You can't fault them for constantly making improvements to design. That's what manufacturers do. They innovate and design. It's happened since the beginning of industrialization. You design, sell, innovate, design, sell, innovate, design, sell....

And yes, I'd put way more stock in the information from the engineer that designed the game as opposed to people drawing conclusions on an internet forum. Forum has its time and place... and you can certainly discuss it (that's what a forum is for). But, that doesn't mean folks should make conclusions based off the forum.

You can do as will... no skin off my back. But, as I said: OP, don't let this scare you off.

LOL at all your hyprocrisy. Good to see ( ) you give JJP a pass for its big and well known WOZ light board issues which costs any owner significant money to fix, but a new Stern is not worth buying because of some recent posts on cracked nib cabinets. I assume you traded lengthy emails with Stern on the cabinet issue before flaming away on pinside .

When I get around to buying a WOZ, it'll be V2.0 light boards for me; it's costly and not worth my aggravation to deal with those issues on earlier versions. When I get around to buying a NIB Stern and if it has an issue, Stern fixes it, and for free.

I've played both and would go with WOZ. Not that LOTR is a bad game, it's well done actually. But I think JJP just does a better job overall with everything and puts way more into their games in every aspect. Tough decision to make either way. Mine isn't based on theme at all. It's based on which layout, art, and audio/visual package I like better, plus all the extra touches JJP adds to their games. To me, Stern is missing that "extra special" flair to it, it's just cut, paste, rinse, repeat with new themes over and over and all about $$$.

WOZ no question.

Both great games but I'd give the win to WOZ

IMG_0473 (resized).JPG

LoTR by a mile

Owned both...WOZ stays, LOTR long gone...zero regrets

Have owned both. Not a fan of either at this point, but LOTR is much better. At least LOTR can get my adrenaline going and it has a great theme. WOZ does neither.

There's no hypocrisy. Stern shipping games with cabinets falling apart (among its general cheapening in all aspects) has nothing to do with the fact that the chip JJP was using in light boards was discontinued. Frankly, JJP and Stern both have known problems... both have had issues they've dealt with.

Choose your poison.

If you believe internet land, all pre 2016 WOZ buyers are screwed. If you believe the designer, they have more than enough chips and parts to make necessary repairs to boards going far into the future.

I always find it interesting when people are so biased and/or obstinate they'd rather double down on futility than admit an error. Oh, the horror of an error .

LOL. Two events do not have to be linked to show hypocrisy. That's completely nonsensical.

That's some impressive mental gymnastics too, and very weak. Reiterating again, you have no problem backing JJP and discounting the known lightboard issue because of a phone call, whereas you threw Stern under the bus (and ridiculed buyers as well) with extreme negative comments for some pictures of cracked cabinets, no need for a phone call even, lol. That's hypocrisy on two levels, and it doesn't even end there either. You also specifically posted that you disregard forum posts for the JJP lightboard issues, and do so "as opposed to people drawing conclusions on an internet forum", and you do the opposite with Stern by only using forum posts to attack them for the cabinet issues and literally being one of those "people drawing conclusions on an internet forum". And it's not only about the cabinets, but you also now add another extreme position saying Stern is "cheapening in all aspects". Can't make this stuff up.

"If you believe internet land..." but you DO believe in internet land (when it comes to Stern)... you literally posted that you can't believe people are buying NIB Stern's. You also selectively ignored the low number of reports, the many Stern NIB buyers who posted about not having an issue, the other Stern buyers who reported having previous or current issues fixed by Stern, and the long history of Stern fixing pinball issues for their customers. You are a poster child for confirmation bias.

Either you are willingly/purposely oblivious to your hypocrisy and serious bias or you are very ignorant. Sad.

Back to lotr or woz
I had a lotr 7yrs ago - liked it allot, but also had bw super pins at the time & remember liking them more. I remember not liking the upper left pf & it was a pain to strip down & shop - sold it & dont really miss it. I bought my first wozle early on & LOVEd it.... it was hypnotic. I had a few light board issues, no big deal & jjp was fantastic, got a crazy offer for woz & sold it. Since then we've had 7 or 8 different pins, but they all end up getting compared to woz. I recently decided the hell with it and bought a new ruby red 75th and could not be happier. New players are kinda overwhelmed and clueless at first, but by the end of the night they get it & love it My advice is to play woz with someone who can explain it as you go & it clicks quick. Get to the witch & your hooked - beat her & its such a accomplishment..... no pin compares imho.
SOTR is very possible - my 14yr old put up 2.6 million, beat the witch twice out of four tries & had 6 of 8 jewels. I think I'll be sad when one of us gets there, but also I can't wait!
Of course I vote WOZ!

Well said - couldn't agree more

That's exactly how I feel. I literally compare every new game to my woz/Hobbit. It almost seems unfair to do, but jjp literally set a new standard. That doesn't mean new Stern's aren't fun, but that first impression is huge in deciding my level of interest. Aerosmith has been able to do that. Stern has definitely upped the game, but jjp still is the high standard. Woz all the way.

Congrats on the LOTR! Enjoy.

You've chosen... wisely.

A wise choice. I just got mine last weekend. I've never had so much fun with a new game, enjoy!

Congrats on the pickup and enjoy the rush of the honeymoon period. See you back here in 2018 when you're looking to sell it to finance a WOZ.

*thread bookmarked for future reference*

I really like LOTR but WOZ is a bit better. If I was offered a free one but had to choose just one it would be easy to choose - WOZ

Congrats. Great game. Enjoy it, then get a woz later on.