It's not as black/white as this as even JJP's game's differ. The Hobbit has amazing modes and theme integration, Pirates left me cold and Wonka is just odd in terms of code structure (just my opinion).

There could be a bit of smoke and mirrors going on in terms of communications but I do feel that Stern are managing this better these days so voted yes. I haven't been that keen on the latest JJP games.

Stern is firing on all cylinders for sure. Just wish they could crank out some toppers!

The lack of code support from JJP has me second guessing buying another one.

GNR has needed a code update for a long time and still hasn’t gotten it. It’s like they just get you to buy a game and then it’s fuck off from there.

What’s the code in gnr need? Game seems fine to me after the last update finished the wizard mode issues.

Jjp games come out the gate with more completed code to begin with, so further updates aren’t needed as often as stern. Potc is the only jjp that seemed to get left behind on code for some reason, but all the rest are masterful imo.

Firing on all cylinders? They can't even get games shipped out.

At last check they were manufacturing 8-9 different titles this year. This is what firing on all cylinders looks like when you're doing that. It feels clunky, I agree. But if any other manufacturer was doing that people would stand on their rooftops and applaud!

They need to balance out the scoring.

Top scores depend only on a massive song jackpot, which isn't consistently commensurate with the play required to build it up.

Every game feels like a grind toward a song jackpot. The destination is more valuable than the tedious, wood choppy journey to get there.

This is the reason why I sold my GnR pretty quickly. I was not a fan of the gameplay loop. It wasn't fun to me. All of the lights, choreography, etc. was not enough to make up for that.

Think this is all the proof needed, stern are knocking out code ups for all 18 of their spike 2 games, yes it was mostly IC updates this time round but AIQ had additional code and bug fixes so did Mando so did Beatles maybe others?

Meanwhile JJP have what 6 games in total? In theory they should be banging out codes in comparison, is POTC feature complete yet?

Since getting the shareholders/millionaire's into JJP they have gone from amazing mech rich games with deep code like WOZ/Hobbit/POTC (although chest mech shouldNt have been removed) to stripped out mech less games with shallow code like TS4 it’s a night and day change.

And I’m not bashing them I’d love a JJP that’s a dream theme and keeper.

Stern is killing it lately. Shitty launch code & begging them to fix/add things was the norm for a while. Now they launch solid & then just keep getting more amazing. More than happy with my Rush & Godzilla “code journey.” Extremely polished & fun - and just keep getting better. My sense is that they’re really planning well & collaborating better than before.

Just my 2 cents.

Stern is putting out a lot of updates, no doubt about it. However, it seems that they release with the code about 60% complete. So, they have to release a lot of updates. It seems like it takes a couple of years to get to "complete" after a game is released (Complete meaning all modes are coded).

I haven't purchased any new JJPs, but from reading the forums, it seems like they release with more complete code.

How does that relate to support?

I think people get a warn fuzzy with all the updates that Stern is putting out. But, I know a lot of people feel disappointed with NIB purchases because they get bored of a game before the code is even done. That also leads to people getting games again after code complete. I don't think I'd buy a NIB Stern due to QC issues and code status at launch.

Perhaps not congruent to the topic, but I wonder how the release code affects sales for Stern? I assume it doesn't have too much affect of overall sales. But, I still wonder as several recent games seemed have suffered at launch and people attribute that to the poor launch code. I don't have any proof, just chatter on the forums about people playing a game at launch and passing due to the code. I passed on Stranger Things due to launch code. I know it has gotten better, so I may pick one up. But, the lack of code did cause me to pass on a NIB purchase.

Stern is king

To me this is not a very current view. I remember those days; and I don't feel like I'm living there anymore.

This, plus the (rumored) next few snoozer themes from them is a bummer. They need to pack those games or slash prices or both.

Are you referring to the state of the code at launch?

If so, you may be right. I was referencing games like Jurassic Park that took (a little over?) a year to get "Code Complete." I haven't been tracking the state of the code on the last 3-4 releases, so if they are launching with complete code, then that is encouraging.

Yeah launch and in general. JP is actually the quickest one I sold so I didn't keep up with that one much, but I feel like all the other Keith games have been pretty reasonable time. Obviously, the Lyman games were always going to take longer for sure.

Well we been waiting only 2 plus yrs for a pirates update, JJP seems to be in no hurry. I do like how Stern keeps polishing and adding features to their games. I am leaning to start buying their games. Just seems like way better support from a company.

Prove me wrong JJP !

JJP are no longer the company Jack created.

At the beginning Jack made a huge point of being the manufacturer of the most fully featured games in the industry. Slowly they have moved further and further away from that and TS is barren (let’s call it a pro when it comes to features) yet it’s what 2-3 times the price of a pro at entry level?