The Ernie Hudson callouts for GB is a big plus for the game. While Ernie Hudson is a great actor I'm sure Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman and Ian McKellen likely cost much more to hire for voice work as they have more starring roles in recent films. I recall Jack saying that Martin Freeman wanted $100k for custom callouts! That seems crazy.

Gandalf does seem like the ideal / logical character to lead you in the game so I can see why JJP wanted callouts that sound like Ian McKellen's character. I think the voice actor they hired does a close Gandalf impression but it's too bad if the license holder is really saying his callouts sound too close to Ian McKellen...

It sounds like the licensing with The Hobbit has been a bit of a pain. I remember Jack saying that Peter Jackson himself turned down some of JP's animations and something about Smaug not being able to get hit by a pinball.

Jody Dankberg from Stern recently told PinballNews.com some interesting points about the challenges with licensing.

Jody also said using licensed themes brings its own challenges. “Having made hundreds of games we typically know what to expect but each new license presents its own ups and downs. Each licensor is unique in the way they handle creative projects and approvals.”

Update: forgot this was owners club thread, sorry! I may still get a Hobbit one day. Game looks great.

Even as a JJP fan I agree with that. Its bad enough Stern puts a tiny metal plaque on LE's that you can barely see but a sticker is worse.

Every JJP LE and SE should come with a wood apron with a cool plaque mounted on it like on WOZ ECLE. JJP should have made that a staple for all of their LE and SE games.

It's because these NIB games are now $8k+ and attention to detail / quality assurance is expected when dropping that type of dough on a pinball machine of all things.

I recall the late Steve Jobs making a comment on how he wanted to focus on the back of the iPhone just as much as the front of it. He was on to something in terms of caring about the look and feel of an entire product. Even though it's the back of the game WOZ and those Hobbits with screen printed backs + the Jersey Jack signature stand out more and exemplify a high quality product.

Does anyone recall Jack saying that there are going to eventually be custom (voice actor) Smaug and or Gollum callouts in the game as well? I thought he said something like that last year.

Just curious, does The Hobbit have a true mirrored backglass?

Congrats on the new game Pimp77! Looks great. Do you know if JJP has implemented any potential hardware fixes with the latest games now being shipped?

I'm back in on The Hobbit (probably the 5th time, lol) as of today. Deposit sent for an LE. Will post pics / impressions when it arrives in a couple weeks.

I just changed my mind again and I'm out, Hobbit sucks!

Just joking, haha. Yes, this time I'm staying. I've been very impressed to see how the games code is rapidly developing and how much the fun factor keeps going up with each release.

Yup, and I think more and more people will love the game with each code update. I had friends that disliked playing WOZ early on and one even said "why would you buy that game". Well a dozen code updates later, those friends now like the game and one of them that is an avid pinball fan always wants to play it when he comes over.

We are just starting to see Keith take advantage of The Hobbits feature with code updates. There are now more interesting uses of the lockdown bar button, the pops up trolls are being integrated better with the games rules (Beast Frenzy is awesome), the windlance kickback is being used in modes, etc.

I don't think we've seen anything yet in terms of just how fun The Hobbit will play.

Hey RobT! Welcome back. I take it you have a Hobbit on order since you are posting in this thread? lol

Nice! Did you go with an LE or a Smaug edition?

Awesome. Great write up!

I know what you mean about the game playing different and being unique in terms of gameplay compared to others. That's a welcoming change from some of the more common layouts.

Nice! Your point #2, mode variety, is one of the main reasons I went for TH over another game. Keith just comes up with so many unique rules that you won't find in other games. Keith reworked some of the modes in 1.10 so I'm sure others will get polished up as well.

I thought the 31 modes included the wizard modes but based on the screenshot below from Tiesmasc's rulessheet they are separate! Keith mentioned in a Pinside post a while back that the game will have 3 mini wizard modes, 3 major wizard modes and one super wizard mode. Insane and I love it haha. Keith's deep rulesets are another reason I went with The Hobbit.

hobbit_modes_(resized).JPG

Nice! That door / high score animation is really slick. Theres a lot of attention to detail in the games animations.

Those look pretty slick!

