# BARRY OURSLER DIES **Source:** Pinball News Website **Type:** article **Published:** 2022-02-22 **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2022/02/22/barry-oursler-dies --- ## Analysis Barry Oursler, legendary pinball designer with a 40+ year career spanning from 1978 to 1996 at Williams, died on February 21, 2022, at age 70 from cancer complications. He is credited with designing over 40 games including Gorgar (first speaking pinball) and Space Shuttle (credited with saving the pinball industry in the mid-1980s), and had recently joined American Pinball before his passing. ### Key Claims - [HIGH] Barry Oursler designed over 40 pinball games during a 40+ year career — _American Pinball official announcement stated in article_ - [HIGH] Space Shuttle (1984) is credited with saving and revitalizing the pinball industry — _American Pinball announcement and article text_ - [HIGH] Gorgar was the first speaking pinball game — _Article states 'Gorgar, the first speaking game'_ - [HIGH] Barry's career at Williams began in 1978 with Phoenix and ended in 1996 with Junkyard — _Article narrative of his Williams employment period_ - [HIGH] Barry was diagnosed with bone cancer in February 2013 — _Article states 'He had been diagnosed with bone cancer in February 2013'_ - [HIGH] Barry recently joined American Pinball as game designer before his death — _Article opening: 'Barry had recently started working for American Pinball as a game designer'_ ### Notable Quotes > "Barry designed more than 40 pinball games over his long and illustrious 40-plus year pinball career. Among them, his Space Shuttle game released in 1984 is said by many to have saved and revitalized the pinball industry." > — **American Pinball and Aimtron Corporation**, Official announcement > _Summarizes Barry's career impact and most significant achievement_ > "What can one say about one of the true pinball design masters of the past forty years. Barry established himself as not just a creative talent but a genuinely humble individual who never sought the outside accolades but rather the internal contentment of what he was achieving." > — **Roger Sharpe**, Tribute in announcement > _Characterizes Barry's design philosophy and personal character_ > "Barry's game, Space Shuttle, was my introduction to the pinball world. It was a privilege and an honor to work with him as a new member of the pinball industry and then again here at American Pinball." > — **Steven Bowden**, Tribute in announcement > _Demonstrates Space Shuttle's significance as gateway game and Barry's lasting influence_ > "Barry was a great friend and an early mentor for me in the Pinball biz. We spent 15 years working together at Williams. Barry was always willing to help me out with anything I needed while cutting my teeth in Pinball design." > — **Mark Ritchie**, Tribute in announcement > _Illustrates Barry's mentoring role and collaborative nature in the industry_ > "Barry has always come across as a gentle giant. He was a guy I was happy to bring on to American Pinball. I am greatly saddened for his family." > — **David Fix**, Tribute in announcement > _Personal character assessment from American Pinball leadership_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | Barry Oursler | person | Legendary pinball designer, deceased February 21, 2022, age 70, from cancer complications | | Williams | company | Major pinball manufacturer where Barry worked 1978-1996, designing 40+ games | | American Pinball | company | Employer where Barry recently joined as game designer before his passing | | Deeproot Pinball | company | Company where Barry worked as game designer until operations ceased end of 2021 | | Heighway Pinball | company | Company where Barry worked remotely on game designs; visited UK factory in 2014 | | Space Shuttle | game | Barry's 1984 design credited with saving the pinball industry | | Gorgar | game | Barry's landmark title, first speaking pinball game | | Phoenix | game | Barry's first game at Williams, released 1978 | | Junkyard | game | Barry's final game at Williams, released 1996 | | Roger Sharpe | person | Pinball industry figure who paid tribute to Barry; noted working with him from Phoenix onward | | Mark Ritchie | person | Pinball designer who worked 15 years with Barry at Williams; collaborated on Police Force | | Dennis Nordman | person | Pinball designer who worked with Barry at Deeproot Pinball and Williams; paid tribute | | John Popadiuk | person | One of four game designers at Deeproot Pinball alongside Barry | | Python Anghelo | person | Collaborator with Barry on Jokerz!, Bad Cats, and Popeye Saves The Earth | | Andrew Heighway | person | Founder of Heighway Pinball; pictured with Barry in 2014 | | Aimtron Corporation | company | Co-issued official announcement with American Pinball regarding Barry's passing | | UK Pinball Party 2014 | event | Event where Barry was inducted into UK Pinball Group Hall of Fame | ### Topics - **Primary:** Pinball designer legacy and influence, Space Shuttle's role in pinball industry revival, Barry's career timeline and major games - **Secondary:** Health struggles and community support, Industry tributes and personal character assessments, Career evolution across multiple manufacturers ### Sentiment **Negative** (-0.85) — Article is a death announcement with predominantly respectful, commemorative tone. Negative valence due to subject matter (death), but balanced by celebratory retrospective of accomplishments and warm personal tributes throughout. ### Signals - **[business_signal]** Deeproot Pinball ceased operations at end of 2021, affecting employment of Barry Oursler and other designers (confidence: high) — Article: 'He remained there until the company ceased operations at the end of 2021' - **[event_signal]** Barry Oursler inducted into UK Pinball Group Hall of Fame at UK Pinball Party 2014 as special guest (confidence: high) — Article states 'in 2014 and be the special guest at the UK Pinball Party where he was inducted into the UK Pinball Group Hall of Fame' - **[personnel_signal]** Barry Oursler recently joined American Pinball as game designer after Deeproot Pinball ceased operations at end of 2021 (confidence: high) — Article explicitly states 'He remained there until the company ceased operations at the end of 2021, before taking up his recent position working on game designs at