Hi Jack. I'm sure we all appreciate the feedback. I think the rules are going to be amazing in the game.

When you mention Smaugs tail does that mean that there are more moldings for Smaug then what was shown?

Also, you mention 15 targets. There are currently 11 drops in the game. What are the other 4 targets? Is there going to be 4 additional drops somewhere?

Thanks!

I think what the game really needs is a modeled Windlance toy that is motorized in the middle of the apron that could allow shots to the drop targets in front of Smaug. Have the ball get there through the far left rail. I think something like that would help scratch that interactive toy itch.

Personally I think the biggest issue with TH right now is lack of variety in terms of interactive toys. Drop targets are fun but I think everyone here will agree we need more in a $7500+ game to shoot at. With WOZ you have one drop target with a shot behind it but also two mini playfields with various shots, a saucer shot, a spinner shot at the Crystal ball and more. With Smaug not being interactive with the ball we are left with the drop targets and the pop ups being the main things to hit. I think that would have been fine had Smaug interacted with the ball on say the level of the castle in MM. However that is not the case and if leaves the drops as the main interactive toy.

I understand that WB didn't want the Smaug toy to be hit directly but why not then make 3/5 drops in front of the toy a motorized target bank with a shot behind it Attack from Mars style? In a $7500-$9k game that seems doable.

The Windlance toy sounds cool on paper but in reality it is a pop up peg that allows a ball to be held at the kicker to be shot at the right bank of drop targets. With the peg not being able to adjust the direction of the ball I think the goal of the shot will always be to hit one of the drop targets that has a roving flashing insert. I think a motorized ACDC canon style toy but modeled like a Windlance mounted somewhere on or near the apron would be preferred especially considering that Smaug doesn't interact with the ball.

I still think that this game will have an epic ruleset. For now I'm going to wait and see what the final production game looks like before either canceling my preorder or sticking with it.

Like PinballRulez said I think we need to see what type of game shows up to IAAPA before making final judgment. That leaves JJP less then a month to change and add some things to the game. WOZ won a highly regarded award at the IAAPA event in 2012 but I doubt that would be the case if it was shown in the current state that The Hobbit is.

Prove us all wrong JJP and knock this one out of the park!

I know what you mean Pinister. I've had hopes for The Hobbit after owning a WOZ. While drop targets are fun I much rather have toys like mini / underground playfields, a motorized canon, or an interactive ship / castle instead. That leaves Smaug as the games central toy. The fact that Smaug doesn't interact with the ball is partially what led me to cancelling my preorder. $7500 is a hell of a lot of money to spend on a pinball machine and at that price a game needs to have a few substantial things that interact with the ball (not just bounce off of them either) to get my hard earned money. I do think that JJP is going to make some changes to the game that will help its appeal but I don't see how they will make Smaug more interactive. I hope I'm wrong. Maybe if the whole back area is modeled like the Lonely Mountain it will seem like one big interactive toy. Also, I think Keith is going to make the deepest ruleset yet for a pin with this game.

For now I'm going to watch the development of the game from the sidelines (maybe I'll pick one up one day) and patiently wait for Pats game. In the end The Hobbits playfield layout and it's shots don't appeal to me but I know they will for many. I'm still rooting for JJP with The Hobbit and hope that everyone who receives a game loves it.