I was on RGP today and saw this post:

http://groups.google.ca/group/rec.games.pinball/browse_thread/thread/5a4c43f1cb43dd07?hl=en#

Did Stern downsize or layoff a bunch of people? Anyone heard anything?

http://groups.google.ca/group/rec.games.pinball/browse_thread/thread/6a39dc6f47706a82?hl=en#

Quoted Text

       
Keith P. Johnson        
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      More options Oct 30, 12:14 am
Newsgroups: rec.games.pinball
From: Keith P. Johnson
Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2008 23:14:46 -0500
Local: Thurs, Oct 30 2008 12:14 am
Subject: It's Official! I read it on teh interwebz so it must be true!
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First of all, while it is true that both Pat and myself have worked on
CSI, to call it either of ours' game is not quite accurate.  Pat laid
out the original playfield, and it underwent some modifications.  I
was one of 5 programmers who worked on the game.  To say I was "lead"
or even did the most on the project is not accurate.

And to say I will do anything further on the project will not be
accurate either.  I, along with many many other people, got laid off
today, 9 years and 4 days after the last time it happened!

I wish everyone that remains behind nothing but the best of luck; I
think it'll be severely needed.  And, please, don't worry about me;
I'll be fine.  If anything maybe it just means I'll be a little more
vocal about some things now than before.    No trashing or drama on
my part, I just hope pinball survives.  But I'm not entirely sure that
that will be the case, honestly.  I'm definitely a lot less sure than
I was when I made this post:

http://groups.google.com/group/rec.games.pinball/msg/16a6571ed04d963d

keith
--
At one time I had random Your Mother jokes down here.
Maybe someday they'll return...

I guess this is phase one before they close the doors. They won't last without the talent and they laid off the best. Combine that with a crappy product and they are doomed. The last two games were incredibly disappointing. They really blew an opportunity. Two strong licenses, wasted. What a shame!


They produced some great games while they were around. Truely a sad day. Glad I got my TSPP recently.

Duane

Quoted from TwilightZone

The last two games were incredibly disappointing. They really blew an opportunity. Two strong licenses, wasted. What a shame!

What are you talking about?! TDK is a fantastic game.

Quoted Text

46.   Keith P. Johnson          

Just to clear up a few things real quick here:

Nothing particular is happening with Stern Pinball as an entity.
Games will continue to be designed and manufactured.  Hopefully they
can dig themselves out of this current situation.

My goal in posting was simply to clear up some things (especially the
extent of my involvement with CSI) since rumors were starting to fly
and many people were asking me if such and such was true, etc.

I appreciate everyone's kind words.  Thank you very much.

keith
--

Quoted from 839

What are you talking about?! TDK is a fantastic game.

You forgot to add the  

This is a real shame and I am not joking.

What are they going to do? Farm their software developement out overseas?

Quoted from necro_nemesis

What are they going to do? Farm their software developement out overseas?

Why not?   Seriously, if we cannot make chocolate (Hersey's Smith Falls moving to Mexico) in Canada why do we think we can make software in North America.  

Quoted from necro_nemesis

This is a real shame and I am not joking.

What are they going to do? Farm their software developement out overseas?

Actually I thought that was something they could have done, BUT they would have to keep a key visionary like Keith around. I work alot with overseas developers. In order to get a quality product, you need a captain steering the ship. Someone that understands the needs exceptionally well and can put it in simple language. Then you need outstanding quality assurance.

Stern, as shown with recent titles, is dumbing down the product. This is a recipe for failure. They aren't going to win new players with simple games. Kids are used to complex video games with detailed story lines. They are going to expect the same with pinball (if we can get them to play pinball).

By laying off Keith, they are clearly showing the direction of future games. They are going to be simple and incomplete like IJ4 and TBK.

I don't think they will last with this strategy. They are killing off the home market. The one market they could count on. And operators are going to be reluctant to purchase new games now that they have done the "fire sale" thing with WoF. This was one of the things that hurt Williams, they would reduce the price of older games when new ones came out. Ops then started waiting to buy the "new" at a reduce rate.

