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Stern Pinball and Marvel Unleash Venom Pinball!

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Choose Your Host,
Change The Game

There will be carnage at this year’s Comic-Con as Marvel and Stern Pinball debut an all-new line of pinball games featuring one of the most enigmatic, complex, and iconic characters, Venom!

Venom pinball will be available in (from L to R): Pro, Premium & Limited Edition (LE) models

Get ready for a thrilling adventure into the mayhem of the Marvel Universe with the one and only Venom! This alien symbiote, famous for bonding with the likes of Eddie Brock and wreaking havoc, has now made its way into the world of pinball. That’s right, Venom is taking over game rooms and entertainment locations worldwide in a visually striking and action-packed pinball game brought to you by Stern.

For those who aren’t familiar, Venom burst onto the scene in The Amazing Spider-Man comic book series back in the ’80s. With its dark and unique appearance, Venom quickly became one of Marvel’s most iconic and beloved characters. From action figures to apparel, collectibles to now pinball, Venom’s influence on popular culture knows no bounds.

Stern’s Venom pinball game is a thrilling journey into the world of this antihero, featuring a lineup of over 20 characters from the Marvel Universe. You’ll encounter familiar faces like Eddie Brock, Flash Thompson, Gwen Stacy, and even the legendary Peter Parker himself. But it doesn’t stop there! Black Suit Spider-Man, Miles Morales, Riot, Agony, Lasher, Phage, Doppelganger, Venomized Hulk, Venomized Wolverine, and Venomized Captain America are all part of the action. Brace yourself, because Venom’s arch enemy, Carnage, is on a mission to awaken Knull, the God of the symbiotes. It’s up to Venom to stop him and his army of symbiotes from taking over the world.

Venom Pinball – Official Game Trailer

source: Stern Pinball

In the game, you’ll take on the role of Venom and select a host to bond with at the start of each thrilling adventure. This choice will not only affect your digital experience but also alter the physical gameplay itself. Prepare for constant frenetic action as balls are released from vertical pinball lock symbiote containment vessels on both sides of the playfield. You’ll explore shots through mechanically changing pathways, like the Agro-Lab and Life Foundation, and bash an interactive Carnage captive ball back into Ravencroft Institute for the Criminally Insane. But beware! A surprise Doppelganger attack could happen at any moment, causing chaos and unveiling three uplift targets for you to conquer.

The visual experience of the Venom pinball game is a work of art. Renowned artist Jeremy Packer, better known as Zombie Yeti, has created stunning hand-drawn comic book style artwork that immerses you in the dark and gritty world of Venom. And to make the experience even more intense, GRAMMY Award-winning musician Mark Tremonti has contributed over a dozen music tracks that change depending on the host you choose. Get ready for a soundtrack that perfectly matches the adrenaline-pumping gameplay.

Venom Pinball by Stern Pinball, featuring Seth Davis

source: Stern Pinball

But wait, there’s more! Stern’s award-winning Insider Connected™ system takes the Venom pinball game to the next level. With this feature, you can interact with the game and a global network of players in various exciting ways. You’ll be able to save your game progress through connectivity persistence, so you can continue your journey as Venom no matter how many attempts it takes to reach the final wizard mode. Plus, you can track your progress, earn game-specific achievements, engage with the player community, and participate in promotions and Challenge Quests. It’s an all-encompassing experience that brings pinball to the modern era.

The Venom LE will most definitely sell out quickly!

And for the collectors out there, you don’t want to miss the Limited Edition model of the Venom pinball game. With only 1,000 games available worldwide, this highly collectible version features a Venom vs. Carnage inspired full-color mirrored backglass, stunning high definition reflective foil decal cabinet artwork, custom high gloss Venom-inspired “goo” powder-coated pinball armor, and so much more. Each Limited Edition game comes with a sequentially numbered plaque and a Certificate of Authenticity signed by Stern’s President & CEO, Seth Davis. It’s a piece of pinball history that you’ll want to add to your collection.

