Silverball Chronicles: A Pinball History Podcast
- Folgen
- 54
- Erscheint
- unregelmäßig
- Letzte Folge
- 6. Nov. 2026
Über den Podcast
Welcome to Our New Feed! Looking for a different pinball podcast which isn't about current events or pinball news? Silverball Chronicles is a monthly podcast for the true pinball nerd that enjoys learning more about the complicated dynamics, politics and characters that created their favourite pinball machines. Join Ron and Dave as they stumble through pinball history mispronouncing names, chronicling designers, telling war stories, and digging up strange and obscure facts; all while paying homage to the hobby of pinball.
Folgen 54
Mark Ritchie, Don't Call Him 'The Other Ritchie'!
Want to Support the Show? Visit Our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles or pick up a tee shirt at https://silverballswag.com/collections/silverball-chronicles Today's topic is Mark Ritchie. The …
Shownotes
Want to Support the Show?
Visit Our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles or pick up a tee shirt at https://silverballswag.com/collections/silverball-chronicles
Today's topic is Mark Ritchie. The obvious way into the story is Steve Ritchie, because Mark followed his older brother into Atari and then Williams. But that is also the thing we should try to get past. Mark ends up with a compact but extremely recognizable catalog which his distinctly different than his older brother.
Sources
TOPcast #49 – Mark Ritchie
Pinside Game Archive – https://pinside.com/pinball/machine/mark-ritchie
Pinball News – Texas Pinball Festival 2023 / Mark Ritchie Pulp Fiction seminar: https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2023/03/24/texas-pinball-festival-2023/
Pinball News – Pinball Expo 2023 / The Making of Pulp Fiction: https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2023/10/27/pinball-expo-2023/
Zaccaria of Bologna Italy
Zaccaria was a unique touchpoint in pinball in the 1970s and early 80s. They were built with an Italian flare for style, art and passion. They were more than a simple fly by night pinball firm and one which …
Shownotes
Zaccaria was a unique touchpoint in pinball in the 1970s and early 80s. They were built with an Italian flare for style, art and passion. They were more than a simple fly by night pinball firm and one which remains distinctively interesting to pinball collectors today.
Sources:
Podcast: Pacific Pinball Museum - Wayne Neyens and John Osborne Part 1 - Oct 2 2013
Wikipedia Zaccaria Pinball. Here
Pinball News. Natale Zaccaria Interview. Here
The Roger Sharpe Tapes – Unpublished
Lorenzo Pinside Thread. Here
The Complicated Legacy of John Trudeau
Want to Support the Show? Visit Our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles or pick up a tee shirt at https://silverballswag.com/collections/silverball-chronicles The pinball industry is like a mirror …
Shownotes
Want to Support the Show? Visit Our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles or pick up a tee shirt at https://silverballswag.com/collections/silverball-chronicles
The pinball industry is like a mirror to society. Pinball is not immune to scandal or terrible people. Case in point, John Trudeau. One of pinballs most creative and wacky designers, but also the worst person in pinball. Can you separate the art from the artist or should you?
Join us this month as we review how John was introduced to pinball, his early career, working at the shoe string budget years of Gottlieb and then the boom in Williams. We also review why John is a considered a piece of garbage and how he destroyed the legacy of his games.
Sources:
Topcast Podcast
- Ep 10 – John Trudeau
- Ep 17 – Roger Sharpe
- Ep 37 – Joe Kaminkow
TNT Amusements Youtube
- Caribbean Cruise. Here
Pinball News. John Trudeau Charges. Here
Game Plan: Smoke 'Em If You Got 'Em
Want to Support the Show? Visit Our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles or pick up a tee shirt at https://silverballswag.com/collections/silverball-chronicles The pinball industry does a lot to try …
Shownotes
Want to Support the Show? Visit Our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles or pick up a tee shirt at https://silverballswag.com/collections/silverball-chronicles
The pinball industry does a lot to try to innovate and stimulate sales. Things like a mechanical bell, solid state boards, the wide body pinball machines, DMD screens and even stereo sound! But one of the strangest pinball machines out there was the Cocktail, a small almost round coffee table size working commercial pinball machine.
Join us this month as we chat about bad marketing ideas, Roger Sharpe's advice, John Trudeau's start in pinball, and the rise and fall... and rise and fall of Game Plan!
Sources:
Game Plan Pinball Fan Site. Here
Game Plan Wikipedia. Here
Topcast Podcast
- Ep 10 – John Trudeau
- Ep 17 – Roger Sharpe
- Ep 37 – Joe Kaminkow
Pinball News. John Trudeau Charges. Here
The Eras Tour - Jersey Jack Pinball Part 2
Want to Support the Show? Visit Our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles or pick up a tee shirt at https://silverballswag.com/collections/silverball-chronicles Last time we spoke about where JJP came …
Shownotes
Want to Support the Show? Visit Our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles or pick up a tee shirt at https://silverballswag.com/collections/silverball-chronicles
Last time we spoke about where JJP came from and the rise of Jack Guarneri in Ep 44. When we left JJP they were having financial troubles or 'needed recapitalization to get off the preorder model'. Enter the investors with the Abass family.
Let's talk changing business models, saying 'Brent' Abass instead of Brett Abass a few times (oops), changing artist and creating masterpieces, taking stuff out of games, amazing themes, criminally underrated games and the license to rule them all!
