# Pinball Heroes: Steve Ritchie

**Source:** The Pinball Blog  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2009-01-19  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** http://www.thepinballblog.com/2009/01/pinball-heroes-steve-ritchie.html

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## Analysis

Steve Ritchie, legendary pinball designer with a 40+ year career, discusses his iconic games, design philosophy, and career trajectory in a Pinball Blog interview ahead of his UK Pinball Show appearance in July. Key topics include Hyperball's innovative mechanical design, his approach to balancing casual and competitive play, and his transition away from pinball toward video game development. The interview reveals Ritchie's focus on game earnings and accessibility over collector appeal, and his frustration with the decline of pinball as a commercial product.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Hyperball was designed as a mechanical 'firebase' game in response to frustration with management refusing video game projects during the video game boom — _Steve Ritchie, directly describing Hyperball's design philosophy and market context_
- [HIGH] Hyperball sold 5,000 units and was commercially successful despite being unconventional — _Steve Ritchie stating sales figures and profitability_
- [HIGH] Steve Ritchie considers himself only 'slightly better than average' as a player and views this skill level as important for designing accessible games — _Direct statement in interview about his own playing ability and design philosophy_
- [HIGH] Spider-Man Black was Steve Ritchie's idea with Gary Stern's approval, and Stern also suggested the mirrored backglass feature — _Steve Ritchie explaining Spider-Man Black's genesis and collaborative development_
- [HIGH] Steve Ritchie left Stern and was actively seeking employment in video game development at the time of this interview — _Direct statement: 'I have been actively seeking employment! Times are tough.'_
- [HIGH] Pinball is 'no longer a viable commercial product of the 21st century' — _Steve Ritchie's closing statement on pinball's commercial viability_
- [HIGH] The Getaway: High Speed II appeals primarily to better players and features flashy toys like the accelerator and shifter — _Steve Ritchie's analysis of HSII's appeal and design features_
- [HIGH] Steve Ritchie began his game design career after joining Atari Games in 1974 following US Coast Guard service — _Direct biographical statement in interview_

### Notable Quotes

> "Hyperball is a mechanical "firebase" game like Space Invaders. I wanted it to test the player's skill and accuracy at high speed, and wanted to make a shooting game with very fast machine-gun-like action."
> — **Steve Ritchie**, N/A
> _Explains Hyperball's unconventional design philosophy as a response to video game market dominance_

> "I consider my average abilities an important asset when designing games. It's too easy for guys like Keith Johnson and Lyman Sheats to play a game for an hour or more. Newer or less-skilled players want to enjoy a game too, and I temper the "front end" of the game to make sure that we achieve the broadest audience possible."
> — **Steve Ritchie**, N/A
> _Core design philosophy balancing accessibility with competitive depth_

> "In the game business, a developer is only as good as his last game. There is no 'laurel-resting' in my life."
> — **Steve Ritchie**, N/A
> _Reflects Ritchie's competitive mindset and commitment to constant improvement_

> "Collectors view games differently than I do. I must consider earnings above all else. If the fun to be had on a game is sufficient to generate a high earnings level, then I have done my job."
> — **Steve Ritchie**, N/A
> _Reveals fundamental difference in priorities between designers (earnings/location play) and collectors_

> "The marketing plan was in place at the 6-month milestone. It was completely my idea, and I saw the opportunity in the script to produce a special version."
> — **Steve Ritchie**, N/A
> _Spider-Man Black was Ritchie's initiative, showing designer input on limited edition strategy_

