The term Stern used to describe their future efforts was "from this point forward", if some might recall the announcement with GB.
I am quite sure many may be waiting a long time.

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I guess everyone forgot about Steve's real opinions regarding Stern's operational procedures in the late 2000s.
Even a partial defense on his behalf was false.
He "tolerates" things at this point because he remains passionate about pinball as a designer.
That does not mean he believes anything that is being marketed.

Does not stop the thundering "Mongolian Golden Horde" stampeding to the front of the line every time Stern announces a new machine.
Batman 66 already has established preorders (non-refundable), and nobody even knows what the game looks like. "Super LE"s are already sold out, unless Stern changed their own rules (which they do on their whim).

It will not stop as the same people will complain right after they receive their game.

Then the process starts over.

The only real advantage Stern has right now is NOT that owners have short memories or available disposable income.
It is the fact that this hobby right now has incredible amounts of turnover of short term owners.
Involved one minute, gone the next.
People sold their newly opened GBLE in a few days or couple of weeks, not months or years.
Some were just speculating and never open them at all with pure intent to profit.

I am starting to see higher volumes parted games again (that could be salvaged) just like the import war days for profit, which is related to all areas of market sales which yet another aspect of what people are willing to accept.

I keep saying the same exact conditions.
Good luck to future potential owners who are pricing themselves out of the market.
It applies to both new and used games.
The last time this happened was 2005-2006, and the market stalled.
Stern considered getting out of the industry, but instead reintroduced more production runs of their successful previous titles to survive.