So, I have a question for everyone in this thread. Maybe a few questions and observations. I'm a big fan o Brian Eddy's. I mean two of his games are two of my all time favorites and I really do want to play and own a shadow one day.

There seems to be a lot of dislike(hate is too strong) for this game. Is it the theme? As I thought Stranger Things was really popular and people are always clamoring about a new relevant theme(even if Stranger Things is based on nostalgia). This theme isn't for me as I've never seen the show and no desire really to watch it. But, again a lot of people really seem to love it.
Is it the art package? The use of video clips in the game?

I personally think the layout is good. Maybe not great.

Could it be the pro is awful and that this game should only have a prem and LE?
Because, the projector is really cool. And when I watched the footage of it I was impressed by a lot of what I saw. The ramps being lit. The drops changing the movie screen of course acting as dmd backbox basically. That is just amazing and keeps the players eyes on the playfield.
So I really think that the projector is one of the coolest innovations in pinball in a long time. And perhaps other games can expand on it.

But, then you have the pro and no projection. And as a result the coolest feature is missing. And so that movie screen really just seems even more lame and out of place. And also no mag lock for the pro. That lock feature is a nifty and cool ball lock. I get that pros need to be scaled down. But, I think stranger things without the projector isn't scaled down, but a shell of the game that it was meant to be. I think a good pro should retain the core features and spirit of the original game. And I don't think Stranger Things pro does... I could be wrong. But, I think if you compare it to Deadpool or Black Knight(which is missing the upper playfield) you'll find those games still have the same feel and spirit. Not so with this. Pro just feels barren.

Then lastly about barren.
When I was watching the deadflip stream. I couldn't help but think that the prem lacked pop. The music is a bit dull, the callouts are non-existent and when they are there they are DULL! The clips are good and I like the asset use. But, because of the projector you know have the big LCD that is just scrolling the stranger things logo most of the time. And that is boring.
To me(and maybe just me) pinball should be frenatic and I like gonzo animations and callouts and sounds. I want to be bombarded as the ball caroms around and smashes into stuff. It just to me feels rewarding. Don't really get that yet.

Now, I know the code is early. And I also haven't played either of these games yet. These are just my thoughts and questions.
But, I was just curious, because a lot of people are dumping on this game. And I see a lot of really amazing potential for it. And I know if never realized potential is useless. Just curious your thoughts on this.

And this isn't Stern bashing. I own 2 sterns and I'll buy a lot more in the future. Just curious why people think this is a bit of a lame duck, when I think it could turn into a beautiful swan.

The sad thing about the projector in my opinion. Which again accordling to Dirty Harry means I'm both an a-hole and I stink...
Is we probably won't really get the awesome, awesome integration until the code is fully completed. And even then I think it would take another game to fully realize its potential. Because, of all the cool ideas and tricks they'll probably discover along the way, but never be able to implement into the game.

Then also my final concern. Might not be one for most people. But, most pin collectors have pins that have been around for a LONG, LONG, LONG time.
I myself have 3 pins that are almost the same age as me. And I have a 4th one that is older than me.

My point is. This projector. If its anything like the bulbs at my school district. Should be rated for 3k-7k hours. There are lemons that of course go bad around the 400-600 hour mark. And still some that only last about 1.5k-3k... It happens, but my district has over 1,800 projectors. So I see a lot of variation that can happen in the lifespans.

This would seem like a long time, and in fact it would be. So really I would say you could go a long, long time without needing to replace the projector. But, what happens if you need to. 5 years down the line. Who will have the part. 10 years down the line. 20 years down the line.
I know that is silly to question a purchase. Because none of us worry about a computer or a car 20 years down the line. We just figure we'd need to replace it. But, that is my biggest concern with the projector.

But, I really think the possibilities are so many, that the biggest limitation is the game developers imaginations.

Dune had some, and also starship troopers had one big ugly one!

Yeah, but I've had projectors fry for all kinds of reasons. And these are mounted in a ceiling. Imagine them getting shake rattled and rolled all the time. Turned off and on, off and on. Day after day.
Do you want a friend to do a death save on your Prem or LE stranger things?

No friend of mine would do such a thing. But, still pinball is a violent game. Machines get shook!'

And also I want to know the heat consumption of these things. And also the venting. Because most projectors generate a LOT OF HEAT! Trust me. And also you need to frequently change their filters. Again. I don't know these models. Just asking questions and I would be interested in knowing more about them. This fascinates me.

That's fine. As I said before, I just had concerns about the longevity of this device.
I never stated I knew anything about the specific device, just stated what "VERY" little I know from working in my field with projectors. And I've had so many different models of both short throw over the years, and the normal long throw, and the extreme for auditorium use heavy duty long throw projectors.

I'd love to get my hands on one of these projectors and just mess around with it. Wonder what the max distance is, and projection field is.

But, I was actually really impressed with how it handled the light situation in the deadflip stream. Room was well lit. Better than any room in my house would be. And I play pinball with the lights off. Lastly will have to see how friendly the user interface is.

