Sometimes there is a new game announcement this early in the year and today happens to give us one from the pinball side of things – Spider-man Vault Edition.
The news was broken via IGN.com, which has additional images and the statements from Stern about this release. If you are asking what a ‘Vault Edition’ is, that is a re-theme of an older table design. Stern first released Spider-Man pinball back in 2007, which was based upon the Sam Raimi movies. A Black Spider-man edition was released later that year (Stern also showed off a Spider-man redemption game in 2008 but they never put it into production).
As you can see, this table goes back to Spidey’s comic book roots, using artwork from the Ultimate Spider-man comic series; the game code, rules, voice acting and display animations also have been made to reflect the theme changes. With the MSRP at about $7600, this falls into Limited Edition territory although the story does not mention any limitations on the number of units that Stern will make. I imagine this suggests they will ‘play it by ear’ on what demand is.
What are your thoughts on this new re-theme of a table and the first new game of 2016?
PRESS RELEASE – Just as I hit publish, Stern published this PR with more details on the differences as well as extra pictures:
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Stern Pinball Debuts Spider-Man Vault Edition Machine
ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL – January 04, 2016 – Stern Pinball, Inc., the world’s oldest and largest producer of arcade-quality pinball machines, announced today the release of its Spider-Man Vault Edition pinball machine.
Inspired by the Marvel Universe Comic series, Spider-Man Vault Edition is an update of the pinball classic. The game features all-new art, animation and sound packages based on the legendary Ultimate Spider-Man comic series.
“Spider-Man is one of Marvel’s most popular characters worldwide. Our goal was to take one of our most popular games and make it even better,” said Gary Stern, Chairman and CEO of Stern Pinball, Inc. “Stern Pinball and Marvel Studios share a love for the characters in the Spider-Man universe and have a long, successful history of collaboration. This is a great pinball interpretation of the adventures of Spider-Man”.
Spider-Man Vault Edition features:
• The same amazing gameplay of the original, with an all new look and feel.
• All new art package, including: cabinet, back glass, decals, and playfield plastics, designed based on images from the actual Marvel Ultimate Spider-Man comics library.
• All new custom-molded toys specifically designed and decorated to capture the Ultimate Spider-Man art style (Doc Ock, Sandman, Venom and Green Goblin).
• All new animation and dot matrix video art designed around the Ultimate Spider-Man comic art.
• All new custom speech and sound effects for all characters.
• New mode event themes based on the Ultimate Spider-Man Universe.
• Webslinger themed laser-cut side armor in black powder coat with contrasting color inserts.
• Two new music tracks plus the original score.
• Numerous improvements to durability based on research of the original game’s field experience, including:
o Steel plastic protectors at the Sandman and in the pop bumper area.
o VUK opening playfield protectors at Dock Ock and the Sandman.
o Stainless steel playfield protector beneath the webslinger in the pops.
o All stainless steel webslinger ball guides.
o Improved ramp guards.
o Optimizations to the design of anti-ball trap plastics and ramp covers.
o Improved wire form ramp mounting details.
o Anti-wear Dock Ock playfield magnet assembly.
o All LED playfield lighting.
The Ultimate Spider-Man is a superhero comic book series published by Marvel Comics from 2000 to 2009. The series is a modernized re-imagining of Marvel’s long-running Spider-Man comic book franchise as part of its Ultimate Marvel imprint.
Pricing and Availability:
Vault Edition: $7,595 USA MSRP; sales tax not included
Spider-Man Vault Edition is available through authorized Stern Pinball distributors and dealers around the world and additional details are available upon request.
About Stern Pinball, Inc.
Stern Pinball, Inc., headquartered just outside Chicago, Illinois, is the oldest and largest producer of arcade-quality pinball games in the world. Stern’s highly talented creative and technical teams design, engineer and manufacture a full line of popular pinball games, merchandise and accessories. Recent Stern titles include Game of Thrones, KISS, WWE WrestleMania, The Walking Dead, Mustang, Star Trek, Metallica, The Avengers, X-Men, AC/DC, Tron, Transformers, Avatar, Iron Man, Batman, and many more! All of Stern’s pinball games are crafted by hand and assembled by Stern’s expert team. A broad range of players enjoy Stern’s games from professional pinball players that compete in high-stakes international competitions around the globe to novice players who are discovering the allure of the silver ball for the first time. To join the fun and learn more, please visit www.sternpinball.com.
About Marvel Entertainment, LLC
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy-five years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. For more information, visit marvel.com. © 2015 MARVEL
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