# AMERICAN PINBALL VISIT 2023

**Source:** Pinball News Website  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2023-11-13  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2023/11/13/american-pinball-visit-2023

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## Analysis

Pinball News visited American Pinball's Palatine, Illinois facility in October 2023, documenting production of Houdini, Hot Wheels, and Galactic Tank Force machines. The factory showed significant improvements from the previous year, with adequate cabinet supply resolving prior bottlenecks. Notable details include Houdini's final run featuring original 3D sculpts before switching to flat plastics, and Galactic Tank Force special editions including tin lunchboxes and RGB-lit tank tracks.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] This run of Houdini games is the last to include all original 3D sculpts; future Deluxe runs will use flat plastics and decals — _Factory visit documentation with visual evidence of the 3D sculpts_
- [HIGH] Last year American Pinball had a shortage of cabinets and backboxes; this year there was no such problem — _Direct comparison between 2022 and 2023 factory visits by same publication_
- [HIGH] American Pinball was building Houdini and Galactic Tank Force on two separate playfield production lines — _Factory floor observation with photographic documentation_
- [HIGH] Galactic Tank Force Signature Edition buyers receive a retro-style tin lunchbox with their game — _Factory visit with photographic evidence of lunchboxes in production_
- [HIGH] Both Signature and Limited Edition Galactic Tank Force buyers receive RGB-lit tank tracks for the sides — _Factory documentation showing stacks of illuminated tank track panels_

### Notable Quotes

> "This run of Houdini games is the last to include all the original 3D sculpts for the bumper toppers, the milk can, the spirit plaque, the stage spotlights and the wooden trunk."
> — **Pinball News (reporting from factory information)**, N/A
> _Confirms production design shift for Houdini with cost reduction implications_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| American Pinball | company | Pinball manufacturer based in Palatine, Illinois; parent company is Aimtron |
| Aimtron | company | Parent company of American Pinball, shares building at 500 S Hicks Rd, Palatine, IL |
| David Fix | person | Executive Vice President of American Pinball, responsible for vendor stands at Pinball Expo |
| Ryan McQuaid | person | Game Designer at American Pinball |
| Dennis Nordman | person | Game Designer for Galactic Tank Force, working on upcoming titles |
| Houdini | game | American Pinball game in production; final run includes original 3D sculpts |
| Galactic Tank Force | game | American Pinball game in production; Signature and Limited Editions with special inclusions |
| Hot Wheels | game | American Pinball game with playfields in storage and production |
| Oktoberfest | game | American Pinball game previously in production (prior year reference) |
| Legends of Valhalla | game | American Pinball game previously in production (prior year reference) |
| Pinball Expo | event | Annual pinball industry trade show; American Pinball was preparing to exhibit; held at Schaumburg Convention Center |
| Pinball News | organization | Publication conducting factory tour documentation; second visit to American Pinball after prior visit in November 2022 |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Manufacturing and Production, Supply Chain and Inventory Management, Game Design and Components
- **Secondary:** Product Variants and Special Editions, Industry Events and Trade Shows

### Sentiment

**Positive** (0.75) — Article presents American Pinball's operational improvements positively, highlighting resolved production bottlenecks and organized manufacturing processes. No criticism or negative commentary detected. Factory conditions appear well-organized and productive.

### Signals

- **[business_signal]** American Pinball resolved critical cabinet and backbox supply shortage that constrained production in 2022, indicating improved supply chain management or supplier relationships (confidence: high) — Direct comparison: 'Last year, while there were plenty of playfields being built for Oktoberfest and Legends of Valhalla, there was a shortage of the cabinets and backboxes needed to make complete games. This year there was no such problem.'
- **[product_strategy]** Galactic Tank Force using special edition bundles (retro tin lunchbox, RGB-lit tank tracks) for Signature/Limited Edition variants (confidence: high) — Factory photography and documentation of tin lunchboxes and 'Stacks of illuminated tank track side panels for Signature and Limited Edition buyers'
- **[product_strategy]** Houdini transitioning from 3D sculpted elements to flat plastics with decals in future production runs, suggesting cost reduction strategy (confidence: high) — Factory documentation states: 'This run of Houdini games is the last to include all the original 3D sculpts... Future runs of the Deluxe model will replace these models with artworked flat plastics, and use decals to simulate the wood effect.'
- **[manufacturing_signal]** American Pinball demonstrating active concurrent production of multiple game titles (Houdini, Hot Wheels, Galactic Tank Force) with organized playfield assembly lines (confidence: high) — Factory tour documented separate playfield production lines: 'company was busy building Houdini and Galactic Tank Force games on two separate playfield lines'

---

## Transcript

**Date:** 17th October 2023
**Location:** 500 S Hicks Rd, Palatine, IL 60067, USA

Shortly before the start of Pinball Expo last month, Pinball News paid a visit to the Palatine home of American Pinball to see what had changed since our [previous visit](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2022/11/03/american-pinball-visit-2/) twelve months earlier.

