# THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE & LOONY TUNES LAUNCHED **Source:** Pinball News Website **Type:** article **Published:** 2023-12-12 **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2023/12/12/the-texas-chainsaw-massacre-loony-tunes-launched --- ## Analysis Spooky Pinball announced two new games sharing a single playfield design: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Looney Tunes. Each title will be produced in 888 units across three pricing tiers (Collector's Edition $9,699, Bloodsucker Edition $8,999, Standard Edition $8,299). The Texas Chainsaw Massacre features Ben Heckendorn on code and Christopher Franchi on artwork, while both games employ distinct design teams and themes on identical mechanical bases. ### Key Claims - [HIGH] Both Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Looney Tunes are limited to 888 machines each across all three editions combined — _Official announcement states '888 machines each' with count spread across three variants by demand_ - [HIGH] Christopher Franchi is doing his first Spooky project working on playfield and plastics artwork for The Texas Chainsaw Massacre — _Article states 'Christopher Franchi gets his first Spooky gig working on the playfield and plastics artwork'_ - [HIGH] Ben Heckendorn is returning to Spooky to work on Texas Chainsaw Massacre code ahead of a collaboration with Spooky and Chicago Gaming on an unnamed future title — _Article explicitly names 'Benjamin Heckendorn returns to Spooky to work on the game code'_ - [HIGH] Both games use the same four-flipper standard-width playfield design by Corwin Emery and Spooky Luke — _Article states design is 'by Corwin Emery and Spooky Luke' used for both titles_ - [HIGH] Eric Bauza provides voice work for Looney Tunes characters in the pinball game — _Article confirms 'Canadian voice actor Eric Bauza has voiced these characters' and 'He also stars in the Looney Tunes pinball'_ ### Notable Quotes > "Using the same 'one playfield, two games' concept they premiered with Halloween and Ultraman, Spooky Pinball have taken a single 4-flipper standard-width playfield design by Corwin Emery and Spooky Luke, and employed two separate design teams" > — **Article** > _Explains Spooky's dual-theme manufacturing strategy and design approach_ > "The top end Collector's Edition of both costs $9,699, with the mid-level Bloodsucker and bottom-end Standard Editions being $700 and $1,400 cheaper respectively" > — **Article** > _Establishes three-tier pricing strategy across both games_ > "Christopher Franchi gets his first Spooky gig working on the playfield and plastics artwork for The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" > — **Article** > _Confirms personnel move of noted artist to Spooky Pinball_ > "The Collector's Edition also includes interior art blades, coin door, apron and lock bar magnetic artwork, a unique cabinet and backbox art package by Terry Wolfinger, a bespoke ball launch button, laser-cut speaker grilles, an additional playfield animated sculpt of the victim in the freezer" > — **Article** > _Details premium edition differentiation and exclusive features_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | Spooky Pinball | company | Boutique pinball manufacturer announcing dual release of Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Looney Tunes | | The Texas Chainsaw Massacre | game | Horror-themed pinball game based on 1974 film, limited to 888 units across three editions | | Looney Tunes | game | Cartoon-themed pinball game based on Warner Bros. IP, limited to 888 units, uses identical playfield to TCM | | Christopher Franchi | person | Artist working on playfield and plastics artwork for The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, making his first Spooky project | | Ben Heckendorn | person | Pinball designer returning to Spooky for Texas Chainsaw Massacre code work; also collaborating on unnamed Chicago Gaming/Spooky project | | Corwin Emery | person | Co-designer of shared playfield design for both Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Looney Tunes | | Spooky Luke | person | Co-designer of shared playfield design for both games; also credited as design team member | | Eric Bauza | person | Voice actor providing character voices for Looney Tunes pinball game, successor to Mel Blanc | | Edwin Neal | person | Original hitchhiker actor from 1974 Texas Chainsaw Massacre film, provides voice work for pinball game | | Scott Innes | person | Voice actor providing narration for Texas Chainsaw Massacre pinball; known for Shaggy and Scooby-Doo voice work | | Terry Wolfinger | person | Artist creating unique cabinet and backbox artwork for Collector's Edition machines | | Halloween | game | Previous Spooky Pinball release using same dual-theme manufacturing concept with shared playfield | | Ultraman | game | Previous Spooky Pinball release sharing playfield design with Halloween as dual-theme concept | | Rick and Morty | game | 2020 Spooky Pinball game where 'Bloodsucker Edition' naming originated | | Warner Bros. | company | Owner of Looney Tunes IP licensed for pinball game | | Chicago Gaming Company | company | Collaborating with Spooky on unnamed future project with Ben Heckendorn | ### Topics - **Primary:** New Game Announcements, Spooky Pinball Manufacturing Strategy, Three-Tier Pricing Model, Limited Edition Production Numbers - **Secondary:** Personnel Moves, Theme Licensing, Premium Edition Differentiation ### Sentiment **Positive** (0.75) — Article presents official product announcements with detailed feature breakdowns. Tone is informative and celebration of dual-theme concept, though neutral in style. No community controversy or criticism present. Contrasting themes (horror vs family-friendly) presented as strength of manufacturing approach. ### Signals - **[announcement]** Official dual announcement of Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Looney