Is it possible that the production model (with the new art, etc.) was being worked on before the prototype was even revealed? Everyone assumes Jack is making these changes due to the response from the unveiling. Maybe the proposed changes were already being made in the prototype 2.0 version. (for lack of a better name)

I'm not suggesting the prototype was a ruse, but maybe Jack has kept his cards closer to the vest than we realize. At least I hope that is the case.

Excellent video. After watching, two things come to mind:

1. Peter Jackson may be turning into George Lucas, rejecting good ideas for his own which aren't always the best or most popular.

2. The Hobbit is going to be a really fun pin to play.

Played WOZ the first time today at the Houston Expo. The layout, the art, and the light show blew me away. It really strengthens my trust in Jack that TH will be amazing.

Nice catch. I believe you are correct.

Aurich, I liked the red armor you did in your SE mock up. Would be curious to see it in that red with red buttons.

Wow. New playfield look awesome.

I like red Smaug better.

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LCD

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One more. Sorry, should have put them all together.

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I like Smaug on the playfield, but agree with it being redundant with the SE side art. I may switch to the LE to have the cabinet be focused on the characters. Mine will sit where both side arts will be visible. I'll get the best of both worlds.

I love the new playfield with the "giant dragon". The side art is too similar to the playfield for me. I'm thinking LE cabinet with new playfield should represent all characters nicely.

I think since its the treasure room, I prefer Smaug being revealed out of a pile of gold than behind a mountain door.

Does it look like the ball could roll down the pile of gold back to the playfield?

Don't know if this pic of the LCD "Book" has been posted.

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Same haters on a different day.

Anyone know what this is that I circled in red and what it will do?

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Looks fun. This finished product will be a blast to play. I like the pages turning on the LCD book.

Don't worry about those old eyes. If it's hard to read, it won't take long for someone to figure a way to fit a bigger screen in it.

Any idea how that would work?

With the first prototype reveal, TH not received well. Now prototype 2.0 is revealed. It is received much better, but still seems some areas not finished.

Many seemed to assume that prototype 1.0 was close to the finished product and that Jack wouldn't be able to fix things. Now with 2.0, some still have the same reservations.

Maybe Jack is feeding us prototypes that have been around for months. May not be the way a lot of us would have revealed the product, but Jack does things his way. If so, he must be pretty damn confident that the final product will be loved.

I'm pre-ordered and I'm not worried. I believe the finished product will be visually stunning and a fun pin to play. As far as Smaug, if it talks and spins, that's good enough for me. I do think he is missing the chin bone and sharper features. Adding those would help overcome any lack of ball spitting IMO.

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Hit up down up down left right left right B A start

When you do, you're gonna see some serious sh*t.

I was disappointed JJP didn't bring TH to the Houston Expo. Like you, locally is the only place I would get to see it before receiving it. However, I am quite encouraged by what was posted from IAAPA. I can't wait to get mine.

Hate to see a few people drop out, but hopefully that moves me up the list to get mine sooner.

I will be shocked if this game isn't awesome when it is finished. The key word here is "finished". I'll keep expectation in check until then.

Jack just sent pics of new Smaug gold toy! Looks awesome!

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Also stated that pre-orders have until Dec 31 to decide between LE and SE.

This is another sign that Jack and his team will be sure to make TH incredible to look at and fun to play.

The assumption is that Jack is showing us real time changes on everything. I think some things are real time, but not everything. I believe Jack is holding back stuff to wow us at the final production reveal.

The Mod makers can't wait to get a hold of TH. There will be some really cool toppers.

Yes. $8000 LE / $9000 SE I believe.

Glad I pre-ordered.

Mine likes the LE side art better. I'm trying to change her mind.

Per email from Jen-

As a reminder, customers who currently have a Hobbit™ LE on order have until December 31st to decide if they would like to switch to a Smaug™ Gold. An LE can only be switched to an SE if a minimum of $4000 has been received from the customer or from the customer's distributor by 12/31/14. After this date, no new orders for Smaug™ Gold will be accepted.

Mind saying what made you choose the LE? I'm on the fence about the SE but not close enough to see in person.

