So the story goes: Popadiuk and a friend played in a KISS cover band in their younger days, and both enjoyed pinball so much that they vowed to someday make a KISS pin themselves. If all goes well, a KISS pinball machine may be one of those pieces of crap! Members of the KISS Army (myself included) have grown up and now have disposable income to spend on ultimate backstage pass experiences and all the crap with a KISS logo on it. But, for the most part, it’s the die-hard fans that grew up with the band that keep their pockets lined. They are ironically popular with the hipster crowd, which boggles my mind as hipster morals run almost counter to the Gene Simmons capitalist model. It is downright difficult to get a good seat at a reasonable price. In my area, KISS has filled full-size arenas and outdoor parks four the last five years in a row. Like AC/DC and the Stones, its all in the marketing of the name. I’m amazed that they still remain somewhat culturally relevant. You’ll never have the same experience twice." Stern adds, "as Harry Williams the designer said, the ball is wild.I’m a pretty big fan of the band. And although we do code our games with rules and licenses, no game is ever the same. In video games, it’s always the code is programmed. Dankberg says, "Reality is the ultimate randomizer. The resurgence of pinball in an era where video games are in every pocket isn’t at all surprising to Stern. Demand for pinball continues to increase, and Stern recently announced a move into a larger facility. There’s no word yet on when KISS will be available for purchase (MSRP of recent standard model Stern machines is $5995), but you should be able to find a machine at your local pinball establishment (look 'em up!) in the future. The Limited Edition and Premium versions will have more features than the more streamlined Pro version, including aforementioned magnetic Paul Stanley feature, additional color-changing LEDs, and an additional bank of classic drop targets. Image Gallery: KISS Premium Model (Swipe on Mobile)Like all recent Stern pinball games, KISS will be released in several models. Sound is a big deal with a rock-themed game like KISS, so be nice to your local arcade operator and maybe she’ll let you plug into the audio out jack that’s standard on Stern’s new CPU board. Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons hit the studio to provide custom call-outs, as well. Love, Rock & Roll All Night, Love Gun, Love It Loud and Black Diamond. We re-created that with the ball, the ball will float the back panel on a magnet, land on the stage, then the toy Paul Stanley is going to rock out to Love Guns." Speaking of rocking out, 10 KISS songs blast over Stern’s reworked sound system while you play: Deuce, Hotter Than Hell, Lick It Up, Shout It Our Loud, Detroit Rock City, Calling Dr. "At a KISS concert, likes to fly out into the crowd and he plays on a little stage. Paul Stanley has a unique feature as well, Dankberg explains. Image Gallery: KISS LE Model (Swipe on Mobile)Perhaps the most obvious feature on KISS’s playfield is a giant Gene Simmons head that has a spinner disc inside that locks balls and then spits them out for the "Blood-Spitting Demon Bass Solo" multiball mode. To maintain the vintage vibes, Kevin O’Connor, the original artist behind the hand-drawn art of the 1978 machine (picture: dragons and lots of fire), returned to do original hand-drawn art for the new machine. Stern's new KISS machine actually reflects the vintage '78 game in its layout, featuring the same pop bumpers and KISS light grid of its predecessor. Their makeup, their look, it’s just cool for pinball." This was likely the reason that Bally released their popular KISS pinball machine in 1978. Gary Stern, CEO and Chairman of Stern Pinball says that KISS is a natural fit for pinball because, "They're a great rock and roll show, with great theatrics. Stern has been on a pinball machine-producing tear recently, with AMC's The Walking Dead shipping last fall and WWE Wrestlemania just released but KISS will be right at home at a barcade near you alongside Stern's acclaimed AC/DC and Metallica machines. has announced their next pinball machine is KISS, based on the face-painted 1970s glam rockers - with all the requisite blood, explosions and fire.
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