Quoted from Darth_Chris:

Last call would be brilliant but communication about production seems to be a problem with Stern

Quoted from mbl1116:

The devil on my shoulder is telling me to keep this information to myself…but this guy deserves the recognition and business
Rob at MAD Pinball (Stern authorized) is a fantastic distributor. Games only appear on his website for preorder/sale if they’re in stock, or if he’s been guaranteed to receive the allocation in the time frame listed. No lists, no overselling runs with empty promises, no BS. First class communication and response rate as well.
Ordered a GZ Premium at the end of January, with a guarantee that it was part of the March allocation..and it’s on the truck as we speak. Seems it’s not always some great mystery how many games distributors are getting. MSRP w/ free shipping

Quoted from VolitionFlipper:

If this is true, an immediate LE for me.
https://www.knapparcade.org/post/evidence-that-a-jaws-pinball-machine-is-in-the-works

Quoted from Gizmata:

Maybe its time to just do a Pro, Premium, and Ultra (in place of Limited) and not limit any quantities. If you want the Ultra, with different art and toy upgrades, then pay the extra cost for the extras.
This would eliminate the forced rush to buy each LE in case you actually want that Harry Potter LE someday. Or feeling like you have no chance at the Ultra because some bean counter decided only 250 would be the right quantity, so then the scalpers buy them up because they can flip them.
I personally hate the idea of agreeing to buy a game without seeing it and playing it in person.

Quoted from Pinball-Wiz:

Makes ZERO sense now to try and order from one of the big distributors like XXXXXX (removed the name, I love them, just an example that's been mentioned here several times- pick any of the big Distros!).
There is already a bunch of people in this thread that are showing how they got GZ Premiums from smaller dealers already. Who wants to be "300" in line when they get 60 machines? When you can be #7 in line for a dealer getting 10. Everyone THINKS they are a VIP at some of the big dealers... but now that the lines are getting big and the heat is turned up, seems like people are getting hosed or left in line to fight it out with others just like the lines at Walmart on black Friday. I think some (including me) are finding out that we actually aren't the VIP's we thought we were lol. Numbers are slim, and some are going to have to be burned.
This is really going to change things going forward... on the next Stern release, it will be a shit show of who gets to be put in line first! Lots of pin flippers to fight with and you're going to get placed behind each of the big distributors real VIP's. How the hell is anyone actually going to try and get a game with the desperate onslaught of everyone here trying just to get a (new release) game? You know, a new release game without a year wait???
Hell, I personally know of one person in the hobby who automatically gets an LE from a dealer and he/she ALWAYS puts it up for sale at a profit within 3-9 months (with very rare exception, and it's always NIB still). Not saying it's right or wrong, but if it's a title you REALLY want, too bad for you.. going to have to buy from the flipper.
That's my $.02. Love you guys and the hobby. Sucks that it's gotten to this...

Quoted from JackG:

Aug 2022 - NEW STERN CORNERSTONE

Quoted from TigerLaw:

If CrazyLevi were in this thread

Quoted from PinStalker:

I know!! Stern can sell a "Fast-Pass"... for more money, you can bypass the line and get your game faster!! They want to be closer to Disney right?
Insider Connected Ultra+ Status
"Limited" to 5000 members
$12K Premium only
OR for a better experience..... choose the "Personal VIP build tour".... bypass the "fast-pass" line and experience 1st hand the magic of pinball making as we put YOU to work on the 2nd line assembling machines for all the dregs who aren't VIP's! We'll build your machine immediately on the 1st line, and Gomez will come out to personally bless your machine before being thrown onto the pallet at the end of the shift.
Insider Connected Ultra+ Super VIP, Gomez Status
Limited to 1000 members
$18K LE
Or for the ultimate experience.... choose "Gary's Inner Circle of Friends"...... with each new release you will be afforded a DAY 1 impersonal non specific recorded message from Gary telling you your credit card has been billed $30k and receive an obligated LE machine with each new release, customized with the limited Elvira shocked face mirrored decal sticker on the left side of the cab, a super limited Gary shocked face mirrored decal sticker on the right side of the cab, a personal message which plays at system boot in Gary's voice "Thanks [name], you're my friend", AND a SUPER.... LIMITED.... NUMBERED..... PLAQUE...... on every surface of the machine!!! Proving for all time the machine and all it's parts are genuine matched Stern OEM issue: AN INDUSTRY 1st!!
(Topper not included).
Insider Connected Ultra+ Platinum VIP, We Like you More than a distro, Gary's Rolodex Status
Limited to as many as can pay.
$30k Super Duper Signature Ultra Awesome Once in a Lifetime until next time: LE
There's always a way to fix a problem and give people what they want....
LOL!!!

Quoted from Billygrippo:

Maybe they can start selling diy kits and we build it ourselves.?

Quoted from JackG:

A new TPN episode, Zach returned and gave us an update. Here is what is scheduled to be on the line coming up. Updates. AIQ Premium built before the Pro. Pros start on the line this week. June will have a Mando Premium run, along with another run of Rush Pro and Premiums. Deadpool and JP swapped spots, but Deadpool should go on the line beginning of May - ship out Mid May. But looks like the line is going to be filled up and doesn't seem likely there will be a surprise Kapow release this summer. New Cornerstone being built in August and September.
Apr 2022 - AIQ Premium & Pro
Apr 2022 - Rush Pro & Premium
May 2022 - Deadpool Pro & Premium
May 2022 - Godzilla Pro & Premium
June 2022 - Mando Premium
June 2022 - Rush Pro & Premium
July 2022 - JP Pro & Premium
July 2022 - Godzilla Pro & Premium
Aug 2022 - Star Wars Pro & Premium (original art package)
Aug 2022 - NEW STERN CORNERSTONE
Sep 2022 - Star Wars the pin (original & comic art)
Nov 2022 - JP the pin
Nov 2022 - Elvira Premium
Dec 2022 - TMNT Pro & Premium

Quoted from tedwasright:

Christ, that made me cough.

Quoted from delt31:

mando and AIQ are available b/c they aren't desired games. Owners will say they are awesome but the market doesn't agree. It's like Halloween right now. I'm an owner and love it but the market doesn't agree (right now). Simple as that.
DP has another run coming up but it won't even come close to the need b/c people love that game.

Quoted from Pin_Fandango:

We need to stop with catastrophic claims as if the world was ending lol

Quoted from jamieflowers:

And cat videos

Quoted from Pinbarclay:

Waiting on a JP pro. Will be my first NIB!

Quoted from JackG:

Q1 2024 - Cornerstone #1
Q2 2024 - Cornerstone #2
Q3 2024 - Cornerstone #3