We NEED a good pinball company like Stern. Though it doesn't have to be Stern. Reality is that $12000 pinball machines might cause more manufacturers to join in (as we have seen). Competition is good for the consumer. Lack of competition means poor quality, poor service, high prices, etc.
If another good company come in and takes market share, you never know.
I think if you traveled back into the mid 90's people would have thought Williams would have been the last man standing. Things change....