I think people in the industry often test each other by leaking false rumors to see if they can keep their trap shut. Also, I firmly believe that Kaneda gets trolled from time to time, leading to a lot of the stuff that turns out being false, like Joe Balcer leaving American Pinball.

I could be wrong, but I just can't imagine American Pinball is dumb enough to release this game as a regular pinball themed game when it seems like it is clearly make or break for them. Perhaps as a side project redemption style game for amusement places.

Wrong thread.

What are the chances that this isn't actually Hot Wheels?

Of course marketing matters, but you first and foremost need a THEME that matters, and appeals to your target demographic. That has been the real issue.

Let’s bookmark this post and come back in 12 months. I think you are in an isolation bubble don’t have a good sense of the amount of people willing to shell out big money for this theme. It just doesn’t have mass adult appeal.

I think (most) everyone is rooting for AP to land a theme that is popular and has mass appeal, both for homeowners and location play. I hope "Hot Wheels" is a code name for a much better theme. Spooky is showing that this is possible right now. I hope this next title allows AP to turn a corner.

Trudeau mentioned in an interview that Mustang started as Fast and the Furious. Not sure at what point in the development it pivoted to Mustang.

Hot Wheels Pinball? Or this...

HW (resized).png

New pinball is always fun to play it for the first few times. I hope the games plays great. I do think that this will be the best selling AP game yet, but that isn't a super high bar.

I have to think this is an attempt to get a lower cost game into the marketplace. I could be wrong, but it just doesn't have as much "stuff" going on to justify a Stern Premium level price-point. I bet this thing launches lower than a Stern Pro price.

This is a result of poor management and the company not being led by a pinball person.