Duane

I give them 1 year, then pinball's dead. Looks like I got into the hobby just in time to see the end. Very sad.
Laying off immense talent like that is a recipe for disaster. I'm wondering who else was laid off.

This happens just the day after I get my LOTR running perfectly, where I now see the genius of the game. I'll miss Keith.

Quoted from TwilightZone

And operators are going to be reluctant to purchase new games now that they have done the "fire sale" thing with WoF. This was one of the things that hurt Williams, they would reduce the price of older games when new ones came out. Ops then started waiting to buy the "new" at a reduce rate.

I was at Starburst this week and they are selling NIB WoF and WPT for either $3590 or $3690(sorry can't remember which one it was). I am sure SB is not losing money, so Stern must be taking the hit.

Just a quick note, SB will be increasing prices soon on NIB games due to the drop in the Canadian Dollar if anyone is considering buying a new game.

Quoted from HP5P

Just a quick note, SB will be increaing prices soon on NIB games due to the drop in the Canadian Dollar if anyone is considering buying a new game.

You mean just like the dropped them when the dollar was strong ? ** NOT ***

BTW CA$ is worth 0.824$ us right now, changing every damn day..

Quoted from Vengeance

You forgot to add the  

But I'm serious though! I really liked it. Like really, really liked it.

Quoted from 839

But I'm serious though! I really liked it. Like really, really liked it.

Stop trying to convince others it's good. Try to convince people it sucks, then buy it at a fire sale.

Me too. I think Dark Knight is an awesome looking game. The crane toy is just awesome.

Too bad about the layoffs.... could be the end for Stern or maybe they are just getting ready to ride out the economic storm in the US right now. Things may get worse.

Unfortuanately you just never know until it's too late and the company closes the door. I wish them well, I was just starting to warm up to the newer games ( Spiderman, TDK, TSPP and Family Guy are just awesome ) too.

Quoted from HP5P

Just a quick note, SB will be increasing prices soon on NIB games due to the drop in the Canadian Dollar if anyone is considering buying a new game.

Did they subsequently lower the prices when the dollar was at par?

I actually read that Stern was increasing the price, not Starburst

(For the record, I thought TSPP, FG, TDK and Spiderman were all good games!  IJ blows, though.)

Quoted from HP5P

I was at Starburst this week and they are selling NIB WoF and WPT for either $3590 or $3690(sorry can't remember which one it was). I am sure SB is not losing money, so Stern must be taking the hit.

Just a quick note, SB will be increasing prices soon on NIB games due to the drop in the Canadian Dollar if anyone is considering buying a new game.

By the same token I have heard that if you bargain hard, you can do better than that.  I was considering getting a WoF (and I like WPT a lot as well) - however, whose got da money for dat?!

Ya, I think IJ4 was just a blip in a really great run of games. SM, FG, TDK are all great games. TDK just suffered image problems due to the unfinished software. I also think it was lame that it included the worst part of LOTR, the POTD.
It's software may be somewhat complete now, but it suffers from a few oddities (like mixing animations with clips from the film). And they didn't get the original actors to do voices for the pin (like they did with TSPP, LOTR, and FG). See the 'part 2' review at pinballnews.com

Quoted from jonny_eh

I give them 1 year, then pinball's dead.

Pinball will not die if Stern decides to stop. It will die if WE stop. And I don't intend to stop anytime soon. My wife will bury me in a pinball cabinet. THEN I will stop. And if Stern bows out, I wouldn't be surprised if another player enters the game.

How can you like TDK??  That game is terrible!  The game in and of itself had such potential but they F-d it up because of the lame software.

I've played the latest revesion extensivly and the game is so pointless.

