I haven't been able to make it to Texas, first because I didn't have the money, and now because I have kids that would make it really difficult to go, but I can answer why I would want to go...

To hang out with the people at the show and play pinball.

Full stop. If there is something new, that's a bonus. If there isn't, if that is all that I'm going for, chances are I'll be disappointed.

The MGC up in Milwaukee that I run has never had a full game reveal in it. That doesn't mean that I am going to go shut down the show and say hey, no one should be excited to come to this! We have enough other stuff that I hope that it's entertaining to come to, and if it isn't, then that's fine, go to a different show instead and we'll entertain the people that came as best as possible. If someday we get a game announcement or release, then cool! I'll be happy to promote that and add it to the bunch of other stuff going on, but it is ultimately just one part of the show.

I've been reading all the TPF posts wishing I could have made it this year like I tend to do every year. Hearing that the lack of a game announcement makes the show less exciting is just silly. I'm really excited for TPF, and I'm stuck in Wisconsin.

Many manufacturers release more than one machine a year. Production schedules don't always line up with those shows. Promotional strategies change. Expecting everyone to target the same show and use that for a launching point is a fundamental misunderstanding of how the business works.

Wow, can I put that on my wall?

In all seriousness, if a company announces MLB Baseball the game when the baseball season opens, darn near everyone at TPF will know about the game immediately. The fact these companies are trying to find locations that cut through to normal people too makes sense for the larger companies.

The fact they invest so heavily into the shows with discounts on games and whatnot shows that they also understand how important that part of their business is.

This is a maturing - or perhaps, "rematuring" - of the industry, and I think it's good for everyone. From the photo thread that I saw, it wasn't like a bunch of people didn't attend TPF because JJP didn't reveal a game. Show still looked awesome. Texas is clearly the spot to see lots of awesome products for your machines, something I really wish I could do myself!

I wish that was just one show worth of profits! At this point, the entire thing is somewhere around $45k or so in value! :-/

Thanks Lloyd. I'm still hoping you can make it!