Quoted from Aurich:

It's just another pinball, like every other new pin that people work themselves up into a lather over. It hasn't even been revealed and everyone is already selling their collections to buy it? Take a cold shower, calm down.
I hope it's great, innovative, exciting, all that and a bag of chips. Some will love it, some won't care, many will think it's too expensive either way. Pinside's hype and bust boom is getting out of control though, people need to take it down a notch.

Quoted from PinJim:

I kinda get what you're saying but also somewhat disagree. I think the anticipation for Wonka is well beyond a "normal" machine. Deadpool? Iron Maiden? They may have appeal to a small subset of the pinball community. I think Wonka has a much broader appeal. I grew up watching the movie (although to be fair, I wasn't born until after it was produced). Even my wife, who's 10 years younger than me, likes the theme. I've been watching the movie with my 3 and 5 year old boys in preparation for the machine. Yeah, it's kinda a big deal.
I've literally been waiting years for this title, hoping that JJP would be the one to produce it. And I suspect that I'm not alone. The movie has that perfect mix of imagination, darkness and emotion. I've always thought it would lend itself very well to pinball. And here we are.
I may sell a machine just to get Wonka. I'll probably still wait until after it's released (well, which is in 55 hours, lol). But, I am way more excited to see this release than I am Toy Story, etc.....

Quoted from KingBW:

Maybe ... Maybe not. Pirates was unexpectedly limited. We'll see what is said in less than 2 days. Guessing that the 2nd game reveal of the year is planned for Expo in October, which would mean a line changeover in late September.

Quoted from FarFromHeaven26:

Normally I would agree with every word here. However, personally there is an investment in this title, one I have dreamed about for many years, discussing it with anyone willing to listen. Yes there probably will be some issues, but I'll rely on code updates and some assistance rather than depriving my my family and I the glowing opportunity to secure a machine (and LE will do it for me) right out of the starting gate. I love and will love other titles but only WW would have me straying from any rational delay.

Quoted from FrederikFrost:

I don't want to rain on anyones parade, but can someone tell me why Willy Wonka is such a good theme?? We know of Charlie and the Chocolate factory in Denmark, however it isn't something that anyone really would care about.
I feel the theme carries the same significance as WOZ, which in Denmark is about none. And I believe that the same rings true for most European countries.
Is it because I am out of touch with American interests, or could it be because the ones who decides these themes are from a generation before myself?

Quoted from Aurich:

Theme matters. This is indisputable. Whether or not you're tired of pinball being dominated by licenses is something else. Here's what bums me out: almost no one here has seen the game, just some little hints. JJP doesn't skimp on toys and features, whatever you think of their games or prices, so excitement is fine, really. Be hype, it's okay.
But ... the hype is fever pitch because it's a familiar theme, and people are all in without seeing it. You're basically an idiot if you run a pinball company and don't use a license now. Even Spooky is doing licenses. And it's because of this phenomenon. We basically beg for the familiar. "I can't wait to hear my favorite movie quotes!" I pine for the unfamiliar, the surprise, the new thing, not the old thing.
I just wish there was a better mix of original game ideas too. After Dialed In didn't catch fire with people maybe JJP is done with trying, I dunno. The 90s pinball we all say we love was a mix. Most of the beloved games from that era like AFM and MM were original, and there were licenses that were still 'free and open' like Scared Stiff and Monster Bash. Those mixed familiar with new, not just staying safe.

Actually I think it has to do with it being too original. It's not really a 'new' game, it's the third in a series, it's basically a license. But people had their own visions of what it should be. They wanted it to be about medieval knights for instance, and don't like the monsters, whatever. It took a little different turn, and is getting blowback for it. It's hard to judge it on its own merits because it comes with the baggage of two previous games, and what people already expected because of that. Nevermind that the BK2000 backglass has a sci fi landscape and demonic castle on it.

Thanks, and I'm glad you like it. For all the issues I think the package evokes the films well, and I don't think it's a bad thing. I don't automatically hate licenses. But that said, so many of the nightmares around making that game were related to the restrictions a license brings. For every little thing it helped there was something it hurt. There's no question my experience with that colors my views of how games are made these days.