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Always wanted to be a pinball wizard? Seek to impress your friends with your pinball skills? Love the game and want to improve?
Pinball is like any other game – it takes practice and strategies to become a better player. Try these 6 tips to become a better player and always remember to have a great time playing.
And, if you want to talk with a pinball enthusiast about buying your own game, more tips and tricks, and where the best places are to play – GAD knows Pinball.
Stern pinball has created a line of affordable home game room pinball machines that are all the game without the commercial price. As an authorized distributor, GAD has many of these titles in stock and ready for curbside pick up.
Here’s the lineup:
A Pinball Adventure 65 Million Years in the Making… Stern Pinball Announces New Jurassic Park Home Edition™, a new stylish, affordable, and fun pinball machine designed and engineered for the home!
Jurassic Park Home Edition immerses players in a pinball journey 65 million years in the making. Based on the blockbuster film Jurassic Park from Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment, the Jurassic Park Home Edition experience will transport players to Isla Nublar, an amusement park where escaped dinosaurs are running amok! With the volcano on the island erupting and threatening to destroy everything in its path, it is the player’s mission to rescue park staff, evacuate and recapture dinosaurs, and escape before it’s too late! Players will experience heart-pounding excitement right from the start in this action-packed pinball adventure filled with suspense, twists, and turns around every flip.
Jurassic Park Home Edition brings to life the most fearsome predator ever to walk the earth with an interactive, custom sculpted T. rex. Players will battle against the Spinosaurus by bashing a captive ball and corral Raptors in their enclosed pen with precision shooting. Fast flowing metal ramps, lightning quick spinners, and kinetically satisfying physical drop targets will provide players with an adrenalized game experience packed with unmatched action and fun. The all-LED playfield lighting provides dazzling light shows in sync with the iconic Jurassic Park theme music to create an immersive pinball experience.
The easy-to-setup Jurassic Park Home Edition is affordable, reliable, built to last, and engineered with genuine Stern commercial-quality parts. The playfield is housed in a stylish cabinet with dynamic, high definition, hand-drawn artwork. Complementing the iconic theme and exciting gameplay, Stern Pinball’s powerful SPIKE™ electronics hardware system enables high-definition graphics and innovative animations on the LCD display. SPIKE™ also reduces system complexity and energy usage, resulting in enhanced reliability and simplified servicing.
“Jurassic Park is an iconic film featuring something we all love…dinosaurs! The Jurassic Park Home Edition is designed to provide quality family entertainment and bring pinball fun to homes everywhere,” said Gary Stern, Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball, Inc. “This game will be an incredible addition to any home!”
Stern Pinball’s Star Wars™ Home Edition™ is a new stylish, affordable and fun pinball machine designed and engineered for the home. Stern’s new Star Wars™ Home Edition™ immerses players in the dynamic Star Wars™ galaxy. The Home Edition™ is packed with features that provide players with an irresistible game experience including select speech and footage from the original Star Wars™ trilogy, color-changing playfield inserts, a custom sculpted Death Star, and a custom sculpted and interactive TIE fighter.
The easy to setup Star Wars™ Home Edition™ is built to last and engineered with genuine Stern commercial-quality parts. The playfield is housed in a stylish cabinet with dynamic, high definition artwork. The all-LED playfield lighting provides optimal color and brilliant light shows.
“The Star Wars™ Home Edition™ is designed to provide quality family entertainment and bring pinball fun to homes everywhere,” said Gary Stern, Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball, Inc. “We are pleased to bring these pinball machines celebrating the Star Wars™ galaxy and adventures to our fans.”
Complementing the immersive theme and exciting gameplay experience, Stern Pinball’s powerful SPIKE™ electronics hardware system enables high-definition graphics and innovative animations. SPIKE™ reduces system complexity and energy usage, resulting in enhanced reliability and simplified servicing.
Stern’s new Star Wars™ Comic Art Home Edition™ immerses players in the dynamic Star Wars™ galaxy. The Home Edition™ is packed with features that provide players with an irresistible game experience including select speech and footage from the original Star Wars™ trilogy, color-changing playfield inserts, a custom sculpted Death Star, and a custom sculpted and interactive TIE fighter.
Star Wars™ Comic Art Home Edition™ pinball machines feature the artwork of one of today’s most popular artists, Randy Martinez. Randy has been illustrating for over 30 years receiving countless accolades for his work. Randy has been creating cartoons, caricatures, illustrations, paintings, and 3D art for Lucasfilm since 1999.
