Posts By :

Sally Cohen

Foo Fighters and Stern Pinball Announce New Rock and Roll Pinball Machines
Foo Fighters and Stern Pinball Announce New Rock and Roll Pinball Machines 1600 914 GAD Vending

Headlining Exclusive SXSW Event

CHICAGO, IL – February 28, 2023 – Stern Pinball, Inc. unleashes a new line of pinball machines celebrating and created in cooperation with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class of 2021 inductees Foo Fighters.  The Foo Fighters pinball machines are available in Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition (LE) models.

Foo Fighters first stepped onto the world stage in 1995 with their classic self-titled debut album.  Over the course of their career, the band has released 10 studio albums, amassed over 32 million records sold worldwide, won 15 Grammy Awards, were recipients of the first-ever MTV “Global Icon” award, and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021.  One of the biggest headliners on the global stadium, arena and festival circuits, their music will soon begin filling game rooms and entertainment locations in pinball form.

 

Stern’s Foo Fighters machines bring the Foo Fighters concert experience home as players are immersed in an epic pinball adventure featuring 15 iconic songs spanning the band’s expansive catalog, including All My Life, Best of You, Breakout, Everlong, Holding Poison, I’ll Stick Around, Learn to Fly, Monkey Wrench, My Hero, Run, Something from Nothing, The Pretender, This is a Call, Times Like These, and Walk.

More than two years in the making and with creative input from the band’s own Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel, Pat Smear, Chris Shiflett, Rami Jaffee, and the late, great Taylor Hawkins, Stern’s Foo Fighters is a top-shelf pinball machine—and so much more. An entire new universe has been developed with jaw-dropping hand-drawn artwork and custom animations including “Foo Fighters Saturday Morning Action Time!”—a fictional TV series chronicling the band’s quest to save rock and roll… AND THE WORLD!  Join Foo Fighters on this rescue mission to thwart the evil, mysterious alien Overlord and his army of bots.  Search the Area 51 upper playfield to break into and unleash pinball chaos.  Jump in the van for a righteous tour of duty to save humanity from extinction and let rock rule!

Foo Fighters pinball machines include Stern’s award-winning Insider Connected™ system, which enables players to interact with the game and a global network of players in a variety of ways.  Through Insider Connected, players can track progress, earn new game-specific achievements, engage with the player community, and participate in promotions and Challenge Quests.  Insider Connected also provides an operator-focused toolset to drive location play through Location Leaderboards, build player loyalty, analyze performance, make adjustments remotely, and maintain the machines.  Registration for Insider Connected is available at insider.sternpinball.com/.

Limited to 1,000 machines globally, the highly collectible Limited Edition includes the Expression Lighting System™.  With 96 intelligent RGB LEDs, the Expression Lighting System enables full color spectrum control.  Positioned in pockets cut into the cabinet sides to provide color themed full playfield illumination, this integrated playfield lighting system is synchronized to custom light shows specifically designed for every song and dynamically responsive to game events.  The LE version also includes an exclusive Rock-Battle inspired full-color mirrored backglass, exclusive full color high definition reflective foil decal cabinet artwork, custom high gloss Overlord green powder-coated pinball armor, a custom designer-autographed bottom arch, exclusive inside art blades, upgraded audio system, anti-reflection pinball playfield glass, shaker motor, a sequentially numbered plaque, and a Certificate of Authenticity signed by Stern Chairman Gary Stern and President & CEO Seth Davis.

“Partnering with Foo Fighters, we created an entirely new pinball universe under the backdrop of incredible music.  The energy from this unique, fast and flowing game design, choreographed with spectacular lightshows and stunning hand-drawn artwork has created the ultimate gaming experience,” said Seth Davis, President & CEO.  “Get connected today and become a hero.”

The new Foo Fighters pinball machines will be on display and available to play at a special debut launch event at The House of Internet party during SXSW March 10th-12th at The Pershing in Austin, Texas.

Pricing and Availability:

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (“MSRP”)*:

*MSRP for sales to USA end-users, before any VAT, GST, Sales Tax, Duties, or other taxes.                                

