# TWO COOL CUSTOM HOMEBREW PINBALL MACHINES ARE AT EXPO **Source:** Knapp Arcade **Type:** article **Published:** 2021-10-28 **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.knapparcade.org/two-cool-custom-homebrew-pinball-machines-are-at-expo --- ## Analysis Knapp Arcade reports from the Chicago Pinball Expo, highlighting two notable homebrew pinball machines on display: a Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball machine by Ryan McQuaid and a Metroid machine by Mark Seiden, who was just officially hired as a designer by Jersey Jack Pinball. The article also mentions Stern's factory tour and production inventory visible at the show. ### Key Claims - [MEDIUM] Stern has lots of Godzillas and a few Star Wars and Jurassic Parks on the production line — _Viewers reported production inventory visible during Stern's virtual factory tour at Expo_ - [HIGH] Mark Seiden was just officially hired as a designer by Jersey Jack Pinball — _Direct statement from Knapp Arcade reporting from Expo floor_ - [HIGH] A Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball homebrew machine by Ryan McQuaid is on display with a high score contest — _Author reporting from Expo floor with direct observation_ - [HIGH] A Metroid homebrew machine by Mark Seiden is on display at Expo — _Author reporting from Expo floor with comment on backglass quality_ ### Notable Quotes > "If you're at Expo, you have to stop by and check this game out. There's even a high score contest running on it." > — **Knapp Arcade** > _Recommendation for Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball homebrew, indicating notable quality/appeal_ > "Who oh by the way was just officially hired as a designer by Jersey Jack Pinball. Congrats Mark!" > — **Knapp Arcade** > _Personnel announcement: Mark Seiden joins Jersey Jack Pinball as designer_ > "Man that backglass is so cool!" > — **Knapp Arcade** > _Positive commentary on Metroid homebrew aesthetics_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | Chicago Pinball Expo | event | Major annual pinball industry convention hosting factory tours, homebrew showcase, and competitions | | Ryan McQuaid | person | Designer/creator of Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball homebrew machine on display at Expo | | Mark Seiden | person | Homebrew designer who created Metroid pinball machine; just hired by Jersey Jack Pinball as designer | | Jersey Jack Pinball | company | Premium boutique pinball manufacturer that just officially hired Mark Seiden as a designer | | Stern Pinball | company | Major pinball manufacturer conducting virtual factory tour at Expo; reported to have Godzilla, Star Wars, and Jurassic Park machines in production | | Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball | game | Homebrew pinball machine by Ryan McQuaid on display at Expo with high score contest | | Metroid | game | Homebrew pinball machine by Mark Seiden on display at Expo; features notable backglass artwork | | Godzilla | game | Stern Pinball machine in production, reported in quantity at Expo | | Star Wars | game | Stern Pinball machine in production, few units reported visible at Expo | | Jurassic Park | game | Stern Pinball machine in production, few units reported visible at Expo | | Knapp Arcade | organization | Content creator/arcade venue reporting from Pinball Expo | ### Topics - **Primary:** Homebrew pinball showcase at Expo, Personnel moves in pinball industry, Jersey Jack Pinball hiring and team expansion - **Secondary:** Stern Pinball production inventory and pipeline, Pinball Expo as industry showcase event ### Sentiment **Positive** (0.85) — Enthusiastic coverage of homebrew machines and congratulatory tone toward Mark Seiden's JJP hiring; celebratory atmosphere around Expo attendee experience ### Signals - **[event_signal]** Chicago Pinball Expo showcasing notable homebrew machines (Sonic, Metroid) alongside manufacturer production line visibility (confidence: high) — Knapp Arcade reporting from Expo floor with factory tour inventory observations and homebrew display coverage - **[personnel_signal]** Mark Seiden officially hired as designer by Jersey Jack Pinball (confidence: high) — Direct report from Expo floor: 'Mark Seiden...was just officially hired as a designer by Jersey Jack Pinball' - **[announcement]** Stern Pinball production confirmed for Godzilla (quantity), Star Wars (few units), and Jurassic Park (few units) (confidence: medium) — Viewer reports from factory tour: 'Stern has lots of Godzillas and a few Star Wars and Jurassic Parks on the line' --- ## Transcript Pinball Expo in Chicago is in full swing today. The Stern Pinball virtual factory tour was this morning. Viewers are reporting that Stern has lots of Godzillas and a few Star Wars and Jurassic Parks on the line. In seeing all of the pictures that everyone is sharing from the show, I wanted to highlight two super cool Homebrew pinball machines that are on the floor for attendees to play. First is the super cool Sonic The Hedgehog Spinball pinball machine made by Ryan Ryan McQuaid. If you're at Expo, you have to stop by and check this game out. There's even a high score contest running on it. The second amazing homebrew pin, Metroid, was brought to the show by Mark Mark Seiden. Who oh by the way was just officially hired as a designer by Jersey Jack Pinball. Congrats Mark! Man that backglass is so cool! Stay tuned for more news from Expo as I'm able to get it. Remember the third annual Fall Arcade Road Trip (TM) is scheduled to start in a matter of hours. Keep an eye out for lots of pictures and sneak peeks at fantastic arcades in Pittsburgh, PA over the next several days! _(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: bd7a0db6-9a82-44e2-8b11-846c8c62c48c*