The Energon Pub

by **AshesOfPain** » Sun Sep 11, 2011 9:52 am

Ima so gonna have to put one of these in my place of business, whenever it is that I actually own such.

News Credits: 5749 · by **El Duque** » Tue Sep 20, 2011 3:03 pm

Stern Pinball has issued the following official press release regarding their Transformers themed pinball machine. See the full press release below:

World's Only Maker of Arcade Quality Pinball Announces Newest Addition to Stern's Timeless Pinball Lineup

MELROSE PARK, Ill., Sept. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Stern Pinball, Inc., the world's only maker of real pinball games, announced today upcoming plans for a pinball machine based on the iconic TRANSFORMERS brand from Hasbro, Inc. that will be available later this fall. Collectors, casual players and avid fans can all expect nothing less than an epic TRANSFORMERS adventure.

Since the birth of the franchise in 1984, the TRANSFORMERS brand has been celebrated with toys, comic books, animation, summer blockbuster movies and more. Under license from Hasbro, Stern is now proud to be adding pinball machines to the lineup. Players can expect the classic battle between the heroic OPTIMUS PRIME and the villainous MEGATRON as well as other beloved AUTOBOT and DECEPTICON characters.

"The story behind the TRANSFORMERS brand makes for a perfect translation into pinball," said Gary Stern, founder, CEO and chairman of Stern Pinball. "We're confident that the long anticipated machine will please the eyes, ears and the hands of even the most diehard TRANSFORMERS fans."

The TRANSFORMERS game continues both 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.

Pricing and Availability: $5699 - $7499

To learn more about The Transformers pinball machine and Stern Pinball, visit http://www.sternpinball.com.

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 http://www.sternpinball.com.

About Hasbro, Inc.

Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS) is a branded play company providing children and families around the world with a wide-range of immersive entertainment offerings based on the Company's world class brand portfolio. From toys and games, to television programming, motion pictures, video games and a comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its customers through the strategic leveraging of well-known and beloved brands such as TRANSFORMERS, LITTLEST PET SHOP, NERF, PLAYSKOOL, MY LITTLE PONY, G.I. JOE, MAGIC: THE GATHERING and MONOPOLY. The Hub, Hasbro's multi-platform joint venture with Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) launched on October 10, 2010. The online home of The Hub is http://www.hubworld.com. The Hub logo and name are trademarks of Hub Television Networks, LLC. All rights reserved. Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com. © 2011 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Media Contact
Evie Carter
FortyThree, Inc.
831.401.3175
SternPinball@43pr.com

SOURCE Stern Pinball, Inc.
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by **Rated X** » Tue Sep 20, 2011 9:48 pm

Pricing and Availability: $5699 - $7499

If you ever watch Pawn Stars or American Pickers, vintage pinball machines from the 1950's and 1960's go for $1000-$2000. And those are the collectible ones. Somebody slap these guys talking about 5-7 grand for a pinball machine... :BANG_HEAD:

News Credits: 1 · by **Marcdachamp** » Wed Sep 21, 2011 3:53 pm

BeastProwl wrote:Because we totally need transformers pinball

What's wrong with that? I would totally play some Transformers pinball if I saw this somewhere.

News Credits: 5749 · by **El Duque** » Sat Oct 08, 2011 8:19 am

PINBALLHEAD.com has posted a couple of demo videos of Stern's soon to be released Transformers pinball machine. Have a look at the embedded videos below.

Stern has also posted some new images showing of the machine's details.

“Megatron Vehicle Form" Rapid Fire Multiball with "Cyber" Ball Lock and Illuminated Eyes

“Optimus Prime” Target with “M.T.M.T.E." (More Than Meets The Eye) Elevating Ramp to hit target

“Bumblebee Captive" Camaro Target--captive ball accelerates car into target

“Decepticon” Laser-Cut Steel Ramp

“Ironhide” Character & Ramp

3 “Devastator” Pop Bumpers

1 “Autobot/Decepticon” Spinning Target

“All Spark Cube” Eject Hole

Color-Themed Star Posts in “Decepticon Violet” and “Autobot Crimson”

Art Themed Silk Screened “Roll Out!” Ramps

"Cybertron Zenith Orbit Shot" with electronically-controlled gate

Hi-Definition Cabinet Artwork and Decals

Traditional Coin-Op Coin Door (correct for each country)

“Autobots Vs. Decepticons” Themed Cabinet and Back Box:

"Autobot" Art on Right Side panels

"Decepticon" Art on Left Side panels

"Vector Sigma Data Track" QR Code

News Credits: 1 · by **Blackstreak** » Sat Oct 08, 2011 9:14 am

Imagine having one of those in your own living room. That would be slick.

by **AshesOfPain** » Sat Oct 08, 2011 9:36 am

Those vids make me want one. like NOW. Or at least for it to appear in one of my local bars. I'd feed it all my quarters. Heck Seibertron could even host a you-tube based pin-ball competition.

News Credits: 3 · by **Midnight_Fox** » Sat Oct 08, 2011 9:57 am

Rated X wrote:Pricing and Availability: $5699 - $7499

If you ever watch Pawn Stars or American Pickers, vintage pinball machines from the 1950's and 1960's go for $1000-$2000. And those are the collectible ones. Somebody slap these guys talking about 5-7 grand for a pinball machine...

