I don't know guy, why did the Crystal ball LCD not get shown for a while either... Just sit back n enjoy. Thanks

And why are you so certain all the changes were made last minute? More likely answer is that features were held back at Expo because they were not ready, still being developed, or they simply did not want to reveal at that time. It probably had to do with code integration.

If I believed everything I read on pinside, then there was an "epic" cancellation wave & half of all the pre-orders for TH cancelled after Expo. That's completely contrary to everything I've read & heard since then. I'm sure some people dropped out, but not the huge disaster described here in the past.

I believe the expo reveal was a bare bones prototype, and most of the unique, exciting features were held back for IAPPA. I don't think it's too far a stretch to believe that the playfield art, VUKs, metal ramps, background area may all look vastly different when revealed. I'm staying positive, as always.

Sorry it was already there on the pin at the expo. But don't let your hopes go It was said the area will get a function in future games. Or we can hope for an upgrade on existing games?

Thks. Yeah was too lazy to look up old pics. Im thinking this is going to be a great game!

Ok, whoever is going to this thing, we need you to spend the night out front tonight so you can get in first thing, get yourself through the crowd, resist the temptation to play the Japanese butt slapping machines and sega toilet games, and make your way straight to the JJP booth and file a full report with pics and video, and no waiting to get back to your room that night to upoad. Your efforts will be greatly appreciated.

Shoe-cam

yes, please video and picts please! we need full Hobbit coverage on this one

I dunno, I kinda want a full report on the Japanese butt slapping machines now.

I hope those VUK casing will be replaced with wireform.

I think we need to wait till the AM.

From Jack on the owner's group:

"We implemented many changes that are on these games at IAAPA - there are a few changes that are NOT on these games but will be for Production. I want to compile a list of them. Many were due to feedback, some were happening anyway."

Jack is doing great things here. He's getting feedback, he's trying to improve the final product, I don't know how anyone can complain about the effort we are seeing with THLE.

So...when will the actual release date going to be announced? I can't imagine it's actually going to ship in December as originally anticipated.

.

Good news is even if its off a little or on time it's close!!!

The precious shall be revealed soon... Hehehe

There is definitely a punch it button in the middle of the lockdown bar. If you look closely enough you can see it on the machine next to Jack.

Punch buggy yellow

People are really clueless and naive to what was presented at expo, the game was a prototype.

Lockbar button missing, 5" LCD book missing, Smaug body missing with diverter . VUK wireforms missing. New playfield art.
Game will be fantastic. Can't wait Probably some other surprises as well. Something between the top speakers

We knew about the button, I hope you are correct on the rest! I will be playing it Friday morning, so we will see for sure.

Its hard to believe there is a market where people drop 9k on a pin without knowing any of the details and a seller shows a prototype a couple of months before the game is suppose to ship and still has "surprises" for folks spending 9k.

You mean like in the car market or the high end electronics market or the pro audio market? Bad ass boys like their bad ass toys

Well, in the markets you mentioned you can test drive/hear/see prior to purchase. With this pin its a big surprise.. Like the Smaug SE, they will sell as many as people want till Dec. 31 but all you get to play is a prototype. Of course those customers are just "clueless" and "naive"

_{Post edited by ZenTron: typo}

duplicate

I'll most likely not have a chance to play The Hobbit LE till its in my house and same with Predator and Aliens but I have the cash and love pinball especially the new great titles and if for some reason they suck and I have to sell and take a loss, who cares?

LOL at 10k by Christmas guy calling people clueless and naive!

And while you're there can you stop by the Intamin and Bolliger & Mabillard booths and report on what's new next summer please

My opinion is wait till you see more. Because when everything is speculated, your fantasy rises up and then it could be dissapointment when the fantasy matches the reality. Sorry for my bad englisch

up... this post is too low

its 6am here in Orlando and 58 degrees
ill be at iappa 8- 830 ish
ill post pics there fellas, as if you read a few pages back I already stated that
Yes a video as well
Ill Shoot it when I get there

Pincades
Chicagoland JJP Dist

.Ill show
the playfield as well in detail.

JT

Another brand new account made just a few hours ago with this being the first post. Seriously Robin you need to make it so that people at least accumulate some Karma before they can post These fake accounts are getting plentiful.

Today's the day. Two hobbit at iappa.