![The American Pinball and Aimtron building in Palatine, Illinois](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/035-american-pinball-visit-october-2023-1024x524.jpg)

The American Pinball and Aimtron building in Palatine, Illinois

The building on South Hicks Road is shared with American Pinball’s parent company, Aimtron, with the right half being home to the pinball business.

[![The American Pinball entrance to the building](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/036-american-pinball-visit-october-2023-1024x461.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/036-american-pinball-visit-october-2023.jpg)

The American Pinball entrance to the building

Since our visit was taking place the day before Pinball Expo began, there was much work underway to prepare the American Pinball stand and ship numerous pinball machines the four miles to the Schaumburg Convention Center.

[![Game Designer, Ryan Ryan McQuaid, setting up the inflatable UFO beaming up a cow for the American Pinball stand at Pinball Expo](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/002-american-pinball-visit-october-2023-461x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/002-american-pinball-visit-october-2023.jpg)

Game Designer, Ryan Ryan McQuaid, setting up the inflatable UFO beaming up a cow for the American Pinball stand at Pinball Expo

[![Several Galactic Tank Force machines destined for Pinball Expo](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/031-american-pinball-visit-october-2023-1024x452.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/031-american-pinball-visit-october-2023.jpg)

Several Galactic Tank Force machines destined for Pinball Expo

With American Pinball’s Executive Vice President, David Fix, also responsible for all the vendor stands at Pinball Expo, a number of machines from other manufacturers were staged at the company’s office so they could more easily be shipped together to the Convention Center.

[![The objective is to stop aliens abducting the cows... like this](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2023/726-pinball-expo-2023-683x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/pinball-expo-2023/726-pinball-expo-2023.jpg)

The inflatable UFO on the American Pinball stand at Pinball Expo

Also preparing for his appearance at Pinball Expo was *Galactic Tank Force’s* Game Designer, Dennis Nordman, who was also busy in his office working on his upcoming titles.

[![Dennis Nordman talks about his upcoming games](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/001-american-pinball-visit-october-2023-576x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/001-american-pinball-visit-october-2023.jpg)

Dennis Nordman talks about his upcoming games

After spending some time talking, David showed us around the factory to see the company’s current games being built.

[![Inside the manufacturing area](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/027-american-pinball-visit-october-2023-1024x461.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/027-american-pinball-visit-october-2023.jpg)

Inside the manufacturing area

Last year, while there were plenty of playfields being built for *Oktoberfest* and *Legends of Valhalla*, there was a shortage of the cabinets and backboxes needed to make complete games.

This year there was no such problem, with multiple playfields and cabinets being equipped, and many completed games boxed-up and ready to ship.

When we visited, the company was busy building *Houdini* and *Galactic Tank Force* games on two separate playfield lines – *Galactic Tank Force* on the left, *Houdini* on the right.

[![Completed Houdini cabinets and backboxes awaiting fully-populated playfields](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/011-american-pinball-visit-october-2023-1024x507.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/011-american-pinball-visit-october-2023.jpg)

Completed Houdini cabinets and backboxes awaiting the installation of fully-populated playfields

![The empty but finished cabinets and backboxes](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/012-american-pinball-visit-october-2023-1024x461.jpg)

The equipped cabinets and backboxes

[![A mixed rack of Houdini, Hot Wheels and Galactic Tank Force playfields with the first pieces of hardware installed](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/028-american-pinball-visit-october-2023-486x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/028-american-pinball-visit-october-2023.jpg)

A mixed rack of Houdini, Hot Wheels and Galactic Tank Force playfields with the first items of hardware installed

[![The right side of the production area building Houdini playfields](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/019-american-pinball-visit-october-2023-1024x461.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/019-american-pinball-visit-october-2023.jpg)

The right side of the production area building Houdini playfields

[![Houdini playfields being populated](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/020-american-pinball-visit-october-2023-461x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/020-american-pinball-visit-october-2023.jpg)

Houdini playfields being populated

[![Near-completed playfields](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/022-american-pinball-visit-october-2023-1024x630.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/022-american-pinball-visit-october-2023.jpg)

Near-completed playfields

This run of Houdini games is the last to include all the original 3D sculpts for the bumper toppers, the milk can, the spirit plaque, the stage spotlights and the wooden trunk. Future runs of the Deluxe model will replace these models with artworked flat plastics, and use decals to simulate the wood effect on the trunk.