I don't think the outlane target is programmed the game yet. I'm going to guess that it will be used for an outlane mini game similar to TOTO and Theres No Place Like Home in WOZ.

Oh, I didn't realize thats what activated the ring switch, I thought just the far right outlane switch does that and that the target is for something else.

Does anyone know if custom images can be loaded into The Hobbit as of 1.10? My uncle and I saw all 3 Hobbit films together in theaters and before seeing Battle of the Five Armies we took a picture together outside of the theater. My uncle unexpectedly passed away late last year and I would love to have the picture of him and I up on the game.

Have you tried increasing the power to the ball trough VUK in settings? I had to up the VUK ball trough coil power a few times in order for balls to consistently eject.

Here's a tip thanks to TNT Amusements on how to prevent ball hang ups on the far left habit rail while still retaining a factory look.

TNT Amusements used what I believe is the post with threaded top in the link below to prevent ball hang ups on the far left habit rail.

http://www.pinballlife.com/index.php?p=product&id=323

hobbit_post_(resized).JPG

Well, Keith did say that the game will have 3 mini wizard modes, 3 major wizard modes and 1 super wizard mode. I'm not sure if Smaug multiball is classified as a wizard mode or not. Typically a wizard mode is reached when another set of objectives / modes is completed or at least attempted.

I'm going to guess that Smaug muliball is not a wizard mode and is a traditional multiball mode like Emerald City multiball in WOZ, which is not considered a wizard mode either. Like Emerald City multiball I think Smaug multiball is intended to be the main mulitball in the game that can be started by most players.

In LOTR "Destory the Ring" and in WOZ "Battle the Wicked Witch" can be attempted after a set number of objectives is attempted. I'm sure something along those lines is coming for TH.

Personally I don't think we've seen anything yet in terms of just how deep this game will be.

Are all Hobbits being shipped with 4GB of ram or only some?

Ah ok, good to know. Glad to hear you were able to resolve the issue quickly.

Just received word from my distributor that my Hobbit LE has shipped! Can't wait to play it.

Not sure yet. It shipped out from the east coast. Going away this weekend for memorial day weekend and won't be home until Monday. Did your shipper give you some flexibility over what day delivery would be?

Congrats on the new game! For the reset issue I would first upgrade to 1.10. Next, I think LTG in the thread above mentioned something about swapping RAM into the opposite slot. Not sure if that would correct the reset issue. It certainty does sound software related and I'm sure will be fixed in the next software release.

I haven't seen airballs off the rollovers on the couple on location Hobbits I've played. I would try to adjust the rollover switches to lower them slightly as they could be slightly higher then they should be. Also, if the flipper power has been cranked up you can always try lowering it down one level at a time and seeing if the airballs stop.

You're welcome. Since they are tough to reach it will be easier to see if just dialing the flipper power back one level at a time helps. If the game then feels like its play slow though I would think it's the rollovers being slightly higher then they need to be.

My Hobbit LE has been delivered! The shipping box was scuffed up in a few spots but no holes in the box so that's good. Charging Escalera now to move it into my basement tonight with the help from a friend, haha. Downloading 1.10 now.

Also, I contacted Jen regarding ordering the pop up troll fix. Jen said that the current versions are prototypes, the production version for customers are in process.

Oh, I just noticed while browsing the files with the 1.10 update that there are subfolders with images / video for the games 3 Arkenstone modes. They must be coming soon in a future update!

hobbit_(resized).JPG

Haha, yup. While I can't move the game yet I had to at least check out the legs! I'll tell ya, The Hobbit easily has one of the highest quality powder coated armor sets I've ever seen on a pinball machine, just wow.

20160526_162151_(resized).jpg

Congrats! Wow, what a view. That is awesome.

A few items I need to adjust out of the box.

1. Plunger spring is too weak to reach the "dwarf" drop targets. Going to replace.

2. Rollovers seem too be up to high and may be causing some of the airballs. Will lower.

3. Setting the game to a 7 degree pitch resulted in the ball falling off of the far left habit rail often. I set it back to the recommended 6.5 degree setting.

Items that need to be corrected through code.

1. Shaker motor is making a bit of a squeaking sound. Others have reported this since updating to version 1.10.

Stuck balls at far left habit rail and pop ups?