Sources:
Jersey Jack Pinball. Here and Here.
Jersey Jack Pinball Podcast Ep 1 – Brent Abass
2025, Dirty Pool Pinball Podcast Ep 16. Here
2011, Pinball News. New Pinball Manufacturer. Here
2013, Huffington Post. Jersey Jack Pinball CEO Explains How He's Making The Beloved Arcade Game Cool Again. Here
2013. Pinside. Early Review of Wizard of Oz. Here
2015, Pinball News – Jersey Jack Pinball Gets New Investors. Here
2017, Modern Magazine. Nature and Nurture by Beth Dunlop. Here
Brent Abess LinkedIn. Here
Jersey Jack Pinball Game List. Here
2013, Slate Magazine. Can This Man Save Pinball? Here
Pinball Tapas - Segasa-Sega S.A. Sonic Pinball
Want to Support the Show? Visit Our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles or pick up a tee shirt at https://silverballswag.com/collections/silverball-chronicles Segasa or Sega S.A. Sonic (or was it …
Shownotes
Want to Support the Show? Visit Our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles or pick up a tee shirt at
https://silverballswag.com/collections/silverball-chronicles
Segasa or Sega S.A. Sonic (or was it just Sonic?) Pinball was Spain's major contribution to the golden age of pinball. Its products evolved from licensed electro-mechanical arcade designs to original solid-state pinball machines under the "Sonic" brand.
Established 1968, Segasa (later Sega S.A. SONIC) initially, imported and distributed American amusement machines before transitioning to local manufacturing due to import restrictions.
Production ceased in 1986, marking the end of Spain's efforts for world domination and it's pinball adventure…
Sources:
SEGA-SONIC, una historia entre el éxito y la nostalgia (Spanish) - Here
1937 Hollywood movie Way Out West. Here
Segasa/Sonic Games list. Here and Here
Easy Paella Recipe. Here
The Seasoned Vet Keith Elwin
Want to Support the Show? Visit Our Patreon at or pick up a tee shirt at Silverball Swag Check out Flip N Out Pinball for all your pinball needs! Topic begins at 12:28 Episode Summary: Pinball has had a …
Shownotes
Want to Support the Show? Visit Our Patreon at or pick up a tee shirt at Silverball Swag
Check out Flip N Out Pinball for all your pinball needs!
Topic begins at 12:28
Episode Summary:
Pinball has had a dramatic change since the end of the modern DMD era at Stern. The designers we all know and love from the 80s and 90s have begun to retire, slow down, or leave the industry. A new wave of designers has started to slide in and learn from the masters… The first major new designer to come along was the tournament player Keith Elwin.
Some say Keith Elwin is the second coming of our lord and saviour Steve Ritchie. Others say 'in Elwin we trust'… but is that all hype? Has Keith Elwin changed the pinball designer game as much as some believe?
Join us this month as we chat about the second coming golden age of pinball, Keith's dominance of tournament pinball, his deep understanding of repair, play, code, and design, his first pin, and his second smash hit follow-up!
Sources:
Kineticist Keith Elwin Profile
Head2Head Pinball Podcast Ep. 45 - Iron Maiden
Head2Head Pinball Podcast Ep. 106 - Jurassic Park
Just Another Pinball Podcast - Godzilla
Flip N Out Podcast with Joel E - Jaws
Loser Kid Podcast - King Kong
Pinside Keith Elwin Designer Profile
Pinball Down Under Part 3: Home Pin?!
Want to Support the Show? Visit Our Patreon at or pick up a tee shirt at Silverball Swag Check out Flip N Out Pinball for all your pinball needs! Topic begins at 7:35 Episode Summary: In the third part of our …
Shownotes
Want to Support the Show? Visit Our Patreon at or pick up a tee shirt at Silverball Swag
Check out Flip N Out Pinball for all your pinball needs!
Topic begins at 7:35
Episode Summary:
In the third part of our Pinball Downunder series, we look at Homepin. Homepin was established in 2013 and was born from the hobby business of Mike Kalinowski. It seems like a really smart idea to set up manufacturing in the world's largest manufacturing country, China, but it turns out to be a mixed bag.
Ron and Dave play it as straight as the possibility can from a manufacturer who struggled out of the gate, overcame some very difficult situations, knows a theme is a must, understands costs are king, and whose owner went on a podcast charm offensive, which was more offensive than charming for the pinball community.
Correction: In a previous version, Taiwan was mentioned as a semi-autonomous state in the same context as Hong Kong. The episode has been edited to have this reference removed to remain politically neutral. You can read more about Taiwan here: https://tinyurl.com/b7x69hbp
Sources:
HomePin Games List. Here
The Aussie Pinball Podcast, Ep 16 – Mike from Homepin
YouTube. Mike Kalinowski. Here
HomePin Facebook Page. Here
Meet The Gottliebs Part 2: Alvin G. & Co.
Want to Support the Show? Visit our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles or pick up a t-shirt at https://silverballswag.com/collections/silverball-chronicles Episode Begins at 16:52 Episode Summary …
Shownotes
Want to Support the Show? Visit our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles or pick up a t-shirt at https://silverballswag.com/collections/silverball-chronicles
Episode Begins at 16:52
Episode Summary:
Ron and Dave Return to the Gottliebs, one of the best-known names in pinball. But did you know about Michael Gottlieb and the company he started with his father Alvin? Let's chat about Gottlieb's sale (again), the changes at the company and why they happened, Cheater the Gottlieb delivery driver, how Michael Gottlieb ended up in pinball following his family's exit, his famous pinball last name, Alvin G. & Co, when did Clowns becoming creepy, and finally what he does now!