So, get ready to unleash the power of Venom and dive headfirst into an unforgettable pinball experience. Stern’s Venom pinball game will transport you into the heart of the Marvel Universe, where you’ll battle against Carnage, save the world, and become the ultimate (anti)hero. Don’t miss your chance to join the action and make your mark on the global leaderboard. Get your hands on Venom pinball and let the symbiote take control!

Visit the official Venom Pinball game page at sternpinball.com for all information on this game changing pinball experience.
PS: For Venom/pinball fans in Australia, contact either AMD Coin-Op or Zax Amusements to secure your Venon pinball machine!
Australian Price List ($AUD):
  • Venom – Pro $11,950
  • Venom – Premium $15,500
  • Venom – LE – contact AMD or Zax Amusements

Stern Pinball – Venom LE in all its glory!

image source: Stern Pinball

 

A Chef’s Kiss – Stern Pinball & Their James Bond 007 Decals

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By: D.C. Cutler, U.S.A.

I stumbled upon a tweet from Stern Pinball where it was showing designers applying decals to a James Bond 007 pinball machine. The cool decals were various James Bond movie posters from the 1960s, the Sean Connery era.

Nothing else at theatres looked like the early Bond posters, like the films. If I were to randomly see those posters on the side of a pinball machine, I’m playing it. The images make anything exciting and intriguing; a movie, a pinball machine… the perfect assortment of colors make you want to be a part of it.

Stern Pinball’s James Bond 007 (Pro)

The “Dr. No” poster looks so quant compared to the other Bond posters, but no movie poster looked quite like it pre-1962. The bright yellow with the title in red lettering made moviegoers take notice, and ask, “What is this ‘Dr. No’?” Connery with the smoking Walther PPK, alongside four of his female costars, is visually stunning to the eye. The palm trees in the lower, righthand corner of the poster gives it a Jamaican feel. It’s not easy to see, but it’s a great touch, right below the title of the first James Bond film. It shows off the Bond universe so well. It is a work of art; I’m sure ad men on Madison Avenue were enamored by the “Dr. No” poster.

I know I probably couldn’t afford a Stern James Bond pinball machine, but I want one so bad. I play a lot of pinball games on my Nintendo Switch; that would drastically change if I had my very own James Bond pinball machine.

Separately, James Bond and pinball machines have given me hours of entertainment and enjoyment. Stern Pinball can’t go wrong putting the two things together.

image source: Stern Pinball Inc.



The Silverball Planet 2023 Walkthrough with Alex Kidman

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Our good friend and Australia’s preeminent tech journalist, Alex Kidman, always heads to the coolest place when he visits Japan!

We were so glad Alex took time to go to The Silverball Planet in the Amerikamura district of Osaka, while traveling around Japan.

This is Alex’s take on one of the best pinball amusement centres in the world:

It’s been a few years since I’ve been back to Osaka (for rather obvious reasons) and I was keen to check out The Silverball Planet again. I was last here in very early 2020, and it’s one of my favourite places in Osaka to wind down and spend a few yen.

It didn’t disappoint. One big plus with The Silverball Planet is that it’s nicely affordable even if you are on a budget, with all games costing ¥100 (or less for some older games) a go; compared to the regular Australian price that’s quite a bargain that’ll definitely keep me playing for longer periods. Like any classic arcade it is bright and a touch chaotically noisy — not great for those sensitive to such things — though it is markedly quieter if you visit earlier in the day.

Aside from the machines specifically noted as being out of order, everything’s very well kept and in great condition, allowing me to check out a range of machines I’d not played before, including Stern’s James Bond 007 Pro (loved the theme, couldn’t quite get on with the layout), Elvira’s House of Horrors (very nicely done!) and Spooky Pinball’s Halloween (only so-so in my opinion) .

Plus, well, because I’m me (and I’m in Japan, it would be impolite not to) more than a few games of Godzilla. The new Stern one, not the older Sega one, mind. Yes, I have something of a fan bias here, but I do honestly think it’s one of the best machines Stern’s put out for some time. I just wish I could find the space for one at home — and the funds!

Some quick tips for getting there: Google Maps is your friend, and it’s quite walkable if you’re already visiting the Namba area or dining in Dotonbori. Be aware that while it’s listed as being on the 3rd floor, the standard in Japan is that the street level is counted as the first floor — so it’s actually only two floors above what you might consider ground level.

