# NORTHWEST PINBALL & ARCADE SHOW 2018: FRIDAY

**Source:** Pinball News Website  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2018-06-08  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2018/06/08/northwest-pinball-arcade-show-2018-2

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## Analysis

Coverage of the Northwest Pinball & Arcade Show 2018 opening day (June 8, 2018) in Tacoma, Washington. The article documents venue setup, vendor displays including Marco Specialties' Stern showcase and Nitro Pinball's multi-manufacturer lineup, seminar programming on game design and LED modifications, and the competitive tournament setup. Notable featured a prototype Thunderbirds game at the Nitro Pinball stand and announcements from American Pinball about production scaling and upcoming second title reveal.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] American Pinball currently producing 35 games per week and expanding to a new factory 3x the size of current facility by end of 2018 — _Joe Balcer seminar at NWPAS 2018; stated they are 'currently producing 35 games a week but are running out of room' and have 'secured a new factory which is three times the size of the current one and plan to move into by the end of 2018 or not sooner.'_
- [HIGH] American Pinball plans to announce their second title at Pinball Expo Chicago in October 2018 and expects to ship within a month of announcement — _Joe Balcer stated: 'when they announce their second title – which they hope to reveal at Pinball Expo in Chicago this October – they will be able to start shipping it within a month or so.'_
- [HIGH] Thunderbirds is still a prototype game with various elements subject to change before production — _Article explicitly states: 'It's worth noting that this is still only a prototype game so various elements may change before production.'_
- [HIGH] David Thiel initially turned down the Pirates of the Caribbean JJP composing job due to restrictive Disney licensing and previous experience composing for Stern Pirates — _David Thiel seminar: 'he initially turned down the job, having created the music for the Stern Pirates game and knowing how restrictive the licence would be in terms of the minimal assets available and the process of getting Disney to approve everything.'_
- [HIGH] Raymond Davidson (US) won IFPA World Championship and defeated Robert Gagno (Canada) in the 7pm champion challenge competition — _Article states 'recent IFPA World Championship winner, Raymond' won the 'battle of the Champions challenge' and 'claim[ed] the prize money.'_

### Notable Quotes

> "He said they are currently producing 35 games a week but are running out of room at the factory. To ease that log jam they have secured a new factory which is three times the size of the current one and plan to move into by the end of 2018 of not sooner."
> — **Joe Balcer (American Pinball)**, 5pm seminar
> _Major production and facility expansion announcement signaling rapid business growth and capacity constraints_

> "They need the additional capacity, Joe said, so that when they announce their second title – which they hope to reveal at Pinball Expo in Chicago this October – they will be able to start shipping it within a month or so."
> — **Joe Balcer (American Pinball)**, 5pm seminar
> _Explicit confirmation of second American Pinball title in development with planned October 2018 reveal_

> "It's worth noting that this is still only a prototype game so various elements may change before production."
> — **Article author (Pinball News)**, Thunderbirds section
> _Establishes Thunderbirds as work-in-progress with design details potentially subject to revision_