You're right! I mean, JJP did such a WONDERFUL job of communicating at Expo that this was a prototype!

Nothing and I say again nothing to do with naivity. And yes, we were left clueless due to a very poor presentation and even worse communication.

Hope Jack is doing it better this time. He already said that not all changes are implemented in the 2 models that are shown during the IAAPA but he will publish a list that contains updates for the production model.

I read always this forum and now i found to react because à lot of people are negative. I think first see TH and then discus. And this is no. fake, i found that you always post Nice treats so i find it à bit strange how you react.

So we are ready

Have any of u guys ever been to iappa?

It's like arcade heaven! The best of the best new stuff, smoke show models walking around in booths, everything is amazing at this show.

ok..then take some pictures of the smoke show models....of course in between pictures of The Hobbit.

Ain't that the truth. They didn't defend much at all at the show. I know there are things they have to leave out due to the 3rd movie, but come on. If your product is going to be changed that dramatically, that it's going to look mediocre. Bringing it, to one of the bigger trade shows of the year, is not a good idea. All it is going to do is hurt sales. Especially when the competition was showing off things much more impressive.

If things are going to be lacking, at least try and explain without revealing to much, that it is a very early prototype and that many things are missing from the from the final design and look. Everyone I talked to at the show, had no clue if this was the final product or not. And I talked to a crapload of people.

It has already been stated on the JJP forum that not all production items are on the game at IAPPA so what is being shown is still not a complete game.

You should start a new thread with "IAAPA Hobbit pictures and video" so it doesn't get lost thousands of posts deep in this thread. A link from this thread to the new one can be posted too.

Where do you get a good bagel in Ft. Lauderdale? I will be down there next month..

Good Bagel, kind of an oxymoron isn't it? Just give me a donut

Wow. New playfield look awesome.

Updated playfield artwork. image.jpg

From Facebook feed

Updated Hobbit Playfield Artwork!
Updates Revealed at IAAPA:
In games at the show
+ Book LCD
+ Replaced VUK exit chutes with wireforms
+ Bumper enter/exit through Bag End (removed "Switch Mode" targets)
+ Laser etched Ramp lettering / RGB LEDs underneath
+ Smaug™ sculpt redesign
+ Gold pile in front of Smaug™
+ Columns, gold pile & lighting in upper left
+ Flasher lighting/domes (3 on left side, 3 on right side, 1 gold pile, 1 pop bumper)
+ New art on playfield plastics
+ Action button and RGB LED
+ New decals - arch, shooter, drops, ramps, spinners
+ 2 RGB LED Smaug™ lighting
+ Redesigned bumper barrels to accommodate book LCD
+ New backglass art
+ New drop target colors
- Closed entrance to shooter lane from outlane
Yet to come for production:
+ New playfield art
+ Bumper 10pt switch between top and right (through-the-bumper shot)
+ New Playfield art
+ Beast GI lighting
+ Smaug™ eyes lighting (single color)
+ Laser-cut ramp gate with added GI lighting
+ Smaller axes on slings
Updated Hobbit Playfield Artwork!

Updates Revealed at IAAPA:

In games at the show
+ Book LCD
+ Replaced VUK exit chutes with wireforms
+ Bumper enter/exit through Bag End (removed "Switch Mode" targets)
+ Laser etched Ramp lettering / RGB LEDs underneath
+ Smaug™ sculpt redesign
+ Gold pile in front of Smaug™
+ Columns, gold pile & lighting in upper left
+ Flasher lighting/domes (3 on left side, 3 on right side, 1 gold pile, 1 pop bumper)
+ New art on playfield plastics
+ Action button and RGB LED
+ New decals - arch, shooter, drops, ramps, spinners
+ 2 RGB LED Smaug™ lighting
+ Redesigned bumper barrels to accommodate book LCD
+ New backglass art
+ New drop target colors
- Closed entrance to shooter lane from outlane

Yet to come for production:

+ New playfield art
+ Bumper 10pt switch between top and right (through-the-bumper shot)
+ New Playfield art
+ Beast GI lighting
+ Smaug™ eyes lighting (single color)
+ Laser-cut ramp gate with added GI lighting
+ Smaller axes on slings

Post a pic or it didn't happen
Edit: too slow.... thanks

I like red Smaug better.

IMG_9213-1.JPG

Wow. New playfield art looks 100x better.