I haven't seen a ball get stuck at the far left habit rail. I did have one ball get stuck in a pop up as it was coming down but a few seconds later it came out.

Update tips

1. I originally downloaded the 1.10 update file, unzipped it to my hard drive and copied it over to the my thumb drive. When attempting to update the game I got a "no update folder found" error. Turns out if you unzip the file directly to your USB thumb drive (root, nothing else on it) it will have a different folder name "hobbit_update" versus "TheHobbit_Delta_v1.10" if you unzip it to a local drive (I'm running Windows 10 btw). I'm not sure why the folder name changes based on if it's extracted to a USB thumb drive or to a local HD drive but in order for me to get the update to work I had to unzip the file from my local hard drive to the USB thumb drive.

Does anyone know if a leaf adjustment tool is required to lower the rollover targets?

Thanks!

Thanks for the tip! Will do.

I ended up ordering a "purple" rated plunger spring for the game. I think that will help with a full plunge not being able to hit the dwarf targets on my game. Also ordered some green Perfect Play flipper bands that I think will look pretty slick.

Thanks Kpg for all the tips! I'll be trying some of those out and will give a 7 degree pitch another shot.

Nice, I've had that happen a few times on my game as well. Did you bend the end of the far left habit rail while it was still in the game or remove it?

That is the same combo I use with all of my clear coated games, works great. Novus 1, then caranuba wax.

Thanks for the tips and suggestions! Yeah, I think my game has a bad plunger spring. I ordered a "purple" rated one off of Pinball Life for a $1 along with some Perfect Play flipper bands. I definitely need to adjust the rollovers down or maybe just need to give them more time to settle as they noticeable alter the balls movement when going over them. Good tip on raising the flipper bands, I'm hoping the Perfect Play silicone bands on ordered reduce the airballs.

The only other thing I really need to figure out at the moment is how to the ball from popping out of the far left wireform. I wonder if JJP could prevent the pop outs if they let the magnet divertor hold onto the ball longer when it shifts habit rails? I tried bending the end up a bit more but it may not be enough. One tip I read on the JJP Google group to prevent pop outs is to put a spacer under the screw of the far left habit rail to raise its height as that ends of slowing the ball down a bit.

It sounds software related since it didn't occur before 1.10. I bet we see a fix with the next software release.

I know a couple owners have said that they think the reset issue has been related to inconsistent voltage to the game / its devices. I got my game last week, running 1.10 and have not had a reset. My game is plugged into an APC surge protector which is then plugged into an APC voltage regulator (as are all my games).

Yes, I would think JJP would warranty the glass as its their fault the tab is not down lower.

So I've manged to eliminate 90% of pop outs from the far left habit rail. Someone else posted this either here or on the JJP Google group.

Bending the end of the far left habit rail up (the circular ball exit area) helps to elimate pop outs. I covered the metal on the rail (to prevent scratches) and then used a pair of needle nose pliers to bend the end of the rail slighlty upwards. I may try bending it a little more.

I did remove the screw on the end of the rail before I attempted to bend the bracket. On my game I also bent it up and slightly to the right as the rail seemed to lean left a little bit.

Thats good news that they are on it, thanks for finding out. Keith and the guys have been averaging one good sized update a month (just like WOZ initially) so we may see another software update in the middle of June. 1.10 was released on 5/12, 1.01 on 4/6.

Installed green "Perfect Play" flipper bands and rubber posts on my game. Maybe its just me but the game seems to play even better (possibly quicker too) with the new bands. I noticed that the stock flipper bands are slightly shorter then traditional bands, not sure why JJP went with those. Also, having a Perfect Play post rubber on the post between the flippers versus the stock one seems to provide more bounce.

I also adjusted the shooter housing and the ball can now make a plunge to the lower 3 top drop targets (couldn't hit any before). As others have said a stronger plunger spring wasn't needed and a purple rated spring provided too much tension.

Some pics of my game with the new bands / post rubbers.

20160601_073137_(resized).jpg20160601_071313_(resized).jpg

Has anyone else noticed that the magnet at the drop off for Smaug ball locks doesnt always activate? At times instead of a ball stopping at the magnet and then slowly dropping into the subway it will just go straight through.

