Oh good grief. The cat is out of the bag now. A Smaug edition of Hobbit? I'm glad I saved the picture locally first (and no, I won't share it to those now asking ... wait 10 hours, *smile) before they deleted the other thread. I guess Aurich really wasn't far off.

Is there going to be a live video feed tonight? If so, where to find the link?

I would say it's just like WOZ was with the 75th edition. They'll likely be given the chance to switch to this "other" edition (and likely for a discounted price at that .. or even free.) At least they're announcing it now before they start shipping.

Can I guess again? lol.

The new reveal of the "Smaug" gold edition will actually be the "limited edition". After today the price on this LE rises to 9k. The regular edition will be 8k and is the artwork we've already seen?

And Beez ... I suspect you'll be very happy (happier than I was getting my ECLEWOZ just prior to them announcing the 75th edition) .... just wait 10 hours.

I'm sure this will obviously all be cleared up tonight .. but even after their explanation tonight I think I'll still find this strategy very confusing. Your middle tier game ... at 8.5K ... is the "limited" edition. And the high-end version of your game (Gold/Smaug) is 9K and apparently unlimited? Seems odd to me but I'm sure both versions will look cool.

Correct, that's what I saw. BUT ... even if folks can switch to the Gold Smaug edition for FREE ... I still find it confusing. Why does the Smaug edition appear unlimited, and the middle tier game (at 8500) IS limited? And why would this not be a little upsetting to everyone that even yet another edition of the game will be out there ... and likely hurting the resale value of these games even further.

Although I think your red armor choice really popped much better! A "Fire Red Smaug" edition would have been cool.

The page noted an all gold Smaug figure in this new edition. We'll apparently see tonight ... but if Smaug is anywhere near as detailed as many of us are hoping ... I'm not sure why anyone would want an all Gold Smaug? Seems like that would just kill the detail in the figure.

I really didn't. If I was still on the JJP Google forum I would go find the post from Jack where he swore there would be no other special edition of Hobbit beyond the limited edition.

Considering the JJP site clearly listed 3 different prices ($8000, $8500, and $9000) and 3 different models for Hobbit .... here seem to be the only (likely) possibilities:
1) The $8500 version is the "limited edition" that current pre-orders represent. The $9000 version is this new "Gold Smaug Edition" and current pre-orders will have the option to upgrade either for a reduced fee or possibly even for free
Note: It still remains to be revealed whether this new "Gold Smaug Edition" will be a "limited" edition or just a "special" unlimited edition.
2) The $9000 "Gold Smaug Edition" is now the "limited" edition and is what all current pre-orders will be getting. The $8500 version with the artwork already shown becomes a "special" edition with powder coating over the "standard" edition which will just be brushed chrome.

Option 1 seems the most likely since, IF JJP is close to selling out the LE's, what would be the point of raising (or listing) the price to $9K now (as noted in option 2).

All I know is ... if I was expecting to have a "Limited" edition of a game, I would think that edition would be the deluxe, high-end, and more expensive version (and fewest made too.) It seems crazy to me that JJP would once again introduce another new model above the "limited" edition model. Can't wait for how this gets spun tonight.

I'm pretty sure he's only saying there's zero chance that they'll start taking deposits tonight. I'd be surprised if they didn't mention Pat's game at all. I don't think they'll take any deposits on Pat's game ... just payments when they're ready to ship! At least I hope so.

Stern gives you the LE options all at once. They don't announce one LE, wait nearly 2 years, and then announce another. I thought JJP would have learned their lesson after Ruby Red and the numerous customers they upset but apparently not. Additionally, I know for a fact that Jack once stated on the Google forum something to the effect that there would be no other special editions of Hobbit (he wouldn't do it again.) He fooled me once (shame on him) ... thank goodness I didn't let him fool me twice.

Okay ... so I'm wrong, JJP will not say anything about Pat's game. I'm not sure why that is something for you to be proud to say that I'm wrong about, but okay.

Can't you just about buy a used (but mint) STLE for the price of a NIB ST Premium? You just have your heart set on a NIB?

I think there is little chance Hobbit won't prove to be a great game (and certainly better than ST.)

Luci edition was not a limited edition game and was basically priced the same as the other Premium. That being said, I think Stern coming out with new editions (vault edition or otherwise) after the initial launch of the game is also incredibly idiotic. All they are doing is encouraging folks to not buy NIB and instead just sit back and wait a few years to see what all versions really do come out. It comes back to the whole resale factor/argument too. I certainly don't need my games to go up in value ... I just don't want to have to take a 30% (or so) hit right off the bat. It's ridiculous especially considering the significant price increases we've seen in the industry. Both Stern and JJP are shooting themselves in the foot (IMHO) but just can't get themselves to see past today.

I'm one of the ones who isn't just saying he's not buying NIB again ... I'm actually not. You don't think there are many folks who felt burned by Luci coming out or by JJP announcing the Ruby Red 75th edition? The impact may not be obvious or have fully occured yet, but it will. I obviously still need some folks to volunteer putting up their money for NIB so I can buy the game in a year or so for 30-35% discount. So please .. be excited .. Hobbit will be a great game .. and buy it! <- Not sarcasm.

