Quoted from Black_Knight:Why do you think I wasn't around to see the market in the late 90's? I had my first machine at home in 1982. You do know a lot, and have the attitude to match it.
You are right, there were people buying machines then, not Nobody, I was speaking in hyperbole. But today's market doesn't resemble the 90's. Using a examples of closeout sales while the market collapsing isn't as relevant either.
Today's differences are obvious by answering some simple questions:
- Are there more hobbyists buying NIB machines today than in the 90's
- Is the % of new sales to hobbyists vs. operators greater today than in the 90's
- is the % of all pinball sales, new and used, to hobbyists greater today than in the 90's
- Is the market growing today or collapsing like it was in the late 90's
My original point was that I believe SW will be a bigger seller than GB. Why?
- There are many more SW fans than GB fans, both in the pinball hobby and outside the pinball hobby
- GB pf was a disappointment to many. I know a lot of people like GB, but many are also turned off by its play. I am betting Richie builds a 'safer' design to attract more people to the machine.
- Also with the LCD and today's light shows, the machine will (should) be significantly more immersive
Were there other SW machines? Sure, but E1 stinks (hyperbole again, but it is really strange and turns off a lot people), and none of them are rated in the top 100, so they are relatively unloved by most.
I wasn't even including people outside the hobby today, but there will be SW fanboys that buy as a first machine. The SW crowd is the perfect market segment for pinball. 30+ with disposable income.
So to sum it up:
Pinball = Good
SW Pinball = Gooder
GB is Stern's best recent selling game not just because of it's theme but because of it's gameplay and unique design. I know some vocal people are turned off by it but obviously many more are fond of it's uniqueness.
SW will sell very well depending on if it's design and gameplay are good. Certainly it will sell because of it's theme alone to some but it's lasting power will be determined by it's design and gameplay.
