A few points.
1. WOZ will not ship with finished code. JJP have said that because they NEED to get the machines out. Ofcourse, like any pinball manufacturer, there will be updates reported back to JJP from Joe Public as people play the game more n more etc. Its not a big deal that JJP will be doing and releasing code updates to the WOZ machines after they hit peoples homes, but the comparison was made to show that JJP originally bagged Stern for doing this, and now they are doing it themselves. Its easy to sit on the outside and point fingers at Stern and say u can do better, but when the time came, JJP couldnt. (who cares about code updates or corrections anyway, its not a big deal, everything in 2013 gets an occassional update)
2. The original price point JJP discussed was a machine for around $5,000 USA (or $6600 Australian) and JJPs mission was to create a better machine for a better price compared to Stern. It didnt happen, they have a widebody that is now around $4,000 dearer than the Pro machine Stern has. *Thats the $4,000 Australian price difference, nothing to do with upgrading WOZ models for $500 which someone mentioned.
I will say here, again, no big deal, JJP tried to do a budget model in their original think tank, it didnt happen, they have produced a widebody, its alot dearer, some have bought it, others definately wont cause its almopst $10,500 Aust to buy one now, whioch I think is a bad marketing decision cause u now have to pay more to buy a Woz non LE for a dearer price compared to the Woz LE etc.
But JJP now have marketed themselves as the quality, high end manufacturer, which has won them some praise, but they should have a Pro model to compete with Stern, and if they dont do it, it will be a mistake. Its early days anyway.
At the end of the day, we as consumers will all win. JJP and Stern want our money bad, and over time, both companies will develop and change and will mrph into better marketing entities to get our brand new in box dollars. Its early days, things will get better and better and better, cause competition always gives better pricing n products, and there is a new in box home use market re-assurgence which will drive better pinnys at better prices with better features.
Last but not least, Sterns 4 flavours, being Pro, Premium, and LE x 2 variants is smart, because it caters to a wider audience, and people with different requirements now get a choice and a opportunity to spend. I know many people who own Pros, Premiums and LE 's, so their marketing is both switched on and working, cause its getting people to buy brand new in box, and it caters for all types. The proof of the pudding is in the eating, and alot of people have various new Sterns at home. If they had a one model only phiolsophy, it would cut overall volume/sales down alot.
Could things get cheaper accross the industry, yes, will it happen, doubt it...
