Arcade Collecting > Pinball
Stern layoffs
shardian:
I tend to look at it as Stern was taking Excellent themes, implementing them poorly and making them crappy, then pairing it with crappy play to complete the whole crappy package. Perfect examples: POTC and Batman. Williams would have LOVED to get themes like that back in the day, and would have made games for them that outshined TAF and TZ.
ChadTower:
--- Quote from: shardian on November 03, 2008, 10:23:59 pm ---Have you ever looked at production numbers in the 70's? They have been in a steady decline ever since videos came onto the scene.
--- End quote ---
That's not accurate... pin production numbers were decent in the 70s and did decline once vids hit the scene. Then they shot way back up in 1986 when High Speed came out. They were pretty high for quite a while there with multiple companies making multiple high production titles. High Speed was over 17,000 which is very high for pinball. Skipping a couple years you go forward to Addams Family in '92 at over 20k and Twilight Zone in '93 over 15k. It fell of really fast not long after that, though.
I think there could be one more big run for pinball. I'm not sure there is anyone out there willing to take the financial risk since the odds are really low but there is a concept out there that could spark another 4-5 year strong run. We thought vids were dead too until the music games hit North America.
koolmoecraig:
--- Quote from: ChadTower on November 04, 2008, 09:40:17 am ---
--- Quote from: shardian on November 03, 2008, 10:23:59 pm ---Have you ever looked at production numbers in the 70's? They have been in a steady decline ever since videos came onto the scene.
--- End quote ---
That's not accurate... pin production numbers were decent in the 70s and did decline once vids hit the scene. Then they shot way back up in 1986 when High Speed came out. They were pretty high for quite a while there with multiple companies making multiple high production titles. High Speed was over 17,000 which is very high for pinball. Skipping a couple years you go forward to Addams Family in '92 at over 20k and Twilight Zone in '93 over 15k. It fell of really fast not long after that, though.
I think there could be one more big run for pinball. I'm not sure there is anyone out there willing to take the financial risk since the odds are really low but there is a concept out there that could spark another 4-5 year strong run. We thought vids were dead too until the music games hit North America.
--- End quote ---
Yeah wasn't '92-'94 the biggest sales #'s ever?
The DMD display really kicked sales into high gear.
WareWolF:
I played WOF the other day and it actually IS a fun game.
It is probably one of the best playing sterns ever.
If you do not play it because you do not like the 'theme' you are being foolish.
Xiaou2:
You say WOF is fun? You ever play ANY williams machines? Which ones? Cause its
highly doubtful any Stern can compare in fun to a good Willams machine.
Not only that... but its WOF !!! Not only would I look pathetic playing such a
theme... but the theme does nothing to inspire me at All. In fact, I dont even like
to watch the show.
Nope. I wont be playing WOF.
I made the mistake of trying their new Indiana pin... and it was so bad
that it was the Last time Id play a Stern. And ya know what... Ive played
many of their games (for free)... cause some of the collectors I know have a thing
for Sterns. (Very bad tastes)
LOTR is the only one Id even consider putting money into if I was out. Buy it? Nah.
(well, not unless it was under $600 and in good condition! heh)
Play is limited, and game is very cheap on the edge drains on the easiest post
setting (poor design). Sound is muffled and drab. Looks decent.. but printed artwork
is pathetic (lowres, drab colors, crap). The path of dead is stupid n useless.
POTC is soso. Not really good enough for me to drop coin. Not worthy of purchase.
Sounds are very bad on this. Annoying quotes. Parts where voices overlap. Poor audio quality as always.
Spiderman is a snorefest. Its literally no fun at all.
Simpsons Pinball Party plays awkward and isnt very fun cause of that.
Usually way too easy (play forever). The upper level thing is cool.. and heck, good theme... but... poor play IMOP just ruins it. Also not many good shots.
Family Guy is a train wreck. Im not a big fan of the show... but the play/flow is worse
than Simpsons. It looks bad too. Has nothing inspiring at all. Then again, the show
isnt very inspiring either. A really crappy theme choice.
T3 - Too many ramps leading to other ramps?! Why?! Stale crusty gameplay.
Pingpong idea stupid... and worse... it doesnt work well. (bad accuracy, and
assembly is prone to problems)
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