All this talk about lack of passion is really of base to me. Nobody works in pinball because it's an easy way to make a living. They're all passionate about it. I dunno what Stern pays, but I promise you if you're a programmer you could have been making double that at some internet company desperate for bodies who can code.
People who think Stern is full of people just clocking a paycheck are imo out of touch with the human beings they're talking about. Same is true for all the other companies.
I might think Toy Story is an unappealing game, but I don't doubt Pat Lawlor's commitment to pinball. He has a style that isn't my favorite and they picked a poor license. So it goes. People still worked hard on it, and I know some do love it. Different strokes.
You know who gets dunked on here in personal ways more than he should? Lonnie. Have you ever talked with Lonnie? I have. Zero doubt in my mind about his passion for pinball. Who kept the lights on for game code during the worst times at Stern? Lonnie did.
You don't like his game code, cool, everyone has their own taste. I think Keefer is a genius, and I also don't enjoy playing his games. Not my style. I don't doubt either of their commitment.
I didn't enjoy playing Rush. I love my Metallica. Borg did them both. He's a pinball OG, nothing but respect. I can not like his latest game without saying he's a hack, or soulless, or lacks passion.
I'm never shy about having an opinion, and I never begrudge anyone for not agreeing with me or having their own. Say a game sucks if you don't like it. But there's no reason to drag the people who made it through the mud, or say they don't care about their jobs.