# Barrels of Fun Launches "Barrels Reserve" Collectors' Club; Production Update; New Game Sooner Than We Thought

**Source:** Knapp Arcade  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2026-06-16  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.knapparcade.org/blog/barrels-of-fun-launches-barrels-reserve-collectors-club-production-update-new-game-sooner-than-we-thought

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## Analysis

Barrels of Fun launched 'Barrels of Fun,' a $75/year collectors' club offering guaranteed access to future limited-edition games for members, plus exclusive events and merchandise. The company expanded its Houston facility to ~40 employees and is completing Winchester Mystery House production by October. Industry reporter Knapp Arcade hints a new Barrels game is coming much sooner than the expected October Chicago Pinball Expo window.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Winchester Mystery House sold out its 525-unit limited production run almost instantly — _Knapp Arcade, Knapp Arcade article opening_
- [HIGH] Barrels of Fun members get 7 additional days to order after regular sellout — _Knapp Arcade article describing Barrels of Fun mechanics_
- [HIGH] Barrels of Fun now has approximately 40 employees after facility expansion — _Knapp Arcade citing conversation with Barrels CEO David Van Ness_
- [HIGH] Winchester Mystery House production expected to complete by end of October 2026 — _Knapp Arcade citing Barrels CEO David Van Ness_
- [MEDIUM] A new Barrels of Fun game is coming much sooner than Chicago Pinball Expo (October 14) — _Knapp Arcade inference from phone conversation with CEO, not explicit confirmation_

### Notable Quotes

> "fans who want a game should be able to get one, directly from Barrels of Fun"
> — **Barrels of Fun**, n/a
> _Core value proposition of Barrels Reserve program_

> "the fan club made for collectors, by collectors"
> — **Barrels of Fun**, n/a
> _Marketing tagline for Barrels Reserve positioning_

> "The pace is not quite where the company wants it yet, but they are picking up speed and continuing to improve."
> — **Jason Knapp (citing David Van Ness)**, n/a
> _Production rate still ramping post-expansion_

> "After speaking with David, I think that we are getting a new game from Barrels of Fun sooner than that. I can't wait!"
> — **Knapp Arcade**, n/a
> _Insider hint of imminent new game announcement before October expo_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Barrels of Fun | company | Boutique pinball manufacturer; launched Barrels Reserve collectors' club; expanded Houston facility to ~40 employees; producing Dune and Winchester Mystery House |
| Knapp Arcade | person | Founder/operator of Knapp Arcade media platform; pinball industry reporter; source of this article |
| [name withheld pending review] | person | CEO of Barrels of Fun; spoke directly with Jason Knapp about production updates |
| Winchester Mystery House | game | Latest Barrels of Fun pinball machine; 525-unit limited run sold out almost instantly; currently in production |
| Dune | game | Barrels of Fun pinball machine; production ending July 2026 |
| Barrels of Fun | product | New $75/year collectors' club launched by Barrels of Fun offering guaranteed access to future games, exclusive events, and merchandise |
| Chicago Pinball Expo | event | Industry event scheduled October 14, 2026; previously expected announcement window for new Barrels game |
| Knapp Arcade | organization | Jason Knapp's pinball news and media platform; published this article |

### Signals

- **[product_launch]** Barrels of Fun launches Barrels Reserve, a $75/year collectors' club with guaranteed post-sellout access to limited-edition games, exclusive events, and merchandise (confidence: high) — Official launch announced; membership page and benefits detailed
- **[market_signal]** Barrels Reserve directly addresses FOMO by extending order window for members after regular sellout; reflects manufacturer strategy to capture demand lost to instant sellouts (confidence: high) — Winchester sold out 525 units 'almost instantly'; Reserve designed to prevent repeat frustration
- **[manufacturing_signal]** Barrels of Fun expanded Houston facility and hired to ~40 employees; production pace increasing but not yet at target levels (confidence: high) — David Van Ness confirmed facility expansion and employee count; production ramping on Winchester and Dune
- **[product_strategy]** Barrels maintains limited numbered editions for future games but uses membership tier to manage sellout access rather than expanding production capacity (confidence: high) — Reserve doesn't change edition size, only changes odds of landing one post-sellout
- **[product_launch]** Jason Knapp hints a new Barrels of Fun game announcement is coming much sooner than Chicago Pinball Expo (October 14), based on CEO conversation (confidence: medium) — Knapp's inference: 'After speaking with David, I think that we are getting a new game from Barrels MUCH sooner than that'
- **[community_signal]** Barrels Reserve includes members-only events, exclusive merchandise, and annual collectible gifts, positioning the club as lifestyle/community engagement strategy (confidence: high) — Two big events in works; custom merchandise planned; annual gift mentioned
- **[operational_signal]** Dune production ending July 2026; Winchester production expected complete by end of October 2026; daily Winchester output increasing (confidence: high) — David Van Ness directly confirmed timelines to Jason Knapp

