I find the idea of Iron Maiden being a serious candidate somewhere in between hysterical and full on delusional.

I think the scene is quickly coming to a point where Stern really has to make a big move to tip a lot of these young players who are starting to dabble in the hobby. A theme that makes the 30 something player go out and buy their first NIB, if not their first machine period. For newer players theme is everything. Older players who are clamoring for the IronMaiden type themes are already sold on this whole pinball thing, if the game plays well they'll buy it regardless.

Now on to actual theme ideas

- UFC
- Younger players have been raised on console games. A theme like Halo or Call of Duty could draw tons of first time players. A Super Smash Bros theme would offer all that 80s/90s nostalgia while still staying current.
- The music themes work out well but the rock/metal is quickly getting played out. Rap/HipHop is too polarizing (though I would love a Kanye machine if only for the call outs). If only there was another genre of music that was growing faster than ever and lent itself well to fast paced action... Oh wait.... There is... EDM (electronic dance music). I don't know if one dj has built his brand up to the point where he could carry the theme on his own but Deadmau5, Skrillex, or Tiesto are all pretty close. Hell, they don't even need to pay the licensing fee, make it a generic club/dj theme and make the real star of the machine the lighting and technical effects.
- Timing the release of the next machine with blockbusters that might be coming out in 2nd half of 2014... Guardians of the Galaxy (you know they have marvel ip on speed dial) and Sin City 2 ( Ild be all in).

Start the "This guy that called our Iron Maiden idea delusional and then suggested a dead mau five machine" flaming now.

GoT would be tough because it is so similar in general theme/feel to the hobbit. I dont know if now is the right time to really make a machine that can be directly compared to a JJP.