> "He said he initially turned down the job, having created the music for the Stern Pirates game and knowing how restrictive the licence would be in terms of the minimal assets available and the process of getting Disney to approve everything."
> — **David Thiel (composer, Pirates of the Caribbean JJP)**, 2pm seminar
> _Insight into licensing friction and Disney's stringent approval process for pinball IP_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Northwest Pinball & Arcade Show 2018 | event | Major regional pinball show held June 8-10, 2018 in Tacoma, WA; featured vendor booths, tournaments, seminars, and raffle prizes including a Houdini machine grand prize |
| Joe Balcer | person | Co-founder/representative of American Pinball; presented seminar on Houdini game development, announced production capacity (35/week) and facility expansion |
| Jim Thornton | person | Co-founder/representative of American Pinball; presented alongside Joe Balcer on Houdini |
| David Thiel | person | Freelance composer and sound designer for Jersey Jack Pinball's Pirates of the Caribbean; presented seminar on game audio and music composition |
| Butch Peel | person | Jersey Jack Pinball design/development team member; presented seminar on Pirates of the Caribbean playfield design and mechanical development |
| David Shoemaker | person | LED lighting expert; co-presented seminar on LED vs incandescent lamp conversion with Dave Okert |
| Dave Okert | person | LED lighting expert; co-presented seminar on LED vs incandescent lamp conversion with David Shoemaker |
| Raymond Davidson | person | IFPA World Champion pinball player (US); competed in and won the 7pm champion challenge competition against Robert Gagno |
| Robert Gagno | person | World Champion pinball player (Canada); competed in 7pm champion challenge against Raymond Davidson |
| American Pinball | company | Pinball manufacturer; unveiled Houdini game at show, announced production of 35 units/week, facility expansion to 3x size, and second title reveal planned for October 2018 Pinball Expo |
| Marco Specialties | company | Major pinball parts distributor and Stern Pinball authorized showcase vendor; displayed nine Iron Maiden machines (mostly Premium models) and other recent Stern titles |
| Nitro Pinball | company | Pinball retailer/distributor vendor at show; featured games from Homepin, American Pinball, Spooky Pinball, and Chicago Gaming; highlighted Thunderbirds prototype for hands-on demo |
| Jersey Jack Pinball | company | Pinball manufacturer; Pirates of the Caribbean game featured in development seminar with composer and design team |
| Stern Pinball | company | Major pinball manufacturer; showcased Iron Maiden and Aerosmith games via Marco Specialties booth; David Thiel previously composed music for Stern Pirates game |
| Fast Pinball | company | Homebrew/custom pinball manufacturer; displayed three custom games at show, including Proto 1 with Pinball 2000 style projection system, plus control systems and driver boards |
| Thunderbirds | product | Pinball machine in prototype stage; displayed by Nitro Pinball; received significant play attention; article provided detailed internal photos of cabinet construction, boards, and mechanics |
| Houdini | product | American Pinball game; served as grand prize raffle machine for Sunday draw; seminar covered game design, rules, and development process |
| Pirates of the Caribbean | product | Jersey Jack Pinball game; seminar detailed composition, sound design, and playfield development with Disney licensing challenges |
| Iron Maiden | product | Stern Pinball game; Marco Specialties displayed nine units (mostly Premium models) at the show |
| Next Level Pinball Shop | company | Local pinball retailer vendor; displayed modified playable machines and sold promotional merchandise at show |
| Pinball Expo Chicago | event | Major pinball industry trade show scheduled for October 2018; American Pinball announced plans to reveal second title there |

### Topics

- **Primary:** American Pinball business expansion and second game announcement, Game design and development seminars (Pirates of the Caribbean, Houdini), Thunderbirds prototype showcase and internal construction details
- **Secondary:** Vendor booth displays and pinball merchandise ecosystem, LED lighting modification and technical seminar, Tournament competition and championship player performance, Disney licensing restrictions and IP approval processes
- **Mentioned:** Homebrew and custom pinball development (Fast Pinball)

### Sentiment

**Positive** (0.78) — Predominantly positive coverage focused on show logistics, vendor participation, and industry developments. American Pinball's growth and expansion signals confidence in market. No critical complaints or negative sentiment expressed. Tone is informative and celebratory of the event and community engagement. The mention of Thunderbirds as prototype with 'various elements may change' introduces mild caution but not criticism.

