# Past Times Pinball History Ep 31: Star Wars - Episode 1 **Source:** Past Times Arcade **Type:** video **Published:** 2024-11-13 **Duration:** 1m 30s **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYUVvD6syKk --- ## Analysis Past Times Arcade presents a historical overview of the 1999 Williams Star Wars Episode I pinball machine, the second game in the Pinball 2000 platform featuring hologram technology via CRT reflection. The episode highlights the legendary design team (Gomez, DeMar, Lawlor, Sharpe, Sheets, Papaduke) and notes the poignant timing: George Gomez presented at Pinball Expo 1999 on the game's technology, and Williams closed its doors permanently just two days later on October 25th, making this the final Bally Williams pinball release. ### Key Claims - [HIGH] Star Wars Episode I was the second game in the Pinball 2000 platform — _Host explicitly states this as historical fact about the product line_ - [HIGH] The hologram effect was created by a CRT monitor under the backbox reflecting off the playfield glass — _Host describes the Pinball 2000 technology directly while viewing the machine_ - [HIGH] A conversion kit was released to allow earlier games to be converted to Star Wars Episode I — _Host mentions conversion kit availability for the preceding Revenge from Mars_ - [HIGH] Williams closed its doors permanently on October 25th, 1999, two days after George Gomez presented at Pinball Expo — _Host provides specific date and contextual narrative about the timing_ - [MEDIUM] Prototypes of Wizard modes were created for Star Wars Episode I — _Host mentions this as part of development history, though details are limited_ - [HIGH] Star Wars Episode I was the last game released under Bally Williams — _Host explicitly states 'This the very last game released under Bally Williams in the Pinball 2000 Division'_ ### Notable Quotes > "This was marketed as the Next Generation in pinball platform." > — **Past Times Arcade Host**, ~0:10 > _Describes the Pinball 2000 platform's market positioning and technological advancement narrative_ > "You know, looks like we have a hologram on the screen here that's created by a CRT monitor under the backbox reflecting off of the Playfield glass." > — **Past Times Arcade Host**, ~0:15 > _Explains the signature Pepper's Ghost visual effect technology that defined Pinball 2000_ > "Two days later, Williams employees would show up to Williams to find that the doors would be closed October 25th. Forever." > — **Past Times Arcade Host**, ~1:15 > _Highlights the historical tragedy that this game's launch was immediately followed by the company's permanent closure_ > "This the very last game released under Bally Williams in the Pinball 2000 Division." > — **Past Times Arcade Host**, ~1:20 > _Establishes Star Wars Episode I's historical significance as the final Bally Williams pinball release_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | Star Wars Episode I | game | 1999 Williams pinball machine using Pinball 2000 platform with hologram technology; second Pinball 2000 release; final Bally Williams pinball game | | Pinball 2000 | product | Williams pinball hardware platform featuring CRT/hologram integration technology marketed as next-generation pinball | | Revenge from Mars | game | First game in the Pinball 2000 platform; Star Wars Episode I was a conversion kit option for this machine | | George Gomez | person | Legendary pinball designer; member of Star Wars Episode I design team; presented at Pinball Expo 1999 about the game two days before Williams closure | | Larry DeMar | person | Legendary Bally pinball designer; member of Star Wars Episode I design team | | Pat Lawlor | person | Legendary pinball designer; member of Star Wars Episode I design team | | Roger Sharpe | person | Pinball industry figure; member of Star Wars Episode I design team | | Lyman Sheets | person | Pinball designer; member of Star Wars Episode I design team | | John Papaduke | person | Pinball designer; member of Star Wars Episode I design team | | Bally Williams | company | Pinball manufacturer that permanently closed October 25, 1999, after releasing Star Wars Episode I as its final game | | Williams Electronics | company | Parent company of pinball operations; closed in 1999 | | Pinball Expo 1999 | event | Industry event where George Gomez presented on Star Wars Episode I technology; occurred two days before Williams closure | | Past Times Arcade | company | Arcade venue/content creator presenting the historical overview and featuring a playable Star Wars Episode I machine | | The Hollow Pin | game | Original working title for Star Wars Episode I before release | ### Topics - **Primary:** Pinball 2000 platform technology, CRT hologram/Pepper's Ghost visual effects, Bally Williams company closure and final release, Legendary pinball designers and game development - **Secondary:** Pinball industry history, Star Wars licensed pinball games ### Sentiment **Neutral** (0.5) — Content is historical and factual in tone. The narrative carries a bittersweet quality—celebrating the technological achievement and design team while noting the tragic timing of the company's closure. No editorial judgment or strong emotional language present. ### Signals - **[historical_signal]** Star Wars Episode I represents the final pinball release from Bally Williams before company closure, creating unique historical artifact status (confidence: high) — Host emphasizes Williams closed permanently October 25, 1999, two days after Pinball Expo presentation, making this 'the very last game released under Bally Williams' - **[technology_signal]** Pinball 2000 platform introduced hologram technology via CRT monitor reflection (Pepper's Ghost effect), representing significant technological evolution in pinball display integration (confidence: high) — Host describes CRT monitor under backbox creating hologram effect on playfield glass; marketed as 'Next Generation in pinball platform' --- ## Transcript [Music] so this episode of Pas times pinball history we're going to feature this 1999 Williams Star Wars episode one originally called the hollow pin this was marketed as the Next Generation in pinball platform you know looks like we have a hologram on the screen here that's created by a CRT monitor under the backbox reflecting off of the Playfield glass this is the second game produced in the pinball 2000 platform they also released it as a conversion kit for the game released before which is B Revenge from Mars there were prototypes of wizard blocks and also rumors of creating Playboy and Monopoly listen to this a design team George Gomez Larry Demar Pat Lawler Roger sharp Lyman sheets and John papad were all involved in this pimble Expo 1999 George Gomez actually spoke to a packed room on Saturday about the excitement of what's to come two days later Williams employees would show up to Williams to find that the doors would be closed October 25th Forever This the very last game released under Bal Williams in the pinball 2000 Division come on in pastimes arcade check out this Star Wars episode one [Music] _(Acquisition: youtube_auto_sub, Enrichment: v3)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 5d2cc551-70b1-400f-9489-16a54565a821*