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## Transcript

News Barrels of Fun Launches "Barrels Reserve" Collectors' Club; Production Update; New Game Sooner Than We Thought k knapparcade June 16, 2026 Barrels of Fun's latest pinball machine, Winchester Mystery House almost instantly sold out of its 525 unit limited production run. Needless to say, a lot of members of the pinball community who wanted one were left out in the cold. Barrels has a new plan to make sure that doesn't happen again. Moments ago, the company launched its new "Barrels Reserve" program, a new collectors' club built around a simple promise: fans who want a game should be able to get one, directly from Barrels of Fun. They're billing it as "the fan club made for collectors, by collectors," and the new club has a number of benefits beyond just guaranteed access to games, including planned members-only events, exclusive merchandise, and an annual collectable gift. Here's how the game-buying aspect of the club actually works: Barrels of Fun's future pinball titles will still be limited, numbered runs that can sell out. Barrels Reserve doesn't change the edition size — it changes your odds of landing one. As a Barrels Reserve member, you can order a machine even if the announced Limited Edition number is reached through regular sales in the first week. If a sellout occurs, Barrels Reserve members get seven additional days to place an order before the edition closes for everyone. Non-members can still order games directly from Barrels of Fun anytime or through their favorite distributor. As I mentioned earlier, Barrels Reserve membership comes with other benefits including members-only event access (with two big events currently in the works), discounts on existing Barrels of Fun merch throughout the year, and new custom-designed merchandise made exclusively for members (an announcement on that should happen in the next week or two). I will provide updates here about these items as they are announced. !Advertisement Ad 2 of 3 Barrels Reserve membership costs $75 for a one-year membership: Membership Page. Speaking of Barrels, I just got off the phone with the company's CEO a little while ago and I have a production update for everybody. As I mentioned here last week, Barrels recently went through the time-consuming process of expanding its Houston, Texas facility, adding an entirely new section and hiring new employees, they are up to approximately 40 or so now. Dune and Winchester are currently on the production line. Dune production will end next month (July). Winchester pins are coming off the line daily. The pace is not quite where the company wants it yet, but they are picking up speed and continuing to improve. Barrels' current plan is still to complete Winchesters Mystery House production by the end of October or so, assuming no major outside disruptions. A lot of people had expected that we might get the next Barrels of Fun pin around Chicago Pinball Expo (October 14th). After speaking with David, I think that we are getting a new game from Barrels MUCH sooner than that. I can't wait! New sponsor slot Your sponsored ad here Be the first to claim this placement. Contact knapparcade@gmail.com today Posted 6 minutes ago k About knapparcade Site administrator Comments (0) Please sign in to join the conversation. No comments yet Be the first to share your thoughts on this post! Related Articles Barrels of Fun Launches "Barrels Reserve" Collectors' Club; Production Update; New Game Sooner Than We Thought 6 minutes ago First Official Image of Jersey Jack Pinball’s Upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog about 4 hours ago Pedretti Gaming Officially Reveals Remake of Iconic Tales of the Arabian Nights Pinball Machine 1 day ago Subscribe to Updates Get the latest pinball news, blog posts, and event announcements delivered to your inbox Subscribe !Advertisement Ad 2 of 2 New sponsor slot Your sponsored ad here Be the first to claim this placement.

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-08-04 | Item ID: 07e89ec8-8f2e-49de-ba3c-15f63a11d796*