Stern Pinball, Inc. announces its newest line of pinball
games featuring the world’s greatest assassin, John
Wick. Created in collaboration with Lionsgate, players
will experience the thrilling and action-packed billion-dollar grossing John
Wick franchise with film-inspired mechanical features and artwork
alongside Stern’s all-new dynamic AI combat system. John
Wick pinball games are available in Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition
(LE) models. The John
Wick film franchise is produced by Thunder Road’s Basil Iwanyk and
Erica Lee, along with franchise director Chad Stahelski through his 87Eleven
Entertainment production company.
In Stern’s John
Wick pinball games, players
step into the role of the world’s greatest assassin as he fights to escape
his past. As the titular character, players can engage in high-speed car
chases and fast-action drifting across the playfield, which incorporates
models and artwork inspired by iconic locations from the franchise,
including the New York Continental Hotel and the Red Circle Club, all set
against a dramatically edge lit New York City skyline. Players can also open
John Wick’s weapons crate to reveal a hidden shot target path to retrieve an
array of weapons. Players must use the sculpted Blood Oath Marker carefully
– or risk the consequences. Players need to survive other assassins,
complete jobs for the legendary Factions of the High Table, and eventually
take on John Wick’s “Special Assignment!”
To raise the stakes, John
Wick pinball introduces Stern’s all-new dynamic AI combat system, an
innovation that brings the frenetic combat of the legendary films to the
game. The Stern team has created a primitive video game AI system to control
the enemy lights on the playfield, setting the John
Wick pinball games apart from prior pinball machines, where all lights
were controlled by player actions, timers, and random number generations. In
this new AI combat system, enemy icons are responsive to player behavior and
will illuminate dynamically around the playfield to challenge the player.
The enemies move tactically with this dynamic software to counter player
objectives, creating a unique challenge in each game session. The system
also features a new action video player that dynamically reflects player
action – as you defeat three enemies, you’ll see video clips of John Wick
doing the same in the films!
Accompanying the high-quality film and audio assets woven
into the gameplay, John
Wick pinball games will include custom narration by critically
acclaimed actor Ian McShane as Winston and an original score composed by
Charlie Benante of Anthrax and Pantera fame. Additionally, pieces of John
Wick’s iconic suits used in connection with the production of the films will
be included as a franchise artifact in the LE models, courtesy of Lionsgate.
The John Wick pinball
games will feature original neo-noir style paintings illustrated by
acclaimed artist, Randy Martinez.
“Inspired by one of the most iconic and thrilling film
franchises of our time, we’re releasing John
Wick pinball games with the most advanced technology we’ve ever
created,” said Seth Davis, President & CEO of Stern Pinball, “We can’t wait
for players to try out our new combat system and experience the action.”
John
Wick pinball games include Stern’s award-winning
Insider Connected™ system, which enables players to interact with the game
and a global network of players in multiple ways. Through Insider
Connected, players can track progress, earn new game-specific Achievements,
take on special John
Wick Quests and complete Faction Contracts to increase their Assassin
ranking.
Insider Connected also provides an operator-focused toolset
to drive location play through a better player experience, game location
discovery, location leaderboards, performance analysis, automatic code
updates, and remote diagnostics for easier maintenance. Registration for
Insider Connected is available at insider.sternpinball.com/ or
in the Insider Connected App. Download it today on iOS and Android.
Limited to 1,000 games globally, the highly
collectible Limited Edition model includes the Expression Lighting System™
and Speaker Expression Lighting. These integrated lighting systems are
synchronized to custom light shows specifically designed for every song and
dynamically responsive to game events. The LE version also includes a
full-color “Stained Glass” mirrored backglass, full-color reflective brushed
silver foil high-definition cabinet decals with hand-drawn artwork by Randy
Martinez, exclusive custom powder-coated pinball armor, a custom
designer-autographed bottom arch, upgraded audio system, anti-reflection
pinball playfield glass, shaker motor, a sequentially numbered plaque, and a
signed Certificate of Authenticity.
Games configured for North America operate on 60 cycle
electricity only.
These games will not operate in countries with 50 cycle electricity
(including but not limited to Europe, UK, Australia).