I'm one of the many was told by a very reputable distro. that I was getting a CE, until I wasn't. So I've been bummed and wrote a letter to JJP and chastised on them for cutting out the distros. I got thinking a little too much on how this might all pan out. I also was waiting years for this pin.
1. Flippers. Some might get lose. This isn't like R&M where you can't get the game at any other version or a unexpected short production run like POTC. The LE is also a great looking game and the game play is the same (Coma mode is in the LE but not the physical lock in the apron). Many of us are getting LE's and will not buy a CE second hand and not have a warranty (its not transferable). If I got a CE, I wouldn't sell it but the same would go for an LE. I think the history of the Metallica LE game would be similar, but I don't know how it played out in real time because I wasn't in the hobby then.
2. "Slumming" it with the LE. That was a joke. Not only does the LE have the same gameplay but it looks good and things can be added. The mod community is going to have a blast selling us mods for this game that will sell better than any JJP before. I fault JJP for cutting out the distros., I'm fine having money burning in my pocket for this game but JJP is not getting 3K more. I not going to wait a year another model of GNR to come out that JJP will try to use to capture this money that they left on the table. I'm also grateful that I am able to buy an LE financially when 99% of the people in this world can not or wouldn't dream of spending 10K on a game. The game you build from a LE might be really cool. For instance...The money I save I might go to a rock show (after Covid) and get the meet and greet package and have Slash sign my apron card or have a really kicking sound system upgrade.
It if sounds like I'm trying to make amends with myself for not hitting the buy button on the CE on the website because I thought JJP had a plan with their distros, you'd be correct. I've learned a lot about pinball companies this week. I just hope they keep making great games.