Honestly, there are worse things. Basically, most of these issues in the pinball world are centered around preorders and first-time manufacturers. It's only one small corner of the pinball world as a whole. By now, everybody in on any preorders should expect problems and setbacks--it's par for the course.
For folks not dropping/risking big bucks on these ventures and the drama surrounding them, things have been pretty good (not to say new pins/manufacturers aren't good too--they are, once you get past the drama).
For older machines, the number of newly produced reproduction parts has been fantastic. Previously unobtainable parts are now obtainable, and machines have been saved from being parted out because of some of those critical parts being reproduced.
Also, awareness for pinball is spreading. Several TV spots have aired this year alone, and a few major (online) publications have posted articles about pinball.
New pinball shows are springing up everywhere. A few new first-time shows have been organized just in this alone year.
I'd say it's a good year for pinball.
