I agree that to judge based on some selective info posted by a disgruntled worked is silly.

PL has made some games with quirky themes.... and I LOVE them!

However, having said that, if Im being honest, I really HOPE that post was mostly bullshit.

One challenge with JJP #3 is (like Smaug) there's been sooo much build-up it may be difficult for it to match the sky-high expectations people have.

And how stupid is it to "spike the ball" on TH before game #1 even rolls out the door!

btw- I agree with everything else you said.... and frankly, I know you weren't necessarily spiking the ball in your post either, but we're all guilty of speculation on pinside!

Hell, pull out speculation and 7,000 GoT posts, and about as many TH posts would *pooff* disappear!

JJP deserves to "spike the ball" on WoZ. No question. The jury's still out on TH and financial stability. Safe to say, signs are certainly improving on both fronts, though.

I have a feeling any game that D&B would consider an "automatic buy" would NOT appeal to most folks here that enjoy pinball.

Get too far away from the nostalgic connection many people have pinball and you will "bite the hand that feeds you."

Correct.

And, I don't think a cell phone tie-in, or redemption or a 120" 3d LCD screen will dramatically change that.

I think we're enjoying a great period for pinball- the generation(s) that LOVED it and grew up with it are sitting on a nice lump of discretionary income....

However, when we die off (ugh- thats depressing), I just don't see pinball growing. Will it still be around? Sure, as a novelty, but I'd bet there will not be 3-4 companies building machines... more like 1-2 boutiques...maybe.

Aside from anectdodal stories of kids (usually of pinsiders) who "just love pinball", kids don't dig pinball.

A generation from now, I suspect we will be living in smaller homes as well... not good for these 350 pound behemoths.

Enjoy the peak renaissance of pinball while it lasts.... it won't last forever.... and thats just life.

huh?

But anyways, I just think this talk about dominating D&B with some new design is complete pie-in-the-sky right now...

I would be shocked if D&B would be super interested in a 300, 400, 500 pound machine with 20,000 moving parts.... One look under the PF of TH gets pinheads jazzed up- but probable has the exact OPPOSITE effect on some joint like D&B!

Also, consider JJP will have to seriously up their game on QC if they want to play in that space.

Massive dicking around with LED boards, inductors melting, PFs prematurely wearing, etc, etc would not "cut it." First time that happened, they'd likely say "come pick this crap up- we're not dealing with this headache."

And lastly, JJP would need to completely revamp their production planning/manufacturing to play in the big leagues.... that part of their business right now is a joke.

Cater to a fanatical hobby clientele that will look past 3 year deliver dates and QC problem? sure.
Try to market to buyers who don't give a shit if its pinball or Bar-Ber-Cut - whichever drives revenue? no way... not yet.

Im not saying "NO ONE cares about D&B", I'm saying THEY don't give a shit about pinball, and I as a pinhead, don't see D&B as being much of a player in pinball....

1. Given JJPs development/manufacturing pace, it's WAY too late to make that change now.
2. If you believe the rumors, work has been going on for some time on #3 already

I agree unlicensed is risky. However, recent Stern history aside, Lawlor has created some of the best games in pinball history. So, it's a gamble, but I wouldn't bet against Lawlor.

I will admit 90% of my interest in following TH has been becuase I want to see what comes NEXT!

Well,, i just went back and read the "leaked/rumored" info on the game. Honesty, I hope that was WAY off

Then again, Lawlor has made some quirky themes work.

I suppose back in the day- if someone leaked info that he was designing a game about road construction, people would have been like "WTF?" thats gonna suck!

images-2_(resized).jpeg

i think the theme is going to have to ROCK.

Let's face it, people are buying games today based on themes, not gameplay (which drives me crazy- btw).

90% of TH buyers never even saw the PF, much less gameplay before buying. Probably the same for GB LE buyers....

If the theme is TOO quirky (even if it ultimately plays great), that is going to be a challenge in todays market- IMO, particularly if JJP moved away from the prepay model (as they've said).

I don't thing JJP can really afford for the majority of buyers to "wait and see" and decide they want to PLAY one before buying it. Thats WAY lower cash flow than they've been accustomed to.

I'm certainly no JJP-delay-apologist, but:

If the end result is a game that we can Order, Pay and have Shipped (without any multi-year gaps between those steps), then its worth the wait.

This is assuming the fiasco of pre-ordering is dead, as many have alluded to for JJP #3.

Here's my dream scenario for JJP #3.

1. Game is revealed with full color images and a gameplay video
2. Orders are taken (perhaps with a modest deposit, like $1000) with shipping to commence within 30 days
3. Balance due when game is getting boxed up for shipment.

Here's one more tip for JJP #3:

Get the f#$%ing flipper power right!

And for gods sake, when the games are at super high profile events (shows, test games, etc) - get them setup RIGHT.

After 2 entire games built, we see the same complaints CONSTANTLY....
"flipper are underpowered"
"games were set at the wrong angle"
etc.