Sources:
Expo Speech – Here
The Gottlieb Name Change (Mylstar)- Here
The Gottlieb's Picture - Here
Alvin Gottlieb Obituary – Here
AAMA Induction Video - Here
Alvin Gottlieb Game List - here
Youtube
· Pistol Poker Video - here
· Richard (Dick) M. Bueschel - The Pinball Historian. Pinball Expo 1985 Seminar. Here
TopCast, Ep 13 Michael and Alvin Gottlieb.
Pinball News. Expo 2006 Recap. Here.
Even Jersey Jack Pinball Left New Jersey
Want to Support the Show? Visit our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles Or pick up a tee shirt at https://tinyurl.com/kz5xt4hc Episode Begins at 10:10 Episode Summary: Join us this month where Dave …
Shownotes
Want to Support the Show? Visit our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles Or pick up a tee shirt at https://tinyurl.com/kz5xt4hc
Episode Begins at 10:10
Episode Summary:
Join us this month where Dave says 'Swing on Over' like 40 times in the preamble, Ron spoils JJPs next game with the help of Jersey Jack himself, reviews of 70s style, Jack's business building and evolving that business over and over, pinball needing to move to the home consumer market, stripped down Sterns, building a company from scratch, their first game Wizard of Oz and how it changes pinball forever, and the Abass Family.
Sources:
Jersey Jack Pinball. Here and Here.
Jersey Jack Pinball Podcast Ep 1 – Brett Abass
2011, Pinball News. New Pinball Manufacturer. Here
2013, Huffington Post. Jersey Jack Pinball CEO Explains How He's Making The Beloved Arcade Game Cool Again. Here
2013. Pinside. Early Review of Wizard of Oz. Here
2015, Pinball News – Jersey Jack Pinball Gets New Investors. Here
2017, Modern Magazine. Nature and Nurture by Beth Dunlop. Here
Brett Abess LinkedIn. Here
Jersey Jack Pinball Game List. Here
2013, Slate Magazine. Can This Man Save Pinball? Here
Are Barrels (Of) Fun?
Want to Support the Show? Visit our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles Or pick up a tee shirt at https://tinyurl.com/kz5xt4hc Episode Begins at 18:08 Episode Summary: Have you ever heard the …
Shownotes
Want to Support the Show?
Visit our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles
Or pick up a tee shirt at https://tinyurl.com/kz5xt4hc
Episode Begins at 18:08
Episode Summary:
Have you ever heard the saying, "pinball is hard?" Well, the team at Barrels of Fun hasn't, and they decided to smash on ahead and impress pretty much everyone. It's been over 24 months since they launched their company and their first licensed game… and (as of this recording) they've manufactured all the games they said they would.
Join us as we chat about the loving relationship between two pinball fellas, building a new company from nothing, Transformers, art, ramps, picking the bones of Deeproot Pinball, and Dave's unhealthy love for David Bowie in tight pants.
Sources:
Pinball Profile Ep 378 - Labyrinth-pinball-from-Barrels-of-Fun
The Aussie Pinball Podcast Ep 18 - David Van Es
Australian YouTube:
- Sherbet, Howzat. Here
- VB Victoria Bitter (Australian ad) 1988. Here
- "C'mon Aussie C'mon" Aust. Cricket TV Ad Original 1979. Here
Pinball Down Under Part 2: Hankerin' For Some Hankin + Mr. Pinball
Want to Support the Show? Visit our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles Or pick up a tee shirt at https://tinyurl.com/kz5xt4hc Episode begins at 13:15 Episode Summary: Do you find yourself craving? …
Shownotes
Want to Support the Show?
Visit our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles
Or pick up a tee shirt at https://tinyurl.com/kz5xt4hc
Episode begins at 13:15
Episode Summary:
Do you find yourself craving? Do you ever hanker for a special little thing? Well, we have had multiple people email and inquire about Hankin, you might say they had a craving for another Australian-based episode. Let's go down under again with Part 2: Hankerin' for Hankin.
Sources:
Hankin Game List. Here
The Aussie Pinball Podcast, Ep 5 – Wayne Gillard
The Rare Pinball Files: a Deep Dive on Hankin's Empire Strikes Back (1980), The Kineticist, 2023. Here
Meet The Gottliebs: D. Gottlieb & Co.
Want to Support the Show? Visit our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles Or pick up a tee shirt at https://tinyurl.com/kz5xt4hc Episode Summary: The Gottlieb Family is an important part of pinball …
Shownotes
Want to Support the Show?
Visit our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles
Or pick up a tee shirt at https://tinyurl.com/kz5xt4hc
Episode Summary:
The Gottlieb Family is an important part of pinball. David Gottlieb and Alvin Gottlieb made pinball what it is today. David's vision and spirit and Alvin's excitement and drive built the Gottlieb name into what it is today, and it will always live on.
Join Dave and Ron this month as we talk about the beginnings of David Gottlieb, wide west dangers, his life and family-changing opportunity, being highly focused vs. doing all things, not taking risks, Alvin Gottlieb joining the company, and the exit of the Gottlieb family from D. Gottlieb & Co.