Can’t make it there? I shot this walkthrough video (and completely forgot to throw in the near obligatory “please like and subscribe” bit at the start and end, I hope I don’t get thrown out of the YouTube fraternity for that. Speaking of which…)


source: Alex Kidman

Ahhhhh, for now, we will keep living vicariously through Alex’s walkthrough of the myriad of amazing machines. We have our bib on, as we can’t stop drooling!



Stern’s Venom Pinball Set to Make Waves at Comic-Con

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Hands up who is going to the Comic-Con International in San Diego next week? If you are, we are very very jelly! Why? Well, apart from being at one of the best Cons in the world, there will also be a new pinball machine unleashed by Chicago based Stern Pinball!

Speculation surrounding the release of Venom, a game that has been shrouded in secrecy for some time, is finally reaching its climax as the renowned comic book-themed pinball machine is set to be revealed at Comic-Con (July 20-23). Designed by the esteemed Brian Eddy, with art by the talented Zombie Yeti, this game has been patiently awaiting its moment in the spotlight.

Sources close to the industry have revealed that Venom was actually ready for launch earlier, but it was shelved temporarily to ensure that James Bond 007, a crucial release for the brand’s 60th anniversary, hit the market on schedule. The strategic decision to prioritize the iconic secret agent’s milestone celebration undoubtedly raised the anticipation surrounding Venom’s unveiling even higher.

Brian Eddy (L) and Dwight Sullivan (R) with Brian’s sophomore Stern title, The Mandalorian

In an exciting turn of events, Orange County Pinballs, a trusted distributor, has confirmed that attendees at Comic-Con will have the opportunity to get their hands on the new cornerstone game. However, contrary to earlier reports, demo games from the show will not be available at a discounted price. It seems that eager fans will have to wait a little longer to bring the pinball action home, as production of the game is projected to commence in September. Nevertheless, the chance to experience Venom firsthand at the convention is an opportunity not to be missed.

Comic-Con attendees are in for a treat as the event’s program guide reveals a must-attend seminar titled “Into the Pinverse: From Comic Book to Pinball.” Scheduled for July 20 at 2:30 PM Pacific Time, the seminar promises a captivating moderated Q&A session featuring industry heavyweights such as Seth Davis (CEO of Stern Pinball), Zach Sharpe (head of Marketing), and Brian Eddy (lead game designer). Pinball enthusiasts and comic book aficionados alike can look forward to gaining unique insights into the creative process behind bringing these beloved characters to life on the pinball stage.

As the excitement builds to a crescendo, Stern Pinball has stoked the flames of anticipation by releasing a tantalizing teaser video for their upcoming game. The footage confirms the long-standing rumor that Venom will indeed be the star of the show, setting pulses racing with its intense gameplay and captivating visuals. To further ignite fans’ fervor, a very limited number of Venom LE (Limited Edition) pinball machines will be available for purchase exclusively on the Stern Store, providing an exclusive opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts alike to own a piece of pinball history.

The countdown to Comic-Con begins, and pinball enthusiasts around the world eagerly await the reveal of Stern Pinball’s Venom. With a dream team of designers and artists behind the scenes, this new cornerstone title is poised to make waves and leave a lasting impact on the industry. Stay tuned for the latest updates as the pinball universe braces itself for an electrifying new addition.



It’s On Like Donkey Kong: The 2023 Brisbane Pinball & Arcade Collective

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Thunder & Lightning BPAC 2023

It’s that time of year peeps, one of Australia’s (and the southern hemisphere!) biggest annual arcade, pinball and console gaming events, the Brisbane Pinball & Arcade Collective exhibition or better known as BPAC, is coming to Brisbane from Friday 14th Jul 2023 till Sun 23rd Jul 2023 – it’s going to be MEGA!

From arcade to console, there a load of tournaments for each category that you could participate in, like the Australian Kong Off: Donkey Kong (arcade version) Championship, Australian Arcade Championships – Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike Comp, N64 Mario Kart and GoldenEye Championships to name just a few!

