I'd like to see the flashing light effects they added to the attract mode removed, or at least give us the option to turn them off.

I would like to see an equivalent of victory laps for beating modes, less chaos with multiballs running into each other and beasts constantly popping up, and a wizard mode at the end.

I’m not as upset as others seem to be, but I think there is more that should be done. Having an unfinished game isn’t really acceptable given what these cost. i went through avengers and X-men code, which was much worse, and didn’t come back to stern until twd, AC/DC and met had what I felt were finished code.

The number of posts on the jjp forum isn’t that relevant, unique posters is much smaller.

You get victory laps when you beat battle of the 5 armies, and (I think?) when you beat Smaug

I do not own a single JJP game, so I have limited knowledge of the current state of code. I just wanted to say this was a very well thought out post and did not come across as "bashing" in any way, just a "where is the code you personally promised" statement. Thanks PanzerFreak for not falling into the hater mentality that a lot of us seem to join in regards to Stern.

I really do expect The Hobbit to get another good update soon'ish'. I think they put all their efforts into DI and Pirates over the last 6 months. I'll bet TH gets some love and it will improve the gameplay and polish a good amount (as much as code can)

EDIT: I don't think it will bring those that don't like it to a like it position. But I think it will make the game more fun and challenging.

I think it would be cool to buy a game that has a finished code! Hmmmm Imagine that...

I, the undersigned, hereby declare that I will not buy a new pinball machines with incomplete code.

And if I mention my intention to do so, my good friends have the right to kick me in the balls.

Due to the unpopularity of the machine JJP realizes they will effectively piss off very few people by not updating, thus the lack of code.

Seriously? Game is already complete. Any updates would be polish and/or revisions. EVERYONE knows that JJP is going to have everyone working to get Pirates fully coded so it can ship first quarter, as promised. I don't think a legitimate "where's the code" complaint can really be made until at the earliest summer 2018 after Pirates has been out for a while. This is nothing at all like what BM66 or Kiss people are going through. All this thread is going to do is become another TH sucks thread.

I thought that all JJP games shipped with complete code?

Interesting. I normally do not even read these types of threads, but, this Op’s Comments early on,in Hobbit threads, helped convinced me to get a hobbit. He has been nothing but adamant in his support of JJP and this particular game. JJP would do well to listen to him.

I would like the ability to cut back on some of the multi ball stacking.
In addition I would like to see some rewards for starting and or finishing certain modes. I agree there needs to be more rewards for attempting modes
Some more call outs from Smaug as well as helping call outs to where to shoot the ball.

I like the game very much. I do not know if I will ever see the final wizard mode ,but, the code issue has hurt the value of this game in the resale market. If JJP want to sell games for close to 10K they need to continue improving code updates on there games. Resale values will stay up as a result which makes for happier NIB buyers.

The code is great already, but it does need a few fixes one thing bugs me is how the music stops when you get a replay and it says free game.

All the above sounds great as well.

Great OP post summary and suggestions above...share the same desire and hope we see the progress!

KISS is more polished than The Hobbit, so that comparison doesn't even count.

The biggest problem with The Hobbit is the physical design is just boring. They can dress the software up with 30+ same-y modes, but it's just a grind, and very same-y, and not that fun. Plus a little stacking is nice, but the stacking in TH is so extreme it's hard to tell where you're at sometimes. I was not sorry to see it go, which is a shame since it's so beautiful to look at. Unfortunately, it's a mess to play, and I don't see that changing any time soon.

This is the key problem. It's a huge buffet presented in an unappetizing way. Until or unless they can get some order to the modes that makes it FUN and easy to understand WITHOUT LOOKING UP AT THE SCREEN in the middle of play, it will remain a dud.

Nope, code is not complete. There is no final wizard mode.

Granted, I'll probably never see the final wizard mode, but it's not there as of code version 2.0. In the Google Group thread, there are many very good suggestions on how to polish the code and make it better. I certainly feel like TH has been placed, at best, on the back burner with regards to code support.

