About
Jerry Thompson is a prominent figure in modern pinball audio design, best known for his work at Stern Pinball. He originally built his career in radio broadcasting and voiceover, which provided the technical and creative foundations for his transition into pinball. Joining Stern around 2014, Thompson quickly rose to the position of Lead Sound Designer, overseeing all aspects of game audio and helping modernize pinball’s sound through higher-fidelity music, immersive effects, and dynamic callouts.
His portfolio spans dozens of Stern titles, including Ghostbusters (2016), Jurassic Park (2019), Godzilla (2021), and the award-winning Rush (2022). By blending original compositions with licensed music, recruiting top-tier voice talent, and harnessing advanced audio hardware, he enhanced the gameplay experience and raised industry standards for pinball audio. Many of these machines gained critical and commercial success, with Rush winning the 2022 TWIPY Award for Best Sound/Music.
Beyond creating memorable sound packages, Thompson has influenced the broader pinball industry by emphasizing audio’s essential role in game design. His leadership style fosters close collaboration among designers, programmers, and licensors, enabling him to balance creativity with practical business considerations. Thanks to his efforts, high-quality, thematically cohesive sound is now a defining feature of modern pinball, inspiring both established and emerging manufacturers to invest in richer, more immersive audio experiences.
