As were TBL, Predator and Alien.

What's your point?

I think it's to be commended that there was no "look at what we're going to make. Give us your money so we can do it."

They've managed to make 10 machines with no external funding, no commitment to foreign factories for 1000's of unique parts.
It's been done as 'financially responsible' as could possibly have been.

All those people saying "It's too expensive", or "It's too simple" why not get off your ar$e$ and design and make 10 machines yourselves and see and what price YOU could sell them for.

Have you seen the prices of some of the $h!t being sold as exclusive mods? Pinstadium are selling their kit for as much as $280. I have made similar for under £20. While there's enough people out there with money to throw away prices will continue to rocket.
I doubt any of Team Pinball will be retiring from all the profits they make from Mafia.

EVERY single pin that's announced gets a shitstorm from Pinside - that's what Pinside does best

I played this at UK Pinfest, and have to say that I really enjoyed it, much more than Thunderbirds which came across as amateurish in design.

It played really well and stood up to 3 whole days playing without fault at all (unlike Houdini and Thunderbirds).
The ball movement and geometry was well thought out and it played well. It definitely played harder being new and shiny with all of the rubbers being super bouncy, not sure if the gameplay will fall down once the ball slows up somewhat.

Having played both machines a fair number of times, there is absolutely no comparison between the 2 games.

TAG is just an awful game to play, and everything on it looks and sounds cheap and nasty.

Mafia played and felt like a pinball machine should, and was enjoyable to play, not just a great first effort, a great game, IMnsHO.