The best selling pinball machine of all time featured television’s the Addams Family. I mention this because throughout a good part of the history of pinball in the United States during the latter part of the 20th century, there was a solid connection between Hollywood and pinball machine manufacturers.
My travels in the past year took me to the Comic Con in San Diego. It was here that I learned a great deal about pinball in the 21st century and a renaissance it is having with Hollywood.
What I Heard at Comic Con
While at Comic Con, I heard Jody Dankberg discuss the rapidly accelerating interest in Hollywood with pinball. Dankberg is the Director of Marketing at Stern Pinball. Dankberg specifically spoke about the increasing interest among movie and television producers, and pinball game developers, to create licensing agreements for film and TV franchises.
Dankberg explained that her company is seeking broad licensing authority when it comes to film and TV franchises. In other words, his company seeks to obtain licensing authority that permits the marketing of pinball machines associated with film or TV franchises across the globe.
In addition to discussing licensing issues and pinball and Comic Con, Dankberg also spoke about the interest Hollywood stars and other celebrities are showing in pinball in this day and age. Dankberg noted some Hollywood celebs are investing considerable amounts of money in the purchase of vintage pinball machines for their own use. In addition, he noted that a growing number celebrities are participating in high dollar pinball tournaments.
Dankberg believes that we are entering into a new era of pinball, a new time period in which people from different walks of like will be interested in the game. On some level, at least according to what I heard at Comic Con, the broader entertainment industry will be leading the way when it comes to this pinball resurgence.
Checking Out Pinball Machines at Comic Con
I did have the chance to play a few new pinball machines while visiting Comic Con. Not only did I have an educational experience about pinball today and into the future, I was able to play some cool new games.
What struck me about the games at Comic Con — in addition to some machines having connections to Hollywood, movies, and television — was the manner in which vintage pinball concepts have been given a striking modern twist. The effect is that there are some truly compelling machines entering the market at this juncture in time.
While playing the machines at Comic Con, I learned that new equipment costs between $5,000 and $8,000 on average. As has been the case in the past, there are instances win which a manufacturer comes up with a standard as well as a special addition of a particular pinball machine.
Arcades and Playing at Home
I am a fan of playing pinball in public settings like arcades, bars, and similar venues. In fact, as was the case with Comic Con, I make it a point to visit establishments and different venues at which pinball machines can be found.
Another interesting fact I learned at Comic Con was with the resurgence in interest in pinball machines, people are purchasing these machines both for use in places like arcades and taverns, but also for home use. During my time at Comic Con, I learned that a majority of new machines go to places like bars and arcades. With that noted, a growing minority of machines are purchase by people for home or private use, including an increasing number of people who are collecting pinball machines.
Younger People are Interested in Pinball
Older people, individuals in their 40s and 50s, maintain a strong interest in pinball. Many of these people grew up playing pinball with regularity. Perhaps the most significant thing I learned in my “pinball trip” to Comic Con is that younger people are developing a keen interest in pinball. This includes people in their 20s and even younger.
The growing interest among younger adults and teenagers explains why there was a pinball presence at Comic Con. The representative from Stern Pinball made it clear that his company intends to have an ever expanding presence at Comic Con in San Diego, and at similar events across the country.
In the end, my pinball Comic Con trip was completely enjoyable and educational. I am even more enthusiastic about what the future holds in store for pinball. This includes developments in the short and long term.
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Jessica Kane is a writer for The Pinball Company, the best online source for new, used, and refurbished pinball machines, arcade cabinets, and more!