I'm concerned that over time that this could cause wear on the playfield around the area where the ball drops into. Maybe one of the balls is magnetized?

Just wondering if the behavior above is normal? After waxing the playfield and putting Perfect Play bands on my game I ended up dropping flipper power down to 18 for the left, right and upper right flippers. Game still plays quick but there are less air balls.

Thanks for the feedback guys, good to know its normal behavior. During the times that the ball is not held I just hope nothing gets damaged over time. I did see a half circle metal guard around the Smaug drop off hole so I assume the ball hits that and then goes into the hole.

Also, we may be due for another code update in the next week or two. Keith released the last two about a month apart (1.10 was out May 12th, 1.01 April 8th) so maybe the next release will come in the next week or the following.

Nice, I think I've noticed some minor audio clipping as well at times. Can you please share your games audio settings?

Thanks!

Thank you! I'll try those out.

I have my game setup at 6.8 degrees with Perfect Play flipper bands and it plays pretty darn quick. I had some friends over on Friday to play the game and watch Battle of the 5 Armies. My buddies had a blast and really enjoyed the game. I asked one of my friends who was over what he thought of the game and he said "Can I take it home" haha. Most of the negative reviews here are few and far between and are just from the same people over and over again as well as the regular anti JJP guys.

Also, if people play the game that only prefer more fast paced + points based rulesets (MET, ACDC, etc) versus quest / objective based rulesets (LOTR, WOZ, TSPP) then I can see them not liking the game. The Hobbit is a game like LOTR and WOZ where you are progressing through the games 31 main modes in attempt to get to the games multiple mini and major wizard wizards (and ultimately a super wizard mode). I prefer objective based ruletsets and I think The Hobbit will have one of the best ever created due to all of the work going into it's code. Even with code 1.2 we haven't seen anything yet. The Hobbit, like WOZ, is one of the most engaging pins I've ever played.

I did have another buddy (wasn't over at my place the other night) that told me he walked away from playing a Hobbit, thought it was slow and boring. For one it doesn't help he played it while the game was still on code .8x and two he tends to prefer super fast points focused ruletsets like the one found on MET. He thought I was crazy for selling my MET recently to help fund a Hobbit whereas for me it was a no brainer as it offers my preferred ruletset.

Finally (lol) I think completed code will change some peoples opinion that don't like the game today or played it on earlier code. Another friend of mine told me why I would buy a WOZ, he played one and thought it was boring. Well, he told me that 3 years ago when WOZ was still running fairly early code. Now when he comes over to my place to play pinball he can't stop playing WOZ, and already enjoys The Hobbit, haha.

Good tips. I did 1 and 2 and its worked like a charm. I removed the lower screw from the far left habit rail and bent it upwards. I then put two plastic washers that are used between leg bolts and powder coated legs. No more issues.

Played my first game on 1.21 this morning. Just wow! This game keeps getting better and better. I got "Into the Fire" and its such a cool mode. Hats off to Keith and the crew for another great update, thank you!

I wonder how unlocking the other two movie multiballs, "Barrel Escape" and "Battle of the Five Armies", will work? Will players have to start Smaug multiball again, super spinner, Beast Frenzy, etc? I'm hoping that some of the requirements are changed up for those two.

I'll guess you get to play the next one even without completing it. It would be nice to have an option to select which of the 3 movie multiballs you want to play / replay as they are unlocked.

For the games final wizard mode I'm sure everything will need to be completed.

For a delta update, like 1.21, I would try to extract / unzip the update file directly to the root of your formatted thumb drive. I had issues with not being able to update if I unzipped / extracted the file to my PC and then copied it to my thumb drive.

I noticed that the stock center post rubber doesn't provide much bounce. I recommend trying Perfect Play post rubbers as they provide much more bounce.

Pinballlife.com sells them. I got Perfect Plays flipper bands and post rubbers from them. My LE seems to play a bit quicker now.

I'm thinking we may be seeing another code update soon. Keith has released the past 3 updates about a month apart and its now been just over 4 weeks since 1.21 was released. JJP is doing a live stream of the game this Saturday with Buffalo Pinball so I wouldn't be surprised if we see the game running on newer code.

