Stern needed a test bed for a few things:
1. Would the brand new board sets work in real life conditions?
It would have been a Pinball Holocaust if Stern deployed Spike and they started failing in the field, loosing money for ops who already are on thin margins as it is.
2. Would the 2 year in-home warranty be viable?
Could Sterns existing service network handle the support, or would it end up breaking the bank. Remember, the target audience (single women, apartment dwellers bla bla bla) is not likely to own a soldering station, VOM meter, or be able to read a schematic.
I've been on 2 service runs for these, and both owners were as likely to be able to fix a pin as you would be able to recharge the coolant in your refrigerator.
3. Could a pin be shrunk down to several boxes and be safely delivered by UPS?
A single mom does not have time to wait all day for Roadway to drop a pallet in front of her apartment, nor is she able to carry a normal pin box up the stairs.
Stern had to design packaging that would protect the game from typical UPS drivers, yet fit under the size and weight requirements.
You are very short sighted, and obviously know nothing about about Stern sales numbers.
Stern sold EVERY ONE they planned on selling.
And, there are more The Pins coming.....Bahahahahahahahaha