Stern Hires 3D Graphic Artists

Pinball News Website·article·analyzed·Jun 8, 2015

Analysis

claude-haiku-4-5-20251001 · $0.015

TL;DR

Stern hires graphics veterans Chuck Ernst and Zac Stark for LCD-focused game design push.

Summary

Stern Pinball announced the hiring of two experienced 3D graphics artists—Chuck Ernst (former Mortal Kombat X Technical Character Design Lead) and Zac Stark (3D animation specialist with toy industry experience)—to their Game Design Studio in June 2015. The move signals Stern's strategic shift toward LCD screen integration in future machines and reflects the significant graphics resources required to produce high-quality animations for modern pinball games.

Key Claims

Whoa Nellie - Big Juicy Melons was Stern's first game to include an LCD screen, though only a small monochrome panel for basic score and diagnostics.
high confidence · Article states: 'It wasn't until Whoa Nellie - Big Juicy Melons that Stern first added an LCD, and even then it was only a tiny monochrome panel showing basic score and diagnostic displays.'
Spike controller board introduced earlier in 2015 supports LCD screen driving, a key improvement over the SAM system.
high confidence · Article: 'When Stern Pinball introduced their Spike controller board into their machines earlier this year, one of the key improvements over the previous SAM system was the support for driving LCD screens.'
Chuck Ernst has 28 years of video game production experience across 45+ titles from companies including Atari, Sega, Midway, Konami, THQ, and WB Games.
high confidence · Official Stern press release: 'Chuck brings 28 years of video game production experience. He has worked on programming and art creation for more than 45 titles for Atari, Sega, THQ, Konami, Midway and WB Games.'
Zac Stark holds a Master of Arts degree in 3D Animation from DePaul University and has created digital animations for Mattel and MGA Toys.
high confidence · Official press release: 'After receiving his Master of Arts degree in 3D Animation from DePaul University, Zac created digital animations for numerous Mattel handheld toys.'

Notable Quotes

“We are delighted to have these two talented artists join our studio. They will help us continue to advance pinball both technologically and through game play enhancements.”
George Gomez @ June 4, 2015 press release — Official endorsement from EVP of Game Development positioning the hires as critical to Stern's technological and gameplay evolution, specifically tied to LCD screen integration strategy.
“As those who have gone the LCD route have found, producing the high-quality animations expected by gamers these days means expending a significant amount of graphics resources - both in terms of time, personnel and money.”
Article author @ June 8, 2015 — Frames the business rationale for hiring experienced graphics professionals—LCD adoption requires substantial resource investment, justifying C-suite talent acquisition.

Entities

Chuck Ernstperson Zac Starkperson George GomezpersonStern PinballcompanySpike controller boardproductWhoa Nellie - Big Juicy MelonsgameSAM systemproduct

Signals

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business_signal: Stern is formalizing organizational separation between Game Design Studio (creative) and manufacturing operations, suggesting scaling and professionalization of design function.
medium · Article notes 'increased separation in the company between their game design and game manufacturing operations'; these hires join Game Design Studio, implying dedicated creative unit separate from manufacturing.
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design_philosophy: Stern's recognition that modern gamers expect high-quality animations; willingness to invest significantly in graphics resources reflects strategic decision to compete on visual presentation and animation fidelity.
high · Article: 'producing the high-quality animations expected by gamers these days means expending a significant amount of graphics resources'; George Gomez's quote about 'technological and gameplay enhancements' via new artists.
?
personnel_signal: Stern Pinball hiring experienced video game graphics professionals (Chuck Ernst from AAA gaming, Zac Stark from toy/animation sector) to Game Design Studio; signals acceleration of LCD screen integration strategy and formalization of graphics/animation department.
high · Two senior graphics hires with 28+ years combined AAA/commercial experience; official press release from EVP Game Development; explicit connection to 'advance pinball both technologically.'
?
technology_signal: Stern's strategic pivot from dot-matrix displays to LCD screens supported by Spike hardware; requires significant new graphics resource investment and specialized talent.
high · Article explicitly states Spike 'support for driving LCD screens' is 'key improvement over previous SAM system'; Whoa Nellie cited as first LCD adoption; hiring framed as enabling 'technological advances.'