American Pinball' --- ## Transcript Date: 22nd February, 2022 Pinball designer Barry Oursler has died. ![Barry Oursler](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/barry-oursler-dies/01-barry-oursler-dies.jpg) Barry Oursler Barry had recently started working for American Pinball as a game designer, having previously been employed at Deeproot Pinball. He is understood to have been undergoing treatment for cancer and died yesterday as a result of complications. He was aged 70. Barry had a long and illustrious career designing pinballs for Williams, starting in 1978 with his first game, Phoenix and ending in 1996 with Junkyard. In-between he designed many landmark titles including Gorgar, the first speaking game, Space Shuttle – widely credited with saving the pinball business in the mid-’80s – as well as the Comet–Cyclone–Hurricane trilogy based on rides at the Riverview amusement park in Chicago, and Pinbot which also went on to spawn two sequels. Barry quickly developed a reputation for speed and flexibility in his work. He could rapidly create game designs, always had numerous design ideas in his head, and often collaborated with other designers and artists to help complete their projects, most notably working with Python Anghelo on titles such as Jokerz!, Bad Cats and Popeye Saves The Earth. After leaving Williams, Barry moved to Betson as a Purchasing Manager before spending time working remotely on game designs at Heighway Pinball. He came to the UK to visit the factory in 2014 and be the special guest at the UK Pinball Party where he was inducted into the UK Pinball Group Hall of Fame. ![Barry with Heighway Pinball's Andrew Heighway](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/barry-oursler-dies/02-barry-oursler-dies.jpg) Barry with Heighway Pinball’s Andrew Heighway It was also in 2014 that Barry made an appeal to the pinball community for help paying medical bills. He had been diagnosed with bone cancer in February 2013, while his wife, Donna, was suffering from kidney failure. His initial target of $20,000 was quickly achieved, with the total of the donations reaching $33,718 by the end of the fundraiser. When Deeproot Pinball began their operation in San Antonio, Barry was one of the four game designers at the company alongside John Popadiuk, Dennis Nordman and Jon Norris. ![The Deeproot Pinball team](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2018/090-pinball-expo-2018.jpg) Barry with the rest of the Deeproot Pinball team He remained there until the company ceased operations at the end of 2021, before taking up his recent position working on game designs at American Pinball. American Pinball have made an official announcement about Barry’s passing, including many tributes from those with whom he worked. | | | --- | | American Pinball and Aimtron Corporation are saddened to announce the passing of legendary game designer, Barry Oursler at the age of 70. Barry designed more than 40 pinball games over his long and illustrious 40-plus year pinball career. Among them, his Space Shuttle game released in 1984 is said by many to have saved and revitalized the pinball industry. “I was looking forward to designing new games and new mechs with you. I had a wonderful time working on all your games.” – Zofia Ryan “I will always remember Barry’s brilliant, dry sense of humor, and always having me in stitches.” – Jack Haeger “I was looking forward to him coming to American Pinball to work with him and enjoying all of the good cooking that Barry made.” – Dennis Nordman “What can one say about one of the true pinball design masters of the past forty years. Barry established himself as not just a creative talent but a genuinely humble individual who never sought the outside accolades but rather the internal contentment of what he was achieving. From the first time we worked together with Phoenix and Barracora to many subsequent projects, Barry remained a very special coworker and friend. I will miss him dearly but know his legacy will endure forever.” – Roger Sharpe Those who have had the honor of working with Barry know of his dedication, his efficiency, his kindness and great enthusiasm for pinball and its players. His games are easy to understand, fun to play, and difficult to master, the perfect combination that earned him admirers from all over the pinball world. “Barry’s game, Space Shuttle, was my introduction to the pinball world. It was a privilege and an honor to work with him as a new member of the pinball industry and then again here at American Pinball.” – Steven Bowden “Barry has always come across as a gentle giant. He was a guy I was happy to bring on to American Pinball. I am greatly saddened for his family.” – David Fix “I will always miss Barry for his soft spoken nature and his support of Pinball Expo since day one.” – Rob Berk, Pinball Expo “Barry was a great friend and an early mentor for me in the Pinball biz. We spent 15 years working together at Williams. Barry was always willing to help me out with anything I needed while cutting my teeth in Pinball design. He was also a really fun guy. We made friends almost immediately. He had a sharp mind for humor and would jab me with practical jokery from time to time. I have nothing but fond memories of our time together. Barry had a heart of gold and was a good man. I had the pleasure of working on a game with Barry — that game was Police Force. We would jokingly lament together regarding Python’s crazy ways during development. It was a great experience and I am thankful to have had that opportunity. There were so many good times over the years. Suffice it to say – Great Friend, great person, and I shall miss him a great deal. Rest In Peace, my friend.” – Mark Ritchie “It saddens me that we lost one of the good guys. He was known as a prankster on some occasions and possibly playing with fireworks in the offices. A great designer and a good friend. He will be sadly missed.” – Ken Fedesna “It was a great privilege to host him at the UK Pinball Show and to have him speak at the banquet about his amazing career in gaming.” – Gary Flower – UK Our deepest condolences go out to his family, many friends and the pinball community. He will be truly missed. | The American Pinball announcement of Barry Oursler’s passing _(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 09a71311-b2f5-4926-924f-a1b5b7a8d2e5*