There's been a number of discussions on Pinside as of late about the lack of code updates coming out of JJP. I still say JJP is making some of the best pinball machines out there (I'm happy to currently own 4 JJP games) but their code support seems to have done a bit of a 180 compared where it was 5 years ago. Maybe some of their latest games are being released with more completed code (Toy Story 4) but there's still a lack of polish for other games.

Besides a few updates for their latest game, Toy Story 4, there's been a complete stop in code releases for over a year for all other JJP games. I can understand no longer releasing updates for Wonka, Dialed In, Hobbit, and WOZ as those games are very polished at this point. However, Pirates with its .99 code (no final wizard mode) and their biggest hit to date GNR not receiving a single update in over a year is puzzling. I was just at a pinball league event with 4 fellow GNR owners, everyone of us agrees that GNR code desperately needs code polishing and by that I mean not just bug fixes. GNR has also taken a good hit on the secondary market and IMO it's heavily tied to the lack of code updates for the game.

Also, and this is just an opinion, there are too many modes in JJP's latest titles that come across as being dull (shoot everything type modes for example), and modes that are almost duplicates of each other that again are just not very fun to play. It doesn't matter if Pirates has 100+ chapter modes and GNR has 25+ song modes when they all basically play the same. Add some more mode variety (Hobbit for example), make more modes stand on their own versus being stacked 3-5x over (LOTR for example), and add more unique mode choreography across all modes (Hobbit and LOTR). Many of the modes in GNR and Pirates almost come across as being procedurally generated versus being noticeably unique as with the modes on say Hobbit.

I would like to continue buying JJP games but code support, depth, and polish just isn't where it should be IMO when compared to Stern who is now regularly cranking out updates for multiple games and constantly polishing existing code.

Last JJP code update release dates

GNR: October 13th, 2021
Wonka: October 21st, 2021
Pirates: April 23rd, 2019
Dialed In: October 14th, 2021
Hobbit: October 22, 2021
WOZ: October 20th, 2021

Yeah they need to do something, like you said maybe hire more programmers. The “It’s coming” phrase being told to customers has been old for months (well years lol) now.

I also found it odd how Pinball Expo 2022 came and went with JJP not doing one of their typical team fireside chats. There was no discussion about code updates, or code updates released close to Expo as JJP did last year.

Yeah, it's sad. Stern was that way but has done a complete 180 for the better with code support over the past few years. They are cranking out the updates.

From a fellow pinball league member and friend when discussing GNR code "Who would have thought we would be complaining about JJP code updates"....Yup, that's where we are at sadly.

Yeah that wasn't cool, same with Butch.

This guy is waiting for two things, a GNR code update and for the Detroit Lions to win a Superbowl. Happy Halloween everyone.

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Never did I think we would have to use the #WheresTheCode tag for JJP but here we are. What has happened to code updates at JJP? How can updates remain as as a beta for months or even years at a time?

That's good news, longest beta of all time lol.

It’s starting to look like the Detroit Lions may win a Super Bowl before JJP releases another public code update.

Another example of why GNR needs a massive code update. JJP could easily impact value in a positive way if they release far more code for this game.

What has happened to code updates from JJP? Zach from SDTM recently said that JJP could easily increase sales of Toy Story 4 if they simply released more code update for the game. Please make it happen JJP, you used to be the leader in code updates but even I'll admit that Stern has taken that title over these past few years.

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/for-sale-guns-n-roses-le-146#post-7347720

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I'm with ya, JJP's code support as of late is making me look at a Stern pin for my next purchase. I rather not wait years wondering whether or not Cannoli Multiball will finally be coded.

Another JJP title is about to be released but Pirates code isn’t complete and GNR needs a massive code update.

Last GNR code code update.

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Yeah. In years past they have come through (WOZ, Hobbit big time, Dialed In, Wonka) but for the past couple of years code updates have come to a crawl.

I’m ready to buy a new pin but for now it’s likely going to be a Stern or a CGC due to the code update drought at JJP. I’m not sure if JJP realizes anymore that they can easily increase sales, good will, and game value by releasing more code updates. Stern gets it.

Days since last GNR code update: 511

Days since last Pirates code update: 1,416

Get ready for some JJP code updates, ScoreBit is being removed from all JJP games! Just wow

Potential future GNR and Pirates change log

- ScoreBit removed

The skeleton doesn't mind waiting for a Pirates and GNR code update.

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See above, maybe in 2032.

You buy a JJP game
JJP game go into your basement
You wait years for a code update in your basement
Farewell and adieu to you, fair Spanish ladies

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I hope this is the case, would be understandable then. If that's true one would think that TPF is the perfect time for an announcement.

It's pretty sad, I read a recent comment in the GNR owners thread where someone said "JJP doesn't really do code updates anymore" That's one of the problems with waiting so long between code updates (or never completing a game, Pirates). A negative perception about the companies code support starts to brew.