# Pinball Heroes: John Trudeau **Source:** The Pinball Blog **Type:** article **Published:** 2009-01-17 **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** http://www.thepinballblog.com/2009/01/pinball-heroes-john-trudeau.html --- ## Analysis John Trudeau, legendary pinball designer, reflects on his appearance as the inaugural guest speaker at the UK Pinball Show and discusses his subsequent activities. Post-show, he transitioned to engineering design work while collaborating with UK pinball enthusiasts on an undisclosed playfield project, and has speaking engagements planned for Midwest Gaming Classic and Pacific Pinball Expo. He emphasizes that pinball industry recovery depends on design freedom from external interference. ### Key Claims - [HIGH] John Trudeau is working with UK pinball enthusiasts on a secret playfield design and toy development project met during UK Pinball Show — _John Trudeau in direct response to interviewer question about secret project_ - [HIGH] John Trudeau left full-time pinball design work and took engineering design employment — _Trudeau states 'I returned to a new engineering design employment opportunity. I am still engaged there.'_ - [HIGH] Steve Ritchie and John Trudeau were friendly competitors while at rival companies (Gottlieb/Premier vs WMS) before becoming work friends at WMS — _Trudeau's direct comparison of his relationship with Steve Ritchie_ - [HIGH] Pinball industry recovery requires design freedom from external interference — _Trudeau response: 'Only if they are allowed the freedom to design and manufacture the product without outside interference'_ ### Notable Quotes > "For almost 20 years I went to 'play' not to 'work'. If I could, I would wish this experience for everyone!" > — **John Trudeau**, closing reflections > _Captures Trudeau's enduring passion for pinball design and the fulfillment of his career_ > "Only if they are allowed the freedom to design and manufacture the product without outside interference. This, I believe, is what is stopping anyone from starting up something new right now." > — **John Trudeau**, question about industry 5-year outlook > _Articulates key industry concern about creative autonomy and barriers to new manufacturer entry_ > "Steve and I were friendly competitors for many years, while I was with the competition (Gottlieb/Premier). We became good work friends when I got to WMS." > — **John Trudeau**, question about Steve Ritchie > _Provides historical context on competitive dynamics between Williams and Gottlieb designers_ > "I am laying out a playfield (and designing some new toys) for a group of pinball enthusiasts I met while at the UK Pinball Show." > — **John Trudeau**, secret project discussion > _Confirms ongoing design work outside traditional manufacturer structure_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | John Trudeau | person | Legendary pinball designer; inaugural inductee to UK Pinball Hall of Fame; speaker at UK Pinball Show; currently working on secret UK playfield project | | Steve Ritchie | person | Legendary pinball designer; agreed to be guest speaker at UK Pinball Show in 2009; worked with Trudeau at Williams as work friends after competing at rival companies | | Gary Flower | person | Go-between who may have suggested John Trudeau as guest speaker for UK Pinball Show | | UK Pinball Show | event | Pinball convention where John Trudeau was inaugural guest speaker; established evening function for visitors | | UK Pinball Hall of Fame | organization | New hall of fame established at UK Pinball Show; John Trudeau inducted as inaugural inductee | | Midwest Gaming Classic | event | Convention in March in Milwaukee, WI where John Trudeau is scheduled to speak | | Pacific Pinball Expo | event | Fall convention in San Rafael, CA where John Trudeau is scheduled to speak | | Gottlieb | company | Pinball manufacturer where John Trudeau worked; competitor to Williams | | Premier | company | Pinball manufacturer; competitor to Williams during John Trudeau's tenure there | | Williams | company | Pinball manufacturer abbreviated WMS; employed both John Trudeau and Steve Ritchie at some point | | Stern | company | Pinball manufacturer; recent layoffs mentioned as industry concern | | Creature from the Black Lagoon | game | John Trudeau's favorite pinball machine when asked to pick one despite designing many others | ### Topics - **Primary:** John Trudeau's career transition from pinball design to engineering, Secret UK-based pinball design collaboration - **Secondary:** Pinball designer speaking engagements and industry events, Historical designer relationships and competitive dynamics between manufacturers, Industry recovery and creative autonomy concerns, Stern layoffs and pinball industry employment stability - **Mentioned:** Hall of Fame induction and designer legacy recognition ### Sentiment **Positive** (0.82) — Trudeau expresses gratitude for UK show invitation, enthusiasm about his career, and optimism about the future of pinball design (conditional on creative freedom). His reflections are warm and appreciative. The only negative sentiment is subtle concern about industry barriers to new manufacturer entry. ### Signals - **[business_signal]** Industry barriers to starting new pinball manufacturers due to lack of design freedom and outside interference (confidence: high) — Trudeau: 'This, I believe, is what is stopping anyone from starting up something new right now.' - **[event_signal]** Multiple designer speaking engagements scheduled: Steve Ritchie to UK Pinball Show 2009, John