Better yet ... how many of the 6 major and 18 mini modes were actually programmed? Any idea?

Did he warn everyone that they would be let down by WPT?

Well, for one, you're encouraging them to build cheaper and cheaper crap while simultaneously raising prices. That alone sucks. But as people start to realize they can no longer resell their pins for what they paid for them (i.e. 8K!!) ... it can turn into a panic, people start trying to sell many games before losing their equity, and when people realize their current 8 pin collection may drop in value from 40K to 20K (i.e the "bubble" bursts) you create a panic and a selloff. Don't think that the pinball market isn't susceptible to the same issues as other markets. IMO Stern is very shortsighted by not fostering a healthy resell market.

Chambahz, I don't mean to always come across as trying to rain on your parade. You're an LE buyer and the bottom line is, I do hope you enjoy your game. I'm sure it will be fun. But I am very concerned with the direction Stern is going and the impact it might (might) have on the hobby. I obviously feel at first glance that this pin is underwhelming with nothing new (my expectations for the "laser" show are low) and I do not see how in any way that the rules or "flow" can overcome what I'm looking at. You obviously love what you see and have bought. The biggest concern is whether we as consumers are encouraging to build cheaper and let Stern simultaneously fatten their own pockets at the hobby's expense. Only time will tell.

Unfortunately for many in this hobby .. they need their games to retain value in order to sell a game and buy a new title they really want more (upgrade or just exchange). The bubble bursting will end this. We'll be back to hoping at least one pinball company stays in business so we can salvage the remains of a game once it comes off of route. Glad it's your hobby and you could care less if you pay 8k for something and it drops to 5k or 6k in value a year later. But for others ... retaining value/equity matters a lot. I can't think of anything that will end people's interest in supporting this hobby faster than this. Don't tell me people do not buy certain titles because they feel good it will at least maintain its value (if not go up). Stern has essentially just asked you to take on a significant more risk to your purchase. This is the catalyst for a bubble bursting .. if this game doesn't turn out amazing (highly collectible and worth every bit of 8k) ... what happens then? 799 pinball collectors just say "oh well, don't care, I like it" and get ready to purchase the next title? I don't think so.

You do realize it is the home collectors/buyers that have really revitalized this hobby don't you? I'm pretty sure it's not because ops are suddenly making money again on pins in their arcades. Why would you risk (yes, obviously my opinion that this is what they're doing) hurting the home collector/buyer market?

I would also be very curious to know how ops feel about paying $6500 for a 'premium' version of a game to have on their route. How much risk do they feel is involved in recouping their cost at this price point. Can they only afford to take a chance on a 'Pro' version? This 'Pro' in particular seems to have so much less than the premium addition compared to past pins.

Comments regarding code on past titles is fair. However, I don't recall Stern ever advertising in advance the exact number of modes that would be in a game like they are doing with ST? 6 main modes and 18 mini-modes. If you put that in your advertising you better damn well deliver before you get hit with a "false advertising" claim. Now, how long it takes them to complete that code is a different story ..

But that's the really old looking Enterprise, right? The pin is based on the new movies and the Enterprise looks more modern, no?