Gary's a survivor and has done a LOT for the hobby. And it is to a large degree due to Stern carrying the torch that we have some REAL choices out there as pin hobbyists. I'm pulling for Stern (and all the other honest manufacturers) because even though they are no longer the ONLY pillar in pinball, they are certainly the biggest.
And though I have concerns on Stern's behalf, I have to acknowledge: Gary's smart and deserves benefit of the doubt.
It's hard to get perspective on how bad manufacturing problems are on a forum, because one only sees the worst cases.
Easier to get some perspective on software completion issues, but even there, it's subjective as to how unfinished is unfinished? One man's "good enough" is another's "unplayable."
So it's entirely possible that some of these issues are a bit overblown (I don't own any Sterns that I currently consider to have playfield issues or significant software issues. I'm also not applying for a B66).
But one has to concede that it is at least interesting that Stern is NOT resting on its laurels. It keeps working on ThePin model (Gomez is good at coming up with ways of delivering more for less). And I don't think we've seen all that Spike can do yet (even if nothing more than delivering same experience with lower failure rate and cheaper cost). At long last, Stern is bringing their version of color DMD. ZombieYeti art, I think we can all agree, is a positive throwback. John Buscaglia from Topps has been there for 3 years now, so it's time for him to justify his hiring as Chief Revenue Officer by shaking up the "collectible" aspect of the hobby (for better or worse: but that's why he was hired, and it's a LOT of money potentially...), and we're seeing that by how B66 is being handled, once again for better or worse.
So say what you will: Stern is acting dynamically, trying different things out, and seeing what sticks. And I think that's okay.
As long as at the end of the day, people believe Stern delivers a quality pin for the money, then I, for one, encourage them trying different things.