Being a marketer I can tell you licensing sells, it get players to stop. Only a true pinhead would stop to check out an unliscensed theme. In the scheme of things the license is only a very small part of the pinball making expense, I asked this question of Gary at expo.

I find it interesting how many new machines sell out or are secured prior to even seeing the machine, for example Transformers LE's sold out instantly, as did the AC/DC LE's. I believe license has everything to do with this. Even though they are limited, it is all about license and not game play in this instance anyway. If someone said that "Mega Heroes" or "Army madness" was coming out next month, people would not go crazy, or preorder

I agree game play wins all day for a pinhead. But even theme gets the pinheads to jump in or come running for the next title. I guess for the money, a them does one thing, it grabs attention, and bring in players, and buyers if nothing else.

Just to prove my point, IF same exact game play, what would sell or get played more on route? Army Madness, or Call of Duty/Modern Warfare..........Mega Heroes or Avengers? Unfortunately, a lot has changed in society, fast pace, a lot competing for attention, and if you loved the Avengers movie, you might just take time out of you day to give the pin a whirl.

Now me being a pinhead, I will play anything at least once BTW, no one is right or wrong here, just good conversation! As a pinhead, I am interested in any title if the game play is good!

Its true, license or not, the game has to be good to be played. Solid point!