Awesome! Can't wait. JJP has been doing an incredible job with code support for this game and that alone is a big reason why I went forward with purchasing the game.

Absolutely. I'm thinking that the next update after this one will come with the last of the movie multiballs, Battle of the Five Armies, and then the one after that the final final wizard mode for completing all 31 main scene modes.

I still hope that there is some type of award / incentive added for completing the 31 scene modes. To play an Arkenstone mode you have to beat only one mode so 3 total for all of them. That leaves 28 other modes that only need to be completed then for the games final wizard mode? I hope that isn't the case.

Personally I would like to see some type of award system added for completing modes (thinking "Gift of the Elves") as well as maybe a multiball / mini wizard mode unlocked when a set number of them are completed. For example if you complete 6 modes you unlock something, 12, 24, etc.

Update on the fix kit. Frank from JJP called me back and said that an announcement about the kit should be made in the next few days. The kit comes with the beast mech fix, springs for drops, and a post for the far left habit rail. The kit will be available to request from the JJP support site.

Seems like 1.3x is taking a little bit longer then expected to come out. I wouldn't be surprised if some additional tweaks / fixes are in the public release code compared to the beta code that is out there.

Congrats! TH and WOZ look great together, two incredible pins side by side.

To prevent the ramp flaps from curling up could you wax the area of the playfield just in front of the ramp and apply mylar with half of the strip being on the ramp flap to hold it down?

The JJP open house is on Saturday, September 17th. I bet we will see a new update closer to that date or shortly thereafter.

Awesome, looking forward to seeing what is in the next update!

Has anyone had to remove one of the beast mechs on their game before? One of the beast molds on the mech itself came lose and I need to tighten down the screws again holding it on. From what I can tell the entire mech will need to come off...

Thank you! I'll try that.

Anyone think we will see new Hobbit code at Expo?

Its been about 2 months since the last Hobbit update. I think Keith is either going to release a larger update for Expo or has been shifted to getting Pats game ready for Expo.

Final Hobbit code released tonight?! Jack just said it at Expo

Well, here's one thing that is surprising. There's a new Hobbit SE called the "Black Arrow" SE. Yeah it has different cabinet artwork and armor (kinda like WOZ 75th) but the big change may be with hardware. Pat Lawlor showed a Hobbit cabinet that is using the new JJP platform. The new platform houses all hardware in the backbox, the display swings out and there's upgraded speakers. I'm thinking the new Hobbit "Black Arrow" SE will have all of the new hardware in it...

Ah ok, yup. I see that now too.

Seems like the regular site went down last night and that it is now doing a redirect. Hopefully its back up soon along with the latest Hobbit code update.

JJP website is still showing 1.31 as the latest update on their site. Hopefully the new code gets posted soon.

According to Jack the latest Hobbit code should be released tonight. If this is the final code (well, bug fixes + additions later on as Jack said last night) I guess that means Battle of the Five Armies and the games main wizard mode will be in this release.

Great job! Thank you very much for putting that together. I still need to order the Cliffy set and will do so soon.

Played a few games on 1.9 and wow does this game just keep getting better and better. The bonus system really helps with giving players a rewarding feeling for completing modes. I may have noticed a few more callouts too. I didn't get close to playing Battle of the Five Armies but I did reach Into the Fire again (such a cool mode).

I hope we get more callouts added to the game, I heard from others that David Thiel said 120 Smaug callouts are supposed to be in the game. With Smaug being the main toy in the game he only really talks during Smaug multiball and at the end of the game. It would be great to hear Smaug in some of the book modes (there's a few that relate directly to him). Also, a Riddle or Burgler multiball would be great with lines from Bilbo and Smaug when they first meet (some of the best scenes in the trilogy).

Congrats on the new pin addition, glad to hear you are liking the game!

Keith sure knows how to work a playfield in interesting and unique ways. There's some good pinball programmers out there but I think Keith pulls off story based rulesets that make you feel like you are on a quest the best.

I would still expect another update (or a few) that will complete / polish Battle of the Five Armies and add a final super wizard mode.