If it is free to you (quite possibly) ... then they are certainly treating you a lot nicer than they treated the folks who waited even longer for their ECLE WOZ's (and supported them from day 1 despite never seeing any game from them.) There was no "free" option to switch to the 75th Edition and many of us didn't have the option period (since our ECLE was already delivered when the 75th Edition was announced.)

Yes, yes I did (except I paid $7500 nearly 2 years in advance.) I was sold on Jack's speeches and charisma. But then reality sunk in ... many delays, unrealistic ship dates (that many of us felt were flat out lies in hindsight), features not delivered on, game elements that were disappointing, and the biggest slap in the face ... the newer LE, with additional toys, the 75th Ruby Red Edition.

Not a good experience at all. Many chalked it up to ... hey, it's their first game, it was a one-time thing with Warner Bros. celebrating the 75th anniversary and their special catalog, blah blah blah. Oh yeah? Well let's see what JJP announces with Hobbit in an hour.

So it's safe to assume you are absolutely NOT a pre-order on Hobbit at this point since you've never been told what the features of the LE are, correct? I'm in the same boat. Except ... I also feel the need to wait another 2-3 years before I feel more comfortable that they won't announce any more new versions for me to consider (and likely by then, I'm happy to buy used.)

Oh oh ... HObbit making it's way into the hall!

Hob.jpg

Edit: <Scratch this>

I think it's a very good sign for JJP that they seem to be the most anticipated announcement of the day ...

lol ... there it is!! Whatever game you want! Jack just announced it!

P.S - No I'm not bothered, lol.

Oh, who gives a crap about price. Interest on $7500 over 2 years?? Evens out no problem.

I'm more bothered that he is pulling the SAME BS EVEN YET AGAIN (SURPRISE, ANOTHER LE), LIED ABOUT NOT HAVING ANY OTHER EDITION BEYOND THE LE, AND NOW WANTS TO TAKE CARE OF FOLKS IN ON #2 AND NOT WOZ. UGH.

But oh well ... it's about what I expected at this point.

Lol, oh give me a break boob. Jesus. Just disgraceful. Hobbit will be a super fun game. A great game even. But the way they're doing biz ... so sad IMO.

Great ... now they're laughing themselves at WOZ and joking that "Thank God the LED system is not like WOZ".

I concede I'm likely in a minority due to me supporting JJP early on enough to be frustrated by delays and other announcements ... AND not quite getting in at $6500 (but rather at $7500.)

That being said ... Jack stated on the Google forum he would not do this again. And he DID. He said there would not be another version of beyond the one LE, and now there is. Perhaps that is my issue alone that I find JJP to continue to be deceitful. Additionally ... I don't understand ... even if you can move "sideways" and upgrade to the gold Smaug edition for free .. how does it not bother you that there will be more than just the 1500 LE versions ... there will now be X number of Gold Smaug Limited editions as well (part of the announcement was that the Gold Smaug LE will be limited to the number of games that sell by Dec. 31). I would be ticked off either way at the increased number of LE's AND having to chose between one or the other. Just crazy ... but maybe that's just me as usual.

And yes, why was the option to "move sideways" to the 75th Ruby Red edition never given to ECLE WOZ pre-orders who waited even longer for their games and supported a new company before they every even showed they could build a game at all??

It's "cool" for folks who could spend money on the first TWO games! Or heck, even the second game alone. Not so cool for those who risked a lot on game #1 alone. Just more frustration.

You really don't have any hesitation about drinking their Kook-aid?

And seriously ... all the build-up to this like there were going to be several great surprises?!? How many Hobbit pre-orders were overwhelmed by the number of surpirses revealed tonight?

The most exciting announcement of the night went to Dutch Pinball and if you pre-order TBL by Sunday you get a free upgrade to all chrome trim (in addition to the rug.)

I think you're good on #3. I don't think the rules will disappoint at all. I would be more concerned about #1 and #2. There were really not very many movie clips in WOZ (maybe .. maybe a dozen, and most were short/edited). The music? Not the original songs and some of the classics were completely missing. Hopefully Hobbit is different.

If you're happy then that is all that matters!! I never even considered the "book" that folks seem disappointed with. I really assumed that was an LCD toy there. If you like Smaug then great! But .. I'm not even remotely impressed or thinking "wow". A head alone for Smaug? Mediocre detail? Where is the interaction? How is this pin beyond anything else we've seen prior? I just feel like .. it's not. But, I will admit I expect to get one some day (for much less) in the 6k-7k range (used.) But I'm not concerned if I don't find one.

Hmm. 3 thumbs down total for my last 3 posts. All from Jack himself though (and 4 of 5 thumbs down on my last 4 posts.) I respect disagreement .. but only when you have a counter point (which is rare lately on here.)

JJP has overcome many difficulties to get where they are today. Some respect is certainly deserved. I honestly think they've proven to be a real pinball manufacturer (against Stern's standards, lol), but I'm personally disappointed at the direction pinball is heading. Unsustainable pricing ... lack of innovation ... and lack of transparency. I've watched passionately online for the past 8 hours and it was a real eye opener.

Edit: Excuse me, I was thumbs downed 9 out of my last 9 posts by Jack. I don't think he agrees with my thinking, lol. Fair enough.

To be fair ... JJP will quite possibly still have plenty of excited buyers and go on to be very successful. It's possibly just me who became the bitter customer.

lol. He "may" have been a little over optimistic.