The easy-to-setup Star Wars™ Comic Art Home Edition™ is reliable, built to last, and engineered with genuine Stern commercial-quality parts. The playfield is housed in a stylish cabinet with dynamic, high definition artwork. The all-LED playfield lighting provides optimal color and brilliant light shows.
“The Star Wars™ Comic Art Home Edition™ is designed to provide quality family entertainment and bring pinball fun to homes everywhere,” said Gary Stern, Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball, Inc. “We are pleased to bring these pinball machines celebrating the Star Wars™ galaxy and adventures to our fans with beautiful new comic artwork.”
Complementing the immersive theme and exciting gameplay experience, Stern Pinball’s powerful SPIKE™ electronics hardware system enables high-definition graphics and innovative animations. SPIKE™ reduces system complexity and energy usage, resulting in enhanced reliability and simplified servicing.
As you have questions on these pinball games or others you’ve played in an arcade, give us a call. GAD Knows Pinball
Vending: it’s not just for vending anymore. As retailers and brands look for ways to extend their reach and distribute their products in new ways, they’re turning to vending for customized merchandising solutions. A trend driven by both retailers and end users seeking self-service, vending operators are presented with new market opportunities to deploy the equipment they’ve been using for years in a whole new way.
Auto Vending Specialists (AVS), an Australian equipment distributor, has successfully used vending for companies seeking to deploy and extend their brands in unique ways. Some of the world’s leading retailers, including Moet, Armani, Lancôme, and Yves Saint Laurent, have partnered with AVS to produce custom vending machines that both promote their brands and delight their customers.
Their most recognizable project supported wine producer Moet with a custom vending machine. Designed to dispense single-serving champagne bottles, the fully branded vending machines debuted at high-end events and venues. Vending gave Moet an interactive way to take their brand and their product directly to the end customer.
The custom machine program resulted in an uplift for AVS revenue and awareness. To support the custom requests, many of which are for pop-up or temporary events, the AVS model enables companies and brands to rent the machines. This allows them to use the same equipment from event to event, with custom wraps and graphics for each. AVS founder, Basil Hourmouzis, explained that while AVS works with multiple machine manufacturers, they lean on CPI machines for custom events. The flexibility and brand reach enabled by the custom machines’ graphics and digital media screens delivers extra value to retailers.
Hourmouzis believes that the trend towards non-traditional vending will continue to increase over the years, as retailers look for new ways to distribute and promote their products and brands. Both distributors and operators should accommodate these changing needs, increasing the flexibility of their offerings to support clientele beyond the traditional convenience services market. Increased consumer reliance on self-service will mean increased demands from brands looking for new options to stay engaged with their customers.
Taking Halloween very, very seriously – these folks have matched their Halloween costume to their favorite pinball. Thanks for sharing your photos!
GAD has a number of great pinball in stock to complete the picture. Call us for a current list.
In coming pinball includes Stern’s 007 Bond collection.
In stock (as if writing this post):
Options, options, options: consumers demand them in everything that touches their lives. I’m sure you don’t need to be reminded about the proliferation of the seemingly never-ending turnover of snack and drink options in your warehouses and machines.
Well, the latest Federal Reserve Diary of Consumer Payment Choice has been published and, once again, confirms that consumers expect options in payment methods when making an in-person purchase. The continued rise in digital payment methods is evident from the study, but so is the importance of (and preference) for cash payment as an option.
Consumers don’t look at the decision to use cash or a digital payment type as zero-sum. And, this is particularly true for transactions under $10, where cash is used 59% of the time according to another study by Cardtronics. Consumers expect options in the goods and services they purchase, as well as how they purchase those goods and services.
In that 2018 Health of Cash study by Cardtronics, 1000 consumers aged 18 and over were surveyed on their in-person (not online) spending preferences. 73% of those consumers reported using cash regularly despite other forms of payment being available, and nearly 45% said they would stop going to a store or restaurant if it stopped accepting cash. The findings also concluded that 56% of people use cash for purchase amounts of $30 or less, just slightly below the 59% for purchases $10 or less.
