Nicely put together... I seem to remember having a similar "discussion" regarding exactly this on  AP and found that non licenced out performed licenced. TAF does throw a spanner in the works but at the end of the day, it was a groundbreaking machine when it came out.. a great player with a great theme.
It does in the end stress that game play will dictate a machines success... Theme may carry it somewhat but if its a nugget to play then its a low seller