I'm in for a Wonka CE! I've been waiting a few years for my finances to allow me to get a WOZ, but as soon as I heard Wonka, I've been drawn to it. It will be my first NIB purchase and first pin period, since a used 1976 Aztec in the early 80's. I guess that's like going from a Pinto to a new Cadillac. Locations around town only have Stern machines which are nice, but JJP has that little extra that I want. If I hate the reveal (which I doubt), I'll grab one of the many WOZ's that are about to go on the block to make room for Wonka...win win

Do the distributors have any choice in what #’s they receive to sell though? What are the odds your distributor gets #12?

I sent in a message via website about getting on a list for a CE, but haven’t gotten a response. If I don’t hear back I’ll just call to give my deposit. I’m not dead set on a specific number though.

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Haha! Oh I totally get that. I knew you had a special relationship with Joe. I was just wondering how JJP decides which distributors get which CE numbers. I guess they request them directly from JJP based on their customer requests. Wouldn’t it suck if JJP sent #12 to another distributor? I’m assuming Joe has a way of requesting specific numbers ahead of time though. I’ll get my order in one way or another. I’m not worried about that. I’m just interested to see if they will set the max number of CE’s and label the machines “x of x” or leave it open ended.

I couldn't agree more. I also had a deposit on a CE but cancelled it. It seems to me like they wasted this theme trying to increase profit margins and cater to the coin-op market. Very simple mechs, standard body, generic callouts that sound like a boring game show host. This theme has so many great things that could be integrated that weren't. I'm sure it's a great shooting game since Pat designed it, but the theme was not used to even 50% of it's potential.

I saw this as a wide body game with upper playfields and perhaps an actual model of the wonkavator from the movie, that can receive the ball and raise it to the upper playfield. Wonkavision is not innovative at all, because they always have a mini lcd in their games anyway and all they had to do was put a white plastic frame around it with a model camera and there ya go. The gobstopper is a solid piece that spins on a motor, easy peasy and cheap. The apron doesn't even look like solid wood either. Looking at this machine, I would say their margins have to be pretty big at this price point.

I'm happy they found a way to be profitable so they stay in business, because I do love their machines better than any Stern ever made. However, I was really hoping they would at least go all out on Wonka like they did WOZ and POTC. It's such a waste of a perfect theme. I'm actually thinking a WOZ YBR looks better to me now.

I just ducked in here to see if the CE had an ETA yet. I was one of those that bailed on my CE reservation after the reveal and watching it streamed for a couple of weeks. After playing an LE recently, I’m still happy I went with POTCLE instead. Wonka is a fun game for what it is and it shoots well, but unfortunately Eric spoiled me with his POTC innovation and I expected the same for Wonka. Originally, I envisioned a REAL wonkavator, an Augustus pipe ball lock, a working eggdicator trap door for the ball, etc. I also thought the rule set would be tied into the theme better, such as the journey to each golden ticket being themed after the kid that found it and their experiences.

Since my issues with it are things that cannot be changed, I guess I was hoping maybe the CE artwork would give me a reason to love it anyway. Regardless, I’ll definitely be in for a CE on Eric’s next title, but only if clear coat issues are gone. I’m glad to hear they are sorting it out.

Good luck to all waiting on CEs! I hope the design dazzles and the clear coats are solid!