Good discussion.
The good:
We have permission from all three patent holders to create a new pin2k game. *If* we decide to exercise that option we will enhance the core code (actually throw a lot of it away) in order to create a better pin2k (pin 2010 if you will.) We have lots of interest from many parties to help us.
The Bad:
As we all know all of the patent holders don't exactly get along very well and they have different agendas (not saying bad, good, or otherwise, just different.) Making a Wizard Blocks kit will be extremely challenging. Nucore was challenging enough to make the product work but all the legal issues doubled the work (just for the record that isn't the fault of any one party, well, you could actually blame WMS for giving separate companies the same patents but what's done is done.) We believe the cost my be past what people would be willing to pay for a completely new machine (WB.) Even at high costs I don't think the team would make much money (maybe none) doing it. I've already done my charity work with Nucore, no more freebies ;-)
What does this all mean?
I'm pretty sure we'll see a new pin2k game and I'm also sure it will be better than the last two. The first attempt might be to create a RFM II using the same playfield but creating a new set of rules. That's an option. And don't count out wizard blocks. Don and I spent the better part of two months discussing the project with a number of people and something *may* happen. Although I can't say for sure and I couldn't say how soon. Keep the faith! Enough people love the platform that something cool will happen with it. Don and I always have our poles in the water and occasionally we catch a big one ;-)