Pro Edition:                                                     $US 6,999

Premium Edition:                                            $US 9,699

Limited Edition:                                            $US 12,999

Foo Fighters pinball machines and accessories are available now through authorized Stern Pinball distributors and dealers around the world.

About Insider Connected

Insider Connected is a comprehensive technology initiative to connect the universe of Stern pinball machines. The platform is designed to enhance and extend player engagement with the games across both home and commercial environments. It also presents professional operators of the pinball machines a robust set of tools to drive location play, build player loyalty, analyze performance, make adjustments remotely, and maintain the machines.

Registration for Insider Connected is available at insider.sternpinball.com. Players can also register at a connected game by scanning a registration QR code on the machine. Once a player registers, they are issued a unique QR Code that can be used to identify that player at any connected Stern pinball machine anywhere in the world. When a player scans into the machine, they can track progress, earn new game specific achievements, engage with the player community, and participate in promotions and Challenge Quests.

“Insider Connected is transforming how players interact with pinball machines. Operators are benefiting from new tools that drive repeat play and help maintain games remotely while players can earn special entertainment location badges,” said Seth Davis, President and CEO of Stern Pinball, Inc.

About Stern Pinball, Inc.

Stern Pinball, Inc. creates compelling entertainment that inspires a lifetime love of games, sparks passion, forges friendships, and connects people everywhere through fun, innovative, technologically advanced pinball games, and experiences.  Headquartered minutes from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport in the heart of North America, the company creates, designs, engineers, manufactures, markets, and distributes a full line of technologically advanced terrestrial and digital pinball games, parts, accessories, and merchandise. Stern Pinball serves digital, consumer, commercial, and corporate markets around the globe.

Recent Stern Pinball titles include James Bond, Rush, Godzilla, The Mandalorian, Led Zeppelin, Avengers: Infinity Quest, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Stranger Things, Elvira’s House of Horrors, Jurassic Park, Black Knight: Sword of Rage, The Munsters, The Beatles, Deadpool, Iron Maiden, Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Wars, Aerosmith, Ghostbusters, KISS, Metallica, Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, Star Trek, AC/DC, Batman, and Spider-Man.  A broad range of players enjoy Stern Pinball’s games from professional pinball players who compete in high-stakes competitions around the globe to novice players who are discovering the allure of the silver ball for the first time.  To join the fun and learn more, please visit www.sternpinball.com.

###

All trademarks and product names are the property of their respective companies.

Uncomplicated Payment at EV Charging Stations
Uncomplicated Payment at EV Charging Stations 2048 998 GAD Vending

EV Charging Open Payment Solutions

In Europe, electric vehicle adoption has been on the rise in recent years, with projected market unit sales expected to reach 5.5 million vehicles in 2027.1 With this growing demand for electric cars comes a requirement for a convenient charging experience that all drivers can enjoy.

However, an easy, reliable charging experience is currently not the case in much of Europe for drivers that use unfamiliar chargers. This is, in large part, due to drivers facing an inconsistent payment structure across charging stations. For example, one charging station could require payment from a specific subscription app or a contactless payment option and another could require a different subscription app. This results in drivers potentially finding themselves in the unfortunate and frustrating situation of being unable to use chargers if they don’t have the correct app or contactless payment option. And with 90% of charging stations in Europe not being equipped with a credit card reader, drivers have much higher chances of finding themselves in this scenario.2

Life is complex enough and with vehicle manufacturers executing on improved battery performance, it’s not surprising that charge anxiety is likely replacing range anxiety. In simple terms, EV drivers want the same frictionless payment experience as buying a latte or purchasing petrol at the petrol station. Let’s not create payment anxiety on top of this.

Having found a charger that’s up and running, surely making payment simple and consistent must be a win for everyone in the value chain? Let’s keep the complex function of electric vehicles in the technology and performance of the vehicle itself and not bring it into the everyday aspect of payment at the “pump.”

Having to download an app, or having a subscription to a club may suit many, but as electric vehicles become ubiquitous, doesn’t the consumer have the right for more payment flexibility? Drivers already deal with range anxiety associated with route planning and journey duration, adding a complex way to refuel, or continuing to proliferate app-based payment as the only option will only create a new type of anxiety around payment. Working towards a more sustainable future needs accessibility for all, so ensuring payment is familiar is a very easy way to remove a headache and pain point for drivers.

