It's an early comparison that's for sure. But just for fun because a fellow Pinsider requested it, which machine will be better a couple years from now? I know it's a stretch but fun for a discussion. LOTR is a masterpiece but GOTLE could be a contender. They're both Fan layouts. LOTR has the path of the walking dead in which you don't do too much and GOTLE has an upper playfield with an interactive dragon. Both games when code is complete will be crazy deep. Lighting on LOTR is warm incandescents and GOTLE has a light show that is insane and Bright! Some people hate this and others love!
Place your vote or don't. Steve Richie will probably get a kick out of this thread!

I absolutely love LOTR. Game is crazy deep. If you've reached Valinor on 3 balls, you are one helluva player. I've been sooo damn close but that's makes it special for me.
GOTLE feels like LOTR on crack. The light so on blackwater multi is insane. The funny thing is that this is my only complaint. The flashers are so bright, I can't see what I'm doing and it's very stressful. This reminds me of STLE which I eventually got rid of. But some players love it. Besides that, the house modes and combined house modes with the similiar fan layout as LOTR illustrates how endless and deep this machine will go. Everybody knocks the upper playfield but the code is probably nowhere complete to judge it. Overall, IMHO, you can tell this one may be very special whereas TWD, I never saw it coming. My money is LOTR right now but GOTLE is really good. Great job MR. Richie!

That means you reached Valinor. I bow down to you sir. Well done. I'm envious.

There's no ass kissing here. Wait until you put 15-20 games in a row on this machine. You will be wired if you have a really good game. The House modes and "combined" House modes are brilliant. With the fan layout, the balance of shots from each flipper is really good unlike Kiss for example. It seriously feels like LOTR on crack.

I disagree completely on theme integration. The sound and lighting on GOT is amazing. For example, when "winter is coming" starts on got, the lighting completely changes to a very dark setting with the music and it very cool. Black water multi starts "The Hound" form GoT yells Blackwater Multiball!! It's awesome. Now I agree the some of the colored LEDs are crazy bright and don't necessarily belong but the theme integration is solid.

I'm not looking to justify something to anyone. Just saying it's fun and fast.
And man this could be a deep machine just like LOTR. No doubt about it.

Speaking of confusing, I wish the pinside top 100 didn't have 2 or 3 models of one machine in the rankings. Makes no sense to me.
Also, if LOTR had the modern color changing LEDs, it would be really interesting to see. Someone on Pinside should do this!

I never actually voted for either machine until now. For me the nod goes to LOTR because of the light show on GOT. It's so harsh on the eyes and sometimes blinding when you are hitting jackpots. I don't understand this. Some critics will say that's part of the game and it's more of a challenge this way but this just seems over the top. STLE had the same problem for me and for that reason I sold it. I hope stern makes it so you can adjust this in the settings. Otherwise the game is very very good. With the limited code, it's better than any Stern I've had that was new except for MEtallica, Acdc and Tron which I would say is even. I don't understand why Stern started to go with these big flasher shows to blind the crap out of you. ( it started with STLE). Acdc and didn't have it. It's strange......

Okay I just got Castle Multiball on gotle and it's a pretty cool 6 ball Multiball. Castle Multi is only achieved on the Upper Playfield. Which I had no idea. It gets better and better.
I'm also in line for a Hobbit and I think in the end these 3 machines lined up side by side by side will be outstanding.
GOTLE seems to have shorter ball times than LOTR at times because the ramps are moved closer ro the flippers compared to LOTR. So if you're off, you're banging posts and can have some crazy quick drains. If you're on, the shots are a little easier imho. It's interesting. No doubt .
Hobbit could be even better with those random bash toys(like MM trolls). Aesthetically, it wins hands down because of that jumbo bad ass lcd.
Edited.

There really isn't a difference but I also understand where boobs is coming from. LOTR takes a a lot of strategy and energy and sometimes I'm just not up for the long game. Other times, it's perfect!