Here we go again?

[smartbomb2084]

World Famous Game Designer Joins Stern Pinball

World’s Only Maker of Arcade Pinball Games Welcomes Steve Ritchie, Game Innovator and Designer

MELROSE PARK, IL – March 3, 2011– Stern Pinball, Inc., the world’s only maker of real pinball games, announced today game designer Steve Ritchie will be joining the Stern Pinball team. Ritchie is often referred to in the gaming world as the “The King of Pinball” and “The King of Flow” for his quick paced pinball games utilizing shot-based flow patterns mixed with target-based geometry.

Ritchie has been designing pinball games since the 1970s, producing such notable titles as Superman, Stellar Wars, Black Knight and Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Ritchie was the first designer to incorporate multiball game play, ball lane change, transparent playing fields, as well as the first multi-level pinball machine. Ritchie had previously been contracted by Stern Pinball in 2001 to design eight machines including Elvis, Spider-Man and Terminator 3.

“I am elated to bring my 30 years of design and game experience to Stern Pinball and work as part of the new Stern team,” said game designer Steve Ritchie. “I am honored to work with Gary Stern and Dave Peterson, along with the talented Stern staff on an exciting new chapter in pinball history. Long Live Pinball!”

“We are all very excited about Steve’s arrival at Stern,” said Gary Stern, founder, CEO and chairman of Stern Pinball. “Steve’s expertise in the art of pinball design and imaginative work will take our machines and game design to a whole new level. Our goal at Stern is to continually push the envelope of what is possible and has never been done. Steve’s work is on par with that vision.”

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

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 Pirates of the Caribbean, Indiana Jones, Shrek, Batman, Spiderman, the Simpsons Pinball Party 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.
 

 




© Pinball News 2011
 

[JeepMonkey]

From the article:
"Today pinball remains one of America’s favorite pastimes"
I wish that were true.  Or is it too true, PAST time.

SR joining Stern should be a good thing.  I can't wait to see what the next few machines have in store with SR on board.

[jennifer]

         Old folks can learn new tricks .... providing he"s been keeping up with tech. It does kinda have the feel of a last ditch effort however.

[HanoiBoi]

Sounds to me that Gary is trying to beef up Stern as Jersey Jack begins to enter the realm of pinball.

In this case, competition is a good thing.  I haven't heard too many good things about the newer (or older) Stern tables, so it makes sense to bring someone on board to beef up the team.  Even if Steve doesn't have 'mad' skills, he'll bring along leadership and raise the bar for those already designing for Stern.

Not to mention, I'm sure he's got TONS of table ideas to choose from.

[RayB]

@Jim: THere's no reason for "old guys" to be designing the electronics hardware. A senior "veteran" however is extremely valuable as a lead designer and guy who calls the shots in a game's production. The raw mechanics and parts aren't enough for some new guy to pick up and create a winning table. What you said is like saying that golf equipment has been around so long, who needs Tiger Woods?  It's not uncommon to promote experienced veterans into positions where they don't necessarily do much "grunt work" but they are there to apply their experience and oversee the less experienced so they don't mae noobish mistakes.

[smartbomb2084]

Yeah, they should just hire pinballjim and be done with it.

 

[Xiaou2]

Our goal at Stern is to continually push the envelope of what is possible and has never been done.

 That is such a Hypocritical statement...  when comparing it to pretty much anything Stern has done to date... which has been old-hat, cut corners, skimpy quality, and crappy 'art ?! "

 Pull out the stops.  Let Steve do whatever he wants, no exceptions, no forced themes or tightwad budgets...  and Maybe you might win over the big spenders.   They no longer buy blind, or buy out of sympathy / sacrifice.  It better be jaw dropper.

[smartbomb2084]

How can you say that FIREPOWER, BLACK KNIGHT, and HIGH SPEED weren't what the public wanted "the first time around" with over 10 tousand plus units sold for each title?

I guess it's just that everything is bigger in Texas, especially the BS.

[CheffoJeffo]

Sounds to me that Gary is trying to beef up Stern as Jersey Jack begins to enter the realm of pinball.

This.

In this case, competition is a good thing.  I haven't heard too many good things about the newer (or older) Stern tables, so it makes sense to bring someone on board to beef up the team. 

Hey, there are some really nice classic Stern tables.

[ChadTower]

Hey, there are some really nice classic Stern tables.

Too bad they were all made between 1978 and 1984. 

[jennifer]

YES, the era of Harry Williams.

[CheffoJeffo]

Exactimudaly!