Beelzeboob, so did you decide to go with the LE over the SE?

Surely someone will figure a way to remove the dwarf mountain plastics and make a dragon body instead. Too many smart guys on here not to come up with something.

KC, I like it like it is, but you know someone will try something. It's the Pinsider way.

What I wouldn't mind seeing is decals of the dwarf mine behind Smaug and decals of the river scene behind the barrels on the backboard.

I can't decide either. I will make the final decision when they release the photos from the photo shoot.

Don't sweat it. You can come over and try mine when they ship.

+1

Pinister, maybe that is why they did the shoot. Those of us that are not as fortunate to have seen and played it first hand like you are hanging on these threads hungry for TH news. Plus I'm anxious to make the final decision between LE and SE.

Me neither.... I'm putting TH next to it.

Wow. That video is awesome. The finished product will rock. Now I just have to make the final decision of LE or SE.

I think I've decided to go with the LE. I like seeing more characters than just Smaug. Plus, I was going to go with the red Smaug toy anyway. Without seeing the extra attract mode, I just can't let that push me to the SE.

I don't really understand why Jack is being so secretive with the current customers who are trying to decide which version to get. I find it a little frustrating.

Thanks PinNin

Look around the 1:35 mark of the video. Smaug head lights up during the multiball and lights give the illusion of spitting fire. As cool as that is, the finished product should be amazing.

I considered this. Just seems like more money and trouble than it's worth. Plus with time, someone will probably make it possible to put the extra attract mode on the LE.

There is a ton of potential in this game, and it already looks awesome. Just wait until its completed. On the video posted on this thread, watching the Smaug head light up and the LEDS making it look like he's spitting fire down the playfield was really cool. That's when I realized there are some many facets to this diamond we haven't seen yet.

Look forward to seeing more of the code on TH. Despite the higher prices of the newest games, it's a good time to be in pinball.

That's a nice lineup.

Today is the opening day over there. The video said Jack was going to have the code the next day. If the video was shot yesterday, then hopefully the new code was put in today and someone will post a video.

When does the last movie go to DVD? Is Jack having to delay release of the game until then? I assume the studio is not going to let him release the game with footage from the last movie until the DVD is released.

I'm excited too. I think there is more to see, but I think Jack has shown us almost everything he will until its ready to ship. Just my gut feeling.

Actually, that may be the first mod for TH.

Because I like mods, I can see moving the LCD to the apron and doing something with decals, barrels, and Orcs in that area.

Coke vs Pepsi, Chevy vs Ford, Stern vs JJP.....

Passion from fans on both sides. The fact that there are 2 companies creating such passion can be good for pinball. However, it can get old listening to the arguments and bashing over who is best.

Not to mention using the kickback and upper flipper to hit the opening in Smaug's scales (stand open target behind open drop target) to kill Smaug. At least that is what I am assuming you will do. Sounds like fun to me.

This just shows that the final polished product with great code will be the awesome game everyone expected.

I don't think we will see the final production model until they start shipping.

I counted 35 hexagons in the grid. I never noticed the shadow of the mode symbol in each hexagon. Pretty cool. However, in 10 years I've never made it to Valinor on LOTR, so I may never make it through 35 modes on TH.

That western theme is cool.

I'm going to hold my breath until I get an update.

Playing my LOTR tonight, I was thinking how glad I am it was made. I love the theme, the rules, etc. I remember when I ordered it 11 years ago. It seemed like it took forever for the box to arrive. And even longer to put it together for that first ball.

All of this reminded me that all of the debate about lies and missed deadlines will mean nothing to me when I've had TH in my gameroom for a week, a month, a year. This doesn't mean I approve of deceit, but I expected delays with TH after the WOZ problems. Plus I focus on the long term of having a fun game for years to come.

People seemed to be so impressed that they were too busy enjoying it to take many pics or videos. Hopefully more will come out after Ohio.

On Pinball Stars Facebook page there is a video showing the playfield book displaying scenes from the third movie. If they've had the third movie footage, hopefully the shipping date won't be too much longer.

Finally a great video! I can't wait to get this game. After seeing all of the excitement from MMr's being unboxed, I can only imagine how good it will feel to open TH.

