John Wick Pinball Machine Announced, Touts Pinball’s First AI-Augmented Software
The next Stern Pinball machine will be based on the John Wick movie franchise, including music, movie clips, and likenesses of all major characters – most importantly that of Keanu Reeves, who graces the art and presumably many clips of assassinations. This is not Keanu’s first pinball appearance – he’s already been the star of the 1995 machine from Williams, Johnny Mnemonic, and Reeves was a cast member that appeared in Williams’ Bram Stoker’s Dracula, which was also a game in 1993.
John Wick seems to be primarily themed around assassinations appropriately, and that’s where things get weird. Causing trouble for you is an AI-controlled opponent. Here’s how Stern says this all will work:
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!
It sounds like a bit of randomization is involved, and that’s on point with pinball’s unpredictability. It will be interesting to see how it all pans out.
John Wick series mainstay Ian McShane will reprise his character Winston in a way in the game, lending his voice to callouts which you can get a taste of in the first trailer here.
A closer look at the various exclusive features of the Premium and Limited Edition versions can be found in the slideshow below. So far we spot a motorized car toy, a drop target leading into the Red Circle Club Area, a ramp diverter (center), an upkicker, and a weapon case toy that hides a subway shot, among other custom toys and features that the Pro Version will leave out. The Limited Edition comes with all sorts of extra non-playfield goodies.
Notably, all three versions have unique artwork, but the Premium Version’s artwork is described as Neon Noir and really is killer, with a very retro futurism vibe. The lit up neon plastics featured throughout the playfield seem to complement it nicely.
Stern Pinball recently hosted a John Wick pinball preview event that IGN attended. Here’s what IGN’s Host and Producer Benjamin Watts thought of it:
First Impressions of John Wick Pinball:
When I first stepped up to the John Wick pinball cabinet, I immediately had the feeling that the world of assassin’s crafted for the films, makes for the perfect theme for pinball machine. The skills that make the Baba Yaga such an effective killer such as precision and control, lend themselves very well to setting highscores on this one-of-a-kind game. To judge the cabinet on aesthetics alone, it is simple the prettiest machine I’ve ever played on. The lighting system brings the theming to life with the glow of the stylized New York City streets, while the sound and visuals place you firmly in the universe and get your heart pumping like only the best action movie franchises can. The flippers were perfectly responsive and the addition of what Stern is calling the “dynamic AI combat system”, keeps the energy of each game high and continually exciting. –Benjamin Watts
Stern’s John Wick Pinball machine is out now. The MSRP for the Pro Edition is $6,999, with the Premium Edition coming in at $9,699 and the Limited Edition at $12,999. You can buy them here – except for the LE, it’s already sold out! And if you need a series refresher, here’s where you can stream the John Wick movies right now.
Samuel Claiborn is IGN’s managing editor and a fixes/breaks ancient arcade and pinball machines in his garage. TCELES B HSUP to follow him @Samuel_IGN on Twitter.
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