University of Cincinnati is using pinball machines to teach engineering, robotics, automation autonomous systems and AI.
Excerpt:
“I am trying to develop control strategies or AI strategies to operate in adversarial environments to achieve our goals, taking into account the actions of other agents,” Fuchs said. “For example, dogfighting strategies of autonomous systems is one application. The optimal way to dogfight an opponent is dependent on how they are trying to dogfight you. We use a field of math called game theory in which we solve for both sides of the problem at the same time.”
Fuchs said they can apply this concept to different applications as a test vehicle, including video games and pinball. Pinball machines are a much easier and cheaper tool to test their concepts, instead of worrying about flying around and potentially crashing expensive U.S. Air Force planes, Fuchs quipped.
Best Made in America Products According to Newmax:
Many U.S. consumers want to buy products made in their home country to support job creation, fair wages, and more. But you don’t have to buy U.S.-made products just for those reasons: Some of the best products in the world are made here at home.
From Crayola crayons to Jack Daniel’s whiskey — there are dozens of top products made in the U.S., Cheapism.com took a look at some of those…
#11. On the cusp of dying, Stern Pinball helped revive the pinball craze with its games produced in Chicago. Originally founded 40 years ago, the company rebuilt itself to the local empire it is in 1999.
CHICAGO, IL – Press Release -September 2, 2020 – Stern Pinball, Inc., a global lifestyle brand based on the iconic and outrageously fun modern American game of pinball, announced today the availability of a new line of pinball machines based on the Super Heroes and Super Villains featured in Marvel Comics’ hit comic book series Avengers. The Avengers: Infinity Quest pinball machines will be available in Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition (LE) models.
For over 50 years the Avengers have delighted fans through comic books, television series and movies. In this pinball adventure, players will transform into their favorite Super Heroes as they battle Thanos and his minions across the cosmos. On his unrelenting quest for intergalactic omnipotent power, it’s a race to hunt down and recover the six Infinity Gems before Thanos gets his hands on them. It’s up to the player to stop Thanos and the Black Order from succeeding in this action-packed pinball experience.
“Like the Avengers, our team of designers, programmers, artists, and engineers have assembled to bring this universe to life in pinball form through incredible artwork, design, visuals, and sounds. This comic book universe has remained a staple in pop culture since first appearing in 1963. Through Avengers: Infinity Quest pinball machines, that tradition will carry on for current and future generations of fans,” said Gary Stern, Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball, Inc.
The Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition models all feature an interactive Dr. Strange spinning kinetic sling ring disc with dual direction velocity detection, aiding players on their journey to opening portals and starting Infinity Gem quests. All models feature a gravity defying Avengers Tower magnetic lock ramp with gravitational vari-target and magnet hold, capturing pinballs in midair as players unlock Iron Man Multiball. In addition to distinct hand-drawn artwork, all models feature an Avengers Computer Bingo grid 3-target drop bank, a Thor captive ball, Hulk spinning target, custom intricate wireform ramps, and 3 full size flippers.
The Premium and Limited Edition models feature an interactive Dr. Strange motorized pop-up disc scoop, transporting pinballs into an underground Portal, a visible subway capable of holding and staging up to 3 balls through custom playfield windows accentuated with dynamic RGB lighting effects. These models also include a custom sculpted Thanos Infinity Gauntlet integrated with atmospheric light-up gems, a Captain Marvel inverse gravity custom wireform ramp, and a Pym Laboratories vertical up-kicker.
The LE model is limited to 500 units globally. This limited version includes additional unique features such as an exclusive mirrored backglass, exclusive custom themed cabinet artwork, a custom autographed bottom arch, exclusive custom art blades, upgraded audio system, anti-reflection pinball glass, a shaker motor, and a sequentially numbered plaque.
Pricing and Availability:
Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price:
MSRP for sales to USA end-users, before any VAT, GST, Sales Tax, Duties, or other taxes.
Pro Model: $US 6,199
Premium Model: $US 7,799
Limited Edition Model: $US 9,199
Avengers: Infinity Quest pinball machines are available 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 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.
Pinball is a unique hobby that in the digital age, is a physical game that is an immersive experience. Lights, music, action that everyone easily can enjoy. Find the pinball hobby as a socially distancing activity!
GAD Vending gets questions daily about pinball for home. How to participate locally in tournaments. Where to play pinball – adult and with the family. What pinball do we stock, and why!
Where to play pinball?
There are several pinball simulators and video games, such as The Pinball Arcade. You can download these onto your phone or tablet and they are great ways to get access to a lot of machines to figure out what types of games you enjoy.
However, nothing is better than playing a real machine. To find some near you, a couple resources you can use are the Pinball Map app for your phone, or you can look at the Pin Map on pinside.com.
I think I found a machine for my house – but I’ve never played pinball before.
So you found a machine, or even better, a group of machines to try. Once you’ve found the locations of these games – just put your money or tokens in, or if it is a fancy place you can pay with your phone. Most machines have a start button on the front of the machine, push it and play! Want to play against friends or a random person you just met? Put in enough money for two credits (or three or four) and push the start button twice (or thrice, or four times). For one credit, on most modern machines you will play three balls per game, while older games are typically a set to five balls.
How many different pinball machines exist?
Thousands. Check out the Internet Pinball Database to find specific machines. There are a few different eras of pinball machines:
The years aren’t exact because different pinball manufacturers implement changes at different times. But you get the general idea.