> "Pinball is great fun, but no longer a viable commercial product of the 21st century."
> — **Steve Ritchie**, N/A
> _Pessimistic assessment of pinball's commercial future from a legendary designer_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Steve Ritchie | person | Legendary pinball designer with 40+ year career; designer of High Speed, Hyperball, World Poker Tour, Spider-Man Black, and numerous other iconic titles; transitioning to video game development |
| Hyperball | game | 1983 Williams pinball game designed by Steve Ritchie as mechanical 'firebase' game inspired by Space Invaders; sold 5,000 units; unconventional design reflecting frustration with management's video game refusal |
| The Getaway: High Speed II | game | Sequel to High Speed designed by Steve Ritchie; described as budget title appealing to better players; features accelerator and shifter toys; popular among collectors |
| World Poker Tour | game | Pinball game designed by Steve Ritchie with weak license; compensated with innovative toys; rules designed by Keith Johnson |
| Spider-Man | game | Stern pinball game designed by Steve Ritchie; spawned Spider-Man Black limited edition with mirrored backglass feature approved by Gary Stern |
| Spider-Man Black | game | Limited edition variant of Spider-Man designed by Steve Ritchie; featured mirrored backglass and webby side armor; Steve Ritchie's idea with Gary Stern approval |
| Keith Johnson | person | Skilled player referenced by Steve Ritchie; described as poker enthusiast who designed innovative rules for World Poker Tour |
| Gary Stern | person | Stern Pinball owner/decision-maker who approved Spider-Man Black and suggested mirrored backglass feature |
| John Trudeau | person | Game designer praised by Steve Ritchie; designer of Hollywood Heat and CFTBL |
| Mike Hafner | person | Pinball player (phishrace) who played against Steve Ritchie at Pizza Depot in Sunnyvale, CA |
| Lyman Sheats | person | High-skill pinball player referenced by Steve Ritchie |
| Williams | company | Major pinball manufacturer where Steve Ritchie designed Hyperball and other games; employed Ritchie during video game era when management refused video game projects |
| Atari Games | company | Company where Steve Ritchie began his game design career in 1974 after Coast Guard service |
| Stern Pinball | company | Manufacturer where Steve Ritchie designed Spider-Man and Spider-Man Black; Ritchie has since left the company |
| UK Pinball Show | event | Upcoming event in July where Steve Ritchie will appear as special guest; also hosts European Pinball Championship |
| The Pinball Blog | organization | Publication conducting this interview with Steve Ritchie; editor provides context notes |
| Pizza Depot | event | Location in Sunnyvale, CA where Steve Ritchie recently played pinball with friends including Mike Hafner |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Steve Ritchie's design philosophy and approach to game balance, Hyperball as unconventional response to video game market pressure, Limited edition strategy and Spider-Man Black development, Steve Ritchie's career transition away from pinball toward video games, Commercial viability of pinball in the 21st century
- **Secondary:** Collector vs. location operator priorities in game design, Accessibility in pinball design for casual vs. competitive players

### Sentiment

**Mixed** (0.35) — Ritchie speaks positively about his design work and pinball community, but expresses pessimism about pinball's commercial future and appears frustrated with industry trends. His closing statement about pinball being 'no longer a viable commercial product' reflects negative sentiment about the market, while his enthusiasm for game design and upcoming video game opportunities shows optimism about his personal trajectory.

### Signals

- **[business_signal]** Steve Ritchie expresses pessimism about pinball's commercial viability in 21st century market; actively transitioning to video game development (confidence: high) — Final statement: 'Pinball is great fun, but no longer a viable commercial product of the 21st century' and earlier: 'I have been actively seeking employment! Times are tough'
- **[design_philosophy]** Hyperball represents designer's response to market pressures: unconventional mechanical game designed when management refused video game project requests during video game boom era (confidence: high) — Ritchie explains: 'Hyperball was the result of my frustration designing a mechanical game when the world around me was far more interested in video games...management refused, and said "more pinball please"'
- **[design_philosophy]** Steve Ritchie explicitly articulates balancing casual accessibility with competitive depth: tempers 'front end' for average players while programmers add depth for skilled players like Keith Johnson and Lyman Sheats (confidence: high) — Direct quote: 'I temper the "front end" of the game to make sure that we achieve the broadest audience possible. Good programmer-players can then add the depth'
- **[licensing_signal]** World Poker Tour had 'weak license' which motivated designer to compensate with innovative toys rather than relying on IP strength (confidence: medium) — Ritchie states: 'with the weak license, I decided to compensate with lots of innovative toys'
- **[personnel_signal]** Steve Ritchie has departed Stern Pinball and is actively seeking employment elsewhere; considering video game platforms as primary opportunity (confidence: high) — Direct statement: 'What have you been up to since parting with Stern...' and 'I have been actively seeking employment! Times are tough. I spend my days writing resumes, interviewing and networking'
- **[product_strategy]** Spider-Man Black was strategically planned limited edition variant with design innovations (mirrored backglass, webby side armor) at 6-month milestone; collaborative process between Ritchie and Gary Stern (confidence: high) — Ritchie states: 'The marketing plan was in place at the 6-month milestone. It was completely my idea' and Stern approved and suggested backglass enhancement