Sources:
Punch Boards - Here
Expo Speech – Here
The Gottlieb Name Change (Mylstar)- Here
The Gottlieb's Picture - Here
Alvin Gottlieb Obituary – Here
AAMA Induction Video - Here
Youtube
· Pistol Poker Video - here
· Richard (Dick) M. Bueschel - The Pinball Historian. Pinball Expo 1985 Seminar. Here
TopCast, Ep 13 Michael and Alvin Gottlieb.
Pinball News. Expo 2006 Recap. Here.
Pinball Down Under Part 1: Haggis Pinball
Want to Support the Show? Visit our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles Or pick up a tee shirt at https://tinyurl.com/kz5xt4hc Episode Summary: Manufacturing is hard. Pinball is hard, and when …
Shownotes
Want to Support the Show?
Visit our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles
Or pick up a tee shirt at https://tinyurl.com/kz5xt4hc
Episode Summary:
Manufacturing is hard. Pinball is hard, and when you're starting on the other side of the world from all the suppliers and skilled labour, it's that much harder. COVID-19 did not help Haggis Pinball is the latest cautionary tale of a pinball start-up that promised big and initially delivered but ultimately succumbed to the pressures of the industry.
Join us this month while we talk about an IT guy who started a manufacturing company, what the heck is a celt, is innovation worth it, remaking old Ballys, COVID-19 production, red flags, and no, we won't be doing Australian accents and barbie jokes.
Sources:
The Aussie Pinball Podcast, Ep 16 – Mike from Homepin
The Aussie Pinball Podcast, Ep 5 – Wayne Gillard
Pinball Profile, Ep 304 – Fathom Revisited from Haggis Pinball
Pinball Profile, Ep 243 – Haggis Pinball Celts Update
2019, Austetrogamer – Made in Australia: Haggis Pinball. Here
2024, Pinball News – Haggis Liquidation. Here
2024, Kineticist. A Detailed Timeline of the Haggis Pinball Collapse. Here
2024, YouTube, Cary Hardy. My Interview with Haggis Pinball. Here
2024, YouTube, Cary Hardy. Unboxing the TRUTH on Haggis Pinball. Here
2024, Knapp Arcade. Haggis Pinball, The Aftermath Here
Multimorphic Is Reshaping Pinball
Want to Support the Show? Visit our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles Or pick up a tee shirt at https://tinyurl.com/kz5xt4hc Episode Summary: Multimorphic, Inc. manufactures the P3 Pinball …
Shownotes
Want to Support the Show?
Visit our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles
Or pick up a tee shirt at https://tinyurl.com/kz5xt4hc
Episode Summary:
Multimorphic, Inc. manufactures the P3 Pinball Platform, a modern, physical-digital, multi-game pinball machine, as well as pinball machine control system products, such as the P-ROC and P3-ROC. Since 2009, Gerry Stellenberg and his crack team of engineers and software developers have created the first off-the-shelf pinball controller board for making your homebrew pinball machines, and changed the image of a multi-use pinball machine with the P3 Platform.
Sources:
Multimorphic, Inc Website. Here
YouTube. P-ROC & pyprocgame at Pinball Expo 2010 Seminar. Here
Pinball Innovators & Makers Podcast Ep 18: Gerry Stellenberg
For Amusement Only Podcast Ep 450 – Interview with Gerry Stellenberg
Internet Pinball Database. IPDB.org
Pinside. Pinside.com
By Golly It's Bingo
Want to Support the Show? Visit our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles Or pick up a tee shirt at https://tinyurl.com/kz5xt4hc Topic Begins at 12:12 Episode Summary: Bingo just isn't the game you …
Shownotes
Want to Support the Show?
Visit our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles
Or pick up a tee shirt at https://tinyurl.com/kz5xt4hc
Topic Begins at 12:12
Episode Summary:
Bingo just isn't the game you can play at a country fair or a sketchy gambling establishment. Bingo is also the big brother to today's modern pinball. You'll remember we spoke about Bingo machines and the issues they had in our Brief History of Pinball episode, but we figured Bingo needed its own episode. I mean, Roger Sharpe got two episodes.
Ron and Dave (mostly Dave) crack out their 1920's voices as they dive into the world of one-balls, bingo, and 5-balls flipper games! We discuss Bingo vs. Bingo, touch on names you should know like the geniuses Lyn Durant and Don Hooker, Miami Beach's risqué flyer, what is so attractive about Bingo, why are there no Gottlieb Bingos, and more!
Huge thanks to Nick Baldridge and the For Amusement Only Podcast for the content of this episode.
Sources:
Baldridge, Nick. A Beginner's Guide to Bingo Pinball. Here.
Flippers.be. Bingo Machines: What Are They and How to Repair Them. Here.
McCaffrey, James D. Bingo Pinball Machines. Word Press. Here.
Baldridge, Nick. For Amusement Only Podcast. Here.
Pacific Pinball Museum Interview with Wayne Neyenes
The Johnson Act of 1951 – Here
Don Hooker's Games List – Here
Lyn Durant Games List – Here
Shalhoub, Michael. The Pinball Compendium.
Internet Pinball Database. IPDB.org
Yes… More Roger Sharpe
Want to Support the Show? Visit our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles Or pick up a tee shirt at https://tinyurl.com/kz5xt4hc Episode Summary: Roger Sharpe is hailed as the Man Who Saved the Game …
Shownotes
Want to Support the Show?
