I wonder if Stern will ever have the incentive to change back. I don't think the labor market is ever going back and it seems like Stern does better selling fewer machines for a lot more money. Less headaches, more profit. Distributors benefit from having to sell less machines too -- pinball is not a super easy transactions and lots can go wrong. Resale value stays high, so those with tons of money can still justify the price as they sell among-st themselves. We can't really whine as a community -- as the community led the way with the used pricing of pins like JPOTC. Well, there will be whining but it will be hypocritical.

My prediction is that less people will be owning pinball machines in the next five years but there will be more profit than ever (my standard 38% guarantee behind this prediction). Stern and others will keep working the FOMO angle like hyper expensive "Anniversary editions." People like me might still buy another pin someday, but will shrink their "collection" to do so (my mighty two pin collection). Maybe some day I'll sell both of my pins to get one new Stern, but then I'm down to one forever and the temptation to just cash out will be high.

Anyway, for distributors it's their livelihood. For me it's just kind of a ridiculous hobby. I don't expect them to do anything less then to maximize the money they earn.

My solution to this has been to enjoy the two pins I have and resist the craving of new relationship energy that makes us sure that the next pin out there is something we need. Ultimately, the mechanics of pinball is pretty darned similar from one game to the next. It's a ball, with flippers, ramps, etc. . Having a little television screen showing one of your favorite shows while your trying to keep the ball alive doesn't really change the experience that much.

Yes, I still kind of want a Godzilla. Preferably a premium.