Sure, but when does "stuff that should have come with the purchase price or in the past as a free update" suddenly become "additional content". For a product at this price point, you shouldn't have to worry that you won't get the full experience.

I'm not saying are absolutely going this, but it is starting to sound like the EA model of games, where you pay for 60% of a game and then have to pay more to "unlock" the rest.

"Joint promotions" is a very wide open term. If anyone advertises with Stern or enters a "marketing agreement", they would be considered a "partner" this is one of the ways Facebook can share data across range of other companies. I'm not saying Stern is doing this, but adding that gives them carte blanche with anyone who pays.

https://sternpinball.com/2021/10/14/stern-pinball-announces-hiring-of-new-president/

He "served on the executive team responsible for the highly successful subscription-based streaming services, Disney+ and ESPN+ and Disney Corporate Financial Planning leading business transformation projects; as Head of Product Management for Connected Experiences within Disney Games and Consumer Products as part of Walt Disney Imagineering; as leader of Disney’s Digital Games Console and PC line of business; and, as Director of Disney Games’ Strategy, Market Analytics, and Product Planning."

Oof - I hope this doesn't mean Lootboxes for pinball