Commercial Gamerooms

RePlay Magazine: Professor uses pinball as teaching tool
RePlay Magazine: Professor uses pinball as teaching tool 1255 491 GAD Vending

(Repost from University of Cincinnati) Fuchs was featured in RePlay Magazine, a trade magazine for the coin-operated amusement game industry. Fuchs employs pinball machines as a fun way to teach a variety of principles in his mechatronics course.

“The class focuses on how to sense and interact with the world around us through the integration of microcontrollers, actuators, sensors and supporting electronics,” Fuchs told Replay. “Although the lessons are taught within the context of pinball, the topics are generally applicable to the broader embedded systems, automation and robotics industries and provide students with valuable hands-on experience in building and testing a real-world, cyber-physical system.”

He also teaches a pinball design and programming course as part of the University Honors Program, which is open to students in any major. Fuchs said the course fuses multiple disciplines, including engineering, computing, design and art, to “create an integrated pinball experience that tells a story.”

In October, Fuchs took his students to Chicago to the Pinball Expo and a tour of the Stern Pinball factory. Stern has donated pinball machines and components.

Fuchs’ classes and research are also supported by an Ohio Department of Higher Education grant and the Air Force Research Lab. His research work includes developing AI strategies for adversarial environments.

Read more about how Zach Fuchs got started with pinball.

Read the Replay Magazine article.

Featured image at top: Pinball machines in Zach Fuchs’ UC research lab. Photo/Corrie Mayer/UC CEAS Marketing.

GAD Knows Pinball (And How to Stock!)
GAD Knows Pinball (And How to Stock!) 2048 1363 GAD Vending

GAD has been a long time stocking dealer of pinball, games and vending equipment. In a time with supply line issues, shortage of chips and other parts, GAD has been writing strong orders to keep our inventory flowing.

For everything. We have games, Golden Tee, Claw Machines, ATM’s, digital music and vending machines in stock or coming in. We also have a large inventory of parts across our three offices.

But this does not apply to every pinball title. If you are looking for a certain pinball, call us. We are happy to tell you what we have, what we expect to have and how much. GAD believes in firm quotes prior to the sale.

Here’s just an idea of what we have in our games department. We have lots more on order without firm delivery scheduled yet:

On Hand

  1. Guns N’ Roses LE (Jersey Jack)
  2. Houdini (American Pinball)
  3. Hotwheels (American Pinball)
  4. Star Wars Comic Art Pin (Stern)
  5. Led Zeppelin Pro (Stern)
  6. Iron Maiden Premium (Stern)
  7. Golden Tee Home Edition
  8. Galaxy 3 Fire Darts
  9. Multicades Upright and Cocktail

Due before Dec 1

  1. Star Wars Pin (Stern)
  2. Jurassic Park Pin (Stern)
  3. Mandalorain Pro (Stern)
  4. Godzilla Pro (Stern)

New American Pinball – Legends of Valhalla
New American Pinball – Legends of Valhalla 1043 695 GAD Vending

On order and coming soon to GAD is American Pinball’s newest pinball game – Legends of Valhalla.

Very limited production originally announced at 300 but the overwhelming orders that come in to American made them jump to 500.

GAD has Valhalla on order but many are already spoken for. If you are interested, don’t wait! Call your closest GAD office to secure yours today. 

5 Surprising Secrets to Making Money with Pinball Machines (with a Younger Audience)
5 Surprising Secrets to Making Money with Pinball Machines (with a Younger Audience) 640 640 GAD Vending

What’s not a surprise is that Pinball has been a profitable industry since 1931. What is a surprise is the resurgence of pinball with younger and younger generations. And, here’s why.

1) Engaging Games

Pinball manufacturers have responded to new, tech savvy audiences with creative pinball game formats and technology. Internet connectivity for score keeping and tournaments. Adding LED lighting. New technology in the game field. Added sound technologies to create an immersive experience. And so much more.

So many recent examples from Stern Pinball alone. Godzilla. Led Zeppelin. Star Wars The Mandalorian. Marvel’s Infinity Quest: End Game and TMNT. Current movies and music represented in pinball plus long standing titles that are ingrained in pop culture.

2) Social Game Opportunities

Pinball is the ultimate step up game for the millennial gamer brought up on playing video game machines in their basement. Gamers have shown if they like one type of game, they will try another. Make your pinball games attractive to play.

  • Pinball is still an individual game that can be played against the high (local) machine score.
  • Connect your Pinball to the internet for game play against other high scores, games across locations or tournaments.
  • Pinball apps are becoming popular. For example, Stern Pinball’s Insider Connected app is amazing for the connected gamer.
  • Pinball keeps groups of people longer – ordering more food and drinks.
  • Run a casual or professional pinball tournament.