Visit our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles
Or pick up a tee shirt at https://tinyurl.com/kz5xt4hc
Episode Summary:
Roger Sharpe is hailed as the Man Who Saved the Game from our previous episode, but he did so much more! Roger has been involved in the birth of tournaments, the second rise of licensing, and mainstream journalism. He also has had a great film based on him and his relationship with his wife, Ellen.
Join us as we talk about Roger's last pinball machine, Cyclopes, his stumble into becoming the Williams 1990s Licensing guru, his friendship with Steve Epstein, and his very good film!
Sources:
TopCast Episode – 17 – Roger Sharpe
Teolis, Jeff. Pinball Profile. Here.
Barracora Inspiration. Li I, 1974 by Swiss artist H.R. Giger. Here and Here. Pinball Magazine. 12-
Aug-2015. Interview: Roger Sharpe. Here.
Pinball News.19-Jun-2020. Steve Epstein Dies. Here.
YouTube. Pinball History: 1990 Today Show 1990 with Roger Sharpe. Here.
YouTube. Interview with Roger Sharpe for 'Pinball – The man who saved the game'. Here.
YouTube. Turbografx7. Cyclopes with Roger Sharpe. Here.
YouTube. Modern Pinball NYC Closing. Here.
YouTube. Broadway Arcade Commercial. Here.
Shalhoub, Michael. The Pinball Compendium.
Internet Pinball Database. IPDB.org
The Token Roger Sharpe Episode
Want to Support the Show? Visit our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles Or pick up a tee shirt at https://tinyurl.com/kz5xt4hc Episode Summary: We've fought long and hard to avoid giving Roger …
Shownotes
Want to Support the Show?
Visit our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles
Or pick up a tee shirt at https://tinyurl.com/kz5xt4hc
Episode Summary:
We've fought long and hard to avoid giving Roger Sharpe yet another ego-building podcast to spin his narrative and propaganda… but, here we are. Roger wrote about pinball. Played pinball. Promoted and evangelized pinball. Roger has been involved in the birth of tournaments, the second rise of licensing, and mainstream journalism. He also has had a great film based on him and his relationship with his wife Ellen.
Join us as we talk about Roger's beginning, looking to buy a pinball machine, a thing that happened in a Court Room in the late 1970s, his pinball designs, the birth of tournament pinball, and his friendship with Steve Epstein.
Sources:
TopCast Episode – 17 – Roger Sharpe
Teolis, Jeff. Pinball Profile. Here
Barracora Inspiration. Li I, 1974 by Swiss artist H.R. Giger. Here and Here
Pinball Magazine. 12-Aug-2015. Interview: Roger Sharpe. Here.
Pinball News.19-Jun-2020. Steve Epstein Dies. Here.
Shalhoub, Michael. The Pinball Compendium.
Internet Pinball Database. IPDB.org Joe Balcer Game List. Here.
YouTube. Modern Pinball NYC Closing. Here.
YouTube. Broadway Arcade Commercial. Here.
The Capcom Debacle Part 2: Illinois PinBall Inc.
Want to Support the Show? Visit our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles Or pick up a tee shirt at https://tinyurl.com/kz5xt4hc Episode Summary: Last month, we learned about Capcom, the video game …
Shownotes
Want to Support the Show?
Visit our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles
Or pick up a tee shirt at https://tinyurl.com/kz5xt4hc
Episode Summary:
Last month, we learned about Capcom, the video game company that wanted to get into the pinball industry and ride the wave of popularity, just like Data East! It didn't go well.
Even after Capcom disappeared, the lure of what could have been remained. That's when we stumble upon a crazy collector and dreamer who ruined himself. Join us this month while we discover what happened to Capcom's assets, tooling and making new parts vs. selling existing parts, more lawsuits, being a terrible business person or being a great guy, and a second crash and burn.
Sources:
TopCast Episode 42 – Python Angelo Episode 56 – Ward Pemberton Episode 52 – Stan Fukuoka Episode 49 – Mark Ritchie Episode 47 – Chris Granner Episode 43 – Jeff Powell Episode 11 – Gene Cunningham
Youtube. Gene Cunningham. Northwest Pinball Show. Here.
2017. Polygon. When pigs flew: The strange history of Capcom's Big Bang Bar. Here.
2004. Pinball News. More Bang for the Bucks. Here.
2000. Pinball News. Gene Therapy. Here.
Pinside. Artifacts of Gene Cunningham/Illinois Pinball. Here.
Shalhoub, Michael. The Pinball Compendium.
Flower, G. Pinball: The Lure of the Silver Ball Hardcover. Here.
Internet Pinball Database. IPDB.org The Capcom Game List. Here.
The Capcom Debacle Part 1
Want to Support the Show? Visit our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles Or pick up a tee shirt at https://tinyurl.com/kz5xt4hc Topic starts at 8:27 Episode Summary: Capcom was a video game company …
Shownotes
Want to Support the Show?
Visit our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles
Or pick up a tee shirt at https://tinyurl.com/kz5xt4hc
Topic starts at 8:27
Episode Summary:
Capcom was a video game company that wanted to get into the pinball industry and ride a wave of popularity, just like Data East! Sadly, they were a victim of the wrong place, wrong time. Add to that a bunch of mismanagement, Python Angelo, various lawsuits, and well... you end up like Capcom Pinball.
