Chicago Gaming Company Delays Cactus Canyon Expansion Again; JAWS 50th Pinball to Make Public Debut at San Diego Comic-Con; Spooky Goes to Europe & More
- Jason
- 7 days ago
- 2 min read
Good morning everyone. Happy Thursday = Friday. That's always what we used to say when we had a three day weekend. Here in the United States most businesses are closed tomorrow, July 4th for Independence Day.
Let's start things off today with some news out of Chicago Gaming Company (CGC). In Mid-May the Company told distributors that they expected to begin shipping its Cactus Canyon Expansion Kits by mid-June. Well, June has come and gone and there's still no kits. The latest word is that the kits are expected to ship by the end of July. I'm taking that with a huge grain of salt, but they have to ship at some point.
In the meantime, CGC is supposedly building new Merlin Edition of Medieval Madness machines as much as it can while it waits for a few remaining parts to arrive at its factory.
Yesterday I covered the reveal of Stern Pinball's new 50th Anniversary Edition of its JAWS pinball machine (link below for those who missed it). Later that day, articles began to appear online stating that the new game will make its public debut at the Stern Booth and annual Pop-Up arcade at the upcoming San Diego Comic-Con, which is scheduled to take place at the San Diego Convention Center from July 24th through the 27th.
Stern Pinball Takes a Bite out of San Diego Comic-Con with Jaws Pinball Machine, Pinball Arcade
Stern Pinball JAWS 50th Anniversary REVEALED!
Jersey Jack Pinball's founder Jack Guarnieri writes a monthly column for the arcade industry publication RePlay Magazine. I found a very interesting quote from him in this month's issue about a recent licensing issue JJP experienced:
I was recently working on a music license for use on a game when I read that an excluded channel of distribution was “Casinos and Gaming Establishments.” That term is defined as meaning “casinos, gambling establishments, gaming locations (such as arcades and carnival ‘midway’ areas) and associated retail venues.” So, signing this would mean I cannot cannot sell my games to an arcade!
Is this a potential clue about an upcoming pinball machine from Jersey Jack? Does it refer to the long-time rumor that Harry Potter's author, J. K. Rowling, never wanted to make a pinball based on it because she hates gambling? It's hard to say, but I found it interesting nonetheless.
We are NOT the “Gaming” Business
Yesterday Spooky Pinball shared cool pictures of them loading a container of games that is headed to Europe.
Wanna see a container full of a games for Europe?
Okay here it is! Super excited for awesome customers over seas to get their games! And of course thank you to RS-Pinball GmbH for continuing to be an incredible partner, and member of the Spooky Family ❤️
CGC is a joke — it’s an absolute shame. I honestly don’t understand how a company like that can stay in business, or how PPS still chooses to work with them.
I paid in full for my Merlin two months ago, in good faith, and now they’re telling me delivery is estimated for mid to late next year. I’ve asked for my money back through my credit card.
I think I heard JJP was working on a Billy Joel or Bruce Springsteen license a couple years back. Wonder if they're still trying on those themes.