3) Location, Location, Location

Look at the traffic flow in your restaurant, bar or lounge. See where your customers hang out with little to do. Evaluate the dark corners. Watch when customers get bored and are looking for a reason to get up and move around.

  • One, stand alone pinball machine can solve a dark, wasted corner.
  • A couple pinball machines can draw customers to the back wall of the bar.
  • Strategically place a pinball machine outside the rest rooms.
  • Add a new pinball machine to mix up your current game mix.
  • Place a new machine and run promotions for high score, longest run or other fun incentives.

5) Entertainment Destination

Set up a mini game center with pinball, claw machines and other games to give your customers entertainment while they wait for a table, for their food order or other guest services. Games give people a moment of escape while they are waiting. And, gives the owner additional revenue while people are hanging around.

5) Entertainment Destination

Single pinball games, as a standalone profit center, may not make a lot of money. What pinball machines do is help the establishment create excitement, entertainment and gives patrons an immersive experience. Pinball machines teamed up with digital music, darts, Golden Tee and other games can give you, the owner, an entertainment arcade to become a destination.

When you are thinking of new pinball machines in Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and South Dakota – give your local GAD sales rep a call (or our main office at 402-553-2812).

So Many Great Games on Order. So Many In Stock Now!
So Many Great Games on Order. So Many In Stock Now! 1536 2048 GAD Vending

The supply chain is a definite issue but at GAD we have so many games, pinball, ATM’s and vending machines on order that we do have equipment steadily coming in. (Just not on every title that we have demand for.)

Godzilla order is in, and being delivered now.

If there is something you need in 2021 for your commercial site or home, it’s time to give us a call and get your order in.

GAD Has Games, Pinball and Vending Machines in stock!

Due this year: 

Godzilla, Mandalorian Pro & Premium, Avengers Premium, Jurassic Park, Beatles Gold, Deadpool Premium, TMNT Pro and Premium, Star Wars Pin, Stranger Things Pro – and so many more great pinball titles!

Golden Tee PGA. Jet Pong. Claw Machines. Digital Music. And, of course, a lot of different vending machines.

 

Looking for Pinball Tournaments?
Looking for Pinball Tournaments? 377 379 GAD Vending

Looking for a pinball tournament near you? So easy. Just hit the IFPA calendar and select your location and dates. Done.

Want more engagement? Join the Stern Army. The Stern Army organizes tournaments, events, and so much more. From fun unboxing parties to tournaments, join Stern Army to add to your pinball fun!

Stern’s Insider Connected App
Stern’s Insider Connected App 494 315 GAD Vending

Go in depth with George Gomez as he explains our newest innovation: STERN INSIDER CONNECTED!

Engage with pinball in a whole new way; track your progress, discover new ways to play your favorite games, unlock exclusive content, and so much more!

Stern Connected Games aren’t your typical pinball machines. They’re super-powered. They have state-of-the-art hardware that allows them to recognize players, connect to the internet, and track player scores and activities. Combined with a companion app, Stern Insider is a completely new online gaming system built specifically for and by pinball players.

Each Insider Connected Game has a QR Code scanner built into the bottom arch of the game. Insider Connected players can log into any connected game using their unique QR Code and instantly begin tracking their scores, earning achievements and exploring a new world of connected pinball.

Connected Games connect to a local network in one of two ways: wirelessly over Wi-Fi or through an Ethernet port. While connected to the internet, each machine will track and sync scores and game play activity to your account. The Insider Connected app is your gateway to the universe of Insider Connected. It works in any browser and is also optimized for your phone.

Use the app to create a player profile, view scores, and connect with other players. You’re just one tap away from displaying your unique player code and logging into a machine.

Connect with GAD if you have questions how to set up your Stern Pinball game to Insider Connected in Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota and Kansas City.

Stern Pinball, a family time to play. Join Stern by buying a pinball game for home or commercial locations.

Looking to the future, Stern Pinball Announces Hiring of a New President
Looking to the future, Stern Pinball Announces Hiring of a New President 486 467 GAD Vending

CHICAGO, IL – October 14, 2021 – Stern Pinball, Inc. today announced the hiring of Seth A. Davis, 43, as President. Gary Stern, the Founder of Stern Pinball, will continue to serve as Chairman and CEO of the company. Dave Peterson will continue to serve as Vice Chairman and EVP of the company. As President, Seth will join the company’s leadership team and be accountable for the future performance of the company and its extended enterprise. He will report to Gary Stern.

A life-long gamer, prior to joining Stern Pinball, Seth spent a combined twenty-one years at The Walt Disney Company and the General Electric Company. He served in a wide variety of functions and in intrapreneurial roles, at increasingly senior levels.