### Signals

- **[business_signal]** American Pinball production scaling from 35 units/week with factory expansion to 3x current capacity by end of 2018 (confidence: high) — Joe Balcer stated 'currently producing 35 games a week but are running out of room at the factory' and 'secured a new factory which is three times the size of the current one and plan to move into by the end of 2018 or not sooner.'
- **[community_signal]** Show featured competitive tournament infrastructure with champion player challenge (Raymond Davidson vs Robert Gagno) and seminars streamed live by GeekGamer.tv (confidence: high) — Article documents 7pm champion challenge with IFPA World Championship winner and notes all seminars 'were streamed live by GeekGamer.tv'
- **[event_signal]** Northwest Pinball & Arcade Show 2018 demonstrates robust vendor participation across manufacturers (Stern via Marco, American Pinball, Jersey Jack, Spooky, Chicago Gaming, Homepin), parts suppliers, and custom builders (confidence: high) — Article catalogs extensive vendor booth list including Marco Specialties (Stern), Nitro Pinball (multi-manufacturer), Fast Pinball, Starship Fantasy, and numerous smaller vendors
- **[licensing_signal]** Disney licensing for Pirates of the Caribbean JJP requires stringent approval process with minimal asset availability and comprehensive vetting of all elements (confidence: high) — David Thiel cited restrictive Disney license with 'minimal assets available and the process of getting Disney to approve everything' as reason for initial job rejection
- **[market_signal]** American Pinball's aggressive capacity expansion and announced second title suggest strong market demand and confidence in boutique manufacturer growth trajectory (confidence: medium) — Combination of 35-unit/week production, facility expansion to 3x size, and commitment to rapid post-announcement shipping indicates bullish demand signals
- **[personnel_signal]** David Thiel's prior composition work on Stern Pirates game informed understanding of licensing challenges for JJP Pirates of the Caribbean (confidence: high) — David Thiel stated he 'created the music for the Stern Pirates game and knowing how restrictive the licence would be' when deciding to take JJP job
- **[announcement]** American Pinball second title officially planned for reveal at Pinball Expo Chicago October 2018 with rapid production ramp-up within month of announcement (confidence: high) — Joe Balcer: 'when they announce their second title – which they hope to reveal at Pinball Expo in Chicago this October – they will be able to start shipping it within a month or so.'
- **[product_concern]** Thunderbirds presented as prototype with noted caveat that 'various elements may change before production' (confidence: medium) — Article statement: 'It's worth noting that this is still only a prototype game so various elements may change before production.'