You honestly have NO idea what you're talking about. No company bases their prices on vintage crap at a pawn store. $5000-6000 is generally a common price for factory new Pinball machines, with LE editions(the $7500 price) running in that area:

http://www.bmigaming.com/games-pinball-new.htm

I owned a Pinball machine in my basement for 10 years, and while it's cool to be able to say "yeah, I own a pinball machine", it was rarely touched and spent the majority of its time turned off.

by **Rated X** » Sat Oct 08, 2011 11:07 am

Midnight_Fox wrote:
Rated X wrote:Pricing and Availability: $5699 - $7499

If you ever watch Pawn Stars or American Pickers, vintage pinball machines from the 1950's and 1960's go for $1000-$2000. And those are the collectible ones. Somebody slap these guys talking about 5-7 grand for a pinball machine...

You honestly have NO idea what you're talking about. No company bases their prices on vintage crap at a pawn store. $5000-6000 is generally a common price for factory new Pinball machines, with LE editions(the $7500 price) running in that area:

http://www.bmigaming.com/games-pinball-new.htm

I owned a Pinball machine in my basement for 10 years, and while it's cool to be able to say "yeah, I own a pinball machine", it was rarely touched and spent the majority of its time turned off.

So you are implying from a collector’s point of view, that in the long term a pinball machine is a wasted investment in both value and usefulness?

As far as the price of new pinball machines, I think I can find a better investment for $7,500 on a retro item. I’m thinking something that has 4 wheels instead of 4 legs. :BANG_HEAD:

News Credits: 17 · by **cannonfodder4000** » Sat Oct 08, 2011 11:14 am

For the price it's going for, you'd expect them to sculpt their own Transformers, not just reuse the ones you can buy a shelf right now. :-?

News Credits: 3 · by **Midnight_Fox** » Sat Oct 08, 2011 12:49 pm

Rated X wrote:
So you are implying from a collector’s point of view, that in the long term a pinball machine is a wasted investment in both value and usefulness?

I'm not implying anything. Pinball machines aren't an investment as a collector's item, as they depreciate over time much like a car(and like a car, they take a decent amount of maintenance to keep in top shape). Mine cost $3000-4000 new and we sold it for $1500. I might have gotten $2000 IF I'd kept the chipboard up to date(after about 5 years, it didn't always start up properly) OR if my machine had been tied to a licensed property(it was a generic "King Arthur and Camelot" themed machine). Without knowing how to service one yourself, they're not worth buying as that sort of investment.

Pinball machines only work as an investment if they're being used as a coin trap. Private pinball owners aren't buying them to re-sell later, they're buying to play for free.

News Credits: 11 · by **joevill** » Sat Oct 08, 2011 2:26 pm

My all time favorite pinball game has to be the Adams Family. This looks cool though. I cannot wait to play it.

News Credits: 34 · by **Supreme Convoy** » Sat Oct 08, 2011 4:19 pm

Oh man. That's amazing looking.

by **prowl123** » Sat Oct 08, 2011 7:42 pm

cannonfodder4000 wrote:For the price it's going for, you'd expect them to sculpt their own Transformers, not just reuse the ones you can buy a shelf right now.

They should look good too. >:oP

News Credits: 8 · by **Megatron Wolf** » Sat Oct 08, 2011 10:58 pm

so you get to launch balls at ironhides crouch, seriously?

Like Michael Alex Kawa on Facebook · by **Michael Alex Kawa** » Mon Oct 10, 2011 8:59 pm

If i had the money :ic$:

,i would buy one ,not to resell later ,just for fun and enjoyment :grin:

.So i don't care if its a bad investment

.That is what i don't get about TF fans lately ,it is less fun and more like a business ." :-B

IF I CAN'T SELL IT FOR A GOOD PRICE LATER THAN ITS NOT WORTH IT " :-B

.Where has the enjoyment gone ,i still have all the figures i have ever got since 1985 ,and i never cared about how much value it would have later ,i got them for there look and how they appealed to ME ,not to brag to the world :-B

"I HAVE DAI-ATLAS in a GLASS CASE ,and I WANT TO TAKE HIM OUT BUT I CAN'T ,BUT IS IT NOT COOL" :-B

....No it not ,only if you broke open that case and "Played " with him would it be cool . >:oP

by **AshesOfPain** » Tue Oct 11, 2011 9:25 pm

michael alex kawa wrote:If i had the money ,i would buy one ,not to resell later ,just for fun and enjoyment .So i don't care if its a bad investment .That is what i don't get about TF fans lately ,it is less fun and more like a business ." IF I CAN'T SELL IT FOR A GOOD PRICE LATER THAN ITS NOT WORTH IT " .Where has the enjoyment gone ,i still have all the figures i have ever got since 1985 ,and i never cared about how much value it would have later ,i got them for there look and how they appealed to ME ,not to brag to the world "I HAVE DAI-ATLAS in a GLASS CASE ,and I WANT TO TAKE HIM OUT BUT I CAN'T ,BUT IS IT NOT COOL" ....No it not ,only if you broke open that case and "Played " with him would it be cool .

