mine arrived with 0.81 on it

The numbers are arbitrary. Jjp team could have put the number anywhere. Would it make a difference? If the next (minor) update changes the code to version 1.02 will that make a difference? I have never understood the notion of version number to the playability of a game. My lotr is version 10.0, but does that mean it is more "complete" than my tspp at version 5.0, or my woz at version 6.06?

Does v1.00 signify some magical barrier in pinball lore? I understand that normally anything less than v1.00 usually means beta, but there is nothing normal about what the jjp software team has done with the hobbit. There are already at least 2 different multiballs, 4 skill shots, 31 modes, a ballsave mode, and the integration of the 2 different lcd screens. This is above and beyond some other games with version. 1.00+ software in them.

If anyone is concerned with how deep this will get I would suggest looking at some of the other games Keith has been a part of (woz, tspp, lotr, wpt).

This post is not in response to anyone particular poster, but I have seen this comment on "early code" brought up in a couple different threads.

Hobbit 3.0 full install is up on the JJP website

https://www.JerseyJackPinball.com/support

http://159.203.76.48/th/TheHobbit-v03.00.iso

here is the readme from 2.96 to 3.00
==============================================================================
== Jersey Jack Pinball, Inc. ==
== Presents ==
== The Hobbit ==
==============================================================================
== http://www.jerseyjackpinball.com/ ==
== Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JerseyJackPinball ==
== Support Portal: http://support.jerseyjackpinball.com ==
== Company Twitter: @JJPinball ==
== Software Department Twitter: @JJPSoftware ==
==============================================================================
== Copyright � 2016-8 Jersey Jack Pinball, Inc. ==
==============================================================================

Comments, questions, and/or bug reports? Ask @JJPSoftware, which is monitored
and responded by humans.

Issues with your game?
Please open a ticket: http://support.jerseyjackpinball.com

==============================================================================
== Legend ==
==============================================================================

+ Addition * Change/bugfix - Note

==============================================================================
== Version 3.0 November 12, 2018 ==
== 3.00 ISO image MD5 checksum: 0ef75a9406716b306cd73b63b394f5db ==
==============================================================================

- NOTE: This is a FULL INSTALL release

* Changed "Gollum Save" display to prevent showing it on top of Extra Ball
* Updated Operator Manual to 3.4

=== OS

* Support for newer motherboards

==============================================================================
== Version 2.991 November 2, 2018 ==
==============================================================================

=== Game Code

* Fixed "Defeat of Azog" U-turn ramp diverter behavior
* Fixed Book Mode ball locked display sometimes showing +0 balls
* Changed Windlance display logic to ensure the shot meter always shows up
* Changed dragon priority for Smaug MB vs. modes

=== Core Code

* Fixed drop target malfunction detection

==============================================================================
== Version 2.99 October 29, 2018 ==
==============================================================================

=== Game Code

* Fixed "Battle of Five Armies" stage 3 logic
* Changed Arkenstone mode grace period behavior to no longer lock out all rules
* Changed "Defeat of Azog" rule to use U-turn ramp diverter
* Reverted "Light Mystery" inlane rule to V2.01 behavior
+ Added effects for Smaug Multiball Victory laps
* Adjusted music ducking for Smaug defeated
* Modified and added a few lamp effects
* Swapped fanfares for "Gandalf qualified" and "Book Mode lit"
* Updated Operator Manual to 3.3

=== Core Code

* Updated currency and pricing adjustment system
- Pricing settings display more sensibly when currency setting is changed
- Changing currency resets all pricing adjustments and earnings audits
- Invalid pricing tiers are now flagged when set
* Fixed Euro 11 preset
+ Added Japan pricing preset

==============================================================================
== Version 2.98 October 18, 2018 ==
==============================================================================

=== Game Code

* Modified some lamp effects
* Refined how speech is handled in Arkenstone modes
+ Added Extra Ball count and Tilt Warnings remaining to Status Report
* Changed beast taunting in "The Bait" to prevent repeated scoring w/misadjusted target
* Changed scoring on "Portcullis Loop" award

=== Core Code

* Fixed defect in drop target handler that would reset a drop target instead of scoring

==============================================================================
== Version 2.97 October 12, 2018 ==
==============================================================================

=== Game Code

* Fixed Arkenstone Mode champs to not reset to default at power up
+ Added some audits that were missing from Arkenstone modes
+ Added music for "Super Spinner"
* Fixed "Feast Frenzy" to include a grace period for scoring
+ Added "Feast Frenzy" and "Super Spinner" champs
* Changed colors used for Ring Button to make them more distinct
+ Added adjustment to inhibit Beast Hurry-up during Book Modes
* Changed Book Mode "hide beast" to inhibit Beast Hurry-up on inlane
+ Added backstab double scoring for Beast Hurry-up
+ Added a few display effects in various places
* Made a bunch of small changes to existing display effects
+ Added game number display to Smaug LE logo movie in attract mode
+ Added a bunch of lamp effects
* Adjusted gain and ducking parameters on fanfares and speech
+ Added some new speech callouts
* Suppressed Book Mode callouts during any multiball
* Changed mode timer to pause on "Gollum save" and trough kicking
* Turned on ball saver at start of "There and Back Again"
* Fixed "There and Back Again" so that it cannot start during a Book Mode
* Changed "There and Back Again" so that final shot does not time out
* Fixed dragon behavior in "Flashback" mode
* Changed "Riddles in the Dark" to be a 5-star tier for Arkenstone scoring
* Fixed ramp U-turn shot behavior when loading Windlance in Smaug Multiball
* Changed all use of kickback to honor "Kickback Strength" adjustment
* Changed "Bait" mode so that beast stays hidden longer on left loop shot
* Changed D-W-A-R-F skill shot to stop updating drop targets after a while

=== Core Code

* Fixed Status Report Start/Display adjustments
* Changed Status Report adjustment to allow up to 20 seconds per page
* Drop target bank error reporting now provides individual target information
* Changed ball handling default to "Balls in Reserve"

if bugs are found, then i am sure another update will be released. as far as i know, the game features are complete.