Because for the epsons at my work. A lot of people don't know or realize that there is a quick corner setting to properly frame the projector. And when I see is all eschew I ask them if they'd like it framed up squarely and it BLOWS their minds when I do so and only takes seconds.

No art variants for the playfield. It was bad enough that i couldn't afford an LE at the time of Iron Maiden and had to settle for the Prem art package. I hate it. I know people love it. But, Iron Maiden is more than powerslave. I actually think the pro is the best art package. The translite reminds me of Derek Rigg's art on Best of the beast their best of album.

But, I wanted the game with the most features. That's why I settled on the Prem... I do think the pro is amazing though. Wouldn't mind both one day, as they are different beasts and have slightly different playstyles.

But, I do think they should include a topper. And probably plastics for the games. Spare plastics(my maiden came with some, but not my LE elvira). And they should do more bling on the machine. I really love the etched lock down bar on my MBr LE. I know stern will have to get away from using that stupid and pointless button on the lockdown bar.
But, I really wish they would.

Black knight sword of rage is a worse game because of it. The stop the wheel of fate in Elvira... Okay... That's fine... Wish it was flippers. But, I understand they want me to be distracted and the ball to drain. Still... If I'm not paying attention I might get a hand of fate that I already cashed in.
There are more ways for Stern to make a buck. Then varied playfield art.

And heres the thing. That wouldn't lead to more money spent designing the game. They'd spend the same amount, and require the artist to do double the work. And that would lead to less quality of art on the playfield.

But, maybe... Maybe... You buy the LE you get to choose your cab and translite art package. That might be worth it for a lot of people.
I'm all for LE's getting good content. I bought the Elvira LE, because I think the prem cab is garbage. If its in a bar. Sure its perfect. In a home where its buried by 3-4 pins... Okay prem is fine. But, mine is exposed and I wanted that side art to look at.

By the way...
I like a lot of your ideas. Just not the playfield one.
Some lighting effects on underside of a cab, and the legs would be cool. And not horribly expensive. And maybe. Speakers as stock could have them in it. A lot of people mod their speakers for those lights.

And yeah. That is a bummer that Stern's translites and backglasses are all just backlit. No real light show like in the golden age.

Or maybe also. A real KNOCKER!!!!! I know the kits are actually pretty cheap. But, I am not a tinkerer. But, real knockers are better. You actually can scare people with the knock.

Okay... I can see that reason... But, that is not how a company would treat it. All that would lead to is a company spending less on the pros and the pros getting worse. Not just the pros but the prems too. The budgets will not go up, they are like a balloon, you'd just be relocating the same money to a different area at the cost of quality.

And that is how I feel about almost every business. Because, they are only in business if they can make money. And I don't think this would increase LE sales. Most of the hot LE's sell out still. And there will always be flops for every company that makes a product. Stranger Things might be a flop for Stern. Honestly. The one thing I'd like to see more of. Is more code launching in the 90's. Don't tell me about the features. SHOW ME THE FEATURES.

Question. And I know none of us here are insiders at stern.
But, in the Bro do you even talk pinball they interviewed Scott D about Rick & Morty. He said something very, very interesting. In fact I was amazed at how candid and how much he could actually say. That was very refreshing. Most of the time you hear people even on reveals when you see the video mode as a reward play coy about it. Because, they can't talk about most of the features of the game...

Anyway... Tangent over, back to my question. He said that they had a contract where they through updates could utilize future clips from future seasons of Rick & Morty.

Does anyone here think that Stern has a similar deal, or is it just locked in at the two seasons or whatever they have so far? I'm not complaining about anything. I'm just curious. It would probably be nice if they had such a deal. Or maybe because of the nature of the show it might not matter?
That was just a thought that went in my mind.

And then lastly. I'm actually kind of excited to see if STh has a video mode and if it does. If it'll be any good.(I know this last point most people will say of course its no good its a video mode!!!!)

See I think LE's are an excuse for a company to be greedy and lazy. I don't like them. And I wish the model was back to the original 1 pin, 1 layout. Let people put the addons that they want. Powder Coat. Real backglass, shaker, art blades, topper. Kind of like buying a car. Get the options you want. But, the core of the game should be the same model to model.

But, that won't happen. Can't roll the clock back. I just don't think you should give a company another way to squeeze a dollar, dime, or nickel out of you is all.

You may be right. I guess I'd just have to see it for myself.
Good thing though not many new dream themes are going to be out there for me to buy. Unless Stern or Jersey Jack makes a Hardbody 2. Day one SLE for me!!!!!

I think right now thanks to Elvira 3 finally coming out, I'm more interested in the next CGC game. And if its a game I don't want then probably get AFMr or MMr, or maybe my Ghostbusters that I been wanting or a batman 66 catwoman. I think that's my choices for next pin.

Unless Stern makes a Priest or a Dio pin. SLE for a Dio. But, that will never happen. Both bands are about a little less than half the record sales of both maiden and ac dc. So won't happen ever.