Some excellent posts from all members. Great when everyone joins in.
One thing I wanted to pass on. I have always been told by Stern USA from both Steve R and Johnny Borg that they do design the Pro as the base model first. They set the foundations for a great game and lock that in. After the games overall flow and shot map is excellent, they then increase or add features to a second white wood to make the Premium/LE game after modifying some ramps or ball paths and add some features etc.
It's not design the LE and then take stuff away I have been told repeatedly by Stern. It's like a car, u build a great base model, then work on adding stuff to get the Sport or Luxury version.
It was described to me as building a three tier/level building. We build the base storey first on very solid foundations then we then build up. It's the only way to properly add or move things slightly, cause even the LE model retains 90 percent of the Pro Playfield and its features.
This is why the Pro model is always so good, cause it's a great player. The Prem or LE gets an extra 10 to 20 percent of new or modified features plus the eye candy stuff.
The Pro is programmed to be wild n fast n to suck down coins with shorter ball times (more challenging) wheteas the Prem or LE get a slight mellowing only sometimes but are programmed for longer ball times for home usage.
I buy the Pro cause it's always raw n fast and hard and bloody fun. Either model u will be happy with these days.
I reckon more LE models are to come . Maybe another 300 or 600 on top of the apparent 600 LE already sold.
It makes sense for Stern and for the buyers. The market with Kiss is massive so having it a 900 or 1200 total after increase would be wise.
Regarding WWE Pin, I don't think any hardcore Wrestling fans are going to like Kiss more than wrestling cause people who like Wrestling are fanatical fans like VIC people are about AFL .
Same goes with Fast n Furious Pinball when/if released by Steve Ritchie, hardcore car fans will chose cars of wrestling or Kiss probably. Most people are fanatical about one sport or passion. Only some of us are crazy enough to love cars, pinball, bands, Star Trek and ten other things all at once.
With Sterns new factory, more pinball lines will mean more shorter or longer runs, more Vault editions, and more scope to run titles longer so you don't miss out of say u wanted a TWDead Pinny then wanted the Kiss title straight after it.
Longer production runs will be better for all if it gives more choice and more options to purchase the title you really want without short production time killing it.
Go Stern. Even Nino is hyped up and ready for that Stern factory tour and to meet the designers n shake Gary Sterns hand. We might even drag Gav along n make it a Party ! Lol
