# Past Times Pinball History Ep 7: Black Knight **Source:** Past Times Arcade **Type:** video **Published:** 2023-12-20 **Duration:** 2m 11s **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLjrM3F0Tp8 --- ## Analysis Past Times Arcade presents a historical overview of the 1980 Williams Black Knight pinball machine designed by Steve Ritchie, highlighting its significance as the first solid-state game with a multi-level playfield, introduction of the MagnaSave magnetic save feature, jeweled inserts, and artwork by Tony Ramuni. The video includes live gameplay demonstration of the MagnaSave mechanic. ### Key Claims - [HIGH] Black Knight is the first solid-state pinball game with an upper playfield/multi-level playfield — _Past Times Arcade host, stated as historical fact about the game_ - [HIGH] Steve Ritchie designed Black Knight and also performed the voice work on the game — _Past Times Arcade host, presented as 'lesser known fact'_ - [HIGH] Black Knight introduced the MagnaSave feature — _Past Times Arcade host, demonstrated in gameplay_ - [MEDIUM] Black Knight was the first game to feature jeweled inserts (diamond-shaped rather than flat) — _Past Times Arcade host, visual demonstration provided_ - [MEDIUM] Artwork for Black Knight was done by Tony Ramuni, who also did artwork for Bally Electra (released a year later) — _Past Times Arcade host, stated as interesting connection between two games_ - [HIGH] Black Knight features three playfields: upper, regular, and lower — _Past Times Arcade host, described as historically significant feature_ ### Notable Quotes > "A lesser known fact is that Steve Ritchie actually did the voice on this game too." > — **Past Times Arcade Host**, ~0:15 > _Highlights an overlooked contribution by legendary designer Steve Ritchie_ > "Why this game is historically significant mainly is because it is the first game solid-state game with upper playfield or multi-level playfield that you see here." > — **Past Times Arcade Host**, ~0:20 > _Establishes Black Knight's primary historical significance in pinball evolution_ > "It also introduced the MagnaSave on the side here which we can demonstrate." > — **Past Times Arcade Host**, ~0:35 > _Introduces a signature mechanical feature that became industry standard_ > "So how you actually activate the MagnaSave is by clearing a set of drop targets here." > — **Past Times Arcade Host**, ~1:00 > _Explains the gameplay mechanic that earns the MagnaSave feature_ > "There a magnet underneath. And I can shoot it here." > — **Past Times Arcade Host**, ~1:45 > _Demonstrates the actual MagnaSave mechanic in action during gameplay_ > "This is actually the first game to feature jeweled inserts. So they're not your standard flat inserts." > — **Past Times Arcade Host**, ~2:10 > _Highlights innovation in visual presentation of playfield inserts_ > "The artwork was done by a gentleman named Tony Ramuni. And what's interesting about that is he also did the artwork on a game, Bally Electra, which came out a year later." > — **Past Times Arcade Host**, ~2:35 > _Identifies artist and establishes connection to contemporary game_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | Black Knight | game | 1980 Williams pinball machine, subject of the historical analysis | | Steve Ritchie | person | Legendary Williams pinball designer who designed Black Knight and performed voice work for the game | | Williams | company | Pinball manufacturer that produced Black Knight in 1980 | | Tony Ramuni | person | Artist who created artwork for Black Knight and Bally Electra | | Bally Electra | game | Bally pinball game released approximately one year after Black Knight, also featuring artwork by Tony Ramuni | | Past Times Arcade | organization | Arcade venue featured in the video, where Black Knight is displayed and demonstrated | ### Topics - **Primary:** Multi-level playfield design innovation, MagnaSave mechanical feature, Solid-state pinball era history - **Secondary:** Pinball hardware innovation (jeweled inserts), Steve Ritchie's design and contributions, Pinball artwork and visual design ### Sentiment **Positive** (0.85) — Host demonstrates enthusiasm and reverence for Black Knight's historical significance, celebrates design innovations, and presents the game as a landmark achievement in pinball engineering and design history ### Signals - **[design_innovation]** First implementation of jeweled inserts (diamond-shaped rather than flat), advancing visual design of playfield presentation (confidence: medium) — Host identifies 'jeweled inserts' as first-in-class feature, noting they are 'not your standard flat inserts' and have 'a little bit of a diamond shape' - **[design_philosophy]** Black Knight introduced multi-level playfield as a significant design innovation, representing expansion of playfield complexity in solid-state era (confidence: high) — Host emphasizes that Black Knight is 'the first game solid-state game with upper playfield or multi-level playfield' and notes it has three separate playfields (upper, regular, lower) - **[technology_signal]** Introduction of MagnaSave magnetic save feature represents significant mechanical innovation in pinball hardware (confidence: high) — Host demonstrates MagnaSave mechanic, describing it as activated by clearing drop targets and using magnet underneath to catch and redirect ball --- ## Transcript Today we're going to feature this 1980 Williams Black Knight designed by Steve Ritchie. A lesser known fact is that Steve Ritchie actually did the voice on this game too. Why this game is historically significant mainly is because it is the first game solid-state game with upper playfield or multi-level playfield that you see here. It also introduced the MagnaSave on the side here which we can demonstrate. I'm gonna hit the start button. We'll shoot the ball, we'll catch it. So how you actually activate the MagnaSave is by clearing a set of drop targets here. So it looks like this MagnaSave is lit. So if I now push the red button down here when the ball's going out it'll actually catch it. I just need to hit it once and it'll drop into the in lane So here we go There I caught it There a magnet underneath And I can shoot it here Here we go there we are lit again Another interesting fact about this is this is actually the first game to feature jeweled inserts. So they're not your standard flat inserts. You can see it has a little bit of a diamond shape in there. There we go. And one last neat little fact about this is the artwork was done by a gentleman named Tony Ramuni. And what's interesting about that is he also did the artwork on a game, Valley Electra, which came out a year later. Historically significant because it is the first game with three playfields. So it has an upper play field, a regular play field, and then a lower play field. Come on out to Past Times Arcade. Check out this Williams Black Knight and some other historically significant games by Steve Ritchie. . _(Acquisition: youtube_groq_whisper, Enrichment: v3)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 35ef31ea-f5fd-47f2-98e0-c6b70a7599fb*