How do I go about buying a pinball machine?
Decided on the game for you? That’s great! Figure out your budget, where you’re going to put the machine, and how you’re going to move the machine.
Like a car, newer machines (or machines with less play) will require less maintenance than older machines. That isn’t always true, but is a good rule of thumb.
So, how much does a pinball machine cost?
Somewhere between $25 and $25,000. As a point of reference though, brand new machines cost $5,000 and up, and you can find nice DMD/solid state games for about $1000 at the low end.
Call GAD Vending. We are able to price multiple machines, the various versions available and give you options on what you want. We generally sell new machines and service existing games. If we have something used in stock, we post it online and we’ll let you know what we have available.
Maybe this could be a test but wanted to share a few, common pinball terms and resources to help you start a new hobby of owning Pinball Games.
What is a ruleset?
A pinball ruleset are just the rules for the game. For example, if you shoot the ball into a certain hole, it will score a certain number of points, or on modern games maybe start start a mode or a multiball.
Modes? Multiballs?
A mode is a “level” of the game that happens for a limited amount of time during a game where you’re typically trying to accomplish a certain task to score points or progress through the game. Multi-balls are modes when more than one ball is in play at a time and can be some of the most exciting times in a pinball game.
Are the levels like the levels on a video game?
Yep. And just like a video game, you can beat the game if you complete all the levels or goals in a game.
Mods?
Modifications – upgrades or additions to the machine. These are very subjective, and sometimes add little or no value to the machine. However, if it has popular mods or mods that are no longer produced it can add significant value.
What are some basic things to know when looking at a pinball machine?
Depending on the age and manufacturer of the machine, the following may vary slightly, but here are some basics for most solid state machines. When you look at a pinball machine, there is the cabinet and the backbox. To turn the game on, there is usually a switch on the bottom of the cabinet a few inches behind the right front leg. Some newer machines have the on/off switch on the bottom of the right side of the backbox.
Basic Slang To Know?
Where do I find more information about Pinball?
Family is soooo bored? Looking to get away from the TV? Many people are looking for what to do with their family – and with themselves – while spending more time social distancing.
At GAD Vending, we are a distributor for the premier manufacturers of Pinball games. We stock these machines at our warehouses in Omaha, Des Moines and Kansas City. Our customers range from arcades and bars to game rooms in commercial business’ and homes.
While we have a few machines on our showroom floors, generally our customers go to a commercial facility – like a game room, bar or arcade – that has the game they are interested in. That way, various pinball machines can be played to determine what is the best for you.
With COVID, it’s important to know ahead! There are many great locations we service with pinball games that are open and following CDC guidelines. But – call ahead for hours, sanitation questions and the like.
If you already have pinball game(s) in your home, bookmark our website. We have a full service department with parts in stock. Parts are available to pick up by appointment curbside or via mail.
Thank you for choosing GAD Vending for your home pinball game needs.
Ready to see what all the hype is about for our new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles pinball release? Your local arcades and pinball showrooms just got the brand new game from Stern Pinball.
These have been a difficult couple of months for small businesses so every quarter counts. Contact your local arcade, distributor or dealer for availability, hours, and safety precautions so you can help them continue to #PlayStrong!
Those of you in the U.S. can also find your closest location with our Stern Pinball Locator (https://sternpinball.com/pinball-locator/) powered by PinballMap.com.
IA – The Operating Room (West Des Moines)
KS – 403 Club
KS – Industry Old Town
MO – Fric & Frac
MO – Levelup
MO – Outpost Bar & Grill
MO – Silverball
MO – Up-Down KC
NE – Big John’s Billiards
NE – DJ’s Dugout
NE – Dundee’s Place
Pinball games have been a favorite entertainment machine since their introduction in 1931. “Pinball” came from the steel silver ball traveling across wooden pins. Since, pinball has inspired an entire industry and a pop culture phenomenon. Pinball games are inspired by Marvel Comics, DC Comics, TV shows, rock bands, movies, sports and cultural phenomenons. And, pinball is a staple in the Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Iowa bar scene.
To buy a new pinball machine is an investment. The cost is dependent on the game itself, shipping and payment acceptance system. Payment systems include the basic coin acceptors to the newest digital payment acceptance with card readers and touchless cell phone payment acceptance. GAD Vending can help you determine the best payment system for your environment.
When you are thinking of new pinball machines in the Midwest – Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and South Dakota – give your local GAD Vending sales rep a call (or our main office at 402-553-2812).
New from American Pinball – Hot Wheels!
For over 50 years, Mattel’s HOT WHEELS™ die cast cars have been sought and collected by hundreds of millions of fans all over the world. Over 5 billion cars have been sold incorporating more than 20,000 different car designs. For all the action playing with the cars comes alive with this pinball machine.
Today this multi-generational franchise is bigger than it’s ever been, and by far the #1 selling toy in the world!*
And now American Pinball is proud to present the first officially licensed HOT WHEELS™ pinball machine. The exciting and fast-paced world of HOT WHEELS™ comes to life under glass, featuring a dazzling array of game play objectives that will keep players of all ages racing back to play again and again.
True fun for the entire family. And, GAD Vending is offering $100 off now through July 4, 2020.
hot-wheels-pinball-machine-flyer-ap