# Queen Pinball Reveal Delayed, American Pinball's Next Game Three Months Away

**Source:** Knapp Arcade  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2022-09-09  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.knapparcade.org/queen-pinball-reveal-delayed-american-pinball-s-next-game-three-months-away

---

## Analysis

Pinball Brothers' Queen game reveal has been delayed due to approval issues and will not appear at the Cointaker Super Awesome Pinball Show Tailgate Party, though they aim for Pinball Expo in October. American Pinball will preview their next game at the tailgate with artwork and theme reveal, with full game availability expected in three months. Christopher Franchi did not do artwork for Stern's James Bond game but has art coming on multiple non-Stern machines.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Pinball Brothers' Queen game delayed due to approval problems — _Official statement from Pinball Brothers via SAPS podcast_
- [HIGH] Queen will likely debut at Pinball Expo Chicago (October 18-22) — _Pinball Brothers statement on SAPS podcast_
- [HIGH] American Pinball's next game will be ready for sale in approximately three months — _SAPS podcast hosts reporting game availability timeline_
- [HIGH] Pinball Brothers has shipped approximately 600 Alien machines across both models — _Pinball Brothers interview on SAPS podcast_
- [HIGH] Christopher Franchi did not do artwork for Stern's James Bond game — _SAPS podcast hosts clarifying recent rumors_
- [HIGH] Original Heighway design for Queen was a widebody with playfield screen; completely reworked by Pinball Brothers — _SAPS podcast interview with Pinball Brothers_
- [HIGH] Queen Brian May and Roger Taylor recorded callouts for the new game — _Pinball Brothers interview on SAPS podcast_

### Notable Quotes

> "We regret to inform attendees, but as of the time that we were editing this show we received an e-mail from the Pinball Brothers stating that there was some approval problems which severely delayed the shipping of the game"
> — **SAPS podcast hosts (reporting Pinball Brothers statement)**, N/A
> _Official confirmation of Queen delay with regulatory/approval issues cited_

> "the preview will give attendees a preview of the artwork, the theme and the logo for the theme. They are not going to show the full game or the backglass because the full game will probably not be ready to go on sale for another three months"
> — **SAPS podcast hosts**, N/A
> _Details on American Pinball's teaser strategy and production timeline_

> "Christopher Franchi did not do the artwork for any version of Stern Pinball's new James Bond game. He does have art coming out on several non-Stern pinball machines soon, two that will likely be released at the same time and compete with each other"
> — **SAPS podcast hosts (reporting findings)**, N/A
> _Clarification on Franchi's recent work and denial of Bond involvement; hints at multiple competing releases_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Pinball Brothers | company | Pinball game manufacturer; delayed Queen release due to approval issues; producing Alien and Queen machines |
| American Pinball | company | Boutique pinball manufacturer; upcoming unnamed game with preview at Cointaker tailgate; full game availability ~3 months away |
| Christopher Franchi | person | Pinball artist/designer; confirmed NOT involved in Stern's James Bond game artwork; has art on multiple non-Stern machines launching simultaneously |
| Queen | game | Pinball Brothers game themed after rock band Queen; delayed from Cointaker tailgate to Pinball Expo October 2024; original Heighway design reworked; features band member callouts |
| Alien | game | Pinball Brothers game; ~600 units shipped across both models; continues production in tandem with Queen at Pedretti |
| Super Awesome Pinball Show (SAPS) | organization | Podcast featuring news, interviews, and industry updates; source of Queen delay and American Pinball information |
| Cointaker Super Awesome Pinball Show Tailgate Party | event | Event where Queen was expected but will not appear; American Pinball will preview next game |
| Pinball Expo Chicago | event | October 18-22 event; target for Queen debut |
| Stern Pinball | company | Developing James Bond pinball game; does NOT have Franchi artwork (contrary to rumors) |
| Brian May | person | Queen band member; recorded callouts for Queen pinball game |
| Roger Taylor | person | Queen band member; recorded callouts for Queen pinball game |
| Heighway Pinball | company | Original designer of Queen game (widebody with playfield screen design); design completely reworked by Pinball Brothers |
| Christian Line | person | SAPS podcast co-host/contributor |
| Jeff Parsons | person | SAPS podcast contributor |
| Pedretti | company | Manufacturing facility producing both Alien and Queen machines for Pinball Brothers |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Game delays and production issues, Pinball Brothers' product pipeline and manufacturing, American Pinball's next game announcement/preview strategy
- **Secondary:** Artist personnel and IP licensing (Franchi, Stern Bond), Pinball industry events and show scheduling, Queen band IP licensing for pinball game

### Sentiment

**Mixed** (0.45) — Negative on Queen delay (approval issues, missed event), positive on American Pinball teaser and Franchi clarification, neutral on factual reporting. Tone is news-focused but acknowledges disappointment for event attendees.

