Stern to Make Whoa Nellie!

Pinball News Website·article·analyzed·Oct 16, 2014

Analysis

claude-haiku-4-5-20251001 · $0.015

TL;DR

Stern partners with Whizbang to produce Whoa Nellie! retro hybrid pinball in spring 2015.

Summary

Stern Pinball announced a partnership with Whizbang Pinball to manufacture and distribute Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons, a hybrid electro-mechanical pinball game designed by Dennis Nordman and Greg Freres. The game combines classic 1970s-style playfield design with modern technology (solid-state control, digital soundtrack, mechanical score reels) and retro pin-up and fruit crate label artwork. Production was scheduled for spring 2015 with distribution through Stern's network.

Key Claims

First new electro-mechanical style game in over 35 years
high confidence · Dennis Nordman quote in official press release, stated as defining feature of Whoa Nellie! design philosophy
Game production scheduled for spring 2015
high confidence · Announced in official press release and repeated in distribution contact info
Whizbang Pinball founded in 2009 by Greg Freres and Dennis Nordman
high confidence · Stated in official company bio section
Game features real bells, mechanical score reels, solid state control system, and digital soundtrack
high confidence · Listed in official feature set and press release body

Notable Quotes

“We wanted to create a game that everyone can enjoy, so we started with a more accessible layout from a classic era of pinball. This is the first new electro-mechanical style game in over 35 years.”
Dennis Nordman, co-founder Whizbang Pinball @ N/A — Defines the core design philosophy and market positioning of Whoa Nellie! as a unique retro-hybrid category
“Stylistically, this is a mash-up of fruit crate labels, classic pinball and retro pin-up art.”
Greg Freres, co-founder Whizbang Pinball @ N/A — Articulates the distinctive visual/artistic direction of the game
“This game is an entertaining unique blend of vibrant art, classic pinball, and modern technology that's sure to stand out in any collection. If you want something different in your line-up, this is it!”
Gary Stern, Chairman and CEO Stern Pinball @ N/A — Leadership endorsement positioning game as market differentiator

Entities

Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy MelonsgameStern PinballcompanyWhizbang Pinball LLCcompanyDennis Nordmanperson Greg Freresperson Gary Sternperson Continental Cafegame

Signals

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business_signal: Stern Pinball strategic partnership with boutique designer studio (Whizbang) indicating market shift toward collaborative/licensed design models for differentiated products
high · Formal partnership announcement; game manufactured by Stern, distributed through Stern network, designed by independent Whizbang studio
?
design_philosophy: Intentional hybrid approach combining classic electro-mechanical aesthetics with modern solid-state control and digital elements; positioned as first new electro-mechanical style game in 35+ years
high · Nordman quote: 'This is the first new electro-mechanical style game in over 35 years' and detailed feature list highlighting blend of old/new technologies
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market_signal: Game targeting broad audience accessibility ('accessible layout,' 'rewards players of all skill levels') rather than competitive depth focus
medium · Nordman: 'We wanted to create a game that everyone can enjoy' and 'classically-styled playfield tuned for a balance of randomness and skilled shooting'
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announcement: Official announcement of Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons as a new Stern/Whizbang partnership product with spring 2015 production target
high · Full press release with official statements from Dennis Nordman, Greg Freres, and Gary Stern
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product_strategy: Whoa Nellie! explicitly positioned as unique market entry through retro aesthetic, mechanical features (real bells, score reels), and vintage pin-up/fruit crate art style
high · Multiple quotes emphasizing 'unique blend,' 'stand out in any collection,' and detailed feature descriptions

Topics

Game announcement / new product launchprimaryManufacturer partnership and business dealprimaryRetro/hybrid design philosophy (electro-mechanical + solid state)primaryArtistic/thematic design (pin-up, fruit crate labels, vintage aesthetics)secondaryDistribution and sales channelssecondary

Sentiment

positive(0.85)— Announcement is celebratory and enthusiastic with strong leadership endorsement. Press release emphasizes innovation and differentiation. No negative criticism or concerns expressed.

