Quoted from xTheBlackKnightx:

It regards to pinball history, there are very few equalities with the current DP situation in comparison with IPB and BBB. This also includes proposed prototypes and development of Kingpin, Wizard Blocks, or the "third" Playboy (which was another wistful idea dream, long before Stern built theirs in 2002).
I have seen this referenced several times recently.
The circumstances of manufacture, contracts (parts, labor, materials, construction), support, redesign, corrections, and prebuy are all vastly different with BBB.
The only thing that is even remotely comparative was TIME until completion, which has still not happened in the case of TBL.
Gene did not lie to the pinball community at the time who supported his dream, many of which were tied up in more than just deposits, but also time, effort, and experience, much of which was unpaid support.
DP's TBL was not a "community supported game of pinball experts", it was a crowdsourced project of new enthusiasts basically saying "give me my game ASAP."
Gene bowed out of taking preorders for another game, before he finished BBB.
Gene never changed his baseline pricing for those involved.
Gene was very clear about what was expected up front once pricing was determined, you were either in or your were out, no going back.
There was no distributor middle men bull#@!$ or "reindeer games".
That is enough for me to clearly indicate some basic differences.
I don't deny there were many naysayers from 2004-2007, but it was a different time on what was believed could and could not happen regarding pinball development and construction.
It is disrespectful and highly inappropriate for those that were a part of the "adventure" to use this as any form of comparison, as the sacrifices went well beyond Mr. Cunningham, if the history is fully understood.
These aspects do not apply here, in any form, whatever may be in DP's financial future, which I will not speculate, provide information, fan the flames, or "incur the wrath" of pre order buyers.
There is no doubt, however, interested enthusiasts can look to the past for guidance regarding buying games.