Though I agree in principle with your "Stern" position here in keeping Jack's cards closer to his chest on TH, the distinction between the two business models of course is that Jack requires prepayment whereas Stern does not. Jack's prepayment model would not work without an ongoing release of updates.

Here, cleaned up Smaug's edges a bit.

smaug detail.JPG

Definitely changed the inserts mid-playfield, between the slings and the arrow shapes. Added a few inserts to the ramp entrances. Looks like the upper popups changed positions slightly. Wish Jack would have released the full resolution CAD layout.

It's really nice to see some flow! What do the upper flippers shoot at? I'm assuming the target banks?

I mean there HAS to be something that can either only be hit by the upper flippers or something that is much easier to hit with the upper rather than lower flippers -- most likely the latter.

Has the habit trail that circled smaug been removed?

Now that I found the old CAD drawing, the circular orbit around smaug is definitely gone. Whereas the left ramp sent the ball around smaug, now it dumps it to the left ramp. Also looks like the VUKs dump to the left and right habit trails as opposed to the "S" mini habit trails -- which I like. It certainly opens up the playfield.

PF Compariosn.JPG

An up post diverter? I'm looking at you Metallica

I hope those VUK casing will be replaced with wireform.

Wow. What an improvement! VUK wireforms look so much better. Love the new playfield.