I do love the game - work of art, fun, etc. Hoping that JJP will listen a little to what existing customers have said and look towards getting out some additional code updates to provide that polish, revision and the final wizard mode.

And, whether it's rational or not, I won't buy another NIB JJP game until TH gets some attention. Can't spend that much on a new game when the one I already have is not complete and requires polish & some revision. Believe me - I would probably buy JJPOTC right now if TH was totally done!

Another frustrating aspect of all the TH code talk - radio silence from JJP. One employee has been in the thread and said he thinks there is going to be additional code support, but nothing official from Jack himself or Keith since June. Does not bode well in my opinion if JJP will not address the current customer base, in light of still building Black Arrows.

When compared to recent Stern machines

I also disagree with the dud comment. The game also gives you directions with the play field insert colors and flashing. I have learned how to use those keys better and besides the screen tell you what to do.

It's really easy & been explained tons in the threads where you bash. If you can't figure out the modes by looking at the playfield, you're being willfully ignorant.

-The Book ALWAYS tells you what to do in the mode you're in.
-ORANGE SHOTS are always your mode shots, with occasional blue shots that "unlock" orange shots.

SIMPLE.

Panzer's suggestions are good, I just want a code update that fixes the beast lighting bug that was introduced in the last code. The beasts always had a great flashing effect under them when they popped up. Now, that's mostly gone if a mode or multiball is running when the beasts pop up.

I wonder if Keith turned that off in a mode or multiball so it wouldn't confuse players? I think Keith is going add a few more gems in the game and a final wizard mode (or two)

But yeah, good game for sure.

No, it's a confirmed bug. Cuz also one of the beasts lights will stay lit, even when it's down.

Keith just posted that there will be another update but it will be after the JJPOTC comes out.

Yes, so hopefully people can now put this to rest. This is clearly not stern we are dealing with, it’s a small company with small resources.

So Q1 2018? That's still 6 months off.

I trust Keith but that timeline is a bummer. I understand the time it takes for a big content update, but I wish he could release a small update with the Beast lighting bug fix.

That was your first mistake. Buy a pin based on what you think, not some sycophant.

Secondly, its NOT Keith's fault that the layout and the "geometry" SUCKS.

This game is a full blown crapper by Balcer and I'm sure largely why he was let go. Code can't fix it.

Onward and upward, looking forward to POTC! Great new designer in Eric and Lawlor coming up next.

All that's left are a few people like Panzer and RH talking to each other, nobody else cares.

Like I said, TH sucks, you and RH can ponder it together.

Anybody that buys a Nib TH is a fool, easy to buy at a HUGE discount in the marketplace all day every day.

I really wanted to like Hobbit, but have to agree, the playfield sucks. Too wide, ramps too far back, no real satisfying shots. Drop target usage is neat but they're about the only redeeming feature.. just not finding it fun to shoot.

I dropped out of my fully paid pre order thankfully after that 2015 expo.

I agree about the drop targets, its different. But Keith could code this thing for the rest of his life and it can't change the layout!

Time to move on, JJP has 3 winners and 1 turd, that's not bad.

I can't imagine what it's like for Keith to read threads like this. Guy puts 30 modes in a game and people still complain. He has already put an incredible amount of effort into the game. I'm sure when he gets the chance to revisit it he will polish it up nicely.

Not at all. I hate the THEME myself but it doesn't discount the fact that other people love it, as in a LOT of other people. That speaks for itself and while I wouldn't ever buy it, I did buy WOZ and POTC.

So I see it as 3 out of 4 winners for JJP, just the facts.

And yes Solarvalue, its whiners like Panzer and RH that will bitch about code and toys all day long when the absolute LAST f ing thing anybody ought to be whining about is code that is gonna come out of Keith and crew from JJP.

Pathetic

Calm down folks, new hobbit code after potc launch. Nothing to see here. Move along

I don't mind iceman at all. His hate for hobbit is kind of funny, and I get a good laugh out of his posts.

I know jjp is fully aware of PanzerFreaks concerns.
It was discused at expo with who's who. I was there and the distributor from Michigan. They mentioned Panzerfreak.