Quoted from paynemic:Any chance there's a hobbit pin in the wild near Chicago?
One just made it to Brooklyn. I'm sure Chicago and Istanbul are next on the list.
(Topic ID: 148114)
Linked Games
The Hobbit
Jersey Jack, 2016
Topic Gallery
Seattle, WA
Quoted from Ericpinballfan:This is the base model? LE?
Appears to be the LE due to the powder coat on the legs/rails/etc. However, I don't think there is a whole lot of difference between LE and Standard except the powder coat, invisiglass, shaker, and official LE number...
Quoted from brucipher:Appears to be the LE due to the powder coat on the legs/rails/etc. However, I don't think there is a whole lot of difference between LE and Standard except the powder coat, invisiglass, shaker, and official LE number...
And Smaug color and 'attract' mode - but yeah, very close playfield wise. The main differences are on the outside.
Quoted from Goronic:And Smaug color and 'attract' mode - but yeah, very close playfield wise. The main differences are on the outside.
The Smaug color is different between LE and Standard? I know the SE has the different colored Smaug. A little confusing with the 3 different versions...
Quoted from brucipher:The Smaug color is different between LE and Standard? I know the SE has the different colored Smaug. A little confusing with the 3 different versions...
The SE version will have Smaug with a gold dusting, unlike earlier photos where he was almost completely gold. You can't order an SE from JJP anymore, but there are distributors who still have some available.
I wonder how many LEs were converted to SEs. I really like the dragon theme so I did the switch even though the golden Smaug head on the playfield looked hideous. Very happy to hear they may have redesigned it to be more tasteful. 
Quoted from Goronic:Had a great talk with Jack yesterday about the switch to Chrome on the rails (from powdercoat) and a few other things. They already have 1800 Hobbits ordered
That's great. Sounds like it will be a good seller for JJP.
Quoted from Radagast:Does anyone know if the LE is actually Limited to a certain number, or more of the equivalent of Stern's Premium models?
Fanboy: They are limited to 1500 I think. When the Smaug was announced, people that had ordered the LE had the option of switching over. So their vacated LE number could be resold. Because of that switch, I doubt all 1500 LEs are sold yet.
I have no doubt that 1800 were ordered, but many of those are unspoken for... just big lot purchases from distributors.. will they actually be able to get rid of them at this point.. seriously... since the game has taken so long to get out...rest of year to get those produced at least!
Quoted from PBINTHESOUTH:I have no doubt that 1800 were ordered, but many of those are unspoken for... just big lot purchases from distributors.. will they actually be able to get rid of them at this point.. seriously... since the game has taken so long to get out...rest of year to get those produced at least!
A fun game with a cool theme will sell. Period.
The Hobbit needs to start going out the door this month. It's going to be a damn shame if Stern announces Ghost Busters and 2 months from now it's in people's homes. That's bull S. 
Quoted from Skyemont:The Hobbit needs to start going out the door this month. It's going to be a damn shame if Stern announces Ghost Busters and 2 months from now it's in people's homes. That's bull S.
I'll be playing Ghostbusters in my basement before one Hobbit ships.
Quoted from Captain_Kirk:I'll be playing Ghostbusters in my basement before one Hobbit ships.
Awesome Gary. I am surprised you don't have even more of your games at home.
Doubling your collection is awesome.
Quoted from DougPiranha:Awesome Gary. I am surprised you don't have even more of your games at home.
Doubling your collection is awesome.
Hey....if making fun of the size of my collection makes ya feel better about still not having a Hobbit, by all means, proceed!
Quoted from Captain_Kirk:Hey....if making fun of the size of my collection makes ya feel better about still not having a Hobbit, by all means, proceed!
I'm surprised you don't have Ghostbusters listed yet. What is taking so long?
Quoted from DaveH:I'm surprised you don't have Ghostbusters listed yet. What is taking so long?
I agree. Stern is turning into JJP with that one.....
1 week later
Quoted from Ericpinballfan:I am buying this game....But...Is it wrong I want to play all 3 before I slap down 7kplus???
Nope. And if you don't that is fine too. Your money.
Quoted from Ericpinballfan:I am buying this game....But...Is it wrong I want to play all 3 before I slap down 7kplus???
Why all three? The only differences should be the colors and art. They should all play the same.
I'd certainly want to play one before buying. But like the other guy said, it's your money. Make the decision after your comfortable with it.
Quoted from Ericpinballfan:I am buying this game....But...Is it wrong I want to play all 3 before I slap down 7kplus???
Do you have it pre-ordered? If not, will probably be late summer before you can get one. Just my guess...
Quoted from Skyemont:12744267_1124676597550935_5698150681658677337_n_(resized).jpg
I hope someone takes some good video of the machine in action in the tournament!
