Quoted from greenhornet:Fair enough, when comparing to Stern. But what if JJP had built it, and build quality wasn't going to be an issue? everything in the original BOM was kept, and then some, without cutting corners?
I believe the original question was posed from this standpoint. Say an existing manufacturer revealed a new non-themed game dolled up in purple and pink; designed by an unestablished first time designer featuring a simple one level layout, a mostly single rinse/repeat objective, no modes, no ramps, no toys, but they told you its got a great light show and driving soundtrack. It was going to list for $6K. They justify this machine as their attempt to return to the 80's simplicity of rules and layout with retro art.
If TNA was an in-house design by JJP would people still view this machine as something special or ask themselves 'what exactly are they trying to sell me here'?
I agree that I took the original question the same way.
In general, I think the excitement for the game itself would be there still. I played all the "new" games at TPF this year (except Dominoes), and TNA was my favorite. Easily. I don't know Scott, I own no Spooky pins, I'm not in the homebrew scene. I just liked how it played.
However, I do also think the overall reaction to the full announcement (and criticism thereof) would vary, depending on the manufacturer. Hard to predict. For instance, for JJP this would be their most inexpensive offering (I think $8k is the lowest game price presently available through them), so people might actually perceive of this as a better deal than they currently do (where its pricing is very much in line with other Spooky games). Stern at $6k could go a couple ways, depending on the person. Some might look at the features that Stern Pros lack (real backglass, topper, laser etching, etc.) and say that's worth the few hundred more than a Pro. Others might focus on the code (presumption of far fewer lines developed), animations (presumption of fewer), and lack of a major "toy" and then question why it isn't cheaper than a Pro.
So, I think in a way both thoughts are right. Total Nuclear Annihilation totally (haha) stands on its own as a game. But reactions would almost assuredly vary depending on the manufacturer, even if the game itself were identical. Just how the hobby is.