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March 29, 2012--Photos of Stern at the Texas Pinball Fest released! From left to right: Marco Specialties produced a jaw dropping AC/DC pinball display which entertained the crowd all weekend.-- The "King" Steve Ritchie has a long line of anxious fans waiting to meet him.-- There was an amazing lineup of AC/DC LE and Premium games for the tournament.

March 23, 2012--Visit To Stern Pinball! On my way up to Milwaukee for the Midwest Gaming Classic I stopped by Stern Pinball to see what was going on right now, TODAY. Steve Ritchie (along with George Gomez) were about to leave for the Texas show and Steve was collecting photos for his slide presentation at the show. One of the videos below follows him for a bit putting AC/DC horns on line workers for his camera. The other is a simple walk down the final inspection line as the various versions of the game are being readied for shipment. (Please excuse the video angle, I'm learning! And check out The World of Pinball for video from before and during the MGC. I'm planning on more videos to keep you all current with the World of Pinball so feel free to subscribe to the Pinjournal YouTube channel.

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March 20, 2012--Making of AC/DC: The Official Documentary Short!

Jody Dankberg, Stern's Media Director, released this slick documentary to help introduce the game to prospective owners. This video brings to mind the promo videos produced in the 1990s by Williams/Bally/Midway to showcase games to distributors. It is fantastic to see a return to this promotion format and I look forward to additional videos for future games.

March 6, 2012--PinGame Journal EXCLUSIVE --AC/DC LE Whitewood VIDEO! I've had this video for five months, waiting for the right time and the time is TODAY!

Get your FIRST look at the AC/DC LE in action in this video of Steve Ritchie playing the whitewood back in October, 2011. This is a very preliminary version of the game but you'll see some aspects in action here for the first time. This type of behind the scenes, "show the process" information is my favorite part of publishing the PinGame Journal but we can't show a video on paper. There WILL be much more in the magazine, but for now, enjoy this FIRST glimps of the gameplay.

“It’s Sunday, the fourth of March at 4:52 pm and I’m here at Stern STILL WORKING! I want to leave no stone unturned to make these games their best. We have about 30 games built but they’re not finished yet. It’s now all about the little things: I’m designing red “horn” plastics to fit between the lower and upper playfields that will cover the LED so you don’t see the bare light in the horns. Also, I have been asking Lyman to make a mini golf shot using the Bell. Make the bell swing with the magnet and then entice the player to shoot the hole behind it.

You won't believe how cool the LE and Premiums look when they’re all lit up! Some people here have been saying that the game has the best lighting ever on a factory machine. There are more than 140 LEDs. We have established four general illumination zones and I have spread red, blue and white DOUBLE LEDs around the board, so the entire playfield can be red, white, blue or any combination, as well as lighting up the lower playfield (dare I say ... HELL?) all red or off. All zones have 100 dimness levels! I can’t wait until people get to see these games!"

February 23, 2012--PinGame Journal EXCLUSIVE --AC/DC LE UPDATE FROM STEVE RITCHIE! Just got off the phone with AC/DC designer Steve Ritchie and he updated me (and now you!) on the AC/DC Premium and LE edition progress. We start with the FIRST public photo of the AC/DC LE and Premium cabinets!
“Here’s the deal. Today, Thursday, LE playfields are rolling down the line and they’re looking pretty good. There are some interesting things going on like in the back of the factory, next to the full size ‘pants press’ machine, we have a smaller machine to make impressions in the lower playfield.”

(These presses put dimples in the top and bottom of the boards much like a classic pressing machine applies heat from the top and bottom to press clothing. These impressions are used by line workers to assure accurate placement of various playfield parts.)

“There are about four or five people way back there in the factory and their workstation is right next to the beginning of the main line. I’ve never really seen this little tiny hydraulic press before, so it’s cool. They’re making the marks and building the mini playfields up back there with fixtures to make everything perfect.

"I don’t like to put screws or any kind of fasteners in the top of the playfield for the ball to roll over. I don’t do that. I don’t cut slots that the ball has to roll over, (CLICK! CLICK!) I just don’t want that ever on my games. I just want the whole top of the playfield and all shots to be smooth.

"Anyway, I'm using maple plywood blocks and created a counter bore in them deep enough to sink a big ol' 8/32 T-nut inside each of the four 1.5" by 1.5" wood blocks. We’re using glue and 3 #8 wood screws to fasten the wood blocks to the main playfield and attaching the lower playfield onto the block/T-nuts with four #8 machine screws right through the T-nuts buried in the wood blocks. So we have this massively strong unit that is glued and screwed to the bottom of the playfield. I don't think anyone has ever fastened anything to the playfield like this. The line folks have been very flexible about it and it's all working out.