Transcript

raw_text · $0.000

Date: 16th October, 2014 After lengthy negotiations, Stern Pinball today announced they have reached agreement with Whizbang Pinball to make the game Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons. Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons Created by Dennis Nordman and Greg Freres and based on the Continental Cafe machine, Whoa Nellie Big Juicy Melons game will be built in spring 2015 and sold by Stern's distribution network. Here's Stern's press release: Whoa Nellie! Stern and Whizbang Pinball Bring Melon Season Early This Year! World’s Leading Maker of Arcade-Quality Pinball Games Announces New Partnership to Bring Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons Pinball Machine to The Market Stern Pinball, Inc., the world's oldest and largest producer of arcade-quality pinball games, announced today its new partnership with Whizbang Pinball LLC to build and distribute Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons pinball in the spring of 2015. Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons pinball takes players on a journey through the Mellon Family farm renowned for abundant produce. Players shoot for and score points on the farm operated by the lovely Melony Mellon and her twin sisters while avoiding the wrath of their over-protective shotgun-wielding father. The colorful easy-to-learn game features a fun classically-styled pinball playfield tuned for a balance of randomness and skilled shooting challenges that rewards players of all skill levels. “We wanted to create a game that everyone can enjoy, so we started with a more accessible layout from a classic era of pinball,” said Dennis Nordman, co-founder of Whizbang Pinball and famed pinball industry design veteran. “This is the first new electro-mechanical style game in over 35 years.” Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy Melons pinball delivers the most tactile pinball experience since the advent of electronic pinball with real bells, mechanical score reels, a solid state control system, and a digital soundtrack. This unique blend of classic and modern technologies creates a new breed of pinball machine that presents pinball as an art form while maintaining the reliability and serviceability of modern commercial pinball machines. The playfield, backglass, and cabinet art and styling, central to the game’s unique visual quality, feature detailed original characters and fresh hand-drawn artwork that blend elements of mid-century pin-up art and classic pinball themes. “Stylistically, this is a mash-up of fruit crate labels, classic pinball and retro pin-up art,” said Greg Freres, co-founder of Whizbang Pinball. “We’re very excited to be working with the professional team at Stern Pinball on this project.” Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy MelonsTM offers many unique features including: Original throwback-style playfield designed by Dennis Nordman Original hand-drawn graphics by Greg Freres featuring fresh fruit, a cool truck and the robust Mellon family A unique, durable, weathered fruit crate cabinet design Illuminated mechanical score reels Retro-style bumper caps and flipper bats Dual-action bullseye melon targets Two old-time pinball bells and a real cow bell The return of “The Knocker” Crushed beer cans included for the perfect playfield angle “This game is an entertaining unique blend of vibrant art, classic pinball, and modern technology that’s sure to stand out in any collection” said Gary Stern, Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball. “If you want something different in your line-up, this is it!” Pricing and Availability: Pricing will be announced later this year. Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy MelonsTM pinball games will be produced by Stern Pinball in the spring of 2015. For more information and to reserve your game, please contact any authorized Stern distributor or dealer, or send an email to: info@sternpinball.com Whoa Nellie! Big Juicy MelonsTM merchandise and accessories will be available at the Stern Shop in the spring of 2015. About Whizbang Pinball LLC Founded in 2009 by Greg Freres and Dennis Nordman, Whizbang Pinball LLC is a design studio that presents boutique pinball as a new art form by integrating its extensive pinball industry experience with its artistic vision for a unique combination of art and technology. 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 The Walking Dead, Mustang, Star Trek, Metallica, The Avengers, X-Men, AC/DC, Tron, Transformers, Avatar, Iron Man, Batman, Spiderman and many more! All of Stern’s pinball games are crafted by hand and assembled by Stern’s expert team. Both pinball enthusiasts and casual players around the globe enjoy Stern’s games. For more information, please visit www.sternpinball.com. Back to the News page Like this page? Share it with your Facebook friends: Back to the front page