Examples:

1)  The modes are all exactly the same!  There are 4 B-A-T-M-A-N modes lit via the left hand side batman targets, hit the targets, light the mode, shoot the right loop to start.  All well and good, problem is each mode is exactly identical in shot layout, the same shots each time for each mode, the only thing that changes is the animations and name of the mode.  There is no varation at all.

2) The crane, yes the crane is kinda cool, but again pointless, there is no risk vs reward with the crane, start the crane once and even if you drain the current ball you are on the crane will remain with the same hits as it was on before.  There is no risk to starting the crane, drain it starts you back right where you left off.  What's the point, it should at least have ended the crane mode if you drained between balls to make it more of a challenge to complete, now a 2 year old chimping on the flippers can complete the mode as they have 3 balls to do it.

3) Batmobile/SeSaw again pointless, it is kinda cool the first time you see it but again nothing changes, it's the same exact thing over and over again.  Allways a hurry up to the right loop.  The point value doesn't change, the shot doesn't change, the amount of shots needed to start the hurry up doesn't change.  

4) Main playfield Caracters for Wizard mode, there is no point to collect the characters on the playfield other then to advance toward wizard mode.  There is no reward, no acknolgment, just a light on the playfield.  Yes, Joker, Scarcow, and Batman require you complete something and actually achive something.  But all of the rest are pointless.  Harvey dent, a random number of hits int he pop bumpers, once completed all you get is the light, no mode, no reward nothing.  Rachel, a random target that can not be hit directly only while in the bumpers again once achived you receive nothing other then the light.  Alfred, hit the Alfred target once! Lucias Fox, collect the gadets on the POTD, yes at 2 gadets you get a extra ball, but the other 6 give you nothing.  Again pointless items that should have added something and do nothing but add usless boring padding.

5) Wizard mode, so you spend the monotous time getting all the usless items and finnaly get ready for the wizard mode, shoot the left orbit, hit the scoop, you are awarded 100 million, lights go out and you start again.  No fan fare, no wizard mode, nothing, 100 million and off you go to complete it again....WTF!??  

The game is an excersie in tedium, how long can you play it before you get bored and never play it again.  It will never last in a home collection because there is no point to the game.  I've seen EM's that have more to do then this POS.  

But the game could be great if they just changed the software a bit.  Make the hurry up shots randomize with diffrent point values.  Mix up the batman modes so they arn't the same every time.  Create modes or atleast rewards for each character you have to collect on you way to the wizard mode.  A make a wizard mode for god sakes.  Simple things that really cost nothing other then the time of a developer to implement them  The game has all the right tools to be the next LOTR or TSPP, it just needs the software, that's what really gets my goat, the cheapest part of their production line and they are skimping on it.  I'd rather of had much depper rules and no see-saw.  It really burns my a$$ that this is the new direction of Stern.  

CSI looks promiseing, but I know I'm just building it up to get knocked down again.  

I thought IJ4 was better than TDK.  IJ4 started to grow on me a bit during the tournament.  TDK just seemed like a cheap LOTR knockoff.  Similar feel and ideas such as path of the dead, left orbit to start MB and some other things that I forget now.  Not surprising that it was the same designer (Gomez).  The see-saw is useless and you can't really see the car underneath.  I did think the wrecking ball was a nice toy though.  Of course, IJ4 does suffer from some design issues as well.

Everyone is treating these layoffs as Sterns Death Knell.  I am more optimistic.  Gary is a businessman first and foremost (well a lawyer as well).  He is cutting expenses and trying to keep the ship afloat during the rough times.  Its a shame that Keith was let go though.  I guess that would leave Lyman as the senior developer there now.

Quoted from Sparky

  And if Stern bows out, I wouldn't be surprised if another player enters the game.

You are correct that pinball will only die if we let it, but in business you cannot confuse passion and making money. I admire Gary Stern for trying, but i am sure he is not making tons of money. His recent decisions all point to a company trying to survive. Anyone else out there with lots of money and a passion for pinball to take his place?