Fortunately, CPI provides an open payment solution that provides drivers with a familiar payment experience that prevents payment anxiety and meets all regulatory requirements around PIN acceptance.

1 Source: https://www.statista.com/outlook/mmo/electric-vehicles/europe

2 Source: https://chargemap.com/pass

EV Charging Stations – Wallet Friendly Payment Solutions
EV Charging Stations – Wallet Friendly Payment Solutions 2048 1366 GAD Vending

Choosing Payment Technology to Succeed in a Dynamic Market

There’s no doubt that the time for electric vehicle adoption is here. To date it is estimated that there are more than 16.5 million electric cars on the road. Furthermore, all major auto manufacturers are pushing forward updates to their leading models to integrate more EV options for consumers. Thus, sparking the opportunity for several new players to enter this space.

However, with an increase in electric vehicle adoption comes a need for drivers to have convenient locations to charge their batteries when they are on the road, providing another major opportunity for the parking industry.

Wallet-friendly payment solutions to reduce EV charge anxiety 

One obvious difference between a traditional ICE and an electric vehicle is “refueling” time. For an EV, the experience is much longer in comparison to ICE vehicles, even with fast charging technology. Therefore, charge anxiety has, to an extent, replaced range anxiety in the minds of EV drivers. Battery performance has been a major focus in recent years and ranges of more than 350 miles are being quoted on specifications of new models.2

Additionally, a need that EV drivers are facing is paying for the power to get back on the road again. Therefore, a simple, convenient, and “wallet friendly” EV charger must be a consideration since ease and flexibility in a complex world is a win. Nothing more certain to increase anxiety than not being able to charge up and go!

As a result, minimizing charge anxiety and delivering a charging experience that is consistent, reliable, and simple is your task regardless of your role – as an EV charging manufacturer or parking operator.

Easing charge anxiety with reliability and consistency  

Fortunately, the Alio™ Pro is here to help you meet those needs, ensuring that you’re better prepared to support your end users. With the Alio™ Pro, you’ll be able to:

  • Accept everything in your customer’s wallet:
    •  We may all love an app but it’s often not feasible to expect customers to have an app already downloaded. So, Alio™ Pro accepts:

    • Offer your customer a reward or incentive to park at your property again:
      •  Simply add a QR code that creates a voucher or tie in a pre-existing loyalty or bonus program
    • Ensure reliability:
      • CPI handles 4 billion transactions weekly and is trusted by many of the world’s largest financial institutions and retailers.

So, where better to charge your vehicle than where it must be stationary! Park your car, plug in, and go about your other activities – shop, eat, work – with the assurance that your EV is ready to go when you are. Multi-tasking at its finest!

As a certified distributor of Crane Vending products, call the GAD sales team to learn how this can increase your cash flow.

1 Source: https://www.iea.org/news/global-electric-car-sales-have-continued-their-strong-growth-in-2022-after-breaking-records-last-year

2 Source: https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/electric/longest-range-electric-cars-ev/

What Should Be In Your Home Game Room?
What Should Be In Your Home Game Room? 1080 1080 GAD Vending

GAD gets asked these questions all the time:

What are the best games for my house? How do I measure the space I need? Can I get your games upstairs/downstairs? Do you sell to home users?

Well, yes, we sell to home users. And we know the answers to all these questions. But every home user is a bit different, so we’ll leave this to a direct conversation!

What we will say in this article is some of our favorite home use games.

Because all these games are commercial grade, they are developed with the best in industry game play. This gives you the best in the new Internet apps gaming. And the best quality play fields, consoles and game play.

When these games are set up for home use – free play – the game acceptor devices are not necessary. And this can be a large portion of a commercial game expense.

DIGITAL DARTS

GAD is an authorized distributor for Arachnid Digital Darts. We stock Galaxy 3 Fire and Galaxy 3 Plus. We also have refurbished 2.5’s available at various times.

The great part of digital darts is you can play to practice or play against your friends and family. When done, this console takes a small floor space and is a great game that anyone can play.