In that same Cardtronics study, I was surprised to read that 81% of consumers use cash as frequently, if not more, than they did last year. I’ve read an increasing amount of articles describing cash as a budgeting tool for the younger generations—a demographic we don’t think of as having any meaningful interactions with cash. Turns out, what’s old is new again—just like my college clothes, long ago discarded in the back of my closet. If they only still fit…
The continued use of cash is also reflected in data on ATM usage. In 2018, six in 10 people (59%) reported withdrawing money from an ATM monthly or more frequently, according to a Mercator Advisory Group report. This rate remains unchanged from a few years ago, as Mercator found that six in 10 people used an ATM at least monthly in 2016, showing that ATM usage remains stable.
Even millennials are withdrawing cash at high rates. That same Mercator report found that 53% of people aged 18 to 34 reported at least monthly ATM usage. The report also found that young adults are also more willing to try alternative authentication methods including the use of biometric data. It’s hard to conclude against cash remaining a preferred, if not desired, payment option with so many young people relying on ATMs to withdraw cash at least a few times a month.
Looking back to the Federal Reserve study, if we compare a 2013 Consumer Diary study to the 2018 edition, it is interesting how little has changed. Back in 2013, the majority of purchases (across all demographic groups) $10 or under were made using cash; in 2018, the same remains true. Debit card usage continues to grow, but only becomes dominant in transactions exceeding $25.
Another demographic to consider is the unbanked. According to a late 2017 survey by the FDIC, one in four US households are unbanked or underbanked—referring to people who don’t have a bank account, or only use their account for direct deposits, and immediately withdraw the balance. This population only transacts in cash, and carries a significant amount of buying power. And, the younger generations we mentioned before? The population aged 15-34 makes up the largest portion of the unbanked and underbanked. We see this more than ever, with some cities now reacting by mandating retailers accept cash in an effort to protect the unbanked and underbanked as the trend of stores going completely cashless rises. My very own city of Philadelphia just passed a similar law prohibiting “cashless only” retail operations.
A route driver or technician approaches a bank of machines, and can instantly see, in simple green, yellow or red icons, the health status of every payment peripheral in those machines. They can see all alarms in priority sequence to help the tech work through the tasks at hand. And best of all, any alarm automatically links to a series of written troubleshooting steps or videos to walk anyone through to resolution.
We are a convenience services industry, delivering outstanding products and services every day. Cleaned, filled, and working isn’t enough to drive sales growth. Operators need to ensure every potential vend patron can make a purchase at machines, with no barriers. While we all get excited about the possibilities of cashless (as we should—connectivity does amazing things for machine efficiencies and customer experience), we can’t assume that because cashless is great, cash no longer is. Cash isn’t going anywhere, and operators are wise to remember this. A great operation continues to be a diversified one.
We always say it, because it’s always true: from cash to credit to mobile and beyond, design your operation to take whatever is in the consumer’s wallet.
New course both real and imagined on these redesigned home version Golden Tee PGA Tour Clubhouse editions.
TPC Courses:
Imagined Courses:
More courses to play. More options for avatars, equipment and options. More live rankings, family play and score keeping options. Better cabinets and screens.
GAD is an authorized, stocking dealer. Both Standard and Deluxe versions are in stock or on the way. Let us help you with what the various differences are, give you a full price quote and you can save by picking up your game yourself at one of our Midwest warehouses (Kansas City, Des Moines or Omaha).
Same Game You Know and Love, Now with Real Courses!
New, Reimagined Cabinet
Log in to games with groundbreaking NFC check in; OR use the new 5-inch touchscreen. Plus, keep your drink secure with all-new cupholders positioned on the cabinet.
REAL PGA TOUR Courses
Play Hole 17 on TPC Sawgrass, the most famous hole in golf and six PGA TOUR courses overall. All six tournament stops were created using real topography data. Every blade of grass is accounted for!
More Than 100 Courses Overall
From the real to the fantasy, tee off on more than 100 completely original designs that will take players to courses around the globe.
Online Play Available
Unlock new games modes, courses and features by going online. A FREE subscription is included with every cabinet purchase! Gain access to exclusive Events, the all-new Club Pass and more!
Golden Tee PGA Tour Clubhouse Standard Edition includes:
55″ 4K TV is not included with the purchase of the GT PGA TOUR Clubhouse Standard Edition. Any size 4K TV will work with the GT PGA TOUR game, but 4K is required
Available at GAD for pre-order, pick up or delivery.
Same Game You Know and Love, Now with Real Courses!
New, Reimagined Cabinet
Log in to games with groundbreaking NFC check in; OR use the new 5-inch touchscreen. Plus, keep your drink secure with all-new cupholders positioned on the cabinet.
