This may not fall into the category of "innovation" per se and I'm probably in the minority here, but I would like to see more new machines that have unique, unlicensed themes (or that aren't remakes of vintage tables). Don't get me wrong, I totally understand why licensed-theme games exist from both a business and consumer standpoint and there are many licensed-theme tables that literally made my jaw drop upon realization they were in production. That being said I would still like to see more unique titles (kudos to Multimorphic in this department). Or maybe I'm just getting old and longing for that 80's nostalgia when game themes were entirely original (e.g. Williams system 6-11, bally 6803 era) . My understanding of the industry is limited but I would imagine production would be cheaper not having to pay an exorbitant licensing fee to develop a new licensed table.

Hypothetically if an absolutely phenomenal table was released with great sound, art, playfield, game play, complexity, etc, but didn't have a licensed theme to 'hook' a small demographic of enthusiasts, do you think it would negatively impact sales more than a licensing fee would? For example would sales of a table like TNA have dramatically increased if it was themed after some just-released cookie cutter hollywood scifi movie that will be lost in the dustbin of history in the next 2 years?