Tunes with detailed specifications, pricing, and production numbers (confidence: high) — Spooky Pinball today announced not one, but two new games with the reveal of their upcoming The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Looney Tunes titles - **[event_signal]** Gameplay video released and featurette videos covering construction, playfield shots, models, and rules published post-announcement (confidence: high) — A gameplay video of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre was also released by Spooky Pinball; additional 'featurette' videos covering both games' construction - **[licensing_signal]** Major IP licensing deals secured for both Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974 film assets) and Warner Bros. Looney Tunes franchise (confidence: high) — The Spooky team have access to the full assets from the 1974 movie; Warner Bros.' Looney Tunes cartoon series; Eric Bauza provides contemporary voice work - **[personnel_signal]** Christopher Franchi transitions to Spooky Pinball as artist for Texas Chainsaw Massacre, marking his first Spooky project (confidence: high) — Christopher Franchi gets his first Spooky gig working on the playfield and plastics artwork for The Texas Chainsaw Massacre - **[product_strategy]** Three-tier pricing model implemented with strategic feature distribution across Collector's Edition ($9,699), Bloodsucker ($8,999), and Standard ($8,299) editions (confidence: high) — Feature matrices show clear differentiation: CE includes RGB topper, special paint, animated freezer victim, magnetic decals; BE includes flipper button protection and clear protectors; SE has matte paint and no topper - **[business_signal]** Spooky replicating successful dual-theme playfield strategy from Halloween/Ultraman with TCM/Looney Tunes, suggesting established manufacturing efficiency (confidence: high) — Using the same 'one playfield, two games' concept they premiered with Halloween and Ultraman, Spooky Pinball have taken a single 4-flipper standard-width playfield design --- ## Transcript [Spooky Pinball](https://www.spookypinball.com/) today announced not one, but two new games with the reveal of their upcoming *The Texas Chainsaw Massacre* and *Loony Tunes* titles. Using the same “one playfield, two games” concept they premiered with [*Halloween* and *Ultraman*](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2021/07/05/halloween-pinball-revealed/), Spooky Pinball have taken a single 4-flipper standard-width playfield design by Corwin Emery and Spooky Luke, and employed two separate design teams to create the *The Texas Chainsaw Massacre* and *Loony Tunes* games. Both titles will be ‘limited’ to a total production of 888 machines each. There are three editions of both titles, with the 888 count spread across all three variants according to demand. The top end Collector’s Edition of both costs $9,699, with the mid-level Bloodsucker and bottom-end Standard Editions being $700 and $1,400 cheaper respectively. Let’s look at both games, starting with *The Texas Chainsaw Massacre*. [![The backglass for The Texas Chainsaw Massacre](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/001-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes-1024x671.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/001-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes.jpg) The backglass for The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Based on the notorious R-rated horror movie directed by Tobe Hooper, who also composed the music and co-wrote and produced the film, it centres on a murderous family of cannibals who terrorise and slaughter a group of friends. The storyline was claimed to be based on the real-life crimes of murderer and suspected serial-killer, Ed Gein, although it is actually mostly fictionalised. The Spooky team have access to the full assets from the 1974 movie, supplemented by additional voice work by Edwin Neal who was the original hitchhiker in the film, while voice actor Scott Scott Innes provides narration. Scott is probably most famous for his Shaggy and Scooby-Doo voice work, although he didn’t feature in Spooky’s previous game, *Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!* The top-of-the-range Collector’s Edition, priced at $9,699 plus tax and shipping, comes with red high-gloss powder-coated metalwork, including the side rails, backbox hinges, legs, wireforms, and even the coin door. [![The Collector's Edition of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/002-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/002-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes.jpg) The Collector’s Edition of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre The Collector’s Edition also includes interior art blades, coin door, apron and lock bar magnetic artwork, a unique cabinet and backbox art package by Terry Wolfinger, a bespoke ball launch button, laser-cut speaker grilles, an additional playfield animated sculpt of the victim in the freezer, as well as fluorescent plastic protectors, flipper and target decals, plus the multi-layered RGB lit topper. [![The Leatherface and door bash toy](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/010-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes-1024x768.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/010-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes.jpg) The Leatherface and door bash toy [![The victim in the freezer animated model from the Collector's Edition](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/008-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes-1024x768.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/008-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes.jpg) The victim in the freezer animated model from the Collector’s Edition [![The drop target underground and behind-the-flipper shot](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/009-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes-1024x768.