Hmm, combining movies -- worst decision ever. I would get ready for the end of JJP.
Theme based on Depp version -- worst decision ever. I would get ready for the end of JJP.

Not a marketer though, so maybe I'm wrong yet again.

Well he does have amazing sources. That whole Alien prediction with his incredible research he flaunted for about forty minutes in the deleted podcast of shame, turned out to be a dude on pinside. Even if iceman is right (and I hope he is) -- a dude on pinside is your big source?

For me it starts to become whether it is worth going from a 2 to a 1 pin collection, there's only so much money I can justify tying up in a pinball collection. I trust that JJP knows this, though, and is not just pulling out prices randomly and they're doing what's best for their business. At any rate, I'd rather there be an option to buy a Wonka pin at a high price than no Wonka pin at all. I hope they succeed even if it's out of my depth.

I do think for these prices, JJP really needs to start nailing themes. Original themes might still work, but it has to be a pretty compelling one. In my opinion Wonka and Toy Story 4 fit this bill (at least in the states -- it seems Australia has no love for WW, for example).

Maybe, but there probably wouldn't be a selfie and emoji mode in that game either I don't mind the theme per se, I think a hi-tech cell phone/disaster game is fine. I just don't love the implementation. The humor just doesn't quite work for me, etc. . And please, a cell phone is a big part of the game:

All the modes are started by hitting a giant cell phone. The modes are described to you on a cell phone -- you literally have to answer a phone and talk with someone. One of the main toy's purpose (the moving guy) is to reenergize a cell phone (need to complete the game). There's a selfie mode and an emoji mode. To get to a wizard mode you have to hit a super tough shot multiple times . . . a SIM card. And the name of the pin references dialing a cell phone. This is not the gumball machine or bookcase in TZ and AF.

This doesn't bother me and the game shoots great and I can even see the humor growing on me if I gave it more of a chance but to deny that it's a game with a huge focus on a smart phone of some kind is kind of weird to me.

Okay, you guys win I'm going to go play some DI in a few minutes on location. I actually do enjoy playing it quite a bit.

I don't need this to be a miracle machine -- if it matches the quality level of the shots and layout of Dialed In with the theme integration/presentation of The Hobbit, I'm in. (eventually, once I sell enough blood).

So your point is that because the hype is out of control that this must mean it's actually not a popular theme for pinball? Or that because the theme doesn't excite you that everyone here is wrong and will eventually figure this out? Just trying to follow.

I admit I watched the film the other day and the special effects seemed dated and I cringed at times. On the other hand my 16 year old son plopped down on the couch without being asked and watched it and loved Gene Wilder as Wonka and was listening to Oompa loompa songs today on his phone. So it's not completely dated.

(despite the snarkiness of the post below I do enjoy your posts Aurich and this is all just fun pinball talk).

LOL. What a condescending post to put in a Wonka thread. I'm glad you're happy for the little people who are excited by film clips, quotes, and toys. Yes, for some (most?) theme adds a lot to a game. It's why we don't play on whiteboards. I"m not sure the benefit of debating the merits of that in this thread are --other than to insult people for liking themes.

I'm also not sure how this relates to bitching about BK either. People were super pumped about that game after the artwork reveal so I don't think you're alone in the wilderness with your purist original theme pinball beliefs. Hell, I'm still pumped about BKSOR, ironically, largely because of the theme (fighting a black knight and monsters is a great pinball theme). Honestly, it sounds like we are both a little bummed by the quick turn on BK by a lot of people here. I just don't think it has anything to do with it being an original theme (or Wonka).

Anyway, I'll end this post by saying I loved your work in Alien. I thought you did a great job with what you had to work with -- I might be biased though as I really liked the theme.

Game looks like a super fun shooter and I bet looks fantastic in person but . . . you need the oompa loompa songs in there for it to be Wonka for me. The pop bumber noises just tease it even more. Overall, the music and call outs were just okay. This can be really hard to judge on streams and maybe it's great in person, but I thought for sure they'd nail this aspect of the theme and right now I'd give them a B-. I'd blame this on the new sound guy but to be honest I thought it was a weakness of Dialed In as well -- a lot of the music, call outs were more annoying than fun.

Finally, the SE side art is embarrassing if what I've seen is accurate. It's actually kind of insulting especially when compared to the way Stern does their art between models. I don't feel like I'm being cheap spending $7500 on a pinball machine -- if they're going to make it look like crap on purpose there is ZERO percent chance I will buy it. It really soured me on the whole pin and I'm out for now. I admit this will seem silly to some to get so pissy over side art/back glass art and maybe it is, but I can't shake the feeling and I guess why fight it if it's going to save me $7500.

Thanks for the report! It's always so different to play a pin versus watching it on a stream. What's frustrating is that it's also different to play a pin at home than on location sometimes too, can make the decisions very difficult.

It looks like this is at the very least going to be a very fun shooting pin with an appealing theme for a lots of people. That's a pretty good base to build a pin on. Now if they can nail the code and bring in enough clips and iconic sounds to up the theme integration I think they'll have a winner here. Sure, it's not looking like it's going to be a journey through the movie that some people are hoping for, but there are other ways to make a great pin.