Pre-pay is going to disappear. LE games on the other hand will be around as long as they are profitable.

When I play that first ball on my TH, I won't care about missed deadlines. Even right now I have so many irons in the fire I'm not in a rush. I'm excited, but distracted by life.

Make your way to Houston and you can play LOTR and WCS94 as much as you want.

Eagle Springs!

Hopefully this time tomorrow we'll have more reviews, pics, and videos.

Pinball passion is crazy. Lots of negativity over WOZ, TH, MMR, TBL being built, when will they ship, etc. Then people start receiving them. Then lots of joy and the naysayers more on to the next game.

I suspect TH will be the same way. As soon as pic of unboxing start appearing, all of the negative people will move on and all the pre-order folks will be loving there game.

Then it will be time to hang out at the JJP #3 thread.

JJP had to get pre-ordering to make it happen, so they had to announce the game at concept. Impossible to predict completion date like that, especially when dealing with third parties (licensors).

When I put braces on a kid, I give a date for completion of the case. What usually make my prediction too short is the third parties (the kid and the parents). The kids knocks off my hardware. The parents won't bring the kid in routinely. Some things are out of my control. When I tell them a completion date, it always is assuming all goes normal.

Hopefully JJP won't have to go pre-order any longer, which will end all of this strife over completion dates.

I expect that JJP will abandon the pre-order model as soon as financially possible.

Thanks for the video. That got me excited. Beel, I think having it at home with code complete will make all of the difference in the world.

I have little doubt that the game will be great TO ME. But I'll be happy to admit it if I play it and think it's not. And it doesn't bother me if others are worried or flat out don't like it. I don't like TZ or Tron or Funhouse or MET, even though so many go on and on about how great they are.

I'm getting the LE version and putting it next to my heavily modded LOTR. Should look awesome together.

I don't see it as which is better. I think they will compliment each other and go side by side well. I look forward to having a party and seeing which gets more play and attention from non-pinheads.

Can't wait to see what Keith does with that.

Stern can hold its own without your help. Your crying in a JJP thread has no affect other than to make you look like troll, or weak, or both.

Wow. Feel free to take your troll goods and move on to the next bridge...... Why is it trolls can't grasp common grammar?

Before you come on here and bring this fluff, donate to Pinside. If you want to help me with my money, donate and keep my favorite site alive.

Mod makers will have a lot of opportunities. I can't wait to see what the creative mod guys come up with. Just look at the drawings for the Bag End topper. That's really cool.

Jack said production will start in weeks, not months

That AC/DC should keep you occupied for a while.

Having LOTR, I'm looking forward to having them side by side.

Great seminar. Makes waiting easier....... and harder.

I'll help you out Beelzeboob.......

DaveB, how many Hobbits can you fit in that thing?

I don't know if that will speed up delivery of TH, but there should not be any question that about it being made.

I think Tron is a snoozer. Loved the movie,and really tried to like the game. Just wasn't for me. Of course I'm in the minority.

I'm patiently waiting for TH, but man, Jack really missed a great opportunity to drum up some excitement.

I really liked the movies as well. I've watched them multiple times. I can't wait to see the footage on TH. I like what I like, whether anyone else does or not.

Being someone that tried watching GOT and didn't care for it, I won't be changing my mind. TH all the way for me.

It may happen on a few games.

As a pre-orderer, if my pre-order helps get a machine like TH made, I'm happy. I hope this hobby keeps growing. I want Stern, JJP, heighway, Spooky, etc to keep the games coming. It's good for all of us who love this hobby.

This comes off as a holier-than-thou, passive aggressive rant. Having pro-ordered and not canceling does not make any of us unethical, or less ethical than you.

You obviously don't like Jack. We get it. Instead of hanging around on this thread and trying to convince us to dislike Jack too, move on to a non-JJP thread.

Ok, I understand that.

I like A and B. Waiting is fine because while waiting I bought an IJ and have been playing and modding it like crazy.

I am not in the first few 100, but when I get mine I'll be happy to have local Pinsiders come check it out.

I'll be happy if it is by the end of summer. If it's sooner then all the better. I'll be sure and post when I get word.