Played this game a fair amount at the Texas pinball Festival. I really liked this game alot. The three machines that they had there were prototypes. I had the chance to talk to Eric at the festival. He says that he agrees that the disks were a bit loud, and that the crew at JJ are working to dim the sound of those discs on final production games. There were a few ball catches on the pfs at the TPF. He says that he has made some tweaks on the pf itself for the production games to prevent further ball catches. Personally, I really liked the movie scene clips that they chose. The scenes were interesting and somewhat ambiguous, keeping the pirate-theme a little less devoted to the actual Pirates of the Caribbean movie and more supporting just a good pirate-themed game, which I actually thought was awesome. The upper pf I thought was a lot of fun. Certainly one of the more interesting upper pfs I have had the chance to play. The lights and sounds in this game were fantastic. I also like their use of the lockdown bar button to collect gold. Also a fun sound that it makes when you're collecting those gold pieces. All in all, I really thought this game was very unique and unlike any of the other machines out there these days. Certainly a game I am considering paying the steep price that they're asking to bring er on home. Now, just to convince my wife that this is the next machine we need... As she is a firm Johnny Depp hater, which is one big thing that is not in my favor on this deal...hahaha.

At TPF I as well heard that production models of the CE games will have the apron completely covered in Barnacles, not just sporadically placed as it's been shown recently on the prototypes. In addition, at TPF Eric told me that the maelstrom funnel bucket thing is going to be made clear on all of the production games, unlike the hazy blue color that it is now. I think either would be cool, but I sort of like the hazy blue colored that it now in my opinion.

That's an interesting question by Mr-Worf regarding protection of the pf to the right side of the upper Black Pearl pf. That is about a ~4" drop for a steel ball. I did not think to look at the pf at that angle, even though the pf was lifted up a couple times at TPF. Just didn't think about it, but good question.

Correct..armor, not apron. That was my mistyping. It will be interesting to see the armor completely covered in those barnacles. I wonder when they will release any pictures of that. Personally, I thought those barnicles looked the best surrounding the center lockdown bar button.

Also in the update the chest mod is affected...
The chest stays open and does not close...for those who have played it, or has seen the streams of play, that now eliminates the cool sound and effect of the chest closing when you lock a ball. That was actually a really cool overall effect and worked well along the vibe of the game. That really stinks.
I haven't already pre-ordered, but I have been mosts seriously considering this game and getting on board. And now, also subtract the inventive three spinning discs, which I did have the opportunity to play with at TPF (granted, while they were functional), and bring it down to a single whilwind wheel, adds a big stink to what was a really inventive game that stood alone. So now it's a rocking upper playfield that can shoot the ship in the back left at the tune of 9500 for an LE. Man, I really really really wanted to be all over this game...I agree with those who are expressing disappointment, and agree with others who have stated (before this recent update) that I would rather they take their time and release when it's done, complete and ready for play, even if release is delayed a bit.
I agree that the software and animations are great, but come on JJP, don't give up, just take the time you need to finalize these custom mods, which is the special touches that separate the company from the rest of the makers...that's what we are paying a premium for as well, right?

I posted the below on the JJPOTC production post as well. Not hating on anything, just wanted to express my interpretation of the recent Center disk mechanism activity that has been shown on the last two live streams.

For those who are excited about this game, believe me I am too.

Also, for those who previously had enjoyed the three separate spinning disks, especially if you had a chance to play them while they were functional, which I did at the Texas pinball Festival, the effect was really, really, really cool.

However, as excited as I am for this game, and will still probably get it no matter what, I have to say that while the new live streams showing the new single disc are demonstrating what I assume is their new concept for how they want it to work moving forward... the way that they have it starting, stopping, going one way briefly, stopping, inch, stop, inch, inch stop the other way, I have to say this: If the three spinning disks was a potentially bad long-term mechanism, when I see the new disc spinning in that kind of puttering fashion, it also looks like a broken mech, right off the bat. I'm sorry, but that's how it looks.
In checking out the newest streams, I would think anyone would agree.
Look, I'm just the little guy, the customer that loves to play Pinball, and one of many that's probably about to somehow shell out a mint for this bad boy, but I'd think something has got to change so it doesn't look like it's just constantly struggling, which frankly, it does.

...But the way that it putters one way, stops, struggle putters the other way, inch, inch stop, etc. ...or if not puttering, it's just still...man, for both of those new streams, it does not look like a adequately functioning mechanism, certainly doesn't look awesome, and no one seems to be enjoying it specifically, did you notice that?...and this time, by design?

Again, I know that is how they are coding it and designing it, but that's just not how it looks. I think that anyone stepping up to that game for the first time and seeing the disc spinning the way they have shown it on these last two streams, they would think that that mechanism was not working right, and maybe they would just be too polite to say anything. I may be alone in this interpretation, but probably not.

No matter what, I think it's a cool game, I think all in all they've done and are doing a really cool job with a really cool theme, it looks awesome, I know I'm probably going to get it, a sweet Pirate game, I mean come on, yeah of course we're all interested in that... I just had to say this, cuz I bet that there's other people thinking the same thing. And I absolutely agree with those people who have posted that the current design at that Center disc area could be much improved upon.