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## Transcript

Date: 8th-10th June, 2018 Location: Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center, 1500 Broadway, Tacoma, WA 98402, USA We’re back at the Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Centre for the opening of the show at midday on Friday. Inside the main hall, work was continuing on setting up all the machines and stands. ![The main show desk](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/101-nwpas-2018.jpg) The main show desk The grand prize raffle machines for each day’s draw had arrived, along with the main Houdini prize for the draw on Sunday afternoon. ![The grand prize Houdini game](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/102-nwpas-2018.jpg) The grand prize Houdini game ![Friday's main prize, a Pac-Man cocktail game](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/104-nwpas-2018.jpg) Friday’s main prize, a Pac-Man cocktail game ![Saturday's prize Flash Gordon pinball](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/103-nwpas-2018.jpg) Saturday’s prize Flash Gordon pinball ![Sunday's daily draw prize - an Asteroids upright](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/105-nwpas-2018.jpg) Sunday’s daily draw prize – an Asteroids upright The show desk also displayed the many smaller raffle prizes as well as selling show souvenirs such as posters and shirts. ![Raffle items and show souvenirs](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/127-nwpas-2018.jpg) Raffle items and show souvenirs Next door, Next Level Pinball Shop had a nice line-up of machines for guests to play. ![Next Level Pinball Shop's display](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/106-nwpas-2018.jpg) Next Level Pinball Shop’s display Around the corner was the Nitro Pinball stand where the latest titles could be played. ![The Nitro Pinball stand](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/107-nwpas-2018.jpg) The Nitro Pinball stand ![The Thunderbirds game was getting a lot of attention](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/128-nwpas-2018.jpg) The Thunderbirds game was getting a lot of attention even before the show opened We had a sneak-peek inside Thunderbirds to see how it is put together. It’s worth noting that this is still only a prototype game so various elements may change before production. ![Let's look inside](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/129-nwpas-2018.jpg) Let’s look inside ![The display/speaker panel swings out of the way](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/130-nwpas-2018.jpg) The display/speaker panel swings out of the way ![The control boards](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/131-nwpas-2018.jpg) The control and audio boards ![Power supplies, a shaker motor and a bass speaker in the cabinet](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/132-nwpas-2018.jpg) Power cabinet ![There is a substantial playfield support bracket](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/134-nwpas-2018.jpg) There is a substantial playfield support bracket ![Under the playfield](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/133-nwpas-2018.jpg) Under the playfield Marco Specialties had an impressive collection of Stern Pinball’s latest titles, including nine Iron Maiden titles most of which were the Premium model. ![The Marco Specialties stand](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/110-nwpas-2018.jpg) The Marco Specialties stand ![The Pro (left) and Premium (right) models](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/108-nwpas-2018.jpg) The Pro (left) and Premium (right) models ![The Premium cabinet art](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/109-nwpas-2018.jpg) The Premium cabinet art ![Some of the Iron Maiden games on the Marco Specialties stand](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/111-nwpas-2018.jpg) Some stand ![It wasn't all Iron Maiden though](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/112-nwpas-2018.jpg) It wasn’t all Iron Maiden though ![The Aerosmith pinball topper](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/113-nwpas-2018.jpg) The Aerosmith pinball topper Throughout the hall, games were being readied for the midday opening. The hall was packed full with hardly any space not being home to a machine of some description. ![The three huge PinballFX machines dominate the central area](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/114-nwpas-2018.jpg) The three huge PinballFX machines dominate the central area ![Some of the many free play pinballs](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/115-nwpas-2018.jpg) Some of the many free play pinballs ![The final finishing touches are applied](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/116-nwpas-2018.jpg) The final finishing touches are applied ![More free play pinballs](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/117-nwpas-2018.jpg) More free play pinballs ![The show always has a good selection of electromechanical pinballs](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/125-nwpas-2018.jpg) The pinballs ![More EM pinballs, plus one early solid-state](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/124-nwpas-2018.jpg) More EM pinballs, plus one early solid-state ![More games being set up](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/123-nwpas-2018.jpg) More games being set up ![Custom pinballs on the Fast Pinball stand](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/122-nwpas-2018.jpg) Custom pinballs on the Fast Pinball stand The show is not all pinball though, as there are dozens and dozens of video games from uprights to sit-downs to cocktails. ![Some of the many upright videos](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/118-nwpas-2018.jpg) Some of the many upright videos ![More videos](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/119-nwpas-2018.jpg) More videos, this time mostly shooters ![More