It seems to me like there was no real 'director' for the game, as if the artist, designer, sculptor, rules guy, all were all in different places, and working in their own directions. Is this what happened? Was there anyone in charge of the project after Balcer left? Who knows, but honestly it is the only way I can imagine us getting what we have now. It is not bad, but it should be amazing. At this point I really should not care, but The Hobbit was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it just disappointing that what we are getting is so lackluster. None of the separate elements look 'bad' to me... the toys, the photoshop art, the playfield, cabinet design, etc... they just don't unite to make an impressive whole.