Even after Capcom disappeared, the lure of what could have been remained, especially as we stumble upon a crazy collector and dreamer who ruined himself… but we will get into that in Part 2.
Join us this month while we discover why Capcom wanted to join pinball, who they bought to table to build machines, poaching talent from Williams, the lawsuits, and ultimately, the crash and burn.
Sources:
TopCast: Episode 42 – Python Angelo Episode 56 – Ward Pemberton Episode 52 – Stan Fukuoka Episode 49 – Mark Ritchie Episode 47 – Chris Granner Episode 43 – Jeff Powell
Shalhoub, Michael. The Pinball Compendium.
Flower, G. Pinball: The Lure of the Silver Ball Hardcover. Here.
Internet Pinball Database. IPDB.org The Capcom Game List. Here.
Joe Balcer – The King Of Clunk
Want to Support the Show? Visit our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles Or pick up a tee shirt at https://tinyurl.com/kz5xt4hc Topic starts at 9:10 Episode Summary: Joe Balcer is a name that some …
Shownotes
Want to Support the Show?
Visit our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles
Or pick up a tee shirt at https://tinyurl.com/kz5xt4hc
Topic starts at 9:10
Episode Summary:
Joe Balcer is a name that some people know and some people don't. Joe spent his early beginnings at Sega Pinball, then Stern Pinball, and he basically helped start Jersey Jack Pinball. He then started up another company called American Pinball. Joe has been around; he's worked for many bosses in many companies, and he's made some memorable layouts. Joe's not necessarily known as a 'high flow, quick ball movement' kind of guy. His designs tend to be more stop and go or, as some people like to call him, The King Of Clunk.
Source:
Pinball Profile. Episode 163: Joe Balcer, a career retrospective. Podcast. Here.
Head 2 Head Pinball. Ep 48 – Josh Kulger from American Pinball.
Super Awesome Pinball Show. Ep 8. Joe Balcer and Team.
This Week in Pinball. The Desire to Create – Interview with Joe Balcer, Playfield
Designer for Houdini Pinball. Here.
Replay Magazine. Roll out the Barrel. Here.
Shalhoub, Michael. The Pinball Compendium.
Internet Pinball Database. IPDB.org Joe Balcer Game List. Here.
Silverball Chronicles BONUS: Our Top Pins
Silverball Chronicles BONUS: Our Top Pins Join Ron and Dave in this Bonus Silverball Chronicles episode as they choose their favourite pinball machines made by featured pinball designers from previous episodes! …
Shownotes
Silverball Chronicles BONUS: Our Top Pins
Join Ron and Dave in this Bonus Silverball Chronicles episode as they choose their favourite pinball machines made by featured pinball designers from previous episodes!
https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/nw2bie/Bonus_Episode_-_Our_Top_Pins9niuz.mp3The Bro Of Flow: John Borg Part 2
Want to Support the Show? Visit our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles Or pick up a tee shirt at https://tinyurl.com/kz5xt4hc Episode Summary: John Borg is known for his distinctive style and …
Shownotes
Want to Support the Show?
Visit our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles
Or pick up a tee shirt at https://tinyurl.com/kz5xt4hc
Episode Summary:
John Borg is known for his distinctive style and approach to designing pinball machines. His design philosophy is as distinct as a fingerprint. 'Borgie' focuses on creating layouts that offer smooth flow and satisfying shots. He aims to design pinball machines that provide players with a sense of continuous motion and engaging gameplay. His layouts often feature well-integrated ramps, orbits, and habitrails that facilitate fast and exciting ball movement across the playfield. John also gets the coolest theme.
This month Dave and Ron talk about how cool John Borg is and why Dave is not, what John did after he left Stern in 2000 and what he did when he got back, developing his style, reusing elements, orbit spinners (yeah!), John's themes, and what makes Borgie's second kick at a pinball career the path of a modern pinball legend.
Sources:
TopCast – Episode 27 – John Borg
Head 2 Head Pinball Podcast Ep 41 – Keith P. Johnson
Slam Tilt Podcast Ep. 100 Lyman Sheats Jr.
YouTube – IE Pinball – Big Buck Hunter Pro Wizard Mode Achieved. Here
YouTube – Stern Pinball: The Making of: Metallica, KISS, The Walking Dead, Areosmith, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Rush.
Shalhoub, Michael. The Pinball Compendium.
Internet Pinball Database. IPDB.org John Borg Game List. Here.
* This episode was created with the use of ChatGPT, which kinda sucks…
Pinball Is Dying Part 4 – What Led Gottlieb To The Mylstar Nosedive?
Want to Support the Show? Visit our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles Or pick up a tee shirt at https://tinyurl.com/kz5xt4hc Episode Summary: Gottlieb is viewed as the romantic electro-mechanical …
Shownotes
Want to Support the Show?
Visit our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles
Or pick up a tee shirt at https://tinyurl.com/kz5xt4hc
Episode Summary:
Gottlieb is viewed as the romantic electro-mechanical giant to many. The pinball machine atop the coin-op pedestal for all other manufacturers to reach for… but it was its god-tier status in the 1960s and early 1970s that would ultimately lead to its epic cratering in the 1980s.
