Last Pinball Machine Factory

[mr. fixx]

There was issues with Stern's quality. Particularly in LOTR (Lord Of the Rings). Stern pays
a hefty fee for the licence for these games. They do the best they can to produce a quality game. But they are getting better. And I do give respect to Gene for keeping pinball alive.
Whatever game is current in Stern's lineup at the time usually shows up at the Pinball Expo. I have met Gene and he is quite a nice fellow. Being that I am disabled and in a wheelchair, he personally showed me around the plant during the factory tour. This I must say was quite a thrill for me. I decided there and then I wanted a Stern Machine, and I got one, Playboy. I do want to get Family Guy or Simpsons, but they are indeed costly.

Just my opinions,

Fixx

[bfree]

There was issues with Stern's quality. Particularly in LOTR (Lord Of the Rings).

Perhaps you could PM me about the LOTR issues. I have one and couldn't be happier with it. Maybe I am just lucky!!

[mr. fixx]

PM Sent.

I do know that when LOTR was released, there were many complaints (Read on Rec.Games.Pinball accessed through Google Groups or your preferred USENET provider) that the game had issues like fit and finish, broken parts, or even dead games out of the box. Now in Stern's defense, they have a budget for each game, and I believe the licence fee is part of that. In the case of LOTR, I heard it was a VERY HIGH fee and corners had to be cut in order to produce a game. Now LOTR is a good game, I have played it and I like it. Since LOTR, Stern has gotten better about finding that happy medium between quality and budgetary restraints.

Fixx

[takethecastle57]

Here's the segment from "Made In America " with John Rattsenberger of Cheers fame of the Stern's Factory Enjoy !!



YouTube - Stern Pinball: Made in America