### Signals

- **[design_philosophy]** Queen game underwent complete design rework from original Heighway widebody/screen concept to Pinball Brothers' version (confidence: high) — SAPS reporting: 'The original Heighway design for the Queen game was a widebody with a screen in the playfield. The design was completely reworked to create the Pinball Brothers' version.'
- **[event_signal]** American Pinball providing exclusive preview (artwork, theme, logo) at Cointaker tailgate with full game availability in ~3 months (confidence: high) — SAPS podcast reporting American Pinball's deliberate teaser strategy with timeline
- **[licensing_signal]** Queen band members (Brian May, Roger Taylor) provided voice callouts for Queen pinball game, indicating active IP licensor involvement (confidence: high) — SAPS podcast: 'Queen's Brian May and Roger Taylor did a number of callouts for the new game'
- **[market_signal]** Pinball Brothers' Alien production continuing at scale (~600 units shipped) while simultaneously launching Queen game with dedicated production line (confidence: high) — Pinball Brothers interview: 'approaching 600 Alien machines shipped' and 'production of Alien will continue in tandem with production of the new Queen game at Pedretti. There will be two lines.'
- **[community_signal]** Christopher Franchi has multiple non-Stern pinball art projects launching simultaneously in competitive timeframe (confidence: medium) — SAPS hosts: 'He does have art coming out on several non-Stern pinball machines soon, two that will likely be released at the same time and compete with each other'
- **[product_strategy]** Pinball Brothers' Queen game delayed from Cointaker Super Awesome Pinball Show Tailgate to Pinball Expo Chicago due to unspecified approval issues (confidence: high) — Official Pinball Brothers statement: 'approval problems which severely delayed the shipping of the game'
- **[product_strategy]** American Pinball game launch window targeting 3-month production completion from current date (confidence: high) — SAPS hosts: 'full game will probably not be ready to go on sale for another three months'
- **[rumor_hype]** Recent unverified rumors about Christopher Franchi's involvement with Stern's James Bond game artwork clarified as false (confidence: high) — SAPS podcast hosts: 'Christopher Franchi did not do the artwork for any version of Stern Pinball's new James Bond game'

---

## Transcript

I'm currently listening to the new episode of always fantastic Super Awesome Pinball Show (SAPS) podcast featuring Christopher Franchi, Christian Line and Jeff Parsons and heard some breaking news. Despite hopes that the Pinball Brothers' upcoming game Queen will be at the upcoming Cointaker Super Awesome Pinball Show Tailgate Party, they released the following statement: "We regret to inform attendees, but as of the time that we were editing this show we received an e-mail from the Pinball Brothers stating that there was some approval problems which severely delayed the shipping of the game and they most likely will not be on hand to play at the event." Pinball Brothers stated that they are hoping to bring the game to Pinball Expo in Chicago, which is scheduled to take place from October 18th through the 22nd.

Despite the absence of Queen, attendees of the tailgate party will get a sneak peek at American Pinball's "really imaginative and fun new game." Specifically, the preview will give attendees a preview of the artwork, the theme and the logo for the theme. They are not going to show the full game or the backglass because the full game will probably not be ready to go on sale for another three months.

Another interesting tidbit that I was able to grab from the podcast is that despite the recent rumors, Christopher Franchi did not do the artwork for any version of Stern Pinball's new James Bond game. He does have art coming out on several non-Stern pinball machines soon, two that will likely be released at the same time and compete with each other.

The latest SAPS episode also contained an interview with Pinball Brothers. They stated that they are approaching 600 Alien machines shipped, including both models. Production of Alien will continue in tandem with production of the new Queen game at Pedretti. There will be two lines.

The original Heighway design for the Queen game was a widebody with a screen in the playfield. The design was completely reworked to create the Pinball Brothers' version. Queen's Brian May and Roger Taylor did a number of callouts for the new game.

The Super Awesome Pinball Show is always jam packed with cool interviews and information. Click on the link below to check out the latest episode:

https://superawesomepinballshow.libsyn.com/

_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_

---

*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 423c0306-cabb-43c6-91c2-670d492e8a14*