Okay, I guess I'm really confused. But here is what I understand is going to happen......
I was under the understanding when CCR was first announced the biggest thing with the purchase of this pin was going to be the updated and expanded code that will help finish and polish the game that was never truly finished because of the production of pinball was going to be ceased.
That much I know is true, so here we go......
At first I thought it was going to be free to anyone who initially purchased the pin, but it was later found you would have to pay for the update. I recall the initial rumor was going to be a small fee (probably around $25.00 bucks), but that was only because of the untimely death of Lyman and the money for the update will be gathered and given to Lyman's family as a gift to honor the man for all of the work he has done for this community.
The newest code will "maybe" having parts of the CC continued code in it (NO Cowboys vs Aliens mode), but will be original that will include Boss Betty, drunk multiball (backwards flippers which is awesome) and fart and beans according to one of the posts Zach Sharpe (ifpapinball) was gracious enough to tease us with. Zach also stated the developers of the code wants to import the impression of you, the player, coming into town as a stranger, something along the lines of a character drawn on the playfield that looks like he came in on a stagecoach.
The added hardware is anyone's guess, but again I recall hearing the rumor of some type of saloon doors something in the lines of what Mageek currently is selling and maybe it will be programmed to be more interactive with the gameplay. So now with Zach's latest tease it looks like the topper will be incorporated more into the gameplay element of the pin.
I love my CGC CCR and it's bolted to my floor. I owned the original CC and loved it, especially with Eric Priepke (apologies if I spelled his name wrong) CC continued code work into the game. Honestly, I SUCK at pinball and I view myself as a below average player, so you know it's pretty bad if I can beat a pin like a did with the original CC without no extended code. I recall even Zach stated they (the developers of CCR) had a hard time believing Pinside listed CC as a top 5-10 pin on the Pinside Top 100 pins, especially with the low code input. I loved my CC Continued and hated selling it because I missed it afterwards, so I jumped at the chance to get the CGC version because of the understanding the updated code will put this version WAY over the top of what the original and CCC versions had on them. I know the CGC version had a little more elements added to it from the original at release, but it was still too short.
I don't mind spending the money and I spend a TON of money modding my pins because that's the way I roll. However, I'm still hoping the price isn't going to be too bad in order to get this newest code. My point is this....Can you imagine buying a Stern pin (or any other manufacturer) with the release code and having to drop more bucks on every update that comes along? Yikes! And you thought people complained when Stern released modes you could only play when you purchase their toppers!
Am I being impatient? I don't think so. As a customer I do have the right to ask about the update once in awhile, especially if you consider how long we've been waiting. I would rather read about updates and questions about gameplay of the game more than anything else on this or any other owner's forum.
So, please feel free to correct me on any of the rumors I listed above.