Yes he is and I see he's still quite active on the Oktoberfest Owner's club so my guess, and it's just a guess, is that he's allowed to do contract work for other companies and maybe he's a contract employee for AP??? Hopefully he'll chime in and let us know, seems like a great guy and his work on Oktoberfest rules was really interesting.

Poll needs another option: I'm going to wait and see what they do with code, etc. before deciding. That's where I'm at.

Just a small point of clarification for anyone reading this in the future, the kit converts and standard MMr into an MMr-Royal. It can't be used on an OG MM.

A few tidbits I found interesting from watching the presentation:

They have replaced "all the reed switches" with a new inductive sensor. For those that know the game well, where are these reed switches and are they indeed problematic?

Interactive Topper has more inputs and outputs than a early solid state game - interesting comparison.

They still silk-screen all their playfields - this may not be "news" but I found it interesting to hear it confirmed.

They have five pinball related projects all in the works at this time.

They re-designed the drawbridge assembly in the last run of MMr to use a direct-drive motor and eliminate the gears - I'd love to see detailed pictures of that just out of curiousity as an MM owner.

Right now the plan is for only the CCrLE to have the Topper with integrated special game, may be subject to change.

Wow, that definitely looks it's been greatly simplified! Does the drawbridge still tend to gap open a little at the top or does it close up pretty tightly on the new one?

They didn't say anything about the tiers or the pricing in the presentation but maybe it doesn't make sense to continue to do two sets of code for the different display sizes so no more CE??

The fact they said "no more Royal Editions will be made" is probably why that just got listed for $17.5!

His stance may have changed over the years but when the idea of him allowing PPS to use his code for CCR Eric was publically vocal that it would happen over his dead body. I never followed that saga at all but reading the tea leaves I think there is / was some bad blood between he and Rick from PPS.

I can't speak for the powder coat on the RE because I've never seen one in person buy when I put my OG MM in a new cabinet with Radcals I used black with metal flake trim because it's what I thought would look best and I think it's stunning in person. I've never liked the mustard gold and purple is just too much IMO as there's enough of it in the game. If you really look at the cabinet artwork black goes along perfectly with it.

Someone should sticky this so we don't have to debunk the "Scientific Games / WMS has nothing to do with it anymore" posts ever few months.

They'll be SOOO pissed-off at CGC that they'll wait an extra sixty seconds before putting their name on four distributor's list for the next LE they do!! Seriously, with the way this market is I don't think CGC has any reason to be concerned that selling that topper to SE owners would have any material impact on sales going forward.