Topics

LCD screen integration strategyprimarySpike hardware platform capabilitiesprimaryGraphics and animation resourcesprimaryStern Pinball organizational structure and talent acquisitionsecondaryVideo game industry talent migration to pinballsecondary

Sentiment

positive(0.85)— Article is straightforward corporate announcement with optimistic framing. George Gomez's quote expresses enthusiasm. No critical tone or controversy present. Tone is professional and celebratory of new hires and technological direction.

Transcript

raw_text · $0.000

Date: 8th June 2015 When Stern Pinball introduced their Spike controller board into their machines earlier this year, one of the key improvements over the previous SAM system was the support for driving LCD screens. But while others have incorporated LCD panels of various sizes into their game designs, Stern have been reluctant to make the transition away from dot matrix displays to show scores, gameplay instructions, visual effects and diagnostic menus. It wasn't until Whoa Nellie - Big Juicy Melons that Stern first added an LCD, and even then it was only a tiny monochrome panel showing basic score and diagnostic displays. As those who have gone the LCD route have found, producing the high-quality animations expected by gamers these days means expending a significant amount of graphics resources - both in terms of time, personnel and money. Two new appointments at Stern Pinball demonstrate exactly that increased focus on creating new graphical content for their impending move to using LCDs, and also suggest an increased separation in the company between their game design and game manufacturing operations. Chuck Ernst and Zac Zac Stark have both joined Stern's Game Design Studio - the part of the business tasked with creating designs for the manufacturing section to then build. Chuck joins as the new Computer Graphics Art Director. Chuck Ernst Before joining Stern, Chuck was working as Technical Character Design Lead on the Mortal Kombat X game, and he has been involved in more than 45 titles for companies such as Atari, Sega and Midway. He also designs and prototypes toys, which must have struck a chord with Stern's Executive Vice President of Game Design, George Gomez who has a similar history in toy design. Also joining Stern's Game Design Studio is Zac Zac Stark. Zac Zac Stark Zac had been teaching computer game production and creating online content for online universities before joining Stern. Before that he worked with toy companies Ty and Mattel to create digital animations and web-based games featuring their portfolio of characters. George Gomez said about the two new appointments, "We are delighted to have these two talented artists join our studio. They will help us continue to advance pinball both technologically and through game play enhancements.” Here's Stern's full press release: Stern Pinball Hires New Video Artists Chuck Ernst and Zac Zac Stark Join the Game Design Studio Elk Grove Village, IL – June 4, 2015 – Stern Pinball, Inc., the world’s leading maker of real pinball games, today announced the hiring of two new team members who will join the company’s rapidly growing game design team. Chuck Ernst joins the Stern Pinball Game Design Studio as the Computer Graphics Art Director. Chuck brings 28 years of video game production experience. He has worked on programming and art creation for more than 45 titles for Atari, Sega, THQ, Konami, Midway and WB Games. Prior to joining Stern Pinball, Chuck was Technical Character Design Lead on “Mortal Kombat X” at Nether Realm Studios in Chicago. In his spare time Chuck enjoys sculpting, freelance toy prototyping and design. The Stern Pinball Game Design Studio also welcomes veteran computer graphics artist Zac Zac Stark. After receiving his Master of Arts degree in 3D Animation from DePaul University, Zac created digital animations for numerous Mattel handheld toys. Most recently, Zac’s work focused on creating virtual versions of Ty Toys and MGA Toys for use in web-based games. In his spare time Zac also teaches 3D Modeling and Animation as a part time instructor at Sanford-Brown College. “We are delighted to have these two talented artists join our studio,” said George Gomez, EVP of Game Development. “They will help us continue to advance pinball both technologically and through game play enhancements.” 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 Pinball’s highly talented creative and technical teams design, engineer and manufacture a full line of popular pinball games, merchandise and accessories. Recent Stern Pinball titles include KISS, WWE WrestleMania, The Walking Dead, Ford Mustang, Star Trek, Metallica, The Avengers, X-Men, AC/DC, Tron, Transformers, Avatar, Iron Man, Batman, and Spiderman. A broad range of players enjoy Stern Pinball’s games from professional pinball players who 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. Back to the News page Like this page? Share it with your Facebook friends: Back to the front page