I can share direct experience and professional opinion regarding this title since I work for an operator that owns one from the first run and remains on route in a very large barcade venue, Zombie version. I don't need to speculate with first hand observations. He paid a distributor price well under $6K. The games have sold well for the first two runs with a present backlog of construction, after that I have not tracked information.

Enthusiasts need to reconsider the market of who this game was targeted, and it was not PinSiders, or even pinball collectors new or old. It was an attempt to revitalize an area of interest which formally ended the last time in 1992. People forget there was THREE runs of SlugFest!, not two. The game sold well the first two times, and petered out the third due to market saturation. It seem to be working again with Gizmo Games, as many new players have NEVER SEEN a pitch and bat baseball game.

General reliability and durability of the game is average due to the amount of wear and tear that both the pitching motor assembly and bat receive. The pitching motor has already been replaced once due to burnout, as it received substantial play on location and earnings which have been very good. Power settings are adjustable for the bat which is quite important. Playfield durability has had no major issues. In regards to features it is MUCH LESS than Slugfest!, although it does have the curve ball feature, but no DMD graphics or home run mechanical ramp. Sound quality is very good with crowds and scoring. The only real bonus is the running man unit, which is not significantly different from games made in the 50s, 60s, or 70s, but is simpler to maintain with less working parts. Scoring displays are old school retro and not particularly robust, but they remind me of the old Milton Bradley handheld games from the 1980s.

If you are collector, IMHO, there are better options based on potential for long term support of the manufacturer as who really know if they will even be around in 2019?

The EM classics are much more robust in terms of overall construction.
Deluxe Official Baseball, 1962 World Series, Pinch Hitter, or 4 Bagger Deluxe (in at least in complete condition that have not been cannibalized). These are the "Big Four" of ALL EM baseball games. Most in superb condition (which is rare anyway) will cost an average owner between $2-5K. If you want "repaints" and "chrome" add at least another $1000, if that floats your boat. The primary perk of SlugFest! is the graphics and sound, everything else had already been integrated into previous games.

Gizmo Games title feels very disposable designed for the basis of operator use, as compared to WMS P&B games I own or have owned. However, this game on location, has already paid for itself in terms of cost, and continues to make profit with no signs of stopping. It remains very popular.

Good luck!

Yes, they have been supportive for customer service and parts.
This company is very small.
This is absolutely critical for pitch and bat games, because these types of games get equal amounts of abuse comparable to a pinball machine. Anyone that buys this game new should stock extra parts, if for no other reason that they might not be available for long.
This is the equivalent to buying a Bromley "Little Pro" golf game from the 1990s.

Added over 6 years ago: Contact Gizmo games directly regarding their outsourced production for games/parts based on their present manufacturer, Valley-Dynamo.
I am not a part of their company or business model.

I agree that communication is key.
Why not interested enthusiasts directly call Gizmo Games, and stop relying on impersonal contact methods and waiting for answers to be provided?
If a person wants answers, pick up the phone.
It actually does work.

(414) 379-1321

Alternatively, an individual can fill out their contact page:
https://www.gizmogamedesign.com/contact/

I am not criticizing, just sharing how operators obtained their examples of this game for use, beyond the limited distributors.
Anything someone really wants requires effort, just like was the process before collectors became a primary source of income for sales of new pinball games.

Most manufacturers don't live on PinSide, even the designers themselves.
I do not either.

In regards to reliability and customer service, the routed machine we have been using has recently and repeatedly exhibited running man problems that have not been able to be successfully corrected. I have been other priorities of work doing jukebox installations and arcade game LCD replacements, so I did not have a chance to diagnose the potential solution based on feedback of other technicians.

However, Valley Dynamo is sending a complete upper unit to attempt to resolve the matter. I am not stating this would be the norm for private use in the future, but they are trying to maintain good relations with operators, particularly since they produce other redemption and coin operated products. Remember this is a partnership between Gizmo and Valley Dynamo to produce this game. Where an individual buys the game would be the equivalency of where spare parts should be acquired, if there are problems. I would certainly wait until the game has increased its present construction volume, for spare parts availability alone.

Keep flipping, or batting if you decide to find a pitch and bat from the old days.

There were many assumptions here.

The game has been owned more than 90 days, which I never inferred anyway. There is no location split required at the location as it is same operator owned. It is a "mega" location not a barcade. In addition there is cover fee to even be able to play this and other games. It's benefit in paying for itself was not only the direct monetary reimbursement coinage, but it's added benefit to adding interest to the location, and profit gained from sales of events, drinks, food, other games, and the title itself. That is the "cost versus value".

The true benefit of any title is its ability to bring in customers for continued profit, but it has to be reasonably reliable. I see a DP TBL everyday in a warehouse that does not make a single quarter because of lack of parts, and customer service. It has not been relocated in months.

Keep flipping.

A little over 4 months. One of the few versions on the west coast. The batting assembly just sheared off at the base due to extended play, so I reiterate my overall opinion on durability and reliability on this game as I stated above. Let Valley Dynamo work out the kinks both on hardware and software before private owners consider it an option for purchase.