CLASSIC-CADE

Our Classic-Cade is a 60+ classic game in one game! Available in either a cocktail table or stand up console.

The cocktail table is great for home use because two players can engage in games all night – or it is a table! Kids love the classic games and it helps their hand-eye coordination while keeping them engages.

GAD has these games in stock.

 

PINBALL

GAD stocks pinball of all types, for all age groups and all are available for home purchase.

Consider for the younger family Toy Story 4, Hot Wheels and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. For the middle schoolers and high school age range, think Legends of Valhalla, Godzilla, The Mandalorian and Star Wars. For the heavy metal fan, we usually stock Guns ‘n Roses, Led Zeppelin, and Rush. And for everyone – Elvira, James Bond 007, Jurassic Park and Cactus Canyon.

So many amazing pinball games to choose from, so little floorspace! Yes, you should choose wisely. Call GAD to find where to play your short list of games.

GOLDEN TEE PGA HOME EDITION

No doubt. Golden Tee has earned the right to be in every home game room in America! This is a great game of fun, skill, competition and always something new to play.

Golden Tee PGA Home Edition has all the best PGA courses in the world ready for you to experience. With plenty of avatars, equipment and player experiences it will capture the entire family!

Park. Tap. Charge.
Park. Tap. Charge. 2048 1366 GAD Vending

GAD has been on the forefront of cashless payment solutions through our manufacturer, Crane Vending.

With CPI payment systems, GAD has been installing, training and servicing cashless payment solutions in both attended and unattended solutions. GAD has been installing and servicing vending, change machines and ATM’s for decades.

The newest craze is EV Charging Stations. With so many EV’s coming to highways in the US, many are not finding convenient and easy to pay stations. But the solutions from Crane make it easy.

Tap and pay solutions make it really a Park, Tap and Charge solution. If this is what your business is looking into for your retail parking lot, employee EV charging stations or for a food establishment give the GAD sales team a call. We can help you with determine the best unattended or attended payment solution for you.

InterGame: On the flip side
InterGame: On the flip side 586 584 GAD Vending

InterGame is a magazine for pinball and arcade operators. If you are in the business as an operator or selling our games and pinball to operators, this is an interesting read.

In the February edition there is a really interesting article on pinball. “Flip or Tilt? A look at pinball’s enduring popularity.”

Where to Find Stern Pinball Code Updates
Where to Find Stern Pinball Code Updates 2048 1720 GAD Vending

Stern is continuously working to update and improve software for Stern’s pinball machines.  There are always code updates and bug fixes in various stages of development; they will release upon update completion.  If you would like to join our mailing list for code updates, please send an e-mail to [email protected].  If you do encounter any bugs please feel free to provide information to [email protected].

Get Connected and play! https://insider.sternpinball.com/

Code updates and read me files are available at https://sternpinball.com/support/game-code/

If you are having issues with your Stern pinball game you bought from GAD, call us for tech support. We can support both software and machine part issues.

If you bought your Stern pinball from someone else, we can still help. We may have a service charge. And, of course, we charge for pinball parts purchased and mailed from our warehouse.

Upcoming Stern Pro Circuit Events (AKA Road Trips)
Upcoming Stern Pro Circuit Events (AKA Road Trips) 2048 1363 GAD Vending

Already scheduled in 2023 are drivable (or otherwise) Stern Pro Circuit Events.

Keep an eye on Stern Pinball’s website. And the International Flipper Pinball Association Calendar of Events (IFPA).

Here’s a few to check out this weekend:

 

 

 

What’s Coming From Stern?
What’s Coming From Stern? 940 788 GAD Vending

Stern is constantly adding new games to their portfolio. But we don’t know what’s the next game quite yet.

We do have lots of Stern in inventory and more on the way.

Here’s just an idea of what we normally have in stock:

  • The Mandalorian Pro and Premium (just in time for Season 3)
  • James Bond Pro and Premium
  • Star Wars
    • Star Wars Premium
    • Star Wars Home Edition
  • TMNT Pro and Premium
  • Led Zeppelin Pro and Premium
  • Jurassic Park Home Edition
  • Godzilla Premium
  • Elvira House of Horrors

It’s an amazing list of Stern greatness. So, how do you choose the pinball game right for you and your family? Here’s a few things to consider.

