I've heard from a number of people that the theme is a disaster follow on / sequel to Earthshaker and Whirlwind. Also heard that it is not a wide body game.

Don't really care - I have the $ waiting for a Day 1 order. I'm hoping the game is a big hit and that Pat and Jack can show the pinball world that a non-licensed pin can do well again.

I am curious to see what can / will be done with the big screen when there aren't hours of video to start with, but I'm really looking forward to learning more about the game.

If JJP can limit competitor sales or potential sales, no reason they shouldn't announce Pat's game in advance. I'm in for PLJJP over anything else, so it's their sale to lose (and I don't have space now for more than one new game), but if I were a Jack, I'd want to tempt those waiting on another game.

Need to make this past tense.

If the preorder model isn't dead now, it never will be.

I don't see that as an issue for JJP. Hobbit cancellations seem to have slowed after the revisions. It all comes down to Pat's game - if that sells well, JJP doesn't need preorder money any more. If it doesn't sell well, it may be three and out for Jack.

Too close to Roller Coaster Tycoon.

I hope there is no LE or SE or whatever. Just make one version.

These games aren't bad, they're just not great when compared to games like Addams, TZ or SC. I suspect some of the issues with the games you mention is that Stern was in cost-cutting mode for those games and Pat very likely wasn't able to do what he really wanted with the themes.

I really wanted to love Monopoly - I'm a big fan of the board game - and bought one NIB. But I just couldn't get over how cheaply constructed it felt (and the Mr. Monopoly voice got old fast) and sold it.

My guess is that any video would be public domain stuff or video filmed specifically for the game, maybe custom animation. Certainly not going to have licensed video in an original themed game.

I'd love to see some real info on the game this month, but I think with the delay of The Hobbit, that's very unlikely. I suspect it's going to be late summer at best, maybe not even until Expo.

I am not as concerned about the "no theme" thing, because the theme is really "Pat Lawlor". There will be a built-in market of Pat Lawlor fans that will buy the game (myself included) unless it is an obvious disaster from the start. If operators see this game as more TAF, TZ than RCT, then sales won't be an issue unless the cost is prohibitive. And, if rumors are correct that the theme is a disaster based one, I think the strength and popularity of the Earthshaker and Whirlwind bode well for the game.

I think it's a little different than AMH no-licensed theme issue because Spooky is also dealing with the boutique pinball producer tag (exceptionally well, IMO), which perhaps makes folks a bit more cautious.

I hope both are successful, because I don't think most licensed titles (except timeless ones like WOZ, Star Trek) have long lasting appeal. For me, they tend to "date" a collection and that's not always a good thing.

TigerLaw is probably right that an unlicensed theme won't sell as well as a licensed one, all things considered.

I suspect Pat's game will be the last unlicensed game from JJP if it doesn't meet or exceed Jack's sales projections.

But I hope Pat hits it out of the park and we can see more pinball that doesn't have Photoshoped art all over the place or feature/design restrictions imposed by zealous license holders.

I certainly didn't mean to insult any artist with the term. Perhaps I should have said "lazy, uninspired art" instead because that's what I was actually thinking ...

We will hear initial details late summer/early fall, more at Expo and be able to buy one early next year.

That's what I'm banking on, based on what I know.

Agreed. No pressure on Pat though - all that's on the line is the future of JJP.