I couldn't agree more with Retropin and Olivia Jason, but it is obvious we're dealing with a firm believer who is going to see a full glass when there are only a few drops in it. That's still fine, so let's agree to disagree.
are you trying to alienate your potential customer base?
Because to me you are coming across as a Stern hater an a bit of a dick
You're as much entitled to your opinion as I am. I'm don't hate Stern but I don't think they put out great games either (although there are a few exceptions, such as AC/DC). That is my personal opinion and I respect your opinion. So we don't like the same games. That's fine, no big deal. I may have a different choice in what about I like in women than you. Thank God for that because if we all liked the same woman that would be a serious problem.
So I found most of their games boring, not well executed, uninspired, too much multiball, too long ball times, and I can go on. That is my personal opinion and experience with their games. That doesn't mean I like each and every game B/W or another manufacturer put out. I strongly believe (and every single designer will agree with me) that the product put out by a (in this case pinball)company reflects how much fun the designteam had in designing the game. I do sense that the same designers at B/W had a lot more fun in their work than when they were working at Stern. The designers I spoke with over the years all have confirmed that. The difference is like working late hours because you're having so much fun and want to continue, or working late hours because your boss tells you to because he thinks you're not working fast enough. That difference in working environment will show in the product put out.
Apart from judging the product put out I also look at the side effects. Let's say the pinball operator market was still 100% in 1999, and within a few years 50% of the operators don't want to buy new games anymore because of their experiences with the games from the remaining company, what does that tell you? You may still think Striker Xtreme or High Roller Casino are great games, but on location they weren't such big hits. They're still of the same quality the same factory put out when they were Sega. You may appreciate those games. The only upside for collectors of those games is that they are able to buy 10 of those games for the same amount of money as they would spend on a Medieval Madness. That has to say something about how those games generally are received. You may still think they're the best thing ever, but if they were wouldn't their prices be a lot higher?
Since your doubting my professionalism: my opinion on what I think of Stern Pinball, or any manufacturer, will not be expressed through the magazine. The magazine is not about me, but about the people who work(ed) behind the scenes of the pinball industry, collectors and/or people who support the hobby today in a way lots of other can enjoy the same hobby. I even have copy editors who will edit any partial copy or questions into neutral copy. In issue 1 you'll find an article on a guy who collects Game Plan pinball machines. Guess what: Game Plan gets no love at all. Still I thought it would be a great feature in the magazine. The guy has been a great help and I look forward to spotlighting more specialty collectors with 'odd' collections. In the magazine I'm not judging. I let people talk about their passion and leave the judging (if any) to the readers. You may choose not to want to read what they have to say, for whatever personal reason, but you may be missing out on a great read.