Heads up, looks like another code update is coming soon, possibly next week. Code update is mainly for adding Pindemption to TH but it's also supposed to contain bug fixes and some other minor things.

Here's my wish list for things I would like to see added to the game with future updates

1. Super wizard mode for completing everything (rumored to be coming, Keith also mentioned it long ago)
2. More Smaug callouts and use of the Smaug toy in book modes, also fire lighting affect on playfield when he breathes fire
3. Award for completing the sets of man, elf, and dwarf book modes. Example, completing all man book modes awards say a multiplier, multiball, points, etc.
4. Some type of status screen that shows total game progress similar to the ones in WOZ.

I agree, I would like to see Beast Multiball and Feast Mulitball fleshed out a bit more and then only be playable by themselves. Smaug MB could then be played as its own mode.

Wow, awesome score! Just curious, is your game set to 3 ball and did you add extra balls to be granted with certain actions. Asking as I haven't beat Smaug MB and have only gotten to 1 of the wizard modes. I could just suck too, lol.

I did hear that a super wizard mode for beating everything is still coming. However, I think The Hobbit greatly needs some type of mode rewarded for beating the sets of man, dwarf and elf book modes.

Finished with the next update? I kept hearing rumors about two more updates. Its been a couple months since the last update so hopefully soon.

Hoping for...

1. Wizard mode for beating everything
2. Mode / reward for beating the sets of the man, elf and dwarf book modes
3. More Smaug callouts
4. Ability to turn off Beast, Feast and Smaug multiball stacking

Seems like a super wizard mode will be added for completing everything at some point. It's been a couple months since the last official code update but before that code updates were being released on a near monthly basis.

I'm hoping another update is released soon. I think the game would benefit greatly with rewards (multiball, other mode, points) for beating the sets of man, elf, and dwarf modes.

I'm also hoping that Beast and Feast multiball have more rules added to them and that stacking can be turned off while they are activated.

There is a lot to do in the game today (30 book modes, 3 multi balls, any book mode can be a multiball, 3 multiball wizard modes) but a couple more updates would really help the game.

Agree, qualifying for the next Arkenstone mode should be somewhat different. Heck, having to beat say 6 modes to get Barrel Escape and 12 for Battle of the Five Armies would mix things up nicely versus having to start Smaug MB, Beast MB, and Feast MB a 2nd and then 3rd time.

Hobbit code is great but it definitely needs a few more updates to help tie everything together and expand on some things a bit.

Anyone hear anything about when the next code update will be officially released? The last official release was over 3 months ago and the last news from Keith about a code update on Thanksgiving.

Hope we get another update soon. I wonder if JJP is just waiting until an upcoming show to release code?

I hope the long wait, by JJP standards (lol), means that a larger update is coming for The Hobbit. The game is good but definitely needs a few more substantial code updates.

Yup, hitting the sets of drop targets light either man, elf or dwarf modes.

There will be more. Keith posted on the JJP Google Group recently that another update is coming. I've also heard rumors that a super wizard mode for completing everything will eventually be in the game (I hope!). The Hobbit could certainly use a few more big updates.

It's not things breaking. Here are the fixes that JJP has released for early games. Other then that everything is the same between early games and the ones being made today.

1. Beast mech fix: 3D printed inserts in front of beast mech to prevent balls getting stuck.

2. Drop target fix: More durable springs from the games 11 drop targets.

3. Left rail fix: Post that stops ball from falling off left rail

4. Ramp flap fix: blue steel ramps flaps that do not curl

All of the fixes above are offered free by JJP. The beast mech fix is a bit of a pain to install but doable. The ramp flap fix is more difficult but JJP will do it for you if you ship them your ramp.

I've had my Hobbit LE for about 8 months and it's a very solidly built game.

You can check if a Hobbit has the latest ramp flaps if they have a blue tone to them and the beast mech fix just activating one in test / playing and ensuring the plastic inserts are there. Seems like all games that have the beast mech inserts have the upgraded drop target springs. However, some Hobbits did ship with the upgraded drop target springs and beast mech inserts but not with the upgraded ramp flaps.