Quoted from brucipher:I hope someone takes some good video of the machine in action in the tournament!
+ 1
Melbourne
Not really sure how production works but does anyone know why they are making so many games at a time Versus making a couple and shipping them as they go?
People have mentioned that they have 60~80 pins on the line and shipping would probably start in March? What is the advantage of building so many at the same time without shipping anything? The ones they built first should already be finished now I am guessing? Are they just sitting there while others are getting done?
Quoted from FalconPunch:Not really sure how production works but does anyone know why they are making so many games at a time Versus making a couple and shipping them as they go?
It is an assembly line. Once rolling parts get assembled along the way. When done get checked and tested. Then boxed and shipped.
They aren't waiting and doing in batches. Some tweaking is happening from experience with the test games. And soon a steady supply will be rolling out the door as they come down the line.
LTG : )™
Quoted from brucipher:I hope someone takes some good video of the machine in action in the tournament!
Anyone post anything yet?
Quoted from FalconPunch:So even at full production there are always 60~80 pins in a state of being built before testing?
Seems like there could be lots of explanations:
1. How they define "in assembly." They might be including ANY subassembly that's being worked on.
2. I think it's reasonable that they are building extra machines (and not shipping/finishing them) as they wait for feedback from the test machines. So when they get the "green light" from the field tests- they can blast out a large number.
3. They are full of shit with those numbers 
Honestly, I think it's a combination of #1 and #2, but then again, I'm an eternal optimist.
Quoted from wtatumjr:There are things that pop up no one foresees - like the light board issue with WOZ. My guess is they want to get a few out in the wild and get reports back from hard normal usage this time.
Didn't JJP say as much a while ago? They wanted to test them before doing the general release. I am assuming/hoping they are building games and setting them aside and will finalise them at some point when they are happy with the testing results and can make whatever changes they need to make. Easier to fix the first 60-80 in the factory if something comes up instead of having them go out to a storm of 'my 8k NIB isn't perfect out of the box it is the end of the world' Let's face it there will be some things that emerge and need adjusting but that's pinball and the more they can minimise it the better.
Quoted from clg:Didn't JJP say as much a while ago? They wanted to test them before doing the general release. I am assuming/hoping they are building games and setting them aside and will finalise them at some point when they are happy with the testing results and can make whatever changes they need to make. Easier to fix the first 60-80 in the factory if something comes up instead of having them go out to a storm of 'my 8k NIB isn't perfect out of the box it is the end of the world' Let's face it there will be some things that emerge and need adjusting but that's pinball and the more they can minimise it the better.
Spoke with Jen again today about extras on the pin. I opted for the red Smaug and that I was too late for any playfield mods. This is exactly what is happening. There are 80+ (one is mine) that are already assembled and when they get the go ahead from their testers, they'll be boxed up and shipped right out. Like you said, easier to deal with any issues while there still at the factory. She mentioned that the testing has been so positive thus far, that they may be shipping them as early as next week!
Quoted from TaTa:they may be shipping them as early as next week!
TaTa, you just made my day!
Quoted from TaTa:She mentioned that the testing has been so positive thus far
No offense but......... would you expect her to say anything differently?
Quoted from TaTa:She mentioned that the testing has been so positive thus far, that they may be shipping them as early as next week!
I predict an unboxing in the not-too-distant future! Great news.
Quoted from meSz:No offense but......... would you expect her to say anything differently?
Yes. If testing was going badly I would expect her to say they are still in testing and when that is complete they will begin shipping.
She seems to say that testing is going so well they expect to start shipping as early as next week.
Quoted from TaTa:Spoke with Jen again today about extras on the pin. I opted for the red Smaug and that I was too late for any playfield mods.
How many weeks have passed since you got the initial call/email from Jen (before it was too late to add any playfield mods)?
Quoted from Goronic:She seems to say that testing is going so well they expect to start shipping as early as next week.
I hope you're right but I wouldn't plan a "launch party" until the machine is in your possession!
Quoted from FalconPunch:Would love to see some photos of the assembled machines waiting!
We got 20 or so pics of those 8 machines... I'll settle for 1 of all the machines waiting
That would be great!
Quoted from RTS:How many weeks have passed since you got the initial call/email from Jen (before it was too late to add any playfield mods)?
She just informed me of this after I ordered the extra head assuming I was going to inquire about it. Knowing my machine was made already and was told before that the head was going to ship separately, I knew I had time. Besides, I didn't like how dirty the playfield protector looked after so many plays on it. Same goes for the RadCals...they make the pin look like a cheap hooker. Not that I know what a cheap hooker looks like 
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