Other side of the coin is, show me a company who is not currently laying people off in the curent economy.  My company just did 300 people whcih was a 5% drop it the work force.  MY Fiance's company just did a 5 %- 7% layoff as well.  These are leans times, somethings has got to give.  

Quoted from HP5P

Anyone else out there with lots of money and a passion for pinball to take his place?

Price guide is showing a December delivery on new MM's (maybe he knows something we don't). Does that count?

Let's put it this way though. If anyone parts a machine at this point because it's worth more in parts, they should be shot unless they are able to bring one or more machines back to life in doing so.

My sense is if Stern goes you better appreciate what you got. Just look at Sega. They poured a ton into the market and still exited. They had the passion and the money and they still backed out (sold out, turned it back to Gary, or whatever you want to call it).

Quoted from Vengeance

Other side of the coin is, show me a company who is not currently laying people off in the curent economy.  My company just did 300 people whcih was a 5% drop it the work force.  MY Fiance's company just did a 5 %- 7% layoff as well.  These are leans times, somethings has got to give.  

I agree; however they have let go some of the best talent. That does not look good for long term.

Keith is the reason TSPP and LOTR are as good as they are. He had passion for the games and went beyond expectations. Same is true for SM except it was the passion of Ritchie and Layman that made it exceptional (not great, but exceptional).

When the talent goes, what are you left with?

Duane

Quoted from TwilightZone

I agree; however they have let go some of the best talent. That does not look good for long term.

Keith is the reason TSPP and LOTR are as good as they are. He had passion for the games and went beyond expectations. Same is true for SM except it was the passion of Ritchie and Layman that made it exceptional (not great, but exceptional).

When the talent goes, what are you left with?

Duane

Mabye it was just numbers, mabye Keith was one of the higest paid Stern Developers, mabye firing Keith was the equivilent of keeping 2 Lymans.  Mabye they will hire him back when the economy picks back up if he is still avaliable, Mabye if my Aunt had private she'd be my Uncle  

End of the day I don;t think this means the end, but time will tell.  

Quoted from necro_nemesis

My sense is if Stern goes you better appreciate what you got. Just look at Sega. They poured a ton into the market and still exited. They had the passion and the money and they still backed out (sold out, turned it back to Gary, or whatever you want to call it).

Sega was in hard times.  They poured a lot of money in the Saturn, and it failed.. they most likely backed out of pinball to pour all their final resources into the development of the Dreamcast.

Sadly I think there just isn't any money to be made for a pinball manufacturer anymore.  Does anyone know what the cost to manufacture a pin is?  I'm kind of curious.. After doing the factory tour, my guess is it'd be pretty high!  

It's also important to mention that, they were saying at the tour that some licensees are incredibly difficult to deal with.  Movie related pins like TDK especially, as most of the movie house production team is on vacation while they're trying to design the pin, and they're the ones responsible for approving design, art, etc.  Let alone the tight deadlines to meet in terms of software design -- TDK's software was designed in what, 3 months?

I think we're very lucky Stern is even still around.. I bet most manufacturer's would have called it quits by now for sure, due to the sheer headache of it all.

I bet CSI will turn out to be a decent game, they don't have any "movie release" deadlines to deal with.

I'm seriously surprised that Stern still exists, which probably says a lot about me. I'm really glad they're still churning out games though. The next big hit can still be in their future! Maybe if CSI's design is awesome, they can retheme it like they did with FG.

Quoted from jonny_eh

I'm seriously surprised that Stern still exists, which probably says a lot about me.

enter joke here:

Quoted from HP5P

Anyone else out there with lots of money and a passion for pinball to take his place?

I am working on it... 6-49 is 39 million. Either that, or get a massive ioncrease in pinball restorations...

