Note to Gary Stern - Please leave the design work to Steve Richie and team. No shortcuts or cost cutting, let the man do his job !

There seems to be a healthy revival of Pinball in the USA. 

Spot on.

There appears to be a "name grab" contest of talented people between JJP & Stern.
This is a wonderful opportunity for for some brilliant people who were put out to pasture by WMS &c.
Even better news for enthusiasts - we should see a return to real collector's machines as the competitors vie to produce pins that will appeal to us.
My fervent hope is that the market & economy can sustain both parties without detriment to their businesses.

Whatever transpires, it looks like being very exciting times for all of us in the foreseeable . . . . .