What led Gottlieb into the Mylstar Nosedive? Was it a lack of leadership? Corporate chaos? The recession of the early 1980s? Or was it a lack of creative freedom and adventure in the products?
This month, Dave and Ron talk about the massive success of D. Gottlieb and Co., the ownership changes that hobbled the company, Ed Krynski's biography, generational changes in Gottlieb, Ron not knowing Europe is a continent, and the games of Mylstar! What could go wrong?
Sources:
Shalhoub, Michael (2004). The Pinball compendium: 1982 to Present. Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.
YouTube Interviews from the Pacific Pinball Museum – Here, Here, Here and Here
TopCast – Episode 30 – Wayne Neyens
Pinball's Centenarian – Wayne Neyens
Want to Support the Show? Visit our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles Or pick up a tee shirt at https://tinyurl.com/kz5xt4hc Topic Starts at 9:10 Episode Summary: A Centenarian is someone linked …
Shownotes
Want to Support the Show?
Visit our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles
Or pick up a tee shirt at https://tinyurl.com/kz5xt4hc
Topic Starts at 9:10
Episode Summary:
A Centenarian is someone linked to longevity, someone who has seen it all come and go, then be reinvented again. Wayne Neyens is pinball's Centenarian; he was there at the beginning, and he was there when it ended… a couple of times… and he witnessed the rebirth we now see today before his passing at age 104. He was the last of his pinball generation, the last of the woodrail masters and the man who gave his whole life to making people smile at the silverball.
This month Dave and Ron discuss growing up in the Great Depression, 1930's cubicles, Westerns, Jimmy Johnson, Harry Mabs, The Gottlieb – David Gottlieb, Wayne's most popular games like Slick Chick and Kings and Queens, Add-A-Ball and Wedgeheads, the amazing artist Roy Parker AND we make fun 1940's radio voices!
Sources:
Shalhoub, Michael (2004). The Pinball compendium: 1930s to 1960s. Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.
YouTube Interviews from the Pacific Pinball Museum: Here, Here, Here and Here
TopCast: Episode 30 – Wayne Neyens
Pinball News:
Pinball Magazine #5. Here
Wayne's 100th Birthday. Here
Wayne Neyens Dies at Age 104. Here.
Everything is Lit! Keith P Johnson and Jersey Jack Pinball
Want to Support the Show? Visit our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles Or pick up a tee shirt at https://tinyurl.com/kz5xt4hc Topic starts at 10:50 Episode Summary: What can you say about Keith P …
Shownotes
Want to Support the Show?
Visit our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles
Or pick up a tee shirt at https://tinyurl.com/kz5xt4hc
Topic starts at 10:50
Episode Summary:
What can you say about Keith P Johnson? He has 4 of the top pinball machines in the Pinball Awards' Hall of Fame. He coded some of the most revered and most panned pinball codes in our hobby. In addition, Keith was one of the most important pieces in designing the Jersey Jack operating system and building their philosophy around pinball code.
Join us this month as we discuss how Keith got into the pinball industry, his transition into full-time rules designer, his Simpsons Pinball Party and Lord of the Rings masterpieces, leaving pinball only to be pulled back in, building the Jersey Jack operating system and JJPs philosophy on code… Everything is Lit this month!
Sources:
IPDB Keith P Johnson Gamelist. Here.
WOZ Pinball Magazine. Here
Head 2 Head Pinball Podcast Ep 41
Pinball Profile Ep 266
TopCast Episode 63
Shalhoub, Michael (2004). The Pinball compendium: 1982 to Present. Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.
Pinball Is Dying Part 3 – Bally-Midway
Topic Starts at 11:11 Episode Summary: It's time to revisit our 'Pinball Is Dying' series. This ongoing series is made to depress and to delight. What do we mean by that? Well, the pinball industry and the …
Shownotes
Topic Starts at 11:11
Episode Summary:
It's time to revisit our 'Pinball Is Dying' series. This ongoing series is made to depress and to delight. What do we mean by that? Well, the pinball industry and the hobby around it has always been fragile. It has ups and downs which during its history has swung violently. Brilliant minds have come and gone. Many have been crushed by the emotional weight of competition and the stress of impending layoffs.
Join us this month as we talk about the final Bally Manufacturing Corp games, really dumb corporate strategies, the art of an era, bodybuilding, terrible cabinet materials, a tangent for some reason about the MCU's Iron Man, and the end of Bally-Midway.
Sources:
IPDB Bally-Midway Game List. Here.
Stern's Dark Planet – Here
TOPcast:
Ep. 56 – Ward Pemberton
Ep. 46 – Margaret Hudson,
Ep. 40 – George Gomez
Shalhoub, Michael (2004). The Pinball compendium: 1982 to Present. Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.
A Brief History Of Pinball
Want to Support the Show? Visit our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles Or pick up a tee shirt at https://tinyurl.com/kz5xt4hc Topic starts at 10:03 Episode Summary: A Brief History of Pinball is a …
Shownotes
Want to Support the Show?
Visit our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles
Or pick up a tee shirt at https://tinyurl.com/kz5xt4hc
Topic starts at 10:03
Episode Summary:
A Brief History of Pinball is a great place to begin! Let's wind the clock back WAYYY back. We're going to visit the beginning of many 'games' in the early days of fancy pants Europe, the importation of table games to America, New Jersey's part in all this, Harry Williams, Wayne Neyens, and all those innovations that make pinball, pinball!
