# Don’s Pinball Poscast Rumor: Ben Heck, Spooky & CGC Working on Monty Python Pinball **Source:** Knapp Arcade **Type:** article **Published:** 2023-06-27 **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.knapparcade.org/don-s-pinball-poscast-rumor-ben-heck-spooky-cgc-working-on-monty-python-pinball --- ## Analysis A Knapp Arcade article reports on a rumor shared during Don's Pinball Podcast episode 50: Ben Heck is collaborating with Spooky Pinball and Chicago Gaming Company on a licensed Monty Python pinball machine. The article notes that Ben Heck's involvement with these manufacturers has been rumored for years, but the Monty Python theme is presented as new information. The author expresses enthusiasm for the concept while acknowledging uncertainty about the rumor's veracity. ### Key Claims - [MEDIUM] Ben Heck is working with Spooky Pinball and Chicago Gaming Company on a pinball game — _Rumor shared by Don during Don's Pinball Podcast episode 50; rumblings of collaboration said to have floated around for years_ - [MEDIUM] The game theme is Monty Python — _Rumor shared by Don during Don's Pinball Podcast episode 50; author indicates this specific theme is new information_ - [HIGH] Medieval Madness (1997, Williams) by Brian Eddy and Lyman Sheets was loosely based upon Holy Grail — _Article author's statement based on established pinball history_ - [HIGH] There has never been a fully licensed Monty Python pinball machine — _Article author's claim based on pinball history knowledge_ ### Notable Quotes > "That aspect of the rumor isn't really new, rumblings of that collaboration have been floating around for years. What IS new, at least to me is that the theme they are all working on is...Monty Python." > — **Knapp Arcade article author** > _Distinguishes between previously rumored Ben Heck/Spooky/CGC collaboration and the new Monty Python theme claim_ > "I have watched Monty Python and the Holy Grail probably a thousand times, give or take lol. Holy Grail is definitely one of my favorite movies of all time." > — **Knapp Arcade article author** > _Personal context showing author's familiarity with and enthusiasm for Monty Python IP_ > "Is this rumor true? I have absolutely no idea, but I can see it working." > — **Knapp Arcade article author** > _Author acknowledges uncertainty while expressing belief in the viability of the concept_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | Don's Pinball Podcast | media | Podcast hosted by Don; episode 50 mentioned as milestone; source of Monty Python rumor | | Don | person | Host of Don's Pinball Podcast; shared the Monty Python collaboration rumor during episode 50 | | Ben Heck | person | Well-known inventor/engineer; allegedly working on pinball collaboration with Spooky Pinball and Chicago Gaming Company | | Spooky Pinball | company | Pinball manufacturer allegedly collaborating with Ben Heck and Chicago Gaming Company on Monty Python game | | Chicago Gaming Company | company | Pinball manufacturer allegedly collaborating with Ben Heck and Spooky Pinball on Monty Python game | | Monty Python | product | Comedy IP/theme rumored for upcoming pinball machine collaboration | | Monty Python and the Holy Grail | product | Classic 1974 film; cited as inspiration for Medieval Madness Williams pinball machine | | Medieval Madness | game | 1997 Williams pinball machine by Brian Eddy and Lyman Sheets; loosely based on Holy Grail theme | | Brian Eddy | person | Designer of Medieval Madness pinball machine | | Lyman Sheets | person | Co-designer of Medieval Madness pinball machine | | Knapp Arcade | organization | Source of this article; arcade/pinball enthusiast blog | ### Topics - **Primary:** Monty Python pinball licensing and game development, Ben Heck's involvement with Spooky Pinball and Chicago Gaming Company - **Secondary:** Manufacturer collaborations in pinball industry, Pinball game design and theme selection, Don's Pinball Podcast as industry rumor source ### Sentiment **Positive** (0.75) — Author is enthusiastic about Don's Pinball Podcast as a discovery, expresses genuine excitement about the Monty Python concept, and uses encouraging language toward the show and potential game ### Signals - **[licensing_signal]** Monty Python IP potentially licensed for first full pinball game after decades without one (confidence: medium) — Article notes Medieval Madness was only loosely based on Holy Grail and there has never been a fully licensed Monty Python pinball machine - **[personnel_signal]** Ben Heck collaborative work with boutique manufacturer (Spooky Pinball) and commercial manufacturer (Chicago Gaming Company) (confidence: medium) — Rumor indicates Ben Heck working across multiple manufacturers; pattern suggests potential shift in how industry collaborations are structured - **[rumor_hype]** Monty Python pinball game allegedly in development by Ben Heck with Spooky Pinball and Chicago Gaming Company (confidence: medium) — Rumor shared by Don during Don's Pinball Podcast episode 50; Ben Heck/manufacturer collaboration itself has been rumored for years but Monty Python theme is presented as new --- ## Transcript A couple of months ago, I slowly started working an cool new pinball poscast into my listening rotation. The name of the show is Don's Pinball Podcast. While somewhat new to me, this cool podcast certainly isn't new to everyone. Don just released his 50th episode. Congratulations on achieving that milestone. During the 50th episode, Don shared an interesting pinball rumor. The rumor is that the well-known inventor / engineer Ben Heck is working on a game with both Soooky Pinball and Chicago Gaming Company. That aspect of the rumor isn't really new, rumblings of that collaboration have been floating around for years. What IS new, at least to me is that the theme they are all working on is...Monty Python. While it's been a while since I personally have seen much from Monty Python, I have watched Monty Python and the Holy Grail probably a thousand times, give or take lol. Holy Grail is definitely one of my favorite movies of all time. I can probably recite the entire thing from memory. The classic 1997 Williams pinball machine Medieval Madness by Brian Eddy and Lyman Sheets was loosely based upon the Holy Grail, but there's never been a fully licensed Monty Python pinball machine. Is this rumor true? I have absolutely no idea, but I can see it working. It's fun to speculate about. I highly encourage any of you who haven't heard Don's Pinball Podcast yet to check it out at the link below. It's fantastic: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/donspinballpodcast https://m.facebook.com/p/Dons-Pinball-Podcast-100088991118476/ _(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 05fbc24c-02dc-4939-96cb-b7513a444011*