Of course there will be a ton of pinball action with the Brisbane Pinball Masters and Pin-Golf tournaments to satisfy your silverball craving. We hear that a certain new Haggis Pinball machine may make it there too 😉

Just get a load of the stacked schedule – truly mind-blowing!

If you are keen to attend BPAC, then head over to their site here for more details and ticket information.

So, who is going and who is competing?



Centaur Revisited is Haggis Pinball’s Next Silverball Beast!

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NOTE: As at August 2024, Haggis Pinball is no longer operating!

Oh man, we have lots of fond memories playing Bally’s solid-state pinball machine, Centaur. When we heard that Haggis Pinball will be remaking this classic machine (as part of their partnership with Bally rights holder, Planetary Pinball Supply) in two guises, our interest not only piqued, but our heads collectively exploded with excitement!

So what is this Centaur we speak of? We’ll save you the trouble of writing a wall of text here, but let’s just say it is still a beloved pinball machine, which is revered the world over. Haggis Pinball is now bringing this 1981 pinball machine into the 21st century with cutting-edge enhancements, from original and new game code, full RGB general illumination, to dual apron LCD screens to keep track of your progress, explore exciting modes, and witness animations right at your area of focus. But wait there is more…. Of course there is more!

Haggis Pinball will be opening the pre-order doors next Wednesday, July 12 at 11am (AEST) where you can put down a deposit on two Centaur Revisited pinball machines:

  • Centaur™ Revisited: Beast Edition (limited to 250 machines) AU$15,000 (excluding GST); and
  • Centaur™ Revisited: Orblivion Edition (limited to 50 machines) AU$25,000 (excluding GST)

If Haggis Pinball’s Fathom Revisited is anything to go by, these two new Centaur Revisited machines will be AMAZING, and will no doubt sell out super quick!

PS: We want one !!!!!!!!!!!!

Beast Edition

Orblivion Edition

image source: Haggis Pinball



Williams-Bally-Midway Arcade & Pinball History Book

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Get ready to dive into the thrilling world of arcade and pinball games with Ken Horowitz’s latest tome! Get your coins ready, because the arcade awaits!

In his brand-new book, “From Pinballs to Pixels: An Arcade History of Williams-Bally-Midway,” Ken Horowitz takes us on an epic adventure through the captivating history of this legendary gaming manufacturer.

This new book takes a trip down memory lane as it explores the incredible journey of gaming publisher Williams. From the early days of pinball classics like Contact to the groundbreaking marvels like High Speed, Williams captivated arcade enthusiasts with their diverse range of quality games.

The advent of video games marked a turning point for Williams, propelling them into legendary status with unforgettable hits like Defender and Joust. The company quickly rose to prominence and, by the end of the 1980s, became the largest coin-op publisher in North America. Their influence and innovation were felt throughout the industry.

Williams’ acquisition of Bally/Midway ushered in a golden era, characterised by a string of hits that included iconic titles such as Mortal Kombat and NBA Jam. Notably, they also produced The Addams Family, a pinball machine that went on to become the best-selling of all time. Williams’ success story is a testament to their ability to take risks, innovate, and create games that captured the hearts of players worldwide.

In this book, you’ll discover the fascinating history of Williams spanning nearly six decades. The author takes you behind the scenes, providing interviews with over 40 former designers and executives from Williams/Bally/Midway. Their firsthand accounts offer unique insights into the company’s inner workings and the creative processes that led to the creation of some of gaming’s greatest classics.

Drawing from a vast array of contemporaneous news reports and documents, this book presents a comprehensive and never-before-seen chronology of Williams’ rise to coin-op juggernaut status. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of how a small company transformed into an industry powerhouse, leaving an indelible mark on the world of pinball and arcade video games.

This book is a celebration of one of gaming’s greatest publishing houses, showcasing their incredible impact on the industry and the enduring legacy of their games.