videos](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/120-nwpas-2018.jpg) More videos ![Sit-down racing games](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/121-nwpas-2018.jpg) Sit-down racing games In the centre of the hall there’s a repair area where the pinball medics keep the games running. ![Pinball techs in their central triage area](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/136-nwpas-2018.jpg) Pinball medics in their central triage area With an eager crowd of competitive players outside waiting to start qualifying, the tournament machines were coming together. ![Some of the tournament pinballs](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/135-nwpas-2018.jpg) Some of the tournament pinballs Outside in the lobby, guests were queuing to collect their pre-purchased entries. ![The queue to collect the pre-paid registration packages](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/138-nwpas-2018.jpg) The queue to collect the pre-paid registration packages ![Another registration is collected](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/139-nwpas-2018.jpg) Another registration is collected Then at midday the doors were opened and the first guests could enter the show hall. ![It's noon, time to open the doors](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/140-nwpas-2018.jpg) It’s noon, time to open the doors ![The first guests enter the show hall](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/141-nwpas-2018.jpg) The first guests enter the show hall Let’s now take a look at the vendor stands in and around the show hall. ![Comics4Kids had an unmanned table set up just outside the hall](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/148-nwpas-2018.jpg) Comics4Kids hall giving away comic books Next to Comics4Kids was a noticeboard where visitors could post advertisements for pinball or arcade items they either wanted or had for sale. ![The NWPAS guest noticeboard](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/149-nwpas-2018.jpg) The NWPAS guest noticeboard Inside the hall, on the left was the stand for This Old Game who print pinball and arcade game artwork onto various products and materials. ![The This Old Game stand](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/150-nwpas-2018.jpg) The This Old Game stand Pinball Bulbs have a stand at the show but were not bring any of their products until Saturday. ![The sparse PinballBulbs stand](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/151-nwpas-2018.jpg) The sparse PinballBulbs stand ![Next Level Pinball Shop had some promotional T-shirts for sale](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/152-nwpas-2018.jpg) Next sale ![Their modded machines were now powered up and ready to play](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/153-nwpas-2018.jpg) Their play ![Double Danger had their wide range of pinball apparel](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/154-nwpas-2018.jpg) Double Danger had their wide range of pinball apparel ![Nitro Pinball had games from Homepin, American Pinball, Spooky Pinball and Chicago Gaming](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/155-nwpas-2018.jpg) Nitro Gaming ![Stern Pinball's products were showcased by Marco Specialties](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/156-nwpas-2018.jpg) Stern Pinball’s products were showcased by Marco Specialties ![Holodeck VR had a nice virtual reality set-up](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/160-nwpas-2018.jpg) Holodeck VR had a nice virtual reality set-up ![Fast Pinball had three custom games available to play](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/161-nwpas-2018.jpg) Fast Pinball had three custom games available to play ![This Proto 1 game uses a Pinball 2000 style cabinet and playfield projection system](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/162-nwpas-2018.jpg) This Proto1 system ![Fast Pinball were also showing their pinball control system and driver boards](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/163-nwpas-2018.jpg) Fast boards ![Starship Fantasy were selling their extensive selection of reproduction pinball ramps and plastics](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/164-nwpas-2018.jpg) Starship plastics ![They also had repro playfields, backglasses and translites](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/165-nwpas-2018.jpg) They also had repro playfields, backglasses and translites ![Rob Anthony's Pinball Classics stand is always one of the first to set up](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/166-nwpas-2018.jpg) Rob Anthony’s up ![He was selling a nice selection of regular parts as well as a few specialist products](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/167-nwpas-2018.jpg) He products ![Pingraving had some attractive wooden pinball score and pricing cards](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/168-nwpas-2018.jpg) Pingraving cards ![Pingraving's wooden instruction and pricing cards](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/169-nwpas-2018.jpg) Pingraving’s wooden instruction and pricing cards ![Rich Bro's always have an interesting selection of new and used parts](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/170-nwpas-2018.jpg) Rich Bro’s parts ![VPcabs had a small display of their virtual pinball cabinets](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/171-nwpas-2018.jpg) VPcabs cabinets ![Moto's Glass has a range of sand-blasted arcade-themed glasses](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/172-nwpas-2018.jpg) Moto’s Glass has a range of sand-blasted arcade-themed glasses ![Sweetgyrl Designs were selling branded shirts, button badges and character models](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/173-nwpas-2018.jpg) Sweetgyrl models ![Lots of branded character models](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/174-nwpas-2018.jpg) Lots of branded character models ![Buzz Buzz Games also had numerous branded gaming