"What I sometimes forget to mention and was just reminded of today, is just how good the assembly and fabrication people are out on the line are at Stern. Some of them can’t speak much English but I’m learning a little Spanish and I’ve been able to communicate with every one of them. They all have a lot of experience and they know how to build pinball machines. I moved back here to Chicago and I work at Stern daily. I see them every day now rather than once in a while when I was commuting back and forth from California. They do great work and they mean business. It’s really nice to know and I really appreciate what a good job they do. I am especially glad to have them on our team today.

"Today is the first day we built Back In Black cabinets with the final cabinet decal art on them. They look gorgeous. I still like the Let There Be Rock version best because the red and yellow colors and design is more like what I originally envisioned the game would be.

"The LTBR Pro, Premium and LE cabinet art is identical except that the LE Let There Be Rock games have the laser cut side armor in red with the yellow backing plates. As I said, I like the Back In Black art also, it looks very elegant where the Let There Be Rock look is wild. We mocked up the Laser cut side armor and chrome backing plates on the BIB cabinets today and the whole look is very cool.

"So, the LE production is all starting today. I’ve only seen one playfield that had the lower playfield attached. The beginning of a run of fresh machines is always a slow process at the beginning. As the games progress down the line, the folks on the line have a million questions.

"The truth is that I should be out there right now! Friday will be the big day for LE production and We’re supposed to have a major snow fall so it could be interesting. To top all that off, we have the local AC/DC Launch Party at Game Works in Schaumburg on Friday also. "I am totally excited about all our versions of AC/DC pinball. AC/DC rock music is a PERFECT match for pinball and everyone can feel and hear the results soon! There is something about the music playing uninterrupted while you are playing pinball that makes you feel like a rockstar.

"Lyman and I are proud to say that AC/DC Pinball ROCKS!!!!!!"

(There will be MUCH more from Steve, Lyman and other team members in future editions of the PGJ!)

February 8, 2012--AC/DC PRO TRANSLIGHT here FIRST (again)! Completing the AC/DC backglass art set, the PREMIUM version was just released by Stern. This four version set which seemingly has become the norm for Stern, features quite different ACDC art compared to the other three--most notably a "naked" Angus. The PRO “glass,” as well as this PREMIUM edition are translights while the two limited LE versions are screened on glass which allows the addition of mirrored highlights. Of course, look for EXCLUSIVE detailed interviews and behind the scenes images in future issues of the PGJ. To learn more about AC/DC pinball visit STERN PINBALL

AC/DC Pro

• 12 full length classic AC/DC tunes
• Song Selector Jukebox in back panel with flashing horns
• Sound quality enhanced with improved crossover network
• Rotating “For Those About To Rock” Ball Cannon
• Lit Fire Cannon Button w/ Laser Cut Trim Plate
• Magnetic ball diverter to load Cannon
• Skill shot ball lock with ejector
• Electronic ball gate
• Right “Highway To Hell” ramp
• Left “Rock N Roll” train ramp
• Spinning “Greased Lightning” target
• THREE “Thunderstruck” standup targets and super bright flash lamps
• FOUR “ROCK” standup targets (right)
• FIVE AC/DC standup targets (left)
• Three T.N.T. standup targets (center)
• TWO high powered slingshots
• THREe super bright LED jet bumpers
• Country-specific coin door
• Silk screened cabinet decals
• Specific Pro model QR codes
• Molded “Hells Bell” with standup target
• T.N.T. Detonator
• Band member display
• Unique translite

AC/DC Premium edition
All Pro edition features plus upgrades listed below.

• “Underworld” Lower Mini-Playfield W/TWO flippers, Angus face and targets
• "Hells Bell" swinging Newton ball pendulum with score sensor
• Hidden magnet to swing bell remotely
• Molded 3D “Rock N Roll” train With LED headlight and horns
• FIVE bank AC/DC drop targets (left)
• THREE bank T.N.T. drop targets (center)
• Slam action target behind center T.N.T. drop target
• Crossover ball track and diverter
• T.N.T. detonator animated with solenoid actuated handle
• Animated band member display
• Animated “Highway To Hell” LED flames tunnel
• Super bright “Back In Black” LED strobe lights
• Wedge-based LED GIs
• 16 tri-color LEDs
• Classic lock asssembly and playfield slide supports
• Unique translite
• Powder coated red gloss legs, hinges, front molding and side armour with flipper button protection

AC/DC Limited Editions. The Back in Black version will feature a unique silk screened cabinet decal and artwork with black over chrome side armor and backing plates. "Let There Be Rock" will have the same cabinet artwork but red over yellow side armor and backing plates.

