# Python Anghelo Dies **Source:** Pinball News Website **Type:** article **Published:** 2014-04-09 **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.pinballnews.com/news/python.html --- ## Analysis Python Anghelo, a legendary pinball artist and designer known for his work on Comet, Cyclone, and Hurricane at Williams, passed away on April 9, 2014 after a prolonged battle with cancer. At the time of his death, he was working to bring his long-shelved design Pinball Circus into production along with two new game designs featuring innovative mechanisms. ### Key Claims - [HIGH] Python Anghelo died on April 9, 2014 after a protracted battle with cancer — _Article opening and main narrative; date-stamped April 9, 2014_ - [HIGH] Python's first collaboration was with Barry Oursler on the game Comet at Williams — _Biographical section; verified historical collaboration_ - [HIGH] Python and Barry Oursler created Cyclone and Hurricane as 'rollercoaster sequels' to Comet — _Career history section_ - [MEDIUM] Williams shelved Pinball Circus due to bill of materials and earning report concerns — _Article states Python 'often bitterly rejected the claims by Williams management' about uneconomic feasibility_ - [HIGH] Python was working with a team to remake Pinball Circus with two new designs at time of death — _Article states 'had recently announced his plans to put his Pinball Circus game into production along with two new designs'_ - [HIGH] Python worked for Capcom on Flipper Football after leaving Williams — _Career section; specific company and game named_ - [HIGH] A GoFundMe campaign for Python's medical treatment raised more than $19,000 — _Medical section; specific fundraising amount provided_ ### Notable Quotes > "A larger-than-life character and perpetual showman, Python was creating new game designs to the very end" > — **Article author**, Opening paragraph > _Establishes Python's relentless creative drive despite terminal illness_ > "His career in pinball was characterised by multiple flashes of creative genius combined with an often maddening insistence on living by his own rules and on his own terms." > — **Article author**, Character analysis section > _Captures the contradiction at the heart of Python's reputation: brilliance paired with intractability_ > "Python often bitterly rejected the claims by Williams management that the bill of materials and earning reports made it uneconomic to manufacture." > — **Article author**, Pinball Circus context > _Reveals deep conflict between Python and Williams over Pinball Circus viability; Python's conviction he was right_ > "Python's appearances at Pinball Expo were the highlights for many visitors, and he never failed to be both entertaining, dramatic and controversial." > — **Article author**, Legacy section > _Documents Python's iconic status in the community and his outsized personality at industry events_ > "Always passionate, always entertaining, always creative, Python Anghelo will be sorely missed." > — **Article author**, Closing > _Eulogy-style summary of Python's defining qualities_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | Python Anghelo | person | Legendary pinball artist and designer; died April 9, 2014 from cancer; known for Comet, Cyclone, Hurricane, Pinball Circus | | Barry Oursler | person | Pinball game designer; collaborated with Python on Comet; sequels were Cyclone and Hurricane | | Williams | company | Major pinball manufacturer where Python worked; shelved Pinball Circus; parted ways with Python after that game | | Capcom | company | Company where Python worked after leaving Williams; produced Flipper Football with Python's design input | | Comet | game | Pinball game; Python's first collaboration with Barry Oursler at Williams | | Cyclone | game | Pinball game; sequel to Comet; created by Python and Barry Oursler at Williams | | Hurricane | game | Pinball game; sequel to Cyclone; created by Python and Barry Oursler at Williams | | Pinball Circus | game | Vertical pinball game designed by Python; shelved by Williams; Python was attempting to produce independently with new designs at time of death | | Flipper Football | game | Pinball/flipper game produced by Capcom with Python's creative input | | Pinball Expo | event | Annual pinball industry event where Python was a regular, celebrated speaker and personality; photo from 2013 mentioned; seminars documented from 2008-2013 | | Clay Harrell | person | Conducted famous TOPcast interview with Python Anghelo | | GoFundMe | organization | Crowdfunding platform used for Python's medical treatment appeal; raised $19,000+ | ### Topics - **Primary:** Pinball designer death and legacy, Pinball Circus project history and revival attempts, Python's creative career at Williams, Capcom - **Secondary:** Conflict between creative vision and manufacturing economics, Pinball Expo role in community and industry, Pinball industry figures and collaborations - **Mentioned:** Cancer and medical fundraising in pinball community ### Sentiment **Negative** (-0.7) — Obituary tone mixed with celebration of life and legacy. Primary sentiment is loss and sadness (death from cancer), but softened by recognition of Python's outsized personality, creative genius, and beloved status in the community. Author frames him as a complex but ultimately admirable figure. ### Signals - **[event_signal]** Pinball Expo documented as major platform for Python's presence; he was known as entertaining and controversial speaker/attendee (confidence: high) — 'Python's appearances at Pinball Expo were the highlights for many visitors, and he never failed to be both entertaining, dramatic and controversial' - **[design_philosophy]** Long-standing dispute between Python and Williams over Pinball Circus economic viability; Python rejected management's cost/revenue concerns (confidence: high) — 'Python often bitterly rejected the claims by Williams management that the bill of materials and earning reports made it uneconomic to manufacture' - **[community_signal]** Python characterized by creative genius paired with maddening insistence on own rules; friction with corporate management at Williams and Capcom (confidence: high) — 'multiple flashes of creative genius combined with an often maddening insistence on living by his own rules and on his own terms'; 'his visions were often at odds with those of the management' at Capcom - **[personnel_signal]** Death of legendary pinball designer Python Anghelo; removes major creative voice and potential source of innovative game designs from the industry (confidence: high) — Article documents Python's passing on April 9, 2014 and his active work on new designs until the end - **[announcement]** Pinball Circus remake project with new designs being developed by Python and team at time of death; project status now uncertain (confidence: high) — 'had recently announced his plans to put his Pinball Circus game into production along with two new designs he had created' --- ## Transcript Date: 9th April, 2014 After a protracted battle with cancer, pinball artist and designer Python Anghelo today lost the fight and passed away. Python Anghelo A larger-than-life character and perpetual showman, Python was creating new game designs to the very end, and had recently announced his plans to put his Pinball Circus game into production along with two new designs he had created. His career in pinball was characterised by multiple flashes of creative genius combined with an often maddening insistence on living by his own rules and on his own terms. His work at Williams began with his first collaboration with game designer Barry Oursler on the game Comet. The pair went on to create the two rollercoaster sequels Cyclone and Hurricane. Python and Williams finally parted company after production of Python's design of the vertical pinball game, Pinball Circus, was shelved. Python often bitterly rejected the claims by Williams management that the bill of materials and earning reports made it uneconomic to manufacture. So convinced was he that the game would be both economic to build and operate he had been working with a team of well-known pinball people to remake Pinball Circus along with two new designs which incorporated a large number of innovative mechanisms. Python with his improved ball lock design at Pinball Expo 2013 After his split with Williams he worked for Capcom where his creative talents were given an outlet through the company's Flipper Football game, but once again his visions were often at odds with those of the management. Python's appearances at Pinball Expo were the highlights for many visitors, and he never failed to be both entertaining, dramatic and controversial. He was also not above parodying his anarchic madcap reputation. Python's entrance to his seminar at Pinball Expo 2012 Python had been ill for several years, diagnosed with cancer which initially seemed to be responding to treatment, but ultimately spread through his body. A recent appeal for financial assistance for his medical treatment through the GoFundMe website raised more than $19,000. Recent reports suggested the cancer had spread and Python did not have too many days left. Unfortunately those reports proved to be correct, and he passed away at his home earlier today. But Python will be remembered for his rambunctious personality which created blinding sparks of creativity and controversy in equal measure wherever he went. Always passionate, always entertaining, always creative, Python Anghelo will be sorely missed. R.I.P. Python Anghelo You can listen to Python's seminar and banquet talks at Expo here: Pinball Expo 2008 Pinball Expo 2010 Pinball Expo 2012 Pinball Expo 2013 You can also listen to his famous TOPcast interview with Joshua Clay Harrell, watch Python at the Northwest Pinball Show in 2013, see a TV documentary about Python, and watch him at his Pinball Expo 2012 seminar in this seven-part series: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. 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