Quoted from Pinballomatic:This opinion of yours implies something I can't quite follow. YBR WOZ is the result of EVERYONE in a position of power getting tired of the question "you've been out of your runaway best selling game forever and I want one, please make more already" basically from what I could tell. And yes a small YBR run (very small) filled the void until Wonka was truly ready. This part, yes. POTC wasn't killed in the sense you imply at all. It was very odd that Jack announced it ahead of time the way he did but they did want the game to sell so I guess the strategy was to create the FOMO amonst those on the fence about buying? It sold out very quickly once the announcement sunk in, and all units were sold before they were completely off the line.
Next came Wonka.
So to fill woz backlog you create a super priced game.. with reduced features and new investment on a very very small batch? Just build more RR or standards at that point... no need to drive new interest if its just to fill pent up demand. Doesn’t pass the sniff test.
Meanwhile you have your latest and greatest game’s run aborted way early... and obviously done intentionally as they didnt have have parts either.
And given everyone’s attitude and demeanor at TPF... I’m sticking with POTC was killed. You wouldn’t have needed a schedule filler before wonka if they committed to POTC. Eric looked like his parents had grounded him. Jack sounded like the man struggling to hold the party line. He wanted to see demand for potc, but just couldn’t put any credence to the future. Best he could convey was desire and ability, but no commitment. He clearly looked like the guy there delivering the message... not the guy who made the call.
My read was POTC was seen as too risky, too expensive, not enough demand... so they killed it because they were gambling wonka would be the opposite. Strong demand, better margins, better payoff. Sure looked the power move had been made, the overlords had put their foot down and were betting on the lawlor project. Ybr was just the solution to the void caused by the potc decision.
No insider... but my take.