[![Some of the 3D sculpts on the Houdini games](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/023-american-pinball-visit-october-2023-493x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/023-american-pinball-visit-october-2023.jpg)

Some of the 3D sculpts on the Houdini games

[![A rack of wooden magic trunks](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/024-american-pinball-visit-october-2023-1024x507.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/024-american-pinball-visit-october-2023.jpg)

A rack of wooden magic trunks

![API Grand playfield displays](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/025-american-pinball-visit-october-2023-1024x461.jpg)

API Grand playfield displays

On the left side of the production area, *Galactic Tank Force* playfields were being built.

[![Building Galactic Tank Force playfields](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/018-american-pinball-visit-october-2023-1024x461.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/018-american-pinball-visit-october-2023.jpg)

Building Galactic Tank Force playfields

[![The GTF production area](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/021-american-pinball-visit-october-2023-1024x488.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/021-american-pinball-visit-october-2023.jpg)

The GTF production area

![Galactic Tank Force playfields under test](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/015-american-pinball-visit-october-2023-1024x475.jpg)

Galactic Tank Force playfields under test

[![The completed playfield](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/017-american-pinball-visit-october-2023-442x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/017-american-pinball-visit-october-2023.jpg)

The completed playfield

[![The underside of the playfield](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/016-american-pinball-visit-october-2023-471x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/016-american-pinball-visit-october-2023.jpg)

The underside of the playfield

![Tested Galactic Tank Force machines](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/013-american-pinball-visit-october-2023-1024x499.jpg)

Tested Galactic Tank Force machines

Buyers of the upcoming Signature Edition of Galactic Tank Force will receive a retro-style tin lunchbox with their game, while they and Limited Edition buyers get the RGB lit tank tracks for the sides of their machine.

[![Tin lunchboxes for Signature Edition buyers](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/033-american-pinball-visit-october-2023-1024x473.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/033-american-pinball-visit-october-2023.jpg)

Tin lunchboxes for Signature Edition buyers

[![Stacks of illuminated tank track side panels for Signature and Limited Edition buyers](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/005-american-pinball-visit-october-2023-526x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/005-american-pinball-visit-october-2023.jpg)

Stacks of illuminated tank track side panels for Signature and Limited Edition buyers

While some parts arrive fully-assembled from contractors, games usually require many sub-assemblies to be built in the factory before they can be installed on the playfield. There is a dedicated area for making these sub-assemblies.

[![The sub-assemblies construction area](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/010-american-pinball-visit-october-2023-1024x461.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/010-american-pinball-visit-october-2023.jpg)

The sub-assemblies construction area

Every pinball machine uses hundreds of parts and none of them can be completed until all those parts are in-stock. So, much of the space within the factory is take up with parts storage – from the smallest screws to complete cabinets.

[![David Fix outside the stock room with tubs of screws, nuts and bolts](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/009-american-pinball-visit-october-2023-1024x512.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/009-american-pinball-visit-october-2023.jpg)

David Fix outside the stock room with tubs of screws, nuts and bolts

[![Racks of Hot Wheels playfields](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/006-american-pinball-visit-october-2023-1024x626.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/006-american-pinball-visit-october-2023.jpg)

Racks of Hot Wheels playfields

[![Boxes of wireforms and other playfield components](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/007-american-pinball-visit-october-2023-1024x461.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/007-american-pinball-visit-october-2023.jpg)

Boxes of wireforms and other playfield components

[![More game parts in the storage area](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/004-american-pinball-visit-october-2023-1024x461.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/004-american-pinball-visit-october-2023.jpg)

More game parts in the storage area

[![Cabinets and backboxes arrive pre-built and sprayed](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/032-american-pinball-visit-october-2023-1024x461.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/032-american-pinball-visit-october-2023.jpg)

Cabinets and backboxes arrive pre-built and sprayed

Last year there were piles of cardboard shipping boxes and packing pieces. This year the supplies had reduced as more games have been built and boxed, but there were still plenty ready to go.

[![A smaller, but still large pile of cardboard](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/030-american-pinball-visit-october-2023-1024x461.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/030-american-pinball-visit-october-2023.jpg)

A smaller, but still large pile of cardboard

[![Some of the completed games ready to ship](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/029-american-pinball-visit-october-2023-1024x461.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/029-american-pinball-visit-october-2023.jpg)

Some of the completed games ready to ship

[![Some Galactic Tank Force models are shipped with the separate tank turret box](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/003-american-pinball-visit-october-2023-1024x534.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/003-american-pinball-visit-october-2023.jpg)

Some Galactic Tank Force models are shipped with the separate tank turret box

That brings us to the end of this look around the American Pinball factory. Huge thanks to David for the invitation and for showing us around.

[![A final look at the production area](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/034-american-pinball-visit-october-2023-1024x461.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/american-pinball-visit-october-2023/034-american-pinball-visit-october-2023.jpg)

A final look at the production area

_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: d19919ac-7ae7-4bc8-ad07-3b616023b740*