I think IC has the potential to be pretty cool. You can see the framework is there...just need to see some more features like:
1. Dedicated app - It can really just be a Webapp wrapper. Having an app will streamline players use and will allow features like push notifications and location sharing.
2. Leaderboards - Operators now have them. Can't wait to see dedicated home game room leaderboards. Friends only leaderboards would be great as well.
3. Notifications - I want to know when someone on my friends list beats my high score. I want to send challenges out to friends. Operators/locations could send out a message to players in the area of an upcoming tourney or Stern event. Have the ability to "check in" to locations. That sends a message to your friends that you are playing there.
4. Guest login - I would like the ability to add guests to my home leaderboard. There are times I have non-pinball friends and family over. Not everyone is going to want to create a stern account. Let registered users be able to generate guest codes that they can use to compete in a home tourney.
5. Handicaps and team play- This one would be interesting. Give owners some ways to even the competition between themselves and more casual or new players. Handicaps could be simply one player plays on easy factory setting while another plays on medium, etc. Co-op gameplay could just allow you to combine scores for 2v1,2v2 or 3v1 matches. Give the option for team names. Have a dedicated team comp leaderboard.
6. More social features - I think you should have two options...friend or following. Friend has more options for notifications, communication, etc. It is something that both people have to agree to. Following is more to just lurk like you would for George Gomez or a high ranked player. Make locations a landing page where players can share photos. Add virtual trophies/standings for Stern specific tourneys that show up in your profile.
7. More community events and achievements - Add some incentive to get out there and play more pinball at locations and at home. Right now we just have individual game achievements but it would be great for locations to have their own unique achievements. Have achievements that span across the entire Stern lineup. Have silly ones like 10,000 lifetime flips. Just add more and make them different than the individual game achievements.
8. Remote operators menu- Basically just getting the data and adjustments from the operators menu onto my phone so I don't have to go through an op menu from the coindoor. Linear operator menus are so dated.
9. Report problems - let users leave a digital note on a location game when there is an issue that needs to be fixed.