• Mirrored backglass for each LE model
• “Shake And Quake” motor
• 12” subwoofer for enhanced sound
• Steve Ritchie autograph protected by hard coat
• Numbered plaque ("Back In Black"1-300 and "Let There Be Rock" 1-200)
• Authenticating Stern Pinball Inc., hologram
• Signed certificate Of authenticity
• Laser cut backbox hinges
• Laser cut legs and front molding
• Transparent red lower arch
• Unique "Back In Black" silk screened cabinet decal artwork

January 8, 2012 LET THERE BE AC/CD! Stern Pinball released their teaser video for their latest game, Steve Ritchie's AC/DC!

September 9, 2011--First Photos of Transformers As posted on the Top Score Gamerooms site, here are the first photos of the new game from George Gomez and Stern Pinball. More here and in the PGJ soon!

August 19, 2011--"The Transformers Are Coming"

August 16, 2011--Stern Announces Availability of Games at BestBuy.com “Pinball is back and booming,” said Gary Stern, founder, CEO and chairman of Stern Pinball. “…and being available though an incredible retail channel such as Best Buy brings pinball to the main stream mass market..”

Stern Pinball games now available at BestBuy.com include:
--Avatar --Avatar pinball features a 3-D backglass with incredible depth, clarity and color, speech and sound effects from the movie. $4,799
--TRON: Legacy --TRON: Legacy pinball features exciting sound bites from the film’s main characters, as well as music from the film’s original score. $4,799
--The Rolling Stones --The Rolling Stones pinball features 13 Rolling Stones original songs, fast ramps and artwork featuring band members and classic album covers. $4,799
--Iron Man Classic --Iron Man Classic pinball made exclusively for the home features visuals, speech, music and sound effects from the Marvel blockbuster films Iron Man 1 and Iron Man 2. (This machine does not feature a coin mechanism and can not be operated) $3,799
--The Rolling Stones Limited Edition --The Limited Edition version of the Rolling Stones Pinball features a slew of special features, including a second set of flippers, a white ceramic ball and an indivdually numbered plaque with a certificate of authenticity. $5,999

For additional information on Stern Pinball visit: http://www.sternpinball.com

August 11, 2011– Stern featured in three recent major news stories. The CBS story focuses on the growth of location pinball and looks at the thriving Portland pinball community. The CNN Money stories tell the history of Stern Pinball, Inc. and how to make a new pinball machine from start to finish. “News stories like these are great for generating more awareness of pinball and our company. Pinball is definitely enjoying a world wide resurgence and it’s great to see,” said Gary Stern, founder and CEO of Stern Pinball, Inc.

Check them out for yourself by clicking CBS, CNN-1, or CNN-2.

August 5, 2011--Stern is "Keeping Up With Demand!" Released just minutes ago were the names of four new hires at Stern Pinball. This is in response to increased activity both in the game creation and distribution at Stern. Along with the recently announced addition of George Gomez as VP of Game Design, Stern hired mechanical engineer Robert Falkowski, Waison Cheng, game programmer (formally from IT and Golden Tee Golf) and Mike Parker in the purchasing department.

See the bulk of the release below:

Keeping Up with Demand: Stern Pinball Continues to Grow with Four New Team Members

MELROSE PARK, IL – August 5, 2011– Stern Pinball, Inc., the world's only maker of real pinball games, has added four new team members this summer to keep up with the surge in the demand for Stern pinball machines.

The new hires include:

-George Gomez (VP of Game Design) brings diverse creative and leadership experience, having designed arcade video games, consumer toys, console video games, slot machines and pinball games throughout his career. Mr. Gomez's pinball design portfolio features numerous critically acclaimed titles including "Monster Bash," "Pinball 2000-Revenge From Mars," "NBA Fastbreak," "Johnny Mnemonic," "Corvette," "The Lord of The Rings," "Playboy," "The Sopranos" and "Batman-The Dark Knight.”
-Robert Falkowski (Mechanical Engineer) brings 15 years of engineering experience. His last assignment was with Juno Lighting. His expertise in Solid Works and problem solving make him a valuable asset to the engineering department at Stern Pinball.
-Waison Cheng (Game Programmer) comes to Stern Pinball from the video game industry. He worked on the world famous Golden Tee golf game at Incredible Technologies. Waison also brings programming experience from his days working on Nintendo DS and Gameboy Advance games at Inxile and NeoPong.
-Mike Parker (Purchasing) has been managing and purchasing for factories for over a decade. Mike will be handling all purchasing and oversee Stern Pinball’s shipping and receiving departments. Mr. Parker will be working with Eddie Spears who heads that division.
“We are thrilled to be adding new talented staff to our pinball family. These new hires along with the great Stern employees we already have on board will help drive our rapidly growing company,” said Gary Stern founder and CEO of Stern Pinball Inc.

