# Barrels of Fun Launches Barrels Reserve, a Collectors' Club That Guarantees a Shot at Every Game

**Source:** Kineticist  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2026-06-16  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.kineticist.com/news/barrels-reserve-club

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## Analysis

Barrels of Fun launched Barrels of Fun Reserve, a $75/year collectors' club that guarantees members a second ordering window if a new machine sells out within seven days of launch. Members also receive invitations to exclusive events, merchandise, and discounts. The club addresses FOMO around limited releases like Winchester Mystery House, though membership must be purchased before game announcements to qualify for the reserve guarantee.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Barrels of Fun Reserve members get a second seven-day ordering window if a machine sells out within the first seven days — _Brian Savage (Barrels of Fun CBOin statement to Kineticist_
- [HIGH] Barrels of Fun builds production beyond the initial sell-out number to fulfill member orders — _Brian Savage statement to Kineticist_
- [HIGH] New memberships are closed before each machine announcement and reopen after the reserve window closes — _Barrels of Fun policy described in article_
- [HIGH] Winchester Mystery House sold out quickly and prompted the creation of Barrels of Fun Reserve — _Brian Savage statement to Kineticist_
- [HIGH] Membership is $75 per year and is U.S.-only — _Article statement_

### Notable Quotes

> "Members will always get a chance to buy the company's machines, even the ones that sell out fast"
> — **Barrels of Fun Pinball**
> _Core value proposition of Barrels Reserve_

> "The company builds beyond that sell-out number to fill those member orders, so any customer who wants a new game has a chance to buy one"
> — **Brian Savage**
> _Explanation of the operational mechanics that make the guarantee possible_

> "You have to be a member before a game launches"
> — **Barrels of Fun Pinball**
> _Critical timing requirement that limits late-signup participation_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Barrels of Fun | company | Pinball machine manufacturer launching the Barrels Reserve collectors' club |
| Barrels of Fun Reserve | product | $75/year collectors' club membership program guaranteeing purchase access to sold-out machines |
| Brian Savage | person | Chief business officer of Barrels of Fun; primary spokesperson for Barrels Reserve launch |
| Winchester Mystery House | game | Barrels of Fun pinball machine that sold out quickly and motivated the creation of Barrels Reserve |
| Kineticist | organization | Media outlet reporting on Barrels Reserve launch |

### Signals

- **[product_strategy]** Barrels of Fun introduces tiered membership model to address collector FOMO and demand unpredictability, ensuring guaranteed access to limited machines for members (confidence: high) — Barrels Reserve guarantees second ordering window for sold-out machines; built production capacity beyond initial allocations
- **[collector_signal]** Industry response to widespread frustration with machines selling out during limited pre-order windows; Barrels Reserve directly addresses this pain point (confidence: high) — Brian Savage framed the club as response to Winchester Mystery House sellout; members receive guaranteed purchase window
- **[business_signal]** Barrels of Fun adds recurring membership revenue stream ($75/year) alongside machine sales, diversifying income (confidence: high) — Club membership costs $75 annually with no membership cap
- **[community_signal]** Membership is open to unlimited members but gated by timing (must join before announcements), creating perceived exclusivity while maintaining accessibility (confidence: high) — No cap on member count; exclusivity framing while allowing all U.S. customers to join at any time (before announcements)
- **[market_signal]** Small production runs and rapid sellouts underscore limited supply in boutique pinball market; Barrels Reserve directly addresses collector dissatisfaction with scarcity (confidence: high) — Article notes 'boutique runs are small' and 'plenty of buyers get shut out' on high-demand titles
- **[operational_signal]** Barrels of Fun adjusts production planning to build beyond initial sell-out allocations to fulfill member guarantees, indicating improved demand forecasting and manufacturing flexibility (confidence: medium) — Brian Savage states company 'builds beyond that sell-out number to fill those member orders'

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## Transcript

Barrels of Fun launched a collectors' club today, Barrels Reserve, built around a single promise: members will always get a chance to buy the company's machines, even the ones that sell out fast. Membership is $75 a year, and signups open today. The centerpiece is an insurance policy against missing a release. If a new Barrels of Fun machine hits its edition sell-out number within the first seven days, club members get a second seven-day window to place an order. Brian Savage, Barrels of Fun's chief business officer, told Kineticist the company builds beyond that sell-out number to fill those member orders, so any customer who wants a new game has a chance to buy one. There's a catch worth knowing before you join: you have to be a member before a game launches. Barrels of Fun says it switches off new memberships just ahead of each machine announcement and turns them back on once the reserve window closes, so signing up after a reveal won't get you into that game's window. The buy guarantee isn't the only draw. Those who join also get invitations to members-only events — private gamerooms at industry shows, launch parties and factory events, and meet-and-greets, some carrying an additional cost. They also get exclusive merch, discounts on other merchandise, members-only content, and an annual Barrels of Fun collectible item. The membership runs a year from the day you sign up and is open to U.S. customers only. Barrels of Fun bills the club as exclusive, but there's no cap on the number of members. Savage framed the club as a response to the demand for Winchester Mystery House, the company's current machine, which sold out quickly and left some would-be buyers without a game. Boutique runs are small, and on the most-wanted titles, plenty of buyers get shut out. Barrels Reserve asks $75 a year to change that.

_(Acquisition: web_scrape, Enrichment: v5)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-08-03 | Item ID: d99d799a-616a-4d7d-8b45-22102881961c*