Details:

  • Title: From Pinballs to Pixels: An Arcade History of Williams-Bally-Midway
  • Author: Ken Horowitz
  • Price:
    • Amazon Australia: AU$35.98 (Kindle) / AU$95.59 (Paperback)
    • Amazon US: US$22.49 (Kindle) / US$42.03 (Paperback)



Moon Dog Venue Coming To Footscray

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“Grand Sale, Grand Sale, where? In Foot-is-cray!” – Franco Cozzo

Why are we quoting Franco? Well, the old Franco Cozzo furniture store in Footstcray has shutdown and will now (pending planning approval) be the future location of Moon Dog Footscray!  Woohoo, this is some very welcome and good news!

The iconic site (at 54-58 Hopkins Street, Footscray) is prime real estate and in an excellent location, accessible only a few minutes from Footscray train station. As part of their planning permit, the Moon Dog folks will look to preserve the iconic building, which would be a great tribute to the legendary Franco Cozzo. This new site will have a 900 person capacity, which means (if approved) it will be far larger than the Moon Dog World in Preston, which is licensed for 725 people.

Footscray prime real estate!
image source: IL Globo

Since Moon Dog World in Preston opened in October 2019, it has remained quite popular with patrons and it even weathered the pandemic lockdowns, so let’s hope the same will happen with the new Moon Dog, where patrons can chill out (and also play some pinball). Speaking of pinball, we are hoping they follow the Preston model and ensure the Footscray venue includes some silverball action too – if they do, then we’ll definitely need to update our “Where to Play Pinball in Melbourne” article *fingers crossed*

The iconic Moon Dog World – Preston

Pinball action in the shipping container (Moon Dog World – Preston). Let’s hope they include pinball at their new venue!

The ever popular Moon Dog World – Preston
image source: Moon Dog on Facebook



Become The Master of Flow with PinBuilder

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Become the next Master of Flow

Now this Steam title, PinBuilder, by Propulsion Studios is right up our alley! Consider our interest piqued!

If you ever dreamed of designing your very own pinball machine, then dream no more, as PinBuilder (Early Access) is now available on Steam!

So if you want to become the next Steve Ritchie, Jack Danger, Keith Elwin or John Borg, then hop (or should that be tilt?) to it!

Details:

  • Title: PinBuilder
  • Developer: Propulsion Studios
  • Price: AU$43.95

image source: PinBuilder on Steam



Step-By-Step Guide: How to Install Stern Pinball’s Insider Connected Upgrade Kit

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If you are like us, a step-by-step guide to install something foreign or something you have never done before is absolutely priceless (plus a guide saves you from tearing out your hair)!

There are plenty of video guides on how to install Stern Pinball’s Insider Connected upgrade kit, however we couldn’t find any for our specific use case – what do you do when there are no spare RJ45 ports on the Node board near the arch (under the playfield) on the Star Wars Premium pinball machine? Well, we break ground by writing this step by step guide (with heaps of images!) in the hope that it helps someone out there to install Stern’s very cool Insider Connected (IC) system.

NOTE: At the time of writing this step-by-step guide, the Star Wars Premium / LE Replacement Arch was not available to purchase in Australia, so we improvised where to install the IC QR Reader, as these machines do not have the space to accommodate it on the arch.

Tools Used:

  • You will need the Stern Pinball Insider Connected Upgrade Kit – For (SPIKE 2) Premium / LE Models (part number: 502-5420-01) which retails for AU$395.00
  • 11/32″ Nutdriver – we used this Wera 395 Hollow Shaft 11/32″ Nutdriver, which retails for AU$26.35
  • Clean cotton gloves – use these when removing the playfield glass

Stern Pinball INSIDER CONNECTED Upgrade Kit (Premium/LE)

The manual is a good resources, but not much use as it did not meet our specific use case

You will need this quick start guide right at the end, so save it for later

The 11/32″ nutdriver

Pre-step:

Before you begin opening your machine and installing the IC kit, make sure your machine is on the latest game code. Please go to the Stern Pinball support page to check, and if required, download the latest code and install it on your machine. Each code update has a READ ME file, make sure you download it and follow the steps to update your game code (if required). If you are already on the latest game code, then you are ready to proceed!