Seth spent thirteen years at Disney where he gained experience in multiple businesses and was accountable for driving growth through strategy and execution. He led and managed both small and large teams spanning business, creative, and technical disciplines.

Immediately prior to joining Stern Pinball, Seth served on the executive team responsible for the highly successful subscription-based streaming services, Disney+ and ESPN+. Earlier in his career, Seth served in Disney Corporate Financial Planning leading business transformation projects; as Head of Product Management for Connected Experiences within Disney Games and Consumer Products as part of Walt Disney Imagineering; as leader of Disney’s Digital Games Console and PC line of business; and, as Director of Disney Games’ Strategy, Market Analytics, and Product Planning.

Before Disney, Seth spent eight years at the General Electric Company. He served as Senior Manager, Finance at GE Capital responsible for Strategic Analysis and Marketing. He started his GE career in the Financial Management Program where he completed four national rotations through GE business units and earned his Six Sigma Black Belt Certification.

“I am very excited to have Seth join our team at Stern Pinball,” said Gary Stern. “Seth’s appointment will further help secure our future. His experience in gaming, operations, strategy, and general management will help us continue our aggressive growth plans. As a life-long gamer, Seth understands the passion of pinball fans and our obligation to serve that growing global community through great pinball games and experiences.”

“I’m honored and very excited to join Stern Pinball,” said Davis. “I’m really looking forward to working with Gary, Dave, and the rest of the leadership team, as well as our distribution, supply, and licensing partners to serve the pinball community. We have a great foundation on which to build and I’m very excited about the future of Stern Pinball and pinball in general.”

“Seth is a great fit for the culture at Stern Pinball,” said Peterson. “He has complementary skills and a personality that fits well with the leadership team and the extended organization overall. He understands the passion of our customers and the company’s priorities. Moreover, he has a record of success in analogous game businesses where creativity, technology, and business disciplines intersect.”

Seth earned his MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania where he majored in Entrepreneurial Management. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Syracuse University with a double major in Accounting, and Information Management and Technology.

Seth, his wife Allison, and their three children are relocating to the Chicago area from Los Angeles.

About Stern Pinball, Inc.

Stern Pinball, Inc. is a global lifestyle brand based on the iconic and outrageously fun modern American game of pinball.  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 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 Munster’s, 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.

Digital Music

How To Add a Machine to Maximize High Traffic Areas
How To Add a Machine to Maximize High Traffic Areas 368 255 GAD Vending

Own a commercial facility? Bar? Restaurant? Mall? Retail Store? Arcade? High foot traffic area? Apartment complex? Office?

Looking to gain more automated cash flow without adding staff? Need something socially distancing that can be easily cleaned?

If you own or manage a space with lots of people passing through that you want to capture interest and revenue, read on……

It is expensive to get people to show up at your facility. You work at advertising, marketing, customer service, cleanliness, social distancing regulations, best product mix and everything else to get and retain customers. (Customer can be defined as – customer, tenant, employees, shoppers, staff, client – whoever it is that you want to engage.) So anything you can do to further engage – and profit from – your foot traffic is critical.

Add strategic machines to solve problems and create ROI!

ATM

A free standing ATM in a high traffic area can = profit!

  • You can charge a transaction fee.
  • You can reduce credit card fees by encouraging customers to pay in cash.
  • You can reduce employee time by allowing customers to self service for cash.
  • You can add additional revenue to other games, pinball or machines with cash access.

What should you consider? ATM’s generally cash flow in one or more of the following conditions:

  • 150 people through the doors daily,
  • when you are encouraging cash tips to staff,
  • you are looking to provide a service to your customer,
  • when it’s cheaper to have an unattended operation or unattended during off hours,
  • and/or when there are cash based services nearby.

CLAW/CRANE GAMES

Claw (Crane) games with non-ticket redemption (no tickets to mess with) is an ideal addition to a family based establishment. These are the cabinet games with stuffed animals with a movable claw that picks up a toy and delivers to the player.

  • Ideal for a restaurant waiting area where families gather.
  • Include in an apartment clubhouse that caters to families.
  • Add to an arcade, game room or family lounge area.
  • Stand alone machine in a pizza restaurant.

To maximize profit – keep you claw game maintained and well stocked. Keep your machine clean – not only by the restocking vendor but employees should clean between every patron. Post a hand sanitizer or wipes nearby.

GAD Vending sells and maintains claw machines in MO, KS, NE and IA. GAD Vending does not stock claw games but we can suggest companies that do.

DIGIAL MUSIC/JUKEBOX

No great party experience is complete without great music!

