# The Awesome New Homebrew Pinball Machine - Elf

**Source:** Knapp Arcade  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2022-03-04  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.knapparcade.org/the-awesome-new-homebrew-pinball-machine-elf

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## Analysis

Bob Nies unveiled his custom homebrew pinball machine 'Elf' on Facebook, built on P3-ROC/MPF/Unity3D platforms with innovative features including dual video screens, upper playfield mini-game with catapults, servo-controlled toys, and a unique flipper mechanism. The machine is based on a modified WMS widebody and will debut at Texas Pinball Festival.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Elf is 100% custom built on P3-ROC, MPF and Unity3D — _Direct quote from Bob Nies' Facebook description_
- [HIGH] Machine is based on a modified WMS widebody, modified to be taller in back — _Bob Nies' machine description_
- [HIGH] Features include jester toy, upper playfield mini-game with 2 catapults, 4 flippers, servos, magnet, and unique plunger-end flipper — _Bob Nies' feature list_
- [HIGH] Elf will appear at Texas Pinball Festival — _Bob Nies confirmed attendance; Knapp Arcade article states 'It will be at TPF!!'_
- [HIGH] Video screen programming is still in progress — _Bob states 'Just need to finish up programming for the 3 video screens'_

### Notable Quotes

> "First post of my creation - Elf. Just need to finish up programming for the 3 video screens. 100% custom built on the P3-ROC, MPF and Unity3D."
> — **Bob Nies**
> _Creator's official introduction of the machine and core technical specification_

> "It's based on a modified WMS widebody - had to make it taller in the back so the toys fit."
> — **Bob Nies**
> _Explains mechanical modification strategy to accommodate custom toy features_

> "Check out the flipper at the end of the plunger - hmmm, how does that work?"
> — **Bob Nies**
> _Highlights innovative/unusual design element as a curiosity point for the community_

> "It looks really cool. It looks like the game will make an appearance at the upcoming Texas Pinball Festival."
> — **Knapp Arcade (author)**
> _Media endorsement and confirmation of TPF debut_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Bob Nies | person | Homebrew pinball designer and creator of the Elf machine |
| Elf | game | Custom homebrew pinball machine based on Elf theme with video screens and innovative toy mechanics |
| Texas Pinball Festival | event | Upcoming pinball event where Elf will debut |
| P3-ROC | product | Control board platform used for Elf's core electronics |
| MPF | product | Mission Pinball Framework software used to program Elf's game logic |
| Unity3D | product | Game engine used for Elf's video screen content |
| Strictly Custom Pinball Machines Group | organization | Facebook community group where Elf was first revealed |
| Knapp Arcade | organization | Media outlet covering the homebrew pinball scene |
| WMS widebody | product | Original playfield base modified for Elf machine |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Homebrew pinball design and engineering, Custom toy mechanics and innovation, Video screen integration in pinball
- **Secondary:** P3-ROC and MPF platform adoption, Texas Pinball Festival attendance, Homebrew pinball community sharing

### Sentiment

**Positive** (0.92) — Enthusiastic coverage of an innovative homebrew project. Knapp Arcade expresses genuine excitement about the machine's features and potential. No critical concerns or negative elements present.

### Signals

- **[community_signal]** Bob Nies actively sharing new homebrew creation with custom pinball community via Facebook group (confidence: high) — Machine first posted in 'Strictly Custom Pinball Machines!' Facebook group
- **[design_philosophy]** Innovative mechanical design approach including non-standard flipper placement and multi-level playfield architecture (confidence: high) — Flipper at end of plunger, upper playfield mini-game with catapults, 4 total flippers, servo-controlled jester toy
- **[event_signal]** Homebrew machine confirmed to debut at Texas Pinball Festival (confidence: high) — Bob Nies confirmed 'It will be at TPF!!'
- **[technology_signal]** Adoption of modern homebrew stack (P3-ROC/MPF/Unity3D) for building innovative interactive features (confidence: high) — 100% custom built on P3-ROC, MPF and Unity3D with dual video screens and servo-controlled toys

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## Transcript

Bob Nies shared his awesome new homebrew pinball creation Elf with the world for the first time yesterday in the "Strictly Custom Pinball Machines!" Group on Facebook. At the time I was knee deep in Deeproot pictures, but it was way too cool not to share here...so here we go. It looks like the game will make an appearance at the upcoming Texas Pinball Festival. If it's there and playing, someone has to take some gameplay video to share with everyone. It looks really cool. Here's Bob's description of his pinball machine:

"First post of my creation - Elf. Just need to finish up programming for the 3 video screens. 100% custom built on the P3-ROC, MPF and Unity3D. It's based on a modified WMS widebody - had to make it taller in the back so the toys fit. Some of the features: Jester pops out of his box. The upper playfield is a mini-game that has 2 catapults that throw pachinko balls at the Lego figures. 4 flippers, some servos, and a magnet. Check out the flipper at the end of the plunger - hmmm, how does that work? It will be at TPF !!"

_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 029883d7-ee00-43b5-9f4f-6e06e52c657e*