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/009-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes.jpg) The drop target underground and behind-the-flipper shot [![The meat grinder ball lock](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/007-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes-1024x768.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/007-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes.jpg) The meat grinder ball lock The only upgrade option available is the direct-print (a.k.a. “Butter”) high-gloss cabinet artwork, which costs an additional $1,499 and is available for all three editions. The middle version is the Bloodsucker Edition – a title carried over from their 2020 game, *Rick and Morty*. This has a MRSP of $8,999 and includes a mix of features found on the higher Collector’s Edition and the lower Standard Edition. [![The cabinet and backbox art for the Bloodsucker and Standard Editions](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/012-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes-1024x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/012-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes.jpg) The cabinet and backbox art for the Bloodsucker and Standard Editions with the Bloodsucker’s flipper button protection For instance, it doesn’t include the topper, many of the magnetic decals on the speaker panel, apron, lock bar or coin door, the red powder coat, the victim in the freezer mechanism, or the decals on the flippers and targets. It does include plastic protectors, but these are clear rather than the fluorescent ones found on the Collector’s Edition. It also shares the same real knocker and shaker motor as the top-end model and black metallic flake side rails which include flipper button protectors. The $8,299 Standard Edition removes the flipper button protection and uses a matte flat paint, as well as lacking the RGB speaker lights, the interior art blades, the coin box, and any plastic protectors. [![The cabinet and backbox for the Standard Edition](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/011-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes-1024x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/011-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes.jpg) The cabinet and backbox for the Standard Edition without the flipper button protection Here’s a full comparison of the features found on all three models: [![The feature matrix of the three The Texas Chainsaw Massacre variants](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/005-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes-639x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/005-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes.jpg) The feature matrix of the three The Texas Chainsaw Massacre variants *The Texas Chainsaw Massacre* sees the return of one former Spooky alumni and the first Spooky project for another well-known pinball industry name. Benjamin Heckendorn returns to Spooky to work on the game code ahead of his involvement in the previously-announced collaboration with Spooky and Chicago Gaming on an unnamed future title. [![The game rules card](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/004-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes-1024x630.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/004-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes.jpg) The game rules card Meanwhile, Christopher Franchi gets his first Spooky gig working on the playfield and plastics artwork for *The Texas Chainsaw Massacre*. [![The topper found on the Collector's Edition](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/006-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes-1024x553.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/006-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes.jpg) The topper found on the Collector’s Edition There is a flyer for the game. Here it is: [![The flyer for The Texas Chainsaw Massacre](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/003-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes-791x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/003-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes.jpg) The flyer for The Texas Chainsaw Massacre If *The Texas Chainsaw Massacre* isn’t exactly a family-friendly theme (unless it’s the Slaughter family), Spooky’s alternative theme for the same playfield design couldn’t be more different. Warner Bros.’ *Looney Tunes* cartoon series is a staple of many of our childhoods. Characters such as Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, Daffy Duck, Wile E. Coyote, Road Runner, Elmer Fudd, Sylvester and Tweety (or should that be Xy now?), and many more starred in the hundreds of cartoon shorts from the 1930s right through to the present day. The golden era of *Looney Tunes* ran from the mid-’40s to the mid-’60s, alongside the *Merrie Melodies* series, with both created initially to showcase Warner Bros.’ musical catalogue before they took on a life of their own. Spooky’s take on *Looney Tunes* includes Bugs Bunny, Wile E. Coyote, Marvin the Martian, Daffy Duck and Tasmanian Devil on the backglass, while Porky Pig only makes it to the cabinet art. [![The backglass from Spooky Pinball's Looney Tunes game](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/101-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes-1024x623.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/101-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes.jpg) The backglass from Spooky Pinball’s Looney Tunes game As with *The Texas Chainsaw Massacre*, there are Collector’s, Bloodsucker and Standard editions of the game, each with their own set of features. [![The Collector's Edition of Looney Tunes](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/102-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes-1024x960.