Pinball

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).

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.

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 NerdistHYPEBEASTColliderSuperHeroHypeThe Pop InsiderMoviewebShackNewsJoBloLicense GlobalAusretrogamerHardcore GamerYahoo!, 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 trailerPro 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.

Guns n’ Roses Internet Connectivity and Update Tutorial

Guns n’ Roses Internet Connectivity and Update Tutorial 663 472 GAD Vending

Step by step how to set up internet connectivity on your new Guns n’ Roses Pinball. If you have any questions, contact your  service tech at GAD.

The King of the Monsters Arrives to Stern Pinball

The King of the Monsters Arrives to Stern Pinball 427 340 GAD Vending

THE KING OF THE MONSTERS ARRIVES! TOHO INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND STERN PINBALL ANNOUNCE NEW GODZILLA PINBALL MACHINES

CHICAGO, IL – September 14, 2021 – Stern Pinball, Inc. and Toho International, Inc., the subsidiary of the Japanese entertainment studio Toho Co., Ltd, announce a new line of pinball machines based on the iconic Toho film franchise featuring the King of the Monsters, Godzilla!  The Godzilla pinball machines are available in Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition (LE) models.

Godzilla is the longest running film franchise created by Toho, with thirty-two films produced since 1954. The popularity of the films have made Godzilla one of the most recognizable symbols in pop culture worldwide. In addition to numerous accolades and cinematic awards for film, music, and special effects, the Godzilla film series and licensed characters have generated over $1 billion in merchandise sales around the world.

In this monster-packed pinball adventure, players become Godzilla! The evil aliens, the Xiliens, use mind control rays to take control of the monsters King Ghidorah, Gigan, Megalon, Ebirah, and Titanosaurus. The Xiliens are demanding all of Earth’s resources. Godzilla and its allies, Mothra, Rodan, and Anguirus, battle the Xilien invasion with the goal of conquering Mechagodzilla to become King of the Monsters!

Chaos and destruction ensue on the playfield with Godzilla multiball, started by shooting one of the various shots in and through the centrally located skyscraper.  In the Premium and LE models, a motor actuates the skyscraper, diverting balls through each of its five stories as it collapses, ultimately locking three balls on its roof.  The Premium/LE playfield also features a collapsing bridge ramp. This animated breakaway ramp is guarded by a custom molded Godzilla and can divert pinballs back to the flipper or directly onto the playfield during Bridge Attack multiball.

On the Premium and LE models, Mechagodzilla features a motorized three-bank target set which rotates to reveal a spinner and jump ramp. Players will engage the Kaiju in battle by launching  pinballs with the jump ramp and bashing the magnetic ball catch on its chest to start Mechagodzilla multiball.

All models of Godzilla pinball machines feature an innovative “Magna Grab” magnetic newton ball, capable of catching pinballs from five different shot paths, including off the plunge. This device can also divert pinballs to set up shots from the upper left flipper. The game also includes the iconic title song “Godzilla” by Blue Oyster Cult, stunning hand-drawn artwork by Zombie Yeti, intricate wireform ramps, three spinning targets (Heat Ray, Mechagodzilla, and Monster Rampage), three flippers, three “powerline” themed stand-up targets and a UFO pop pumper. The game highlights video and audio from ten* Toho Showa Era Godzilla films to create a one-of-a-kind immersive Godzilla pinball experience.

Godzilla pinball machines also debut Stern’s Insider Connected system, which includes a QR code reader on the bottom arch that enables players to interact with the game and this new network in a variety of ways. Stern Insider Connected provides new entertainment and player engagement features and an operator focused tool set to drive location play and remotely manage every aspect of the machines. Insider Connected goes live with the launch of Godzilla, with the full scope of features scheduled for roll out over the next year.

Only 1,000 LE machines will be available. The LE version includes an exclusive full color mirrored backglass inspired by Mechagodzilla, iconic custom cabinet artwork, custom high gloss metallic silver 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.

“Partnering with Toho, we have brought the Godzilla universe to pinball” said Gary Stern, Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball, Inc.  “Insider Connected enables players, owners, and operators to interact with their machines like never before.”

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 Model:                                                      $US 6,899

Premium Model:                                             $US 8,999

Limited Edition Model:                                    $US 10,499

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

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 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.

About Toho

Toho Company, Limited, is a Japanese entertainment studio focused on the development, production, exhibition, and distribution of powerful live action and animated content including motion pictures, television and theater. Founded in 1932, Toho remains a prominent force in bringing brands and original storytelling with versatile talents to audiences worldwide. Its subsidiaries include Toho Cinemas, the highest grossing exhibition company in Japan, and Toho International, Inc., a U.S. established incorporated company that manages and commercializes Toho’s intellectual property portfolio. To learn more about Toho, visit: www.toho.co.jp/en/.

Follow Godzilla!

Twitter: @TOHO_GODZILLA

Instagram: @godzilla_toho

YouTube: GodzillaToho

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

*Final video and audio pending licensor approval.