The new digital music jukeboxes have amazing capabilities that add to your user immersive experience – and can reduce expenses.

Digital music can be a new profit center:

  • Allow users to be the DJ and pay for their favorite tracks (and associated music videos) to play.
  • Run specials through your music software.
    • Promote specials
    • Tease holiday events
    • Pop Up specials
  • Sell advertising.
  • Appeals to all generations. The online music catalogs, along with associated video, is extensive.

Digital music software can reduce costs:

  • Bundles your trivia games into your software cost.
  • Replaces canned background music and can be programmed to change song selections thru the various day parts.
  • Supports karaoke.
  • Tracks your music play.
    • Music licensing companies assume you are playing music 100% of the time to 100% of your occupancy. Digital music tracks the exact songs played and creates a digital report so you pay on what you play.
  • Pre-programs available to eliminate DJ’s.

Digital music adds energy to unexpected places:

  • Add a digital jukebox to the front door of your retail store. Instead of elevator music, this adds the option to change music styles as you choose – or as your customers choose on their phone.
  • Add a digital jukebox in an employee lounge area. GAD Vending can program a free play option.
  • Add a digital jukebox to a restaurant/bar that changes from Baby Boomers to Millennial over the course of the evening.

Music to your ears? GAD Vending knows digital music and speaker installation.

VENDING MACHINES

Vending machines allow the owner to provide refreshment options without adding employees.

Try a mixed product vending machine – one machine offering drinks and snacks. A healthy option vending machine. Coffee vending machine. Or a simple bottle water vending machine. Whatever your customers are most looking for. This can free up employees to wait on customers with more complex needs.

Add vending machines in a high traffic area like by restrooms, lounge areas or break rooms. Anywhere customers or employees look to rest for a moment.

Add customer confidence! Use touchless payment – and even touchless ordering – using a smartphone app. This allows customers the cleanest, least touch options.

GAD Vending sells and repairs vending machines. Our warehouses have vending machines in stock with parts to configure a machine that best fits your needs. We have sales and service personnel in Kansas City, Omaha and Des Moines.

GOLDEN TEE PGA TOUR

Just like with a claw game for kids – Golden Tee PGA Tour is an ideal stand alone game machine.

Golden Tee PGA Tour is available in both commercial and home use versions. And, Golden Tee has a long established software upgrade schedule.

Add a single Golden Tee PGA Tour game to an entry way, low use/high visibility area.  Golden Tee PGA Tour is essential to an arcade, game room, pinball area. Add Golden Tee PGA Tour tournaments with their worldwide software support.

MONEY CHANGERS

Money changers are for customers that need to change bill-to-bill, bill-to-coin, pay stations and bill/coin counters. Add next to an ATM to give your customers self service capabilities.

Concerned about money changer and ATM security? Ask GAD Vending for security suggestions (we don’t publish security suggestions!)

If you have an unattended business like a car wash, coin operated laundry, or arcade, you need GAD Vending. GAD Vending inventories new money handling machines in our warehouses in Omaha, Des Moines and Kansas City. Our service techs also have parts to fix money changers.

GAD VENDING

At GAD Vending, we sell and service a variety of vending, games, ATM and other machines. We stock new and used machines at our warehouses in Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas City. And, we service machines. Call us at (402) 553-2812 to find out what we can do for you!

Godzilla – The Hype is Real
Godzilla – The Hype is Real 1200 632 GAD Vending

The King has arrived!  Toho International, Inc. and Stern Pinball announced a new line of pinball machines based on the iconic King of the Monsters, Godzilla! And the hype is real.

The game trailer premiered directly on Toho’s official YouTube channel with the press and media exposure train not slowing down with features on The Nerdist, HYPEBEAST, Collider, SuperHeroHype, The Pop Insider, Movieweb, ShackNews, JoBlo, License Global, Ausretrogamer, Hardcore Gamer, Yahoo!, and a deep dive by This Week in Pinball to name a few.

The official reveal stream with Dead Flip and the game team was mirror broadcast by the world famous streamer, Shroud on his Twitch channel https://www.twitch.tv/shroud (collective following base of over 20 million followers across all social media platforms!). This live stream event had over 600,000 live views between both platforms reaching a massive new audience of eyeballs.

Visit the official Godzilla game page for full details on this action-packed pinball experience including the official game trailer, Pro model game features, and Premium/LE model game features!  You can also check out the reveal stream on the Pro model with Dead Flip and Chicago Belles & Chimes here!

If you are interested in owning a Stern Pinball Godzilla game in Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota or Kansas City – check in with your local GAD office. We have a limited number on order and available for commercial or home pre-purchase.

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.

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