I think based on the enthusiasm of pinball people in the US if the game looks good and Stern are smart and do a nice launch and gameplay video to show the play potential they will get alot of sales. Code updates seem very much linked to sales, good sales will then lead to code and game play improvements like AC/DC etc. But then what game doesn't have code updates as Heighway, Spooky and JJP are doing updates down the track but the difference is these other companies only have 1-2 games to update over long periods of time where Stern are pumping out 3-4 new titles a year.
WWE is a recent game that I don't think has sold that well and many people like the top wrestling ring but many have complained how the ball is up there too often - this leads to poor sales. If they had art on the pros like the 80's wrestlers that the pinheads remembered when they were younger and maybe changed the playfield to go up there when a certain few targets are hit meaning less time in the ring and a bit more varied in game play. Maybe the ramps have a turn on and off diverter to the top ring making it a little better in play with ramps looping around past. Improving play and art could of really turned this around for Stern.
As for Avengers, the art was pretty good and the unique playfield had some good features but some of the design affected the sales - ramps covering up inlane to flipper inserts, other inserts too far up and view blocked along the middle lhs side, balls getting caught up on the Hulk. All these issues affect sales and the priority to code.
My opinion is if they can tick the boxes on GB - art, layout, game play potential, a full featured game many people will buy but if they don't perform in one or more of the areas then sales are affected and then the priority to update code reduces. If Stern have the license to produce for a while and all the boxes are ticked it could be made for a few years. Some people in the know have seen the layout and art say it looks great so time will tell but agree it would be nice if they release a game professionally with the code almost done apart from tweaks to fix bugs and enhance the play even more would be nice.
With GB, the art was requested to be pulled down by Stern on Pinside causing a bit of drama but almost confirms that it will be happening. This game is also rumored to be only a Pro and LE so hopefully the Pro is fairly full featured and not a cut down game like GoT.