items](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/175-nwpas-2018.jpg) BuzzBuzz Games also had numerous branded gaming items ![Hills of Comics had stacks of video games for various platforms](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/176-nwpas-2018.jpg) Hills platforms Back out in the lobby, the Kids Zone was being noisily enjoyed by the younger visitors and their parents. ![The Kids Zone](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/147-nwpas-2018.jpg) The Kids Zone Friday also saw the start of the show’s seminar schedule, beginning at 2pm. All the seminars were streamed live by GeekGamer.tv and can be viewed live by clicking here. The seminars are held in a dedicated area in the lobby, and the first speakers to take to the stage were David Thiel and Butch Peel who were talking about the making of the Jersey Jack Pinball game Pirates of the Caribbean. ![David Thiel](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/142-nwpas-2018.jpg) David Thiel David is the freelance composer and sound designer for the game, and he began by explaining how he became involved in the Pirates of the Caribbean project. He said he initially turned down the job, having created the music for the Stern Pirates game and knowing how restrictive the licence would be in terms of the minimal assets available and the process of getting Disney to approve everything. He introduced the team working on the main aspects of the game design before explaining the basic rules and how the multiple music tracks he composed fit with them. David then looked at one of his wizard mode tracks and broke it down instrument by instrument, showing what each added to the overall mix. Butch Peel then took over to talk about the development of the Pirates game starting with the game designer’s initial layout. ![Butch Peel](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/143-nwpas-2018.jpg) Butch Peel He showed how the first playfield was drawn and cut, how the prototype ramps and wireforms are created, how the ball guides (or flatrails) help fine-tune the shots, and then showed all the sculptures used in the game. Butch showed pictures of all the stages of playfield development, as more inserts and playfield mechanisms are added. At 3:30pm David Shoemaker and Dave Okert held their seminar about using LEDs to replace incandescent lamps in games. ![Dave Okert](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/144-nwpas-2018.jpg) Dave Okert ![David Shoemaker](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/145-nwpas-2018.jpg) David Shoemaker To illustrate the differences between LEDs and lamps, the brought along two Williams Slugfest games. The one on the left used lamps and the one on the right LEDs. ![Dave and David with the two Slugfest games](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/146-nwpas-2018.jpg) Dave and David with the two Slugfest games The duo explained the benefits of using LEDs, such as longer life, lower power consumption, less heat generated and the more intense colours which can be produced. They showed examples of LED replacement devices for general illumination, for use in inserts, for use as flashers, and for use in start buttons and on the coin door. They revealed which companies they prefer and those they dislike, and advised against the purchase of pre-made kits which are often one person’s preference for which colours should go where. They suggested always making your own kit instead. At 5pm, Joe Balcer and Jim Thornton of American Pinball gave the audience their update on the magic of Houdini. ![Jim Thornton and Joe Balcer of American Pinball](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/178-nwpas-2018.jpg) Jim Thornton and Joe Balcer of American Pinball Joe did most of the talking in this seminar and he began by talking about the changes and enhancements made to American Pinball’s Houdini game since it was first shown, including the artwork, lighting, sounds and ruleset. He described how the rules work, how to complete the secret missions, how the movie modes work and the colour-coding used to identify the features available on the corresponding shots. ![Joe Balcer](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/177-nwpas-2018.jpg) Joe Balcer Joe then showed a video featuring pictures from the factory and the development of Houdini. He said they are currently producing 35 games a week but are running out of room at the factory. To ease that log jam they have secured a new factory which is three times the size of the current one and plan to move into by the end of 2018 of not sooner. They need the additional capacity, Joe said, so that when they announce their second title – which they hope to reveal at Pinball Expo in Chicago this October – they will be able to start shipping it within a month or so. The final seminar for Friday featured two World Champion pinball players facing-off against each other in a series of challenges. ![Raymond Davidson and Robert Gagno](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/179-nwpas-2018.jpg) Raymond Davidson and Robert Gagno Raymond Davidson from the US and Robert Gagno from Canada were set a number of tests to see who would prevail and win the grand prize of $1. Challenges included completing as many ball control manoeuvres within a time limit and scoring as many points as possible while playing one-handed for two minutes, all while answering questions about their strategy and explaining why they were making particular shots. The session brought the largest audience of the day to see recent IFPA World Championship winner, Raymond, win the overall contest and claim the prize money. ![The audience for the 7pm battle of the Champions challenge](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/nwpas-2018/180-nwpas-2018.jpg) The challenge That concludes our coverage of the opening day of the Northwest Pinball & Arcade Show, but you can check out all our reports at the main NWPAS page.

_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 6af5b1c6-3cf1-43ee-ac96-59cbb7a6e743*