Quoth the RGP rumour mill:

Quoted Text

Dwight Sullivan, Keith Johnson, John Borg, Joe Blackwell, and Dennis
Nordman.  All Gone.  Steve is contracted out so not sure what is going
on with steve.  Does not look good t all though

I hate to say it but if Stern goes under, I think its R.I.P. pinball (from a new manufacture standpoint)

The only hope would be someone immediately buying Stern and taking over operations.  Once the factory gets sold and the equipment/tooling sold off then it would be virtually impossible to restart
Stern really had everything going for it after the takeover of Sega.
1.  A worldwide monopoly.
2.  An existing tooled factory and skilled workforce
3.  Access to the best pinball designers, programmers, etc.

For a new operation to start from scratch at some point in the future - and the TENS of MILLIONS it would cost to obtain a factory, new tooling, new machinery, train a workforce, etc, etc. in order to sell 5-10 thousand games a year would be financial suicide even if the economy weren't falling apart.

Check out this Post from Dennis Nordman:

http://groups.google.ca/group/rec.games.pinball/browse_thread/thread/6dcbb0f3a6975f35?hl=en#

He states: It's my understanding that ALL the designers were let go, including the ones
under contract.  That's what I was told by management.  It's just my
personal opinion, but the future of new pingames doesn't look bright to me.

It's likely a lot worse than any of us were really thinking.

Oh well, pinball's dead, it was fun while it lasted. I guess I'll go back to collecting comic books. They still make those, right?

Quoted from jayd

Stern really had everything going for it after the takeover of Sega.

Actually, it's the same company. Stern has been the same company since Gary started Pinstar in 1985. Then it became Data East. Then Sega. Then Stern. It's always been the very same people using the same equipment in the same building (yeah, they moved once, I think). The only difference throughout the years has been the one footing the bill.

Quoted from jonny_eh

Oh well, pinball's dead, it was fun while it lasted. I guess I'll go back to collecting comic books. They still make those, right?

You mean I have to start collecting something else if Stern closes? That's kinda silly logic if you ask me. Don't tell collectors of World War II memorabilia that they have to collect something else because the war is over.

And who said Stern is dead? Sure, they laid off a few people. How many times has Nortel laid off part of its workforce yet continues to operate? Or the auto manufacturers? Hell, American Express laid off thousands of people yesterday, yet I highly doubt that they're going under any time soon.

Quoted from cooke

And who said Stern is dead? Sure, they laid off a few people. How many times has Nortel laid off part of its workforce yet continues to operate? Or the auto manufacturers? Hell, American Express laid off thousands of people yesterday, yet I highly doubt that they're going under any time soon.

If anything, it's a pre-emptive strike to prevent just that from happening.  Gary Stern is a smart guy...He doesn't want to see everything go down the tubes either.  Better to lay off some people now, and ride out the storm, than keep your entire workforce, and go belly up because you made poor choices.  

That's pretty much what happened to Commodore in the '90s.  They spent like drunken sailors, and went bankrupt.

Although, it's very difficult to make new machines without any designers.  Not sure what the logic is there, unless it's to keep running what he already has valid licenses for, and re-hire designers when the economy starts to improve.

Quoted from Bish

Although, it's very difficult to make new machines without any designers.  Not sure what the logic is there, unless it's to keep running what he already has valid licenses for, and re-hire designers when the economy starts to improve.

The questions is: Do you really need to keep the ambitious schedule of 3-4 new games a year?  Do you really need half a dozen designers on your payroll?

Gary can probably re-run his best selling titles(POTC, TSPP, TDK, FG, etc) for the next year while the economy hopefully turns around..

My 0.02$

Mike

Quoted from Denis Nordman

Thanks for the nice words.  This is my 3rd layoff in the pinball business so
I think I've probably designed my last game.  I am thankful that I had the
opportunity to design two more games with Stern.  I'm proud of POTC with
over 6,000 games.  I'm sad that I won't get to finish the game I was
currently working on.  As usual, it was going to be my best.    I also
had two new redemption games coming out that we expected to do very well.  I
always get so involved with the design process that I never see layoffs
coming.  This one, of course was a surprise to me.

I'd like to thank all the people on RGP, and at the expos, who commented on
how much they enjoyed my games.  The comments made all the hard work and
hours worthwhile.