Sum's up my thoughts as well. My G1 Devy is looking like Grimlock noshed on his Scavenger mounted arm, but I think the look adds character. With one exception all my TF's are loose and played with.

News Credits: 5749 · by **El Duque** » Wed Oct 12, 2011 8:11 pm

So you've had your eye on that Transformers pinball machine by Stern that's been making news lately, but can't scape up $5,699.00. Well, do we have a deal for you! Groupon can save you a whopping 21%, bringing the price down to a mere $4,499.00! That's $1,200.00 off! You can use that to go toward the $199.00 shipping fee! The deal requires two buyers, so be sure to call up one of your collector buddies to make this happen.

News Credits: 1 · by **Bumblevivisector** » Thu Oct 13, 2011 11:37 am

Only $4,500? WOW, that is a great deal! Now I only have to match 4 numbers in the Fantasy 5 drawing instead of Powerball!

Then again, it's Bayniverse TFs, so while I really wish there were still functional arcades in the Detroit area so I could try it out, an extra 5 grand I didn't need would go to troop buildin' a few dozen Guardians first.

News Credits: 5749 · by **El Duque** » Mon Oct 17, 2011 11:08 am

Listen up pinball fans, Stern has issued the following press release regarding launch parties for their soon to be released Transformers pinball machine. Be sure to check for a locations close to you!

World's Only Maker of Arcade Quality Pinball Announces Plans for Launch Parties and Pinball Expo 2011

MELROSE PARK, Ill., Oct. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Stern Pinball, Inc., the world's only maker of real pinball games, today announced plans for Transformers Launch Parties as well as their presence at Pinball Expo 2011.

In support of the highly anticipated debut of the Transformers pinball machine, Stern will be hosting a series of launch parties across North America beginning the weekend of October 21st. The Transformers Launch Parties are designed to celebrate pinball fans, wizards and friends and provide a night of uninterrupted game play. (See the list of locations and dates below!)

As a sponsor of the Pinball Expo 2011, Stern will be offering several opportunities to meet the Stern Pinball team. On Thursday, October 20th, Stern is hosting a tour of the factory as well as a town hall with designer George Gomez and founder Gary Stern. On Friday, October 21st, pinball enthusiasts will have the opportunity to have dinner with Gary Stern followed by a fireside chat with designer Steve Ritchie and topped off with a Transformers Launch Party and tournament.

To register for the Stern factory tour or to RSVP for dinner with Gary Stern, please visit: http://www.pinballexpo.net/.

To watch the Pinball Expo party from your own home, tune in from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm CT on October 21st: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/stern-pinball.

Launch Party Locations and Dates:

Birmingham, AL – Bumpernets; 2000 Riverchase Galleria – 10/28 (6 – 10pm)

San Diego, CA – Nickel City; 11610 Carmel Mountain Rd. – 10/21

Boulder, CO – Backcountry Pizza & Tap House; 2319 Arapahoe Ave – 10/28

Windsor Locks, CT – Monster Mini Golf; 20 Main St. – 10/28 (4 – 8 pm)

Orange, CT – The Pinball Store; 163 Boston Post Rd. – 10/29 (10am – 5pm)

New York, NY – Ace Bar; 5th and A & B – 10/21

New York, NY – Horseshoe Bar; 7th and A & B – 10/21

Berea, OH – Kidforce Collectibles; 50 Front St. – 10/29

Columbus, OH – WoW Family Fun Center; 1201 Boston Post Rd. – 10/30 (12 – 5pm)

Gresham, OR – Pub 181; 18415 SE Division St. – 10/28

Portland, OR – Duke's; 14601 SE Division St. – 10/29

Portland, OR – Club 21; 2035 Northeast Glisan St. – 10/27

Portland, OR – Apex Bar; 1216 SE Division – 10/28

Houston, TX – Joysticks; 1820 Franklin St. Suite 8 – 10/28

Tacoma, WA – Dorky's; 754 Pacific Ave. – 10/28

Seattle, WA – Shorty's; 2222 A 2nd Ave. – 10/29 (6 – 9pm)

Seattle, WA – Water Front Arcade – 10/21

Seattle, WA – Pinball Museum – 10/22

Seattle, WA – Full Tilt Ice Cream – 10/28

Toronto, Canada – Wacky Wings; 1248 Oundas St. East – 10/28 (6-9pm)

About Stern Pinball, Inc.

Stern Pinball, Inc., headquartered just outside Chicago, Illinois, is the leading producer of pinball games in the world. Stern's highly talented creative and technical teams design, engineer and manufacture popular, arcade-quality pinball games. Recent popular Stern titles include Tron, Avatar, Iron Man, Batman, Spiderman, The Rolling Stones, Big Buck Hunter and many more. All of Stern's pinball games are crafted by hand and assembled by Stern's expert team. Both pinball enthusiasts and casual players around the globe enjoy Stern's games. For more information visit http://www.sternpinball.com.

Media Contact
Evie Carter
FortyThree, Inc.
831.401.3175
SternPinball@43pr.com