Is the age of the pre-order over?

[Pop Bumper Pete]

Is the age of the pre-order over? 

Seeing that over the last couple of years a number of people have had the idea of starting their own company and build pinball machines
Everyone but Spooky Pinball (Americas most Haunted) seem to hit a few bumps.
They have funded their idea with other peoples money, and as we all know, pinball aint cheep.

With the beauty of hind sight, would you pre-order a pinball machine today?

[pinnies4me]

I clicked "I have pre-ordered before, and will again" but in reality it is "I have pre-ordered before, and might for the right game again"

I pre-ordered BBB, obviously a special case, and would for Kingpin. Unlikely for any others unless the theme is killer, or a known quantity like a proto that didn't make it to production.

[McKie1]

That's a great question Pete. Except for Mike's TAG, it seems to be a big gamble for most!

[Strangeways]

That's a great question Pete. Except for Mike's TAG, it seems to be a big gamble for most!

+1

Absolutely. I won't pay for a NIB game until I can see / feel the finished product. TAG would be as safe as houses.

[pinsanity]

Have preordered before, am currently on preorder lists, and would again.

Pinball was going virtually nowhere with the 2000-2010 model and was in danger of being left behind when the market leaders simply lurched from one title to the next and only advanced when their hand was forced by either 3rd party supplier technical obsolescence (e.g. incandescent to LED) or in later years when competition directly affected their sales.

Stern did little more than tread water for ten years technology wise when they had a monopoly. You want pinball to go back to that?  

[Pop Bumper Pete]

Re TAG, this machine is still 6 months away
None of us (except his distributor) know anything about the game

[GORGAR 1]

I would with a large proven company like stern but not with a small company with zero runs on the board :)

[pinball god]

I would with a large proven company like stern but not with a small company with zero runs on the board :)

+1 and then I am hesitant. I take risks in business not usually for pleasure.

[swinks]

I have a pre-order for AMH but with Spooky's model there is no money up front until about a month prior to departure. Even then it is a refundable $1-2k deposit with the remaining being on despatch. I am more nervous about how that pin will get here.

I was offered a position for j pops pin but $10k usd and a unknown time frame of when it may be ready - so passed on it.

[Caveoftreasures]

Re TAG, this machine is still 6 months away
None of us (except his distributor) know anything about the game

That's good because WOZ was marketed to death for two years before anyone got one and when people got their game they said it felt like a old purchase already.

If TAG is like Sterns releases it means the title is fresh when it is shown and distributed.

People also need to remember Stern had to tread water and make it through one of the worlds largest recessions.  Most USA car companies went bankrupt. Stern did well to keep pinball alive. No company ever has one hundred year perfect runs.
Except for the WOZ pre order, and for Thunderbirds, all the rest seem to be a surety that you will lose your money.
That Turkey in Melbourne who stole all the WOZ monies, ruined pre orders in Australia forever.
AMD are fine. Bruce is as safe as houses as would Mike- Homepin be.

[Strangeways]

Re TAG, this machine is still 6 months away
None of us (except his distributor) know anything about the game

Artwork will be on the playfield, and I'm almost sure that no artwork can be posted until the IP owners of Thunderbirds approve. I think Mike even mentioned once that he is not allowed to use "part of" the artwork of Thunderbird 3 - you have to use the artwork of the entire Thunderbird.

So asking for playfield shots would be a whitewood. Cabinet would be like looking at a blue cabinet with the artwork blurred.

I think the day it is all announced - it will not disappoint.

I do get your point Pete. But I think it is shrouded in secrecy for good reason 

[skywalker]

All valid points above, Most likely wouldn't pre order again, Homepin/Spooky different story 

[Retropin]

Its not over and never will be. We are pinball people and we love the rare and limited games... its what fuels any hobby, be it 1st edition books, stamps or records. Being the first to own, or owning a limited number production is just too tempting. The mind tells you its wrong but many people just cant resist it.
Ive pre ordered  vinyl records that are a limited pressing with no idea how they sound till I get them. I know the band but not the record itself.
No different with pinball, just larger $$$ values being spent.
How much are you willing to gamble???. That really is the only difference.

[Pop Bumper Pete]

Re TAG, this machine is still 6 months away
None of us (except his distributor) know anything about the game

Artwork will be on the playfield, and I'm almost sure that no artwork can be posted until the IP owners of Thunderbirds approve. I think Mike even mentioned once that he is not allowed to use "part of" the artwork of Thunderbird 3 - you have to use the artwork of the entire Thunderbird.

So asking for playfield shots would be a whitewood. Cabinet would be like looking at a blue cabinet with the artwork blurred.

I think the day it is all announced - it will not disappoint.

I do get your point Pete. But I think it is shrouded in secrecy for good reason  

No, I understand his keeping it under wraps and I  am fine with that
My point is that, today, we cannot judge the game or Mikes ability to produce the game, because he has not made the game yet nor is it due for another six months

[Strangeways]

Re TAG, this machine is still 6 months away
None of us (except his distributor) know anything about the game

Artwork will be on the playfield, and I'm almost sure that no artwork can be posted until the IP owners of Thunderbirds approve. I think Mike even mentioned once that he is not allowed to use "part of" the artwork of Thunderbird 3 - you have to use the artwork of the entire Thunderbird.

So asking for playfield shots would be a whitewood. Cabinet would be like looking at a blue cabinet with the artwork blurred.

I think the day it is all announced - it will not disappoint.

I do get your point Pete. But I think it is shrouded in secrecy for good reason  

No, I understand his keeping it under wraps and I  am fine with that
My point is that, today, we cannot judge the game or Mikes ability to produce the game, because he has not made the game yet nor is it due for another six months

I agree. If the pinball is anything like the tables, then they will be the best pinballs on the market. That's aiming high for a initial release, so maybe by the 3rd or 4th title, they should be the best..