Pinball Manufacturers: Stern

Founded in 1999, Stern Pinball, Inc. emerged from the ashes of Sega Pinball. Under the leadership of Gary Stern—who was continuing the manufacturing legacy of his father, Sam Stern—the company stepped into an incredibly hostile arcade market. When industry titans like Williams and Bally ceased pinball operations at the turn of the millennium, Stern Pinball refused to flip the switch off. For nearly a decade, during what collectors call the “Dark Ages” of the hobby, Stern stood entirely alone as the world’s only manufacturer of commercial pinball machines, keeping the silver ball alive through sheer force of will and blockbuster licensed themes.

As the 2010s ushered in a massive pinball renaissance fueled by home collectors and a booming competitive IFPA tournament scene, Stern rapidly evolved their hardware. Moving away from traditional DMDs and older boards, they introduced technologies that define the modern era:
The SPIKE 2 System: A streamlined, highly reliable electronic architecture that allows for vibrant LCD displays, high-fidelity stereo sound, and deeply complex game code.
The Three-Tier Model: To satisfy both location operators and hardcore collectors, Stern introduced their now-industry-standard manufacturing tiers: the accessible Pro model, the feature-packed Premium, and the highly exclusive Limited Edition (LE).
Stern Insider Connected: A revolutionary internet-connected platform that allows players to scan a QR code at the machine to track career stats, unlock achievements, and participate in global leaderboards—a massive hit with the competitive tournament community.

Under the creative direction of industry veteran George Gomez, Stern has assembled an unprecedented dream team of designers, including John Borg, Brian Eddy, and competitive pinball champion Keith Elwin. By pairing these master architects with the biggest pop-culture franchises on the planet, Stern has released a relentless string of modern masterpieces.

Today, operating out of a massive, state-of-the-art facility in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, Stern Pinball remains the undisputed leading force in the industry, continuing to push the mechanical and digital boundaries of the game.