Well, you and I have disagreed about AC/DC in the past, but lets leave it.

As far as Metallica, they are such a crappy band and unless they came up with an LE that started itself on fire, I might be interested. Pretty much how I feel about the theme (go ahead and hit me back on the WOZ theme - I get it).

I seem to recall that, apologies if it wasn't straight from SR, but Stern was touting that feature in general. So no, I have no faith in what is being claimed as being "great" from Stern Pinball. Didn't SR also say a while back that ST was one of his biggest design efforts ever? I don't see any evidence of that. The "great" music for ACDC was also way overhyped--the mono sound and cheap amp/drivers were shameful, esp. for the LE version of a music-themed title.

Over it and support it! Just hoping its the right number. Overproduction is not a successful part of capitalism.

Dave, save the key strokes with this guy, he's not worth it. You have way too much common sense for him.

I liked that Steve insisted on the bigger woofer across the premium line. Mono or not everyone that plays my game thinks this thing rocks!

No need to apologize... I really don't know and was sincere about asking you. I am a SR fan and love ACDC - put the band section is a joke IMO. Thank goodness for Hemi! His TRC mod at least made the band area fun with flashing LED's!

I agree except they could have added more power to the driver board to actually power that nice big woofer!

That thing needs 150 watts not 5 watts...

That's exactly the best upgrade they could do!!!

Now This I agree with

I think it is very true. Can you enlighten me on what the point is? I'm not trying to troll...I really don't understand. The LE in Stern's terms is basically a blinged out premium. If everyone that wants one can get one (unlike the Metallica fiasco), why should anyone care how many were made?

--Luke

Have you seen the meteors in person? Have you seen the starfield projector? I get it, you don't like what Stern is doing but do you have to keep on with the over dramatic always negative attitude? Rhetorical question of course. Tinfoil balls that provide white flashes? Little white dots? COME ON MAN in my coach Ditka voice.

First off Steve never said this. Secondly, it's called marketing. Knowing the difference between exaggerated features and reality will save everybody disappointment. You can't blame Stern for marketing their products just like every other business in America. Yes some features didn't show up exactly like they showed in the teaser videos. This has been going on for ages with Bally/Williams, you should know this. Lots of prototype features get axed because of cost. You could see them in the B/W promo videos and you can see them now in the Stern teasers. This is why they have an asterisk in the spec sheet. Shit happens, you can buy the product or not.

Again, did Stern ever say the music would be in Stereo? We all know Stern games don't come in Stereo so why say this was overhyped? It's great music and it sounds just fine. In fact not one single person who has played my game has ever asked if the sound was in Stereo. Still I agree that it should have been included in a "music" pin. It would have been nice.

I'm thinking the last Stern LE with enough differentiation is XMEN LE. Its also the only one that would be nearly impossible to mod the pro to simulate the LE.

Oh good. Politics in a pinball thread. Just what the doctor ordered!

Now you are changing the subject. This is what you said:

I disagree that the term "limited edition" does not imply that it should be limited to a small number. Otherwise, it really isn't "limited" is it? And to say that every pin ever made becomes a LE because they don't make them forever is just ridiculous and misses the point entirely, since we are discussing DIFFERENT MODELS of the same base pin, with different features.

The LEs have added features to the Premium, so it should be more expensive. I just can't wrap my head around the amount of people who think anyone benefits from a product that is hard to get, and more expensive because it is hard to get.

I think in this case or at least for me, the LE looks the best. I don't care about how many they build or it's rarity. I don't like the price but I'm not letting that get in the way of getting a game that I believe will be one of Sterns best.

Stern benefits! LOL ....and I don't mean that in a bad way. Remember, the death of the arcade and the economy almost killed pinball sales completely. Stern needs a guaranteed chunk of units built/sold. That's why the LE was born. The right theme & LE number almost guarantees an instant sales rush and money coming into the company. Too many LEs may result in less/slower sales...and that dominoes into the next title. Honestly I think 500 is the magic number to keep the hype/quick sellouts more likely....but even then it's not always a guarantee. Even though pre-order hype and sellouts make some of us collectors butt-hurt...it's the best economic model for Stern. Instant cash influx....then if the game is popular they can sell Premiums (same features) until everyone is happy....oh yeah, and Pros too...if you're into that sorta thing

What would make Stern care about finishing the code on say XM? If all they care about is selling a goodly number of pins real quick, why do they need quality code? I believe Stern is playing a dangerous game with selling non-working games or taking over a year to round the code into shape.

Since XM LE came out, there has been 3 other pins and XM code is still wonky.

I believe a price hike is not in order but more like a refund for our buying non-working or buggy pins. At least that's IMO if Stern wants to keep selling to prior buyers of games not named ACDC or TRON.

Because if they never updated the code on the games after release, people would stop buying their new pins.

People buy new Stern pins knowing the code won't be done, but with the expectation that it will be updated later. If that stops happening, so will sales.

I was being sarcastic. What do we have to do (besides not buy any more pins until they are done with XM code). We can email or complain but get no satisfaction. No update or idea if they are working on it or when or what will be the goal etc..

It defiantly happened before xMen. People mention xMen because it is a "cooler" them than WOF which was not finished. Same holds true for lousy code on CSI and IJ4.

I hear ya. I know XM code was a disaster (I had Magneto NIB). Isn't the current code pretty decent though?

They seem to have the balance right with Metallica as sold out of LE's - 500. Premiums for those who want it and a Pro model that is really worth having. Probably the best Pro they have done. If the code rocks in the future they can sell Metallica's for another year at least.

ST. Doesn't seem like they have the balance right but until we see the LE no one can be sure.

I think it is really good...

Now that would be awesome!! I know it isn't likely to happen but if it did it would encourage me to buy more from the manufacturer that offered it.

Right on there Teekee! They really F'ed up this go round. Live and learn. Overseas guys already pay a huge premium, now you ask them to crank out another $700 for an Le model?

No way, no how do they sell the 400 units that they claim are going overseas when you have the premium sitting there....subject to change obviously with the "big reveal", maybe the lasers fire out gold nuggets....

Would anyone like to buy my CSI-LE? Less than 500 made, and a bargain at only $6200!

I see what you did there. =)

Yes, 250 too many...

I don't know I'm enjoying my limited edition Ford Windstar, they don't make them anymore so mine is a Windstar LE.

Me too.

1. Distributors still have the game and want to sell them
2. The Pro is still in production, they want to sell as many as possible before the licensing agreement ends
3. Bad reputation on one game flows over to others. When Avengers came out, I didn't buy it because of X-Men's problems. I'm not buying Star Trek right now because Metallica is unfinished. Making good on previous games helps current and future games.

Or just spend another $10-$20 on a more efficient woofer...a very low cost solution that many did immediately after getting the pin.

Be nice!