121 episodes tracked since 2023 about →
Episode 111 - The State of Modern Operating
PodcastAnalysis updated yesterday1 hr 3 min listen
Highlights
- Modern games dominate location placement primarily because they're easier to acquire and market, not because they inherently earn better than classics
- Dune, Harry Potter, and Labyrinth have been top-five earning games consistently, often outperforming recent high-profile Stern releases
- Older games (pre-LCD, Williams solid states) require different maintenance but are not inherently less reliable than new Sterns when properly maintained
- Stern's InsiderConnect significantly improved earnings after initial skepticism; monthly leaderboards drive player engagement
- Manufacturers don't prioritize operator profitability or serviceability; new release allocation favors LE buyers over location operators
- Stern is the only major manufacturer with dedicated location support programs (Stern Army, Michael Grant), though operator care remains inconsistent
- Keith Elwin designs (Jaws, King Kong, Jurassic Park) significantly underperformed financially despite critical acclaim
- Dune is 'the best game from any manufacturer in at least five years if not longer'
Notable quotes
“I can't tell you the last time doing audits and stuff that a new Stern was in the top five. It's been months.”
“I don't think manufacturers care that much...I don't think that when I speak to a manufacturer, they care that these scoop switches in these Stern games are trash.”
“Dune was more expensive than Labyrinth and I'm never gonna expect Dune to make its money back and that's okay...I'm doing it because I want that game I like that game”
“It's been months since a new Stern was in the top five [earners]...Kong fell on its face. That game was...you know how I feel about LWM games.”
“People are looking for the new games they like the new games and that's okay...you have to keep things fresh”
“Harry Potter...it's not a great game no it's not...but the theme...people just gravitate towards it”
“I didn't do Metallica we didn't do walking dead...our players...they're like nah it's not where it's at”
“Everything's easier now...for the new stuff. And I think that's a lot of it.”
Entities
- Barrels of Fun· company
- Chicago Gaming Company· company
- Jersey Jack Pinball· company
- Stern Pinball· company
- Dune· game
- Dungeons & Dragons· game
- Godzilla· game
- Harry Potter· game
- Jim Henson's Labyrinth· game
- Jurassic Park· game
- King Kong· game
- Metallica (Pro)· game
- Pulp Fiction· game
- Star Wars (LE)· game
- Walking Dead (Remastered)· game
- Flip a Coin· organization
- Wedgehead Pinball Podcast· organization
- AJ· person
- Alan· person
- Keith Elwin· person
- Roads· person