July 12, 2011--Stern announces the addition of George Gomez as VP of Game Developement! Stern has made a major addition to their engineering department with this appointment. Building on the recent re-hiring of Lyman Sheats and Steve Ritchie to complement the efforts of Lonnie Ropp and John Borg, Stern has brought in another experienced game designer to help pull it all together. Read the press release below:

Stern Pinball, Inc. appoints World Renowned Game Designer George Gomez Vice President of Game Development

Stern Pinball, Inc., the world’s only maker of real pinball games, announced today that game designer George Gomez joins the Stern Pinball team as Vice President of Game Development.

Mr. Gomez brings diverse creative and leadership experience, having designed arcade video games, consumer toys, console video games, slot machines and pinball games throughout his career.

Mr. Gomez’s pinball design portfolio features numerous critically acclaimed titles, including “Monster Bash”, “Pinball 2000-Revenge From Mars”, “NBA Fastbreak”, “Johnny Mnemonic”, “Corvette”, “The Lord of The Rings”, “Playboy”, “The Sopranos” and “Batman-The Dark Knight”.

“The Stern team is looking forward to George’s executive leadership and creative vision to guide and evolve game development,” said Gary Stern, founder, CEO and chairman of Stern Pinball.

Mr. Gomez joins the Stern Pinball and the Stern family tradition of producing quality pinball machines. The company traces its lineage to Philadelphia in the 1930’s when Sam Stern entered the business of operating pinball games. Sam Stern passed his lifelong enthusiasm for the game and the business of pinball to his son Gary who founded Stern Pinball. Today pinball remains one of the world’s favorite games.

About Stern Pinball

Stern Pinball, Inc., located just outside Chicago, Illinois, designs and manufactures arcade-quality pinball games. Stern is the only maker of full-sized, arcade quality pinball games on the planet and has released many popular games, including Avatar, Iron Man, Batman, Spiderman, The Rolling Stones, Tron and many more. Stern’s games continue to be enjoyed by both pinball enthusiasts and casual players around the globe. For more information visit www.sternpinball.com.

Tron Pro continues on the line. Stern's Jody Dankberg and IFPA's Josh Sharpe will conduct a Tron tournament at ComicCon in July.

June 13, 2011--TRON Selling Well. Reports from Stern say that they are selling TRON Legacy as fast as they can build them. They had over 1000 people attend the recent release parties.

On another front, plans are moving ahead for the Stern exhibit at the 2011 edition of ComicCon in San Diego in July. The entire event is already sold out!

February 18, 2011--STERN HAS THE STONES! With the official announcement on Tuesday of this week, production of Stern's Rolling Stones began full force. For now, it's the only game being produced on Janice Ave. in order to keep up with encouragingly brisk sales of the game. Here are some EXCLUSIVE photos taken today of the progress. You can see the playfield assembly, testing area, cabinets waiting for playfields and final check before sliding the game in the box.

February 2, 2011-Stern at 25 Stern Pinball is turning 25 and will be producing a number of items to celebrate that milestone. One will be a series of short video clips, the first of which is available for viewing here. Designer John Borg does pretty good for having Marketing Director, Jodi Dankberg make a surprize visit to John's office with a video camera. Check it out!...

January 5, 2011

Things area humming along in Melrose Park at the Stern factory. They are making a number of different games to fill current orders. Just finished was a run of Shrek and Batman and currently the line is producing Avatar Pro and Premium, Iron Man classic and pro AND prototypes of their next game Rolling Stones! Stern's Jody Dankberg always has some interesting promotions planned and we look to hear about his latest and greatest, soon. Stay close.

Check out the latest news about the Rolling Stones game by clicking HERE.

Find out more about all of Stern's products by clicking HERE!

Pinball Tip #6--Wet, Cold and Damp

This great time of year means wet, cold and damp weather in many parts of the USA and elsewhere. And wet, cold and damp is NOT good news for pinball machines. If your pinball machine is in a garage or storage or other place that isn’t constantly warm, take a few precautions to protect it:

3. Do play your machine at least once or twice a month, just to get the mechanical parts moving, so they don't build up dirt or goo or corrosion on the switches.

4. If you do have a stuck or dirty switch, it's easy to clean. If you have an old electro-mechanical machine, use a pinball file (or in a pinch an emery board) on the little nipples on the switches. If you have an electronic machine, do NOT use a file, you'll wear off the fine gold plating on the switch. Use a clean business card.

Presented by B.B. Kamoroff, author of "Pinball Machine Care and Maintenance: How to Purchase, Maintain, Adjust and Repair Your Own Pinball Machine," now in its 14th printing. This book is available from the PGJ, click HERE for info OR Click HERE to visit the author's site!

Visit the Repair Tip Archives by clicking HERE

October 2011:

White Rose Gameroom Show, October 7-8. Read more by clicking HERE

Pinball Expo, August 19-23. Read more by clicking HERE

SUBSCRIBE TO THE PINGAME JOURNAL! Click HERE for Information.