If having to order before seeing gameplay my priority is: Manufacturer. Theme. Designer. Software team. This led me to a Mando LE. My only Stern. Considered GB Premium NIB in 2016 and had a deposit on Stern Star Wars LE NIB in 2017, but backed out at the time. All three were dream themes for us, but gameplay decisions overrode that when gameplay was revealed. Very happy with Mando LE. Been saving since 2016 so money was low on the list by the time Mando came around. Lead times have greatly changed since 2016 though and I can see how this might lead someone to buy a NIB LE. The gameplay, at least early looks, seems to be early enough to back out of an order, even LEs, if it concerns you.

You can get in on a Stern NIB LE then back out if the early gameplay does not look good to you. (Someone else playing it). As I stated, I've done that once, for NIB Stern Star Wars LE.

The comments here about having to buy NIB before seeing gameplay applies to LEs only, in my mind. NIB Premiums and Pros can be ordered after gameplay reveals and probably playing it on location if you want to. My point was you can even back out of an LE you ordered before gameplay reveal so all options of knowing some gameplay before paying in full are most likely there for buyers for any NIB pin model. Being able to actually order an LE, as you mentioned, is a different subject matter, but you could be right about that. I am discussing Stern though not sure about the other manufacturers.