I would have thought JJP would have tried to do something Very different to LOTR just to make it really really stand out from Sterns previous pinball game, but the movie licencing people run the show as i said before, so what chance did JJP have of doing something colour wise that was very very different....
Larger detail, larger monsters, larger pictures would have been better IMO. But licencing dictates everything so predictable is what u are going to get.
Still looks good, but not GREAT yet... Lets see how much it changes between now and delivery. It wouldnt surprise me if JJP (Jack) has thrown a red herring out there and he might have a few different versions, and this one might be just out there so far to throw Stern off the scent....time will tell.
Terminator 2 - Bally / Williams
Terminator 3 - Stern
But Stern DID change a lot for T3. I much prefer T3.
So I expect the same for "The Hobbit". It would be a much better machine, I think. Early days, and the cabinet presentation is MILES better than LOTR.
What has surprised me is that the local distributor has not gotten a list of Australian WoZ buyers from Jack and gotten out there and be promoting this machine
Not surprising at all. There has been ZERO promotion of WOZ or Hobbit. No one in Australia outside of forums knows anything about these games.
I like the artwork - it is consistent with LOTR as the theme is basically the same. So no surprises there. The more I see that big ugly LCD, the less interest I have in buying a JJP. They need to revert back to a smaller screen. If I want to watch cut scenes, I'll watch the movie. It is a pinball that should not have distractions away from the playfield except to check your scores or play the "video mode".
Early pictures (lower cabinet) look great.
+1 Nino
Not surprising at all. There has been ZERO promotion of WOZ or Hobbit. No one in Australia outside of forums knows anything about these games.
Why wouldn't they promote Jacks titles? More money for the distributor!!
Peter
Laziness.
Marketing, promotion and sales requires hard work and a strong business plan. Expecting the profits to "fall in their laps" is not working. JJP need to remedy this situation immediately, as there is absolutely no promotion of his product line in this country. Pathetic really. Distribution and marketing should be privilege. Promoting pinball involves some sort of passion.
Why doesnt anyone else promote brand new pinballs in Australia ?? Stern or JJP etc....
AMD has a good website, and Bruce has a large mailing list for monthly specials and he is great at keeping in contact with forum members etc, but maybe there isnt the coin in it for larger scale promotion. So far, the best advertisement for BNIB pinball machines in Australia is the forums and word of mouth.
Someone needs to win Lotto and start up a Pinball World which can become the mecca for all things brand new pinball. OR marry someone related to Mr Bunnings or Mr Harvey Norman........
I answered the JJP above - and it boils down to laziness and a lack of passion.
Stern can be summed up at the Victorian AC/DC "Competition" - No promotion whatsoever. An absolute disaster. I was told be organizers that the comp was "heavily promoted on MMM radio station". So Stern / AMD PAID for marketing and promotion - but I assured Norbert that NOT ONE promotional second was spent on the comp. I've been to dozens of promotional events with MMM involved, and there was always VERY good looking women walking around handing out T-Shirts, hats and bumper stickers. AMD have an email distribution, and this is one good way of reaching their client base.
I think not enough time and passion goes into promoting pinballs. I know I can talk for hours with other pinheads, and that time could be spent making money - but I prefer talking to people - it IS promotion. I think the current distributors need to engage the public more. This should be governed by the passion for the game, and not profits.