Games:
Baffle Ball, Ballyhoo, Contact, Skyscraper, World's Series, Rockelite, Humpty Dumpty, Triple Action, Saratoga, Army Navy, SuperJumbo, Balls-a-Poppin', Vegabond, Swing-Along, The Spirit of '76, Flash, Gorgar, Checkpoint, Revenge from Mars, and Wizard of Oz.
Sources:
Bagatelle. Here
Pinball. Here
ThoughtCo. The History of Pinball. Here
Baldridge, Nick. This Week In Pinball. A Beginner's Guide to Bingo Pinball. Here
Pinball News. Illuminating. Here
Remembering Harry Williams. Here
Shalhoub, Michael (2004). The Pinball compendium: 1982 to Present. Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.
Kocurek, Carly A. "Coin-Operated Americans: Rebooting Boyhood at the Video
Game Arcade." Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2015.
Sharpe, Roger. "Pinball!" New York: E.P. Dutton, 1977.
Sullivan, Barbara. "Ballyhoo Over Goldberg Hardly Whole Bally Saga." Chicago Tribune, June 17, 1996.
Sweeney, Melodie. "The bagatelle wizard instead of the pinball wizard." National Museum of American History, October 31, 2012.
Terry, Clifford. "How the Pinball Machine Got Those Flippers." Chicago Tribune, August 8, 1993.
Wolf, Mark J. P. "The Video Game Explosion: A History from PONG to Playstation and Beyond." Westport CT: Greenwood Press, 2008.
The Architect – George Gomez Part 2
Want to Support the Show? Visit our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles Or pick up a tee shirt at https://tinyurl.com/kz5xt4hc Episode Summary: George Gomez is the Creative Architect of pinball as …
Shownotes
Want to Support the Show?
Visit our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles
Or pick up a tee shirt at https://tinyurl.com/kz5xt4hc
Episode Summary:
George Gomez is the Creative Architect of pinball as we know it today. Without our Homie Gomie (trademark Zach Meny), Stern Pinball would not be the creative studio it is today. When Stern began to be rebuilt in the 2010s, it was the creative curiosity of George Gomez that enabled the company to build a modern pinball design studio and forever change the hobby.
Join Ron and Dave as they talk about what George did after the death of Williams, his masterpiece Lord Of The Rings, the Photoshop art era, the near death of Stern Pinball, the rebirth of Stern Pinball, ugly ramps, grindy code, Batman '66, the modern all time classic Deadpool and Stern's new 007 James Bond Dave squeals in excitement.
Sources:
Pinside at Pinside.com
Internet Pinball Database
Super Awesome Pinball Show – George Gomez – Ep 30, 32 and Fireside Chat 1
Head2Head Pinball Podcast Ep.69: Christopher Franchi on Beatles Pinball Art.
Head2Head Pinball Podcast Ep.96: Gary Stern
Pinball Chick Article. Here
John Trudeau Pleads Guilty. Pinball News. Here. Here.
DeadFlip Streaming. Lyman, Jack Danger and MKV Playing Batman 66. Here
Straight Down the Middle: A Pinball Show. Deadpool Pro Review. Here
Shalhoub, Michael (2004). The Pinball compendium: 1982 to Present. Schiffer Publishing, Ltd
Playing Catch Up: Gottlieb System 80
Want to Support the Show? Visit our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles Or pick up a tee shirt at https://tinyurl.com/kz5xt4hc Episode Summary: The late '70s were a boom for pinball manufacturing …
Shownotes
Want to Support the Show?
Visit our Patreon at www.patreon.com/silverballchronicles
Or pick up a tee shirt at https://tinyurl.com/kz5xt4hc
Episode Summary:
The late '70s were a boom for pinball manufacturing. Bally and Williams had transitioned to Solid State early and evolved their platform, but Gottlieb struggled to keep up. However, by early 1980, Gottlieb knew they needed a new solution and were preparing their System 80 platform. System 80 was a big leap forward, and it was much more flexible and modular. Was Gottlieb back?!
Join us this month as we talk about one of their most requested topics, Spider-Man's art, early code issues, Dave makes a Rotor Target sound, Ed Krynski's designs, Flipper-Counting all episode long, Gordon Morrison's Art, Dave's love for all things James Bond (even bad pinball machines), Black Hole, amazing patents, Haunted House, System 80a, the spiral of the industry in 1983-84.
Sources:
Pinside at Pinside.com
Wikipedia. Gottlieb. Here
Kriesel, Dennis. This Week in Pinball. The Dawn of the Solid-State Era. Here
Kriesel, Dennis. This Week In Pinball. Mylstar Electronics: Gottlieb's Forgotten Year. Here
Gottlieb Developments. Here
IPDB: System 80 Pins. Here, System 80A Pins. Here
PinWiki – System 80 Repair Guide. Here
TOPCast: #10 John Trudeau., #34 John Osborne, #55 Jon Norris.
Hier stehen die neuesten 40 von 54 Folgen. Ältere Folgen findest du im Feed des Podcasts.
Ist das dein Podcast?
Bestätige es mit einem Eintrag in deinem Feed: Du bekommst hier einen Code, trägst ihn als podcast:txt in den Kanal deines Feeds ein, und wir prüfen ihn. Danach steht dein Podcast als „verifiziert“ bei SoundNode.