Price. Always. Consider this…

  • Pinball games for home don’t have money acceptors. While this may not sound like much, it adds considerably to the price.
  • Some areas we deliver for free. If you aren’t in those areas, consider picking up yourself. We support phone set up.
  • Home editions are just that. Games designed for home use. Affordable options with innovative game play. Sized and set up to be easier for the home user. All the Stern commercial game quality with the home user in play.
    • Unboxed size: 70″ H x 28″W x 53″ D
  • Play the game before you buy the game. Some of the home edition games are available at our showrooms. Contact us to find out what games you can come play. All the Stern commercial games are available to play near you.
  • With Stern’s Insider Connected, you are always in the know. Code updates. Tournaments. Team competitions. And, so much more is coming.

Game Longevity

Stern has been creating games for decades. Gary Stern is still involved with the company but recently brought in a new CEO to be the active day-to-day head. And, we are already seeing great things. Stern is producing the best of its classic games – Elvira House of Horrors is a perfect example. GAD staff (talk about pinball wizards) is very impressed with the new Stern Connected Updates and upcoming features. Plus, we consistently have new code updates on games – that’s serious commitment. Now’s a great time to own your own Stern.

Variety

We’ve noticed that our home game owners are very picky. They shop and kick the tires on their first game for a long time. But once they have one, there is a rush to fill every square inch with games! We generally see home game users buy a pinball, then darts. Then the split – add a Multicade, Golden Tee PGA Home Edition or more pinball? Either way lots of fun for the family and friends.

GAD Knows Home Game Rooms

Safety, Quality, Profitability for Vending Operators
Safety, Quality, Profitability for Vending Operators 2048 1365 GAD Vending

GAD works with a variety of Vending Operators that service many types of end locations. Part of our job is to help our Vending Operators with their profitability, safety and operational streamlining.

Service at the End Location

Service is the pain point for many of the end location customers. This is especially important for independent operators. Tasked with overseeing everything to do with the equipment, payment and stock levels this can be a big lift for a single operator.

But GAD can help.

Rethinking Vending Management

It is critical to manage your time, your route efficiencies and your profitability. Crane Vending offers Simplifi new software apps to manage your entire business on your smart phone. Set up stock alerts. Machine malfunction. And other alerts to help you be aware of issues before your end location. This helps you stop reacting to being proactive.

Customization is Key

Know your customer. Customize your vending equipment to service the type of customer. You may want a mix use machine that delivers both liquids and snacks. Check out the vendors that deliver full meals. Place a vending machine that dispense products like PPE, cell phone accessories or other high need merchandise.

Use Quality Equipment Reduces Ongoing Costs

Maintenance is key to keeping a quality machine in its best working order. Crane vending machines partnered with GAD Vending parts department keep your machines working 24 hours delivering product.

Machine Placement is Key

Machine placement is key. High traffic areas. Low competition areas like breakrooms. Unique locations like apartment complexes, schools and even convenience stores.

Many customers are looking for self service, securing product and low employee interaction cost. This opens up all new positions for vending machines. High priced products can be secured without employee costs. Small items can be vended easily.

Vending machines aren’t just for candy any more! Vending is an answer for today’s growing demand of retail and consumer expectations.

GAD Vending

Greater America Distributing (GAD Vending) is your premier marketer of vending equipment and amusement games in Mid America.  The company has been operating for over 30 years with offices in Omaha, Nebraska; Kansas City, Missouri; and Grimes, Iowa, a suburb of Des Moines.

Omaha

6161 Grover Street, Omaha,
NE 68106

1-402-553-2812
[email protected]

1-402-553-2812
[email protected]

Kansas City

3230 Roanake Road, Kansas City,
MO 64111

1-816-531-4300
[email protected]

1-816-531-4300
[email protected]

Des Moines

2105 SE 37 Street, Grimes,
Iowa 50111

1-515-278-4455
[email protected]

1-515-278-4455
[email protected]

Greater America Distributing

© 2023 Gad Vending. All Rights Reserved.

Enter your
text here