Trudeau to Midwest Gaming Classic and Pacific Pinball Expo (confidence: high) — Direct statements from interview about confirmed speaking schedules - **[event_signal]** UK Pinball Show established inaugural guest speaker program with John Trudeau as first inductee to new UK Pinball Hall of Fame (confidence: high) — Interview framing and Trudeau's confirmation of inaugural status - **[leak_detection]** Unannounced UK pinball enthusiast project in playfield design phase; details redacted by editor (confidence: high) — Trudeau confirms working on secret project with UK group, theme details editor-sniped - **[personnel_signal]** John Trudeau transitioned from pinball design to full-time engineering design employment post-UK Pinball Show (confidence: high) — Trudeau: 'I returned to a new engineering design employment opportunity. I am still engaged there.' --- ## Transcript A few months have now passed and The Pinball Blog catches up with John to see what he's been up to and to find out what he really thought about the guys over here! The Pinball Blog. You were the first ever guest speaker at the UK Pinball Show, and certainly helped us secure the evening function as an essential part of the show for visitors. What or who was the influential factor in your agreement to come over for the event, and are you glad you did? John Trudeau. The real deciding factor was your decision to ask me if I was interested. Gary Flower was our go-between, I believe. He may have even suggested my name. As you can tell, I was very happy to get and accept your invitation. There was never any hesitation in my decision to go. I enjoyed my stay (way too short) and the show and just everything! TPB. What have you been doing since the show? JT. I returned to a new engineering design employment opportunity. I am still engaged there. Not as much fun as pinball design, but it pays the bills. TPB. A little birdie tells me you're working with some of the UK guys on a secret project? Is there anything you can share with us at this time? JT. Your little birdie is correct. I am laying out a playfield (and designing some new toys) for a group of pinball enthusiasts I met while at the UK Pinball Show. I really don't know how much of this is supposed to be public knowledge, I wasn't told anything either way. I am patterning the theme after the <<<< Editor Snip TPB. You were certainly a captivating speaker for the UK pinball enthusiasts, do you have any other speaking engagements planned? JT. Yes. I am talking to the Midwest Gaming Classic (MGC) convention in March in Milwaukee, WI. Also scheduled to speak at the Pacific Pinball Expo (PPE) in the fall, in San Rafel, CA. Th TPB. Steve Ritchie has agreed to come over as our guest in 2009, did your paths cross during your time designing machines, and do you think he'll have much to say? JT. Steve and I were friendly competitors for many years, while I was with the competition (Gottlieb/Premier). We became good work friends when I got to WMS. We always have a good word for each other and I have always loved his design work. He will have PLENTY to say at your next get-together! He's an excellent choice for your next guest. I am sure you will not be disappointed! He's a great guy! TPB. The recent job lay-offs at Stern were a concern for many. Do you think in 5 years ther JT. Only if they are allowed the freedom to design and manufacture the product without outside interference. This, I believe, is what is stopping anyone from starting up something new right now. TPB. JT. This is always the toughest question.... How can I pick from so many? If only I could choose a machine from each designer, but only one machine? To be diplomatic about this I am going to pick my own Creature from the Black Lagoon. But there are an awful lot of great games out there to choose from.... TPB. Are you sure you don't have a secret stash of Judge Dredd toppers? JT. I wish! I did have a couple in the beginning, but they were given away to friends and family (of course). TPB. We welcomed you as the inaugural inductee to the new UK Pinball Hall of Fame. Over time we hope the list will build into an industry who's who. Is there anybody you think we simply must have over to be inducted in the future, and why? JT. I believe any of the pinball designers that have demonstrated their ability to repeatedly bring a fun product to the masses should be in there. If you want a real practical answer I guess you should go by age. We are not a lot of spring chickens, for the most part :o) Let me suggest that there may be a need to bring in some designers (into the Hall of Fame) that can't attend for one reason or another (either health or no longer among the living). I did notice that there weren't any "wood rails" at the show. Perhaps you could put some enticement there for the collectors to bring them too. Just a few would be a nice addition! TPB. If you had to sum up your time in the industry in one word or sentence, what would it be? JT. Fantastic! I never dreamt that I would be fortunate enough to have a 'job' that I could love so much. For almost 20 years I went to 'play' not to 'work'. If I could, I would wish this experience for everyone! Many thanks to John Trudeau for being an exceptional special guest and for taking the time to answer our questions. More Pinball Heroes coming soon, and don't forget to send in your suggestions so we can send out the stalkers. Cheers Nick Pinballers Anonymous _(Acquisition: web_scrape, Enrichment: v3)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: e461b438-4dcd-4485-83a2-762451f6310e*