Heads up fellow Hobbit owners. There's now a thread on the JJP Google Group named "Your Hobbit code wishlist". Please share your thoughts and ideas for future code updates. Here's hoping that there's a few more big updates still in the works for The Hobbit.

Oh no, nothing near that yet, lol. Keith did recently post some info about the next code update on the JJP Google Group.

When Jack said at Expo that the final Hobbit code would be released soon I had a bad feeling. There has been updates, some of which are betas, since Expo but there hasn't a been another huge substantial update. I hope a few more big code updates are in the works. JJP's code support has been stellar so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt that more updates will be coming for TH.

The point of the post is for owners to share ideas in hope that someone at JJP may take notice and implement some of them or expand on the game more.

Does anyone else notice small airballs coming off of the beast mechs and the standup targets behind the drops? I wonder if a steeper angle such as 7-7.5 degrees would reduce airballs off of those areas? I do have Perfect Play bands on my game so I'm not sure if that is increasing airballs as well. The Hobbit itself shipped with flipper bands that are not as wide compared to traditional flipper bands.

Thanks. Green connector end correct? I know that is typically the color cable that plugs into line in.

It's been over 6 months since the last official code update. There have been a couple beta updates between then and now but still not another official code update. It's disappointing. The game is fun but I thought it would be much further along by now. I'm sure more is coming but the wait sucks. There's no doubt that JJP has all hands on deck for Dialed In right now. I refuse to even consider a Dialed In until the code for The Hobbit is complete. When Jack said at Expo 2016 that the final code for the Hobbit would be released that night I had a bad feeling that the games code was being brushed aside for Dialed In...

However, I don't doubt that Keith will get back to The Hobbit. I hope the longer then usual wait is due to a larger update being in the works.

Great to hear. I emailed Jack as well and have posted my concerns over on the JJP Google Group.

Nice! I need to do the same fix, last of the updates I need to do. I have the ramp flaps update kit but have been considering sending the ramp to JJP as they said they would do the fix for free (still need to pay shipping though to get it there).

Is there a certain type / brand of tool you would recommend for the fix?

Yeah, there's a ton of modes but there needs to be more rewarding reasons for completing them.

Right now there are 31 book modes in the game but only 3 need to be completed to unlock an Arkenstone mode. What about the other 28 book modes? The book modes are awesome, a lot of work went into them, but there needs to be more incentive to play through them. A reward for beating the sets of man, elf and dwarf modes and / or for beating say 5, 10, 15, 20 etc modes would be great to see. The lack of something along those lines is biggest issue I have with the game today. 

Also, it would be nice if Beast Frenzy and Feast Frenzy are expanded upon to make them beatable with an option to turn off stacking with Smaug MB so that Smaug MB can be enjoyed on its own.

Oh, the qualifications for reaching an Arkenstone mode are all the same so you have to do the same 4 tasks 3 times to unlock the 3 wizard modes which makes the game feel like a bit of a grind. It would be great to see the qualifications for the 2nd and 3rd Arkenstone modes altered slightly to mix things up. 

Finally, a super wizard mode for beating everything would give the game its own "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" equivalent goal. 

Yes!

That's great to hear, I still need to listen to it.

Yes! Fingers crossed that The latest Hobbit code is beyond what is in 1.95P.

It's awesome that Keith commented on code status over at the JJP Google Group. It sounds like 2.0 will really polish up the game and that there are plans (as time permits) to add a final mode and add some things to existing modes. That's great to hear.

The game really doesn't need more modes (other then final mode which Keith has plans for), it already has more modes then any other pin. It's bringing everything together better that needs to be addressed and it sounds like that is happening with 2.0 and moving forward.

The mini book LCD provides the player directions for what shot needs to be hit next for every mode and time remaining to complete the mode. Hitting the left ramp while a book mode is running will add time to it. During normal play hitting the left ramp changes the book mode that will be played next.

I'm hoping that there will be some new Gandalf voice actor callouts in 2.0.

When Keith said "When 2.0 is released it will have full choreography for all current rules features" that may very well include more callouts.

Yup! Plus from Keith ""When 2.0 is released it will have full choreography for all current rules features""

Today could very well be 2.0 day

Great to hear! Amazing code support from JJP.