Quoted from snaroff:I want the game because I want to play it, dig the license, and think KME is the most exciting designer to come along in many years (and rather than be trapped in a boutique pinball provider, he works for the Stern mothership).
The "show off" mentality in pinball doesn't resonate with me (or most people I know). My games are for me, my family and friends...they don't give a hoot.
This is the first time a brand new game with a mainstream license is being built in such limited quantities. I'm usually a Premium buyer. LE's and SLE's never really bothered me because it was a side-show I largely avoid. I just want to know I can get the full featured version of a game...exclusivity isn't interesting to me.
I still don't get the business case for this quirky decision. I'm sure KME would like his new game to be played by as many pinheads as possible. I'm sure Stern wants to optimize their profit. If allocation is uniform (and I don't think it is), each distributor will get 4 of the 60th anniversary games (in the US).
It's just speculation, but:
..... Elwin is their most in demand designer and Bond is likely Stern's most expensive licence in recent times. Why wouldn't Stern release an exclusive game like this?
Part of the value that Stern offers someone like Elwin is the ability to develop his design craft with frequent game releases. Only Stern has the manufacturing capability for him to do this & they may as well keep their star player happy. Other manufacturers have likely offered Elwin more $ salary to jump to their company, but they don't have the manufacturing to release games as frequently as stern