Step 1:

Before opening anything on the pinball machine, make sure it is turned off! Then grab the keys for the backbox (keys are usually stored on the other side of the coin door) and open the backbox by unlocking it, remove the translite and then lower the LCD/speaker part down towards the glass. You are now ready to go to step 2!

The backboard keys are usually on the other side of the coin door

Opening the backboard reveals the main CPU board

Step 2:

From the IC kit, get the microSD card and insert it in (label up) the slot just below the CPU/heatsync – make sure it clicks in. Then get the WiFi dongle and insert it in one of the spare USB ports to the right of the CPU/heatsync. If unsure, check the below photos. Once you have inserted the microSD card and WiFi dongle, you are ready for the next step.

The microSD that came with your IC kit is inserted in the SD slot just beneath the CPU

The WiFi USB dongle is then inserted in the spare USB ports to the right of the CPU

Job done – microSD and WiFi dongle installed on the main CPU board

Step 3:

This is where things deviate from the IC manual, so please pay close attention! Since there are no spare RJ45 ports on the node board near the bottom left arch, you will need to run a long Ethernet cable (CAT5 or CAT5e) from the front of the machine, all the way to the backbox to connect the cable to the spare port on the main CPU board (in the backbox). Once you connect one end of the CAT5/CAT5e cable in the spare RJ45 port on the main CPU board in the backbox, tuck the rest of the cable behind others, ensuring it is not intruding/pulling on any other cables running down to the cabinet. Push the cable through the left hole on the bottom of the backbox, ensuring it goes behind the playfield. You have done well so far, so take a little break, as the next step involves removing the playfield glass and lifting up the playfield!

The IC manual states to use the spare RJ45 port on the node board, but as shown, both ports are already taken. So a long Ethernet cable is required to reach the main CPU board in the backbox

Forget the ethernet cable that came with the IC kit, it is way too short! Get yourself a long (at least 6ft) ethernet cable (we used a 2.5M CAT5e cable)

Connect one end of the Ethernet cable to the spare middle RJ45 port on the main CPU board in the backbox. Then tuck the rest of the cable (allow some slack!) through the bottom of the backbox and into the rear of the cabinet.

Step 4:

Are you rested? Did you grab a drink? If you answered yes, then you are ready! This step is probably the toughest, as it involves removing the lockbar, playfield glass and then lifting the playfield up towards the backbox.

First thing, make sure the LCD/speaker panel on the backbox is in the closed (up) position – make sure you lock it! Don’t worry about the translite, that can stay off for the time being.

Open the coin door and unlatch the lockbar from the two latches (one on the left and the other on the right) that hold it down. Once that is done, remove the lockdown bar by pulling up – don’t worry, the glass won’t slide out!

Once you open the coin door, there are two latches on either side that need to be unlatched to free the lockdown bar (the bar that holds the glass in place)

Remember how we listed cotton gloves in the ‘Tools Used‘ section above, well this is when you will need them – go and put them on! Once your gloves are on and with the coin door in the closed position, gently pull the glass towards you – make sure you have enough room behind you! When the glass is fully out / cleared from the cabinet, stand it up on a carpeted (or rubber) surface, ensuring it is leaning on a blanket instead of directly on the wall (or any other vertical surface).

Take the glass off with care!

With the glass off, you can now remove the balls out of the trough so they don’t go flying and damaging stuff once you start lifting up the playfield. Through the coin door, you will notice a big solenoid to the right – this is used to kick out the balls from the trough. Using your index finger, push up rapidly on the round flat part on the bottom of the solenoid to kick out the balls. You will have to kick out each ball individually, so make sure you keep kicking out till the last (6th) ball is taken out of the machine.

Remove the balls from the machine by ‘kicking’ them out (of the trough) by pushing up rapidly on the solenoid as pictured

This is your chance to inspect your balls – if they look ok, give them a thorough wipe, if they are dinged/scuffed up or they have lost their shine, it is time to replace them! If you do replace them, make sure you get the right ones, as machines with magnets require balls that do not magnetise / stick together!

