# RYAN MCQUAID JOINS AMERICAN PINBALL **Source:** Pinball News Website **Type:** article **Published:** 2022-04-28 **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2022/04/28/ryan-mcquaid-joins-american-pinball --- ## Analysis Ryan McQuaid, creator of the award-winning Sonic the Hedgehog: Spinball homebrew machine, has been hired by American Pinball as Game Designer. McQuaid is a restoration specialist and competitive pinball player with IFPA credentials; his Sonic game won People's Choice at Pintastic 2021. It remains unclear whether American Pinball will produce the Sonic machine commercially. ### Key Claims - [HIGH] Ryan McQuaid's Sonic the Hedgehog: Spinball won People's Choice award for best custom game at Pintastic — _Official announcement from Pinball News; multiple corroborating details about award and show_ - [HIGH] McQuaid has been restoring pinball machines since 2016 — _Official American Pinball/Aimtron announcement quoted in article_ - [HIGH] McQuaid won IFPA New Hampshire state championship and has two New England Pinball League championships — _Official announcement with specific tournament credentials_ - [HIGH] American Pinball is currently producing Legends of Valhalla from Riot Pinball — _Stated directly in news article reporting_ - [HIGH] Sonic the Hedgehog: Spinball development began in 2019 with livestreamed build updates — _Official announcement; article notes development timeline and public documentation_ ### Notable Quotes > "Ryan McQuaid is a restoration specialist and competitive pinball player turned game designer. Creator of the award-winning home-brew pinball machine Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball, he combines classic and modern ideas to create unique experiences that are both innovative and familiar." > — **American Pinball/Aimtron Corporation (via David Fix)** > _Official characterization of McQuaid's expertise and design philosophy as he joins the company_ > "Ryan will be with the American Pinball team at Midwest Gaming Classic 2022 along with Sonic Spinball for all to enjoy." > — **David Fix, American Pinball** > _Confirms McQuaid will appear at major industry event with his homebrew; suggests public showcase of game at American Pinball's booth_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | Ryan McQuaid | person | Homebrew pinball designer and restoration specialist; newly hired as Game Designer by American Pinball; creator of Sonic the Hedgehog: Spinball | | American Pinball | company | Boutique pinball manufacturer; hired Ryan McQuaid as Game Designer; producing Legends of Valhalla; running American Dream homebrew competition | | Aimtron Corporation | company | Parent/partner company of American Pinball; mentioned in official announcement of McQuaid hire | | Sonic the Hedgehog: Spinball | game | Award-winning homebrew pinball machine created by Ryan McQuaid; won People's Choice at Pintastic 2021; development began 2019; publicly debuted Virtual Pinball Expo 2020 and Pinball Expo/Pintastic 2021 | | Legends of Valhalla | game | Homebrew pinball title from Riot Pinball; currently being produced by American Pinball | | Riot Pinball | company | Creator of Legends of Valhalla homebrew; game being produced by American Pinball | | David Fix | person | American Pinball leadership; announced Ryan McQuaid's hire during Dead Flip live stream with Jack Danger | | Jack Danger | person | Host of Dead Flip live stream where Ryan McQuaid's hiring was announced | | Pintastic | event | Major pinball community event where Sonic the Hedgehog: Spinball debuted and won award; McQuaid also won triple-crown best in show award in 2019 | | Pinball Expo | event | Major pinball community event; hosting American Dream homebrew competition; McQuaid's Sonic game debuted here in 2021 | | Midwest Gaming Classic 2022 | event | Upcoming show where McQuaid and Sonic the Hedgehog: Spinball will appear with American Pinball team | | Roller Coaster Tycoon | game | IP for which McQuaid created functional roller coaster topper model; debuted at Pintastic 2019; won triple-crown best in show award | ### Topics - **Primary:** Talent migration from homebrew to commercial manufacturer, American Pinball's game development and roster expansion - **Secondary:** Homebrew pinball culture and recognition, American Pinball's American Dream competition and homebrew partnerships - **Mentioned:** Competitive pinball credentials and community standing ### Sentiment **Positive** (0.85) — News is framed as achievement and positive addition to American Pinball; McQuaid's accomplishments are