We’ve known about the next game to come along in Stern’s line-up of pins for sometime now and finally we have a prototype image of the cabinet. While at first I personally wondered how relevant CSI is today (I don’t watch TV often and I’ve never seen an episode of CSI), I saw some ratings for TV shows in the US last week and I think CSI showed up three times in the top 20 so it obviously carries with it a bit of popularity. As 
expected with the prototype image, we do not know how the entire playfield layout is going to be but Pinball News also has a picture taken of one corner of the playfield during the game’s development.
In other Stern pinball related news, Pinball News reports that Stern is going to be laying off a few employees in the face of the economic turmoil that is bubbling out there. According to the site:
Accordingly, some of the well-known names at the company were told their positions would be disappearing. Game designers Dennis Nordman and John Borg, software designers Keith Johnson and Dwight Sullivan and Director of Technical Support Joe Blackwell were believed to be among those leaving the company.
Despite the lay-offs, Stern is remaining committed to sticking to it’s goal of releasing four titles a year, obviously with CSI being next and 24 coming soon.
You should ask readers what kind of theme they’d like in Stern pinball. I’m sure we could come up with something cooler than Wheel of Fortune and CSI. Here are my suggestions:
Guitar Hero
Grand Theft Auto
a devilish one
a new Twilight Zone
Kim Kardashian pinball
As a fan of the franchise, I’m biased, but I’m guessing the upcoming TRON sequel would make for a hell of a pinball license.
now that STERN has just let go part of its design team and is restructuring one wonders what new licenses they will be able to get? – I could never work out the theory behind some of the licenses acquired…wheel of fortune!!!
I bet they got that Wheel of Fortune Licence very cheap thats why they used it!
I like the earlier suggestions about some licencing. Something with Hot chicks that would go well in bars and taverns etc! But not to rude as it scares some pubs off!
I second the Tron pinball. I’ve thought of that before, along with a Halo pinball and Mystery Science Theater 3000 pin. I think that a Doctor Who pin could be cool as well.
The licences are often chosen on the basis of cheapness. I don’t really know what I’d go for next. Movie based pins seem to be the most sensible. TV shows aren’t glitzy enough.
Maybe Spongebob? I’m not actually a fan of him but it’d probably get alot of attention.
There was a Doctor Who pinball in the past. It was excellent fun too.
I don’t like the idea of Stern downsizing. Maybe Stern could ask the government for money to keep going.
Futurama!