Now comes the lifting! Grab the bottom of the playfield near the apron/arch and lift up slowly. Once the playfield clears the cabinet, pull it towards you. Rest the handles of the playfield on top of the cabinet. Now grab the handles and start lifting and tilting the playfield back towards the backbox. The playfield should be resting up against the backbox.

The whole point of this step is to run the CAT5/CAT5e Ethernet cable from the backbox, behind and underneath the playfield! Pull the Ethernet cable through from underneath the backbox and ensure it is run as close as possible to the back of the cabinet. Once the cable is inside the cabinet, run it through to the front of the machine – wrap it around the handle of the cashbox.

Now put the machine back together by lowering the playfield and pushing it back into the cabinet, ensuring you do not snag any cables behind it. Give the balls a wipe or replace if required and then put them back in the machine. This is also a good opportunity to clean the glass – give it a nice wipe down and then slide it back into position over the playfield.

Reinstall the lockdown bar, ensuring the action button sits properly on top of the electronics required to actuate it. Lock the lockdown bar with the two latches and then you are done! Phew, that was a lot of work! We are almost on the home stretch now!

Step 5:

Now the fun part – connecting the Ethernet cable to the IC QR code reader to ensure it works as intended. Once connected, it is time to power on the machine! You will notice the machine doing its thing in updating itself (Node boards etc), so be patient and wait for the updates to complete. Use the images below as reference to show you what to expect, as certain messages could make you panic, like “Nodes Not Found”!

Connect the Ethernet cable into the RJ45 slot on the Insider Connected QR code reader 

Power up the machine! You should note that the IC QR reader is drawing power (blue-ish light) 

Do not panic if you see this message. Just close the coin door and the update will continue to completion.

Once the machine updates itself to get IC integrated it will reboot.

Once the machine reboots, open the coin door so you can use the buttons to navigate the menu – go down and select “Stern Insider Connected”

First things first – setup the connection. We went with WiFi.

Select your WiFi network and then enter the WPA/WPA2 (WiFi) password

Once your WiFi connection is set, you should see a similar screen as below

Login to Insider Connected via your phone’s browser. You’ll need this to setup and register your location, machine and game room details with the Insider Connected ecosystem.

Once your location, game room and machine details are registered, you’ll be greeted with the below screen in the Stern Insider Connected Setup menu item

We are finally ready to play some pinball with Insider Connected enabled! Don’t forget to scan your player QR code on the IC QR reader!

Step 6:

At this stage you can call it quits, but that means your IC QR code reader is sitting on top of your coin box, which means every time you want to scan in, you need to open that darn coin door and scan your QR code – this may be ok if you only play once in a blue moon. For those that prefer to have their IC QR reader accessible any time, read on!

Since the IC QR code reader could not be mounted on the apron of our Star Wars Premium (and LE) machine, we had to improvise and fashion a spot for it. Even though Stern did release a replacement arch (that has a slot for the IC QR reader) for Star Wars (Prem / LE machines), it is very difficult to find as it is constantly sold out.

So, what did we do? Well, you know that bill acceptor slot on the coin door? Well, we used it to house the IC QR code reader! We learned the hard way that the coin door on Australian Stern pinball machines is quite different from their US counterparts. We ordered a mounting kit from the US, only to find that it did not fit at all on our Star Wars machine! This is where we putting our thinking cap on and improvised. Since we did not have a 3D printer, nor the skills or equipment to create a nice black metal plate, we ended up getting some black hard-board from Officeworks (stationary supplier) that artists may use. Was this the best product? Probably not, but it did the job for well under $10!

If you have come this far, congratulations, you can now pat yourself on the back and play some pinball as your reward!

This is not where the IC QR reader should remain! So what to do?

The bill acceptor space will never be used (by us), so why not use it to house the IC QR code reader……

Once you cut out that black hard-board to be fastened to the coin door, you’ll then need to mount the IC QR code reader, with the RJ45 slot pointing up! It is important to have enough slack in the Ethernet cable connection so there is no snagging when you open/shut the coin door.

The job is done! It isn’t the prettiest of solutions in mounting the IC QR code reader to the bill acceptor slot, but it works, and that’s all that counts!
images (c) 2023 ausretrogamer.com