REAL PGA TOUR Courses
Play Hole 17 on TPC Sawgrass, the most famous hole in golf and six PGA TOUR courses overall. All six tournament stops were created using real topography data. Every blade of grass is accounted for!
More Than 100 Courses Overall
From the real to the fantasy, tee off on more than 100 completely original designs that will take players to courses around the globe.
Online Play Available
Unlock new games modes, courses and features by going online. A FREE subscription is included with every cabinet purchase! Gain access to exclusive Events, the all-new Club Pass and more!
Golden Tee PGA Tour Clubhouse Deluxe Edition includes:
55″ 4K TV is not included with the purchase of the GT PGA TOUR Clubhouse Deluxe Edition. Any size 4K TV will work with the GT PGA TOUR game, but 4K is required
Available at GAD for pre-order, pick up or delivery.
In vending, the tried-and-true mantra that measured the success of a machine has long been “cleaned, filled, and working.” But in a time of customer empowerment wherein 73% of customers will stop doing business with a brand after three or fewer experiences, vending operators will be forced to reevaluate what makes a good experience at their machine. As consumers continue to rely on and seek out self-service experiences, customer engagement and attraction will prove to be essential elements of a vending business.
Crane Media Network, CPI’s out-of-home digital advertising network, is comprised of more than 40k MEDIA vending machine screens nationwide and enables operators to earn additional revenue through opt-in use of their screened devices to display 3rd party advertisements. While the network works as a powerful tool for consumer brands looking to extend their out-of-home advertising presence, the Crane MEDIA platform gives operators engaging content that allows them to move products, influence user behavior, and, most importantly, win new business.
IntelFoods, a long-time customer of CPI, has been earning additional revenue participating in Medianet for over 8 years. Based out of New York City, IntelFoods runs almost 400 machines across high-traffic locations, such as residential buildings, college campuses, and stadiums. Stan Rubinov, COO of IntelFoods, is a longtime advocate of CPI’s MEDIA2 platform, and the extended engagement it provides with Medianet. Rubinov gave details on how Medianet not only helps him engage customers, but also grow his business.
The MEDIA2 platform, with its dynamic content, has provided a unique way to directly engage consumers for years. Following a year where customers are actively seeking alternatives to traditional retail stores, this level of dynamic engagement is more critical than ever.
According to Rubinov, engaging customers provides operators with advantages that surpass the financial benefit. Rubinov knows that in the low-margin vending industry it’s crucial to look for additional revenue opportunities. In most cases, though, the digital media aspect is key to getting through the door with new end-location customers. “The intangible part,” Rubinov says, “is that you have certain content on the screen that attracts people…it’s the appeal of content on the machine itself, the advertisement functionality” that gets people up in front of the machine. According to Rubinov, not only does digital media attract customers purchasing from the machine, but it also attracts locations looking for modern ways to add value for their customers, residents, and employees.
The operators are not the only ones benefitting from Medianet’s services. End users enjoy the variety of displays that are presented on the screens as well. In a year where digital engagement skyrocketed, Medianet survey found that 78% of the respondents stated that they interact with QR Codes when they encounter them—whether they need to or not. Media interaction is quickly advancing from a ‘nice to have’ to a ‘must have’.
Rubinov further elaborated on this point, saying that in the past year where self-service options were utilized more than ever, IntelFoods’ Medianet machines consistently outperformed their non-media machines. According to a study done by a national developer, there was a “definite uptick” in traffic at the Medianet machines in comparison to the standard vending machines.
Rubinov believes machines offering media and digital engagement will be a staple in vending services soon, just as cashless components are now. As Rubinov reflected, operators were once skeptical of the need to install cashless components to their machines. Now? It’s unlikely to see a machine without a full suite of cashless acceptance. “A lot of people are hesitant to commit to the cost and change… in the future [MEDIA machines] will be a given,” says Rubinov.
As operators look to invest in technology, they should remember to look beyond connectivity and payment. They should look back to the heart of vending: the machine itself. When it comes to engaging consumers, the machine, the first touchpoint, is more important than ever.
A home game room can be as simple as the niche under the stairs or as elaborate as you can imagine.
These are some of the ideas you should consider:
At GAD we’ve seen many amazing game rooms. And, we are happy to help you answer the preliminary design questions before you commit to your project.
