Yep. Basically zero innovation from stern. I'm not a very creative person but its clearly been stagnant. As an obvious example id love to play machines that were more like an adventure game where you add more coins to continue and the goal is progress rather than points. I want to see the center area that you actually look at having an LCD section surrounded by a typical play field. this has sorta been done but not legitimately and wouldn't change gameplay at all other than opening up sexy possibilities that aren't there on static art.

Then we get to the play field. It's just pop bumpers ramps and flippers. These are great but what are we missing out on? Again, I'm not creative but there have to be other options. Imagine if you could do something like moving the flippers around for example. Something cool like certain shots only being possible if you move the flipper placement to a spot that makes the center drain bigger. Or flippers on the other end of the play field controlled by the CPU or opponent. Flippers that launch the ball upwards or downwards instead of keeping it flat. Or maybe some type of heat seeking missile following your ball around the play field that you have to avoid and therefore can't possibly play a controlled style of play. A lot of these are stupid but thanks for reading I had a fun time thinking of them.