celebrated; tone is professional and congratulatory ### Signals - **[event_signal]** Dead Flip live stream (Jack Danger host) used as platform for announcing significant industry personnel move (confidence: high) — Announcement made on Dead Flip live stream; McQuaid was called on to play a game at which time hire was announced by David Fix - **[personnel_signal]** American Pinball actively recruiting talent from homebrew and competitive pinball community, valuing restoration expertise and design innovation (confidence: medium) — Hire of award-winning homebrew creator; company emphasizing his blend of 'classic and modern ideas' and restoration credentials - **[personnel_signal]** Ryan McQuaid transitions from homebrew designer/restoration specialist to commercial manufacturer (American Pinball) as Game Designer (confidence: high) — Official announcement: 'American Pinball and Aimtron Corporation are proud to announce the addition to our team, Ryan McQuaid as Game Designer for American Pinball' --- ## Transcript Homebrew pinball creator Ryan McQuaid has been hired by American Pinball as their newest Game Designer. [![Ryan McQuaid](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/ryan-mcquaid-joins-american-pinball/01-ryan-mcquaid-joins-american-pinball-833x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/ryan-mcquaid-joins-american-pinball/01-ryan-mcquaid-joins-american-pinball.jpg) Ryan McQuaid Ryan created the *Sonic the Hedgehog: Spinball* custom game which won the People’s Choice award for the best custom game at the Pintastic show last year. [![Sonic the Hedgehog: Spinball at Pintastic 2021](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/ryan-mcquaid-joins-american-pinball/03-ryan-mcquaid-joins-american-pinball-1024x771.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/ryan-mcquaid-joins-american-pinball/03-ryan-mcquaid-joins-american-pinball-1024x771.jpg) Sonic the Hedgehog: Spinball at Pintastic 2021 It’s not clear if American Pinball plan to make the *Sonic* game but Ryan brought the game into American Pinball’s offices. They are also currently producing another homebrew title, *Legends of Valhalla* from Riot Pinball and have invited homebrew game creators to bring their work to this year’s Pinball Expo to compete in the American Pinball’s American Dream competition. [![Ryan with his Sonic the Hedgehog: Spinball game at American Pinball](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/ryan-mcquaid-joins-american-pinball/02-ryan-mcquaid-joins-american-pinball-760x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/ryan-mcquaid-joins-american-pinball/02-ryan-mcquaid-joins-american-pinball.jpg) Ryan with his Sonic the Hedgehog: Spinball game at American Pinball Here’s how American Pinball announced Ryan’s new position with the company: | | | --- | | American Pinball and Aimtron Corporation are proud to announce the addition to our team, Ryan McQuaid as Game Designer for American Pinball. On last night’s Dead Flip live stream with Jack Danger, Ryan McQuaid was asked to join in playing a game. At that time, Ryan was announced by David Fix as a Game Designer for American Pinball. Ryan McQuaid is a restoration specialist and competitive pinball player turned game designer. Creator of the award-winning home-brew pinball machine *Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball*, he combines classic and modern ideas to create unique experiences that are both innovative and familiar.  Ryan has been restoring pinball machines since 2016. He won a triple-crown best in show award for his work at Pintastic in 2019, where he also debuted his eye-catching, functional model roller coaster topper for *Roller Coaster Tycoon*. Ryan is an active member of the competitive pinball community on the east coast. He has won the IFPA New Hampshire state championship and is a member of the New Robert Englunds Pinball League with two championships under his belt. Ryan is perhaps best known for his *Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball* home-brew machine. He began development of the game in 2019, often posting development updates and live streaming the build process.  *Sonic’s* first appearance was at the Virtual Pinball Expo in 2020, and the game debuted physically at Pinball Expo and Pintastic 2021, where it won the award for best custom game.   Ryan will be with the American Pinball team at Midwest Gaming Classic 2022 along with Sonic Spinball for all to enjoy.   Cheers David Fix | _(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: c05631e8-265f-471b-9263-b1d98bcc8ee8*