This is true. You really should compare LE to LE - and perhaps Stern Premium to JJP Standard?

Stern really needs to consider this - it is that far off the mark. Looks more like a concept draft than a polished final.

Cab art isn't all that important to some (can't be seen in a line up, while playing, etc). But here are the Hobbit and GoT cabs (right side only)

JJP_TH_-_Stern_GoT.jpg

Armor!? The whole game (especially the Pro version) looks worse than a curb stomped crack whore! But that's just me.

SS art is good. Here is a site to review (and zoom in) on some good pics of the PF.

http://www.pinball-machines-australia.com.au/scared-stiff-playfield-081114/

I honestly think it is just incompetence on the PF implementation. He didn't see all the mistakes that are obvious to a skilled designer like you, and it appears amateur and ugly to everyone else (like me). What I don't get is that someone at Stern didn't push back on the PF design. At least JJP had the ability to go back and redo the PF for the hobbit. The first try was far from what they have now, but even JJP's first cut wasn't this bad.

Aurich can't save this one (not directly anyway). He is out of the Stern art mod biz...

His input added value to the JJP PF redesign (and I thank him for it), but this one may be too far down the road.