating its 30th year in business and the 50th anniversary of the iconic American TV series with an Anniversary Edition pinball machine featuring the world famous “Dynamic Duo” of Batman and Robin. The game will immerse players in campy fun and heart-pounding action as the crime fighting Dynamic Duo comes to the aid of the Gotham City Police. Throughout the game, Batman and Robin work to deduce clues and discover super villain plots in an effort to thwart evil plans and capture bad guys. Players are guided through the game by the voices of none other than the original Batman and Robin, Adam West and Burt Ward. A Hall of Fame pinball development team created the all new Anniversary Edition machine. The project was inspired by Joe Kaminkow of Ka-Pow Pinball and spearheaded by Stern Pinball product development chief, George Gomez, who, along with renowned programmer, Lyman F. Sheats Jr., brought the game to life. In addition to the fun title and game experience, the machine features a full color high definition display replacing the dot matrix display. In conjunction with Stern’s new SPIKE-2 electronic pinball platform, the display enables high definition graphics and innovative animations. This enables the game to feature actual TV footage from the iconic series. The game includes a second high definition display on the playfield as part of an interactive game feature. “We are very proud to celebrate our 30th year in business by making a 50th anniversary Batman ‘66 game in collaboration with our good friend, Joe Kaminkow. Joe, who was instrumental in starting Stern Pinball 30 years ago and served as our company’s very first game designer, is now one of the gaming industry’s leaders,” said Gary Stern, Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball, Inc. Pricing and Availability: The Batman ‘66 Anniversary Edition pinball machine will be available in Premium, Limited Edition, and Super Limited Edition models. The company has no current plans to produce a Pro model. In celebration of Stern Pinball’s 30th anniversary and Batman’s 50th anniversary, Stern Pinball will build a Super Limited Edition model. The Super Limited Edition model also includes a one-of-kind art package plus multiple translites, a unique included topper and accessories package, and a high-fidelity 3-channel audio system that is three times more powerful than audio systems of previous generations. The Super Limited Edition model will be allocated by invitation and through an application process open to pinball collectors. Collectors can apply for a Super Limited Edition model by completing and submitting an application located at [www.Batman66Application.com.](http://www.Batman66Application.com/) Applications are due by 11:59 pm CST on September 30, 2016. The Limited Edition model will be offered in two series of 120 games each. Each game in the first series will be named for one of the 120 episodes of the television show. Each game in the second series will be named for one of the iconic “bat gadgets” used in the series. In total, only 240 Limited Edition machines will be produced. All purchasers who make a deposit on their game will also receive a VIP invitation to an exclusive “meet and greet” with Batman (Adam West) at the Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel in Wheeling, Illinois during the weekend of Chicago’s Pinball Expo. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: Premium Model: $US 8,599 Limited Edition Model: $US 9,999 Super Limited Edition Model: $US 14,999 The Premium and Limited Edition models of the Batman ‘66 Anniversary Edition pinball game will be available through authorized Stern Pinball distributors and dealers around the world. Please contact your distributor or dealer for more information. The Super Limited Edition model will be available direct from Stern Pinball. About Stern Pinball, Inc. Stern Pinball, Inc., headquartered just outside Chicago, Illinois, is the oldest and largest producer of arcade-quality pinball games in the world. Stern’s highly talented creative and technical teams design, engineer and manufacture a full line of popular pinball games, merchandise and accessories. Recent Stern titles include Ghostbusters, Spider-Man Vault Edition, Game of Thrones, KISS, WWE WrestleMania, The Walking Dead, Mustang, Star Trek, Metallica, The Avengers, X-Men, AC/DC, Tron, Transformers, Avatar, Iron Man and many more! All of Stern’s pinball games are crafted by hand and assembled by Stern’s expert team. A broad range of players enjoy Stern’s games from professional pinball players that compete in high-stakes international competitions around the globe to novice players who are discovering the allure of the silver ball for the first time. To join the fun and learn more, please visit [http://www.sternpinball.com.](http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sternpinball.com%2F&h=zAQGl6CQMAQFe-NqSp8FVIxN9d--IDVOgPtF6HwSQE-K-pg&enc=AZNkOzEqS4UXkizOyYEuv-Chz240F2kRmp2vBEc78UakIbnWVcwA7pqfy_ZtZmFIwESa_p5LX-cI69CA6Wz1kviNACNe2ydKRA1q1mXStkaUdpHr1v7I2LSTK7-tW9Gjp3pzfNFjPRPz-1F3-8RcUf9nV-36gFoC1nmaiZvdz31MIi5AlVBXevpqiz97uSqsbis&s=1) All trademarks and product names are the property of their respective companies. |