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## Transcript

Steve Ritchie made some classic pinball machines in a career spanning 4 decades, and we're really looking forward to welcoming him to the UK as the special guest of the UK Pinball Show in July. In the meantime, he gets the Pinball Heroes treatment.
The Pinball Blog. Let's jump right in. Had you ever played poker before designing World Poker Tour?
Steve Ritchie. I had played poker when I was growing up, but I was never an enthusiast. I was forced to design WPT, but I am not at all ashamed of it. The playfield turned out nice, and with the weak license, I decided to compensate with lots of innovative toys. Keith, of course, is a big fan of poker, and his rules are very innovative.
TPB. Hyperball. WTF?
SR. Hyperball was the result of my frustration designing a mechanical game when the world around me was far more interested in video games. At that time, I wanted to produce a video game with a team at Williams but management refused, and said "more pinball please", even though pins weren't selling half as well as the popular video games of the era. I was determined to do something different, and came up with Hyperball. Look closely at the Hyperball playfield: Hyperball is a mechanical "firebase" game like Space Invaders. I wanted it to test the player's skill and accuracy at high speed, and wanted to make a shooting game with very fast machine-gun-like action. We sold 5,000 units, and they earned a lot of money. No regrets.
TPB. You're coming to the UK in the summer for the UK Pinball Show and European Pinball Championship. Any chance you'll be taking home the title?
SR. There is no chance at all. I am only a slightly better than average player, and got my ass trounced as recently as last night when Mike Hafner (phishrace) and other friends and I got together at Pizza Depot in Sunnyvale, CA. I love to play pins, but I am just not that skilled. I consider my average abilities an important asset when designing games. It's too easy for guys like Keith P. Johnson and Lyman F. Sheats Jr. to play a game for an hour or more. Newer or less-skilled players want to enjoy a game too, and I temper the "front end" of the game to make sure that we achieve the broadest audience possible. Good programmer-players can then add the depth with features that we agree on to make sure there is plenty of challenge for better players.
TPB. I interviewed John Trudeau for Pinball Heroes and he had some kind words to say about you. Can you dish the dirt on John for us please?
SR. John Trudeau is a great guy and a talented game designer. He has been dedicated to pinball his whole working life. I enjoy playing CFTBL, and he designed one of my favorite games of all time, Hollywood Heat. He is very innovative and fun to be around. I haven't seen him in a long time, but hope to see him at EXPO if we both can make it.
(Editor: I guess not!)
TPB. So many enthusiasts with top-end 'A-list' machines also have The Getaway: High Speed II which is, comparatively, a budget title. Any idea why it's so popular among collectors?
SR. I think that The Getaway appeals to better players, and it is an exciting game with flashy and violent toys like the accelerator and the shifter. I think there is some appeal in the visible locks and the ramp that feeds them. It has a good selection of some of the best features from the day. Loud ZZ Top music doesn't hurt either. "La Grange" is the best driving tune I ever heard. I used to play the cassette in my Porsche and turn up the volume as I ripped through the country lanes of Loomis, CA. I think HSII was a 'more modern' take on High Speed. We sold a lot of them, and that's maybe why you say it's a 'budget title'.
Collectors view games differently than I do. I must consider earnings above all else. If the fun to be had on a game is sufficient to generate a high earnings level, then I have done my job. Collectors do not base their pinball choices on any such thing. They buy games that they enjoy. Often, games that earned well end up in collections, as well as games that did not earn well.
TPB. Is there a machine you're immensely proud to have designed and sit back and think "I did that!"?
SR. I haven't made any games that I am not proud of. I spent many hours trying to do my best work on each machine, and tried to top my previous games with each successive game. I feel best when watching someone who is clearly enjoying the play of my machines. I don't say to myself "I did that!", I say to myself "What am I going to do next that will be successful?". In the game business, a developer is only as good as his last game. There is no 'laurel-resting' in my life. I am always ready to begin the next game adventure.
TPB. I'm a fan of the recent Spider-Man, and maybe wish I'd held out for a Spider-Man Black. Was there always a plan to produce a limited edition follow-up, did you have any say, or was it just a marketing strategy?
SR. The marketing plan was in place at the 6-month milestone. It was completely my idea, and I saw the opportunity in the script to produce a special version. Gary Stern of course approved it. He also suggested a mirrored backglass, which I never dreamed he would allow. I was most interested in the webby side armor and made 3 passes at the design for the cutouts. They had to be designed to look great, and not intrude on the player's hands or comfort in any way. Others at Stern wanted a grey colored (!?) armor and legs, etc on SM, but only chrome would do it for me.
TPB. What have you been up to since parting with Stern and what does the future hold for Steve Ritchie?
SR. I have been actively seeking employment! Times are tough. I spend my days writing resumes, interviewing and networking. I have a few other irons in different fires, but none that I can discuss here.
I would love to be producing Xbox 360 or PC video games. I have produced several video games and the sky's the limit with platform games. In November of 2008, $2.3 Billion dollars worth of platform games were sold worldwide. It is obvious that people are realizing the extreme value in buying a game for their home systems instead of going to movies, dining out etc.
There is a huge market for my work, and I can't wait to get started for some company out there.
TPB. I guess you didn't plan on being a pinball designer when you were at school, so what did you want to be?
SR. There was a time that I was very interested in electronics. I have had extensive training in this area and found it fascinating at one time. After my service in the US Coast Guard, I walked into Atari Games in 1974. I knew that I would be making games from that time on.
TPB. Finally, can you sum up pinball in one word or sentence.
SR. Pinball is great fun, but no longer a viable commercial product of the 21st century.
A huge thank you to Steve Ritchie for finding the time to answer our questions. The only trouble is I now have a whole load more I want to know! Guess, I'll have to wait until I see the man in July!
More Pinball Heroes soon..
Nick
The Pinball Blog

_(Acquisition: web_scrape, Enrichment: v3)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 1d79610f-0891-497d-a471-4bb27ad6a199*