It's my understanding that ALL the designers were let go, including the ones
under contract.  That's what I was told by management.  It's just my
personal opinion, but the future of new pingames doesn't look bright to me.

I have two woodrails that I'd like to sell asap.  A Continental Café and an
ESCO Contact.  Both need some tlc.  Playfields are nice on both and I have a
NOS playfield for the Continental Café.  The CC glass is nice but cracked.
The Contact glass is nice with some very slight cracks in the art on the
upper left.  They've been sitting in my office at Stern for a couple years,
and I don't have the time or the inclination to fix them now.  $500 for both
and that's less than I paid.  Pick 'em up at my house.

I don't where my career will take me next, but since I have big feet, I'll
probably land on them.  

Dennis

Quoted from Bish

Although, it's very difficult to make new machines without any designers.

Contract them out, just like Steve Ritchie and Pat Lawlor (probably the two most respected designers who are still active).  

Quoted from MrMikeman

Gary can probably re-run his best selling titles(POTC, TSPP, TDK, FG, etc) for the next year while the economy hopefully turns around..

Exactly.   With rose colored glasses on that is what I am hoping.   Any maybe some nice "WOF" prices on the above NIB titles (really rosey glasses maybe).

Quoted from Mrhide

http://www.pinballnews.com/news/sterncuts.html

That makes it sound not as bad. I'm glad they got some kind of official word out. The rumour mill, like usual, was making it sound like it was all over. Turns out they didn't "fire" their contract designers (Ritchie, Lawlor, Gomez), only their two in house guys (Nordman and Borg). If getting rid of guys like the designers, Keith Johnson, and Blackwell are necessary to keep pinball alive, then good move Gary. We're gonna be hitting some rough waters, and if drastic measures aren't taken, then the last pinball manufacturer won't survive.

Quoted from MrMikeman

The questions is: Do you really need to keep the ambitious schedule of 3-4 new games a year?  Do you really need half a dozen designers on your payroll?

Gary can probably re-run his best selling titles(POTC, TSPP, TDK, FG, etc) for the next year while the economy hopefully turns around..

My 0.02$

Mike

That may not be accurate, it depends on the licensing agreements, they may be of the "timed" licensing and if so, he needs to renegotiate the individual licensing and at times, put forth money upfront.  If the pinball market is drying up even more, I doubt he'll get a free pass from the greedy movie studios...

Rob

If you have ever wanted a TSPP, LOTR, SM, etc. Now is a good time to buy. Prices will go up if they close their doors.

Duane

Quoted from TwilightZone

If you have ever wanted a TSPP, LOTR, SM, etc. Now is a good time to buy. Prices will go up if they close their doors.

Duane

Yup, now that my LOTR works, it feels like ~$3k for it (in any condition) is a steal. That game is really amazing (when you have strong flippers and a working magnet!)

Quoted from TwilightZone

If you have ever wanted a TSPP, LOTR, SM, etc. Now is a good time to buy. Prices will go up if they close their doors.

Duane

There you go, the fear propaganda is on

Yea seriously, you guys have already dug Stern's grave and buried them and all they have done this far is lay off a few people.  

Chicken little much?

Quoted from Azatotht

There you go, the fear propaganda is on

Quoted from Vengeance

Yea seriously, you guys have already dug Stern's grave and buried them and all they have done this far is lay off a few people.  

Chicken little much?

Privately I have been saying I don't think Stern has another year since the summer. There is a reason I decided to sell a game to get a TSPP. I had been thinking things wouldn't fair well for them.  Guess I'll go on the record. They don't have another year.

They have released three bombs in a row: WoF, TBK, and IJ4. And the next two licenses are crap: CSI and 24. I will admit CSI looks cool with the skull, but TBK looked cool as well. Still a bomb.

I really, really hope I am wrong, but I doubt it.

Glad I got LOTR and TSPP either way. I wish them the best and truely hope I am wrong. I love a great many of their games and really hope they can continue.