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/102-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes.jpg) The Collector’s Edition of Looney Tunes The same differentiators are found in the three variants of *Looney Tunes* as with *The Texas Chainsaw Massacre*, with the Collector’s Edition the only one with the RGB illuminated topper and featuring a bespoke cabinet/backbox art package with special orange paint on metal components, both exterior and on the playfield. [![The right side of the Collector's Edition of Looney Tunes](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/103-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes-1024x996.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/103-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes.jpg) The right side of the Collector’s Edition of Looney Tunes While Mel Blanc may be the iconic voice of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Tweety, Sylvester, Yosemite Sam, Foghorn Leghorn, the Tasmanian Devil and many more, The Man of a Thousand Voices died in 1989. Since then, Canadian voice actor Eric Bauza has voiced these characters and many more. He also stars in the *Looney Tunes* pinball to voice the characters from the more-than 20 ‘golden era’ Looney Tunes cartoons featured in the game. Spooky haven’t revealed detailed playfield images of *Looney Tunes* yet, suggesting it is the least-developed of the two designs. This is all we have so far from the Collector’s Edition: [![The playfield for Looney Tunes](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/106-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes-941x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/106-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes.jpg) The playfield for Looney Tunes [![The playfield for Looney Tunes](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/111-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes-1024x576.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/111-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes.jpg) The playfield for Looney Tunes We do know what is planned for the game though, and what appears in each of the three versions. [![The feature matrix for Looney Tunes](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/105-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes-639x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/105-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes.jpg) The feature matrix for Looney Tunes We do know the rules too, and we have a peek at the illuminated Bugs Bunny movie topper which is included with the Collector’s Edition. [![The rules for Spooky's Looney Tunes game](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/107-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes-1024x516.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/107-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes.jpg) The rules for Spooky’s Looney Tunes game [![The topper for Looney Tunes](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/108-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes-1024x504.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/108-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes.jpg) The topper for Looney Tunes The Bloodsucker Edition, as with *The Texas Chainsaw Massacre*, includes the flipper button protection on the side rails, while the Standard Edition doesn’t. Both models have a much plainer cabinet and backbox artwork design too. [![The Bloodsucker Edition of Looney Tunes](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/109-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes-1024x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/109-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes.jpg) The Bloodsucker Edition of Looney Tunes [![The Standard Edition of Looney Tunes](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/110-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes-1024x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/110-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes.jpg) The Standard Edition of Looney Tunes The pricing is the same $9,699/$8,999/$8,299 seen on *The Texas Chainsaw Massacre* and, as with that game, there is a flyer for *Looney Tunes* available. [![The flyer for Spooky's Looney Tunes game](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/104-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes-791x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes/104-texas-chainsaw-masacre-loony-tunes.jpg) The flyer for Spooky’s Looney Tunes game Soon after the game was launched, orders opened through distributors and through the Spooky Pinball website. An initial, non-refundable deposit was required to secure a game, with the remainder paid shortly before the game ships. A $1,000 deposit was needed to buy the Standard Edition of either title, $1,500 for a Bloodsucker Edition, and $2,000 for a Collector’s Edition. A gameplay video of *The Texas Chainsaw Massacre* was also released by Spooky Pinball. Here it is: VIDEO Both games were still available to purchase at the time of writing. It typically takes many months for any Spooky Pinball game to sell out, which not all of them have. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Looney Tunes can be purchased either [directly from Spooky Pinball](https://www.spookypinball.com/shop/) or through their [network of distributors](https://www.spookypinball.com/distributors/). **Update** There are now additional ‘featurette’ videos covering both games’ construction, playfield shots, models and rules. The *Looney Tunes* one gives a much more detailed look at the playfield art and toys than we saw initially. Here are the two videos: VIDEO VIDEO _(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 19ea5190-6a4f-4504-8f0b-8f75b79dc836*