DPP #125 "After Stern Breakdown"
Part story time part rumor breakdown one thing is for sure there are definitely characters in this hobby of ours! -Stern Factory tour breakdown -What did we see, what DIDN'T we see, and what might it mean -What is the agenda? -Should I buy this new game? -What else is going on? -Don, what do I get with this $5? All that and more, snuggle up for this epic rundown podcast episode and listen to where you can find the most epic conversation in pinball! Love you all! donspinballpodcast@gmail.com holler at jeff@madpinball.com and get some stuff!
Kineticist’s take
Don covers Stern factory tour, licensing deep-dive, market cooling trends, and hints at Aerosmith Vault.
Synopsis
Don recounts his experience at Stern Pinball 36-hour media event in Chicago, where he toured the factory, met industry figures, and heard George Gomez explain licensing complexity. He discusses why John Wick likely lacks gun imagery (licensing costs and approval chains), how market saturation is shifting Stern's strategy toward growth and community engagement, and shares anecdotes about restrictive licensing deals (including a failed Hunger Games machine and 007 challenges).
Entities
- Stern Pinball· company
- 007 (James Bond)· game
- Aerosmith Vault· game
- Barbecue Challenge· game
- Godzilla· game
- Hunger Games· game
- Jaws· game
- John Wick· game
- Venom· game
- Interium· location
- Stern Pinball factory· location
- Don· person
- Dwight Sullivan· person
- Gary Stern· person
- George Gomez· person
- Ian Jacoby· person
- Jack Danger· person
- Jason Knapp· person
- Seth Davis· person
- Tim Sexton· person
- Electric Bat Arcade· person/group
- Loser Kids· person/group
- Triple Drain· person/group