Duane

Quoted from TwilightZone

If you have ever wanted a TSPP, LOTR, SM, etc. Now is a good time to buy. Prices will go up if they close their doors.

Duane

OK, I am in, I am looking for POTC and TSPP, Let me know if you have one or both for sale!!

Dave (Seriously looking for these 2 titles)

Quoted from cooke

Actually, it's the same company. Stern has been the same company since Gary started Pinstar in 1985. Then it became Data East. Then Sega. Then Stern.

Must you continually remind me of this fact?

Maybe they will sell me the company for a deeply discounted price? Any one want to start buying shares?

Reading the article leads me to believe he will contract out design and developement. I can only wonder if the S.A.M. system has a game software development package making it easier than the assembly language coding Williams worked with. If that were the case it would be easier to code games and therefore easier to farm out.

Just once, I'd like to see them let the designer's mind run wild with an original theme.  Can anyone expain why every single Stern game has to be a license?  Given the cost savings and imagination of pinball designers its at least worth a shot.  I mean - could an original game REALLY do any worse than WPT, WOF, etc.

There's too much 'unknown' to start speculating...

Maybe the people that were layed-off were costing too much in terms of salary?
Maybe it's cheaper just to us 'freelance programmers/designers"?
Maybe the next 3 machines are ready, only missing the artwork?

Too many 'maybes' to close them down...

Also, important note as I've ssen this comment too many times in this topic: X machine sucks a$$, Y machine is a bombm etc...

It's called OPINION...everyone's entitled of their OPINION...it's not because 'you' don't like a certain title or person 'X' on RGP thinks that it sucks that it's a dud.

There are 'duds' in the pinball industry, but I find it strange that with all the members here on MAACA, there's usually one member who owns a so-called 'dud' and LOVES it... and I know what I'm talking about as I own or have owned many of these "duds"...I don't give a crap on what others say, if I like the game, then let it be and if YOU don't like it, then 'good for you'...

I can't put any comments on the latest Stern games as I haven't really tried them...personally, although the theme is not my cup of tea, WoF is not a bad game!

Mes deux cennes,
frosken

Should be an interesting TOPCAST to listent to.  No date / time set yet...

Quoted Text

Email reminder for upcoming TOPcast Internet Radio Show.


Keith Johnson of Stern and formerly of Bally/Williams is coming to TOPcast. If you have any questions for Keith, please email them to me so i can ask him. Thanks in advance! Keith has been involved with the following games:

• Revenge From Mars,
  
• Striker Xtreme,
  
• Sharkeys Shootout,
  
• High Roller Casino,
  
• Austin Powers,
  
• Simpsons Pinball Party,
  
• Lord of the Rings,
  
• Elvis,
  
• World Poker Tour,
  
• Wheel Of Fortune.
  

For more details see http://marvin3m.com/topcast
To be removed from this mailing, go to
http://marvin3m.com/topcast/email.htm

Quoted from Monkeybug

Contract them out, just like Steve Ritchie and Pat Lawlor (probably the two most respected designers who are still active).  

Kev at GRM told me that Pat Lawlor cut ties with Stern after delivering the playfield for CSI and was going 100% redemption.

Quoted from Vengeance

Other side of the coin is, show me a company who is not currently laying people off in the curent economy.  My company just did 300 people whcih was a 5% drop it the work force.  MY Fiance's company just did a 5 %- 7% layoff as well.  These are leans times, somethings has got to give.  

Just last week my ex-employer cut 500 jobs, and divested our division to our competition.

A lot of business are hurting at the moment.  Stern has been in a precarious position for a few years now, and had to take these measures to keep the doors open.  Will they close in the future; who knows.  But I can tell you there are a lot of companies at the moment in the same position as them, and their is a lot of uncertainty.

My sympathies go out to those who got laid off.  Layoffs suck, period.

nice to hear you still have your job Matthew.

Layoffs sucks indeed.