# The Origin of the Steve Ritchie is Making "The Matrix" Next for Jersey Jack Pinball Rumor

**Source:** Knapp Arcade  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2023-05-17  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.knapparcade.org/the-origin-of-the-steve-ritchie-is-making-the-matrix-next-for-jersey-jack-pinball-rumor

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## Analysis

An article tracing the origin of a circulating rumor that Jersey Jack Pinball is developing a Matrix-themed pinball machine. The rumor appears to stem from a custom Matrix pin (converted from a 1995 Williams Johnny Mnemonic) displayed in the background of Jersey Jack's Flip-Expo booth photos, combined with JJP's social media post featuring Keanu Reeves. The author acknowledges the rumor exists but expresses uncertainty about its veracity.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] A custom Matrix pinball machine was displayed in Jersey Jack Pinball's booth at Flip-Expo in France on April 29th — _Author directly inspected social media photos from the event showing the booth contents_
- [HIGH] The Matrix pin is a converted 1995 Williams Johnny Mnemonic created by Pinnovating — _Author identifies the conversion company and source machine based on investigation_
- [MEDIUM] Pinnovating is the same company that designed the custom Kill Bill pinball machine — _Author's statement; no corroborating source provided in article_
- [HIGH] Jersey Jack Pinball shared a video featuring Keanu Reeves on April 27th — _Author directly cites the date and platform (Facebook)_
- [LOW] The author has heard rumblings that The Matrix is indeed coming from JJP — _Vague statement; no specific sources cited for these 'rumblings'_

### Notable Quotes

> "That Matrix pin is actually a converted 1995 Williams Johnny Mnemonic that was done a couple of years ago by Pinnovating, the same company that designed the custom Kill Bill pinball machine."
> — **Knapp Arcade (author)**, N/A
> _Key identification of the Matrix pin's origin, central to debunking vs. confirming the rumor_

> "Does this mean that JJP is making The Matrix? I'm not sure, but I have heard a lot of rumblings that it is indeed coming."
> — **Knapp Arcade (author)**, N/A
> _Author's explicit acknowledgment of uncertainty regarding the rumor; signals unverified community gossip_

> "We're in Le Tréport at Flip-Expo. Started as the show began. So many people here loving Jersey Jack Pinball games and The Godfather - More to come!"
> — **Jersey Jack Pinball (official caption)**, April 29th
> _Official JJP statement that does not mention The Matrix; vague 'More to come' teases future announcements_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Jersey Jack Pinball | company | Boutique pinball manufacturer; subject of The Matrix rumor; displayed custom pin at Flip-Expo |
| Steve Ritchie | person | Legendary pinball designer; mentioned in rumor title as potential designer of alleged Matrix game |
| The Matrix | game | IP subject of the rumor; custom conversion currently exists as a converted Johnny Mnemonic |
| Flip-Expo | event | Pinball convention in Le Tréport, France; location where the custom Matrix pin was displayed on April 29th |
| Johnny Mnemonic | game | 1995 Williams pinball machine; base platform for the custom Matrix conversion |
| Pinnovating | company | Custom pinball modification/design company; created the Matrix conversion and Kill Bill custom machine |
| Keanu Reeves | person | Actor featured in Matrix films; appears in JJP's April 27th video about Toy Story 4 |
| Knapp Arcade | organization | Pinball news source/author conducting investigation into rumor origin |
| Toy Story 4 | game|product | Subject of video featuring Keanu Reeves shared by JJP on April 27th |
| The Godfather | game | Jersey Jack Pinball game displayed at Flip-Expo booth alongside custom Matrix pin |
| Pirates of the Caribbean | game | Jersey Jack Pinball game displayed at Flip-Expo booth |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Rumor origin and debunking, Jersey Jack Pinball upcoming releases
- **Secondary:** Custom/modified pinball machines, Pinball industry events and conventions
- **Mentioned:** Entertainment IP licensing in pinball

### Sentiment

**Neutral** (0.5) — The article is investigative and factual in tone. The author clarifies confusion (debunking the direct link) while remaining open to the possibility that a Matrix game is in development based on unspecified 'rumblings.' No strong positive or negative bias toward JJP or the rumor.

### Signals

- **[event_signal]** Jersey Jack Pinball's presence and booth displays at Flip-Expo in France on April 29th (confidence: high) — Official JJP social media post from April 29th with photographs of booth contents; author directly examined images
- **[leak_detection]** Custom Matrix pin displayed at public Flip-Expo event potentially signaling internal interest in Matrix IP or partnership exploration (confidence: low) — Matrix conversion shown in official JJP booth; however, the pin is confirmed to be a years-old custom conversion, not a prototype of an upcoming commercial release
- **[market_signal]** JJP's April 27th social media post featuring Keanu Reeves video about Toy Story 4 coinciding with Matrix rumor; potential Keanu connection speculation (confidence: medium) — Author notes the timing and Keanu Reeves connection (star of Matrix films) as suspicious coincidence; however, video content was about Toy Story 4, not Matrix-related
- **[rumor_hype]** The Matrix pinball by Jersey Jack Pinball rumor circulating in the community (confidence: medium) — Author acknowledges hearing 'rumblings' about Matrix coming from JJP but provides no specific sources; rumor appears to have originated from misinterpretation of social media booth photos

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## Transcript

There's been a rumor circulating lately that Jersey Jack Pinball's next game is The Matrix. I now know how the rumor started. Back on April 29th, Jersey Jack pinball shared a social media post sharing the company's founder at the Flip-Expo pinball convention in France. In my never-ending quest for pinball arcade news, I saw the post at the time and thought to myself "Jack signing autographs in France. Next" and basically skimmed right over it. I should have taken more time to inspect the pictures. Take a look at the row of games behind Jack. The booth that he's in contains two Jersey Jack Godfathers, a Jersey Jack Pirates of the Caribbean and a one-off custom pin of The Matrix.

That Matrix pin is actually a converted 1995 Williams Johnny Mnemonic that was done a couple of years ago by Pinnovating, the same company that designed the custom Kill Bill pinball machine.

Below is the caption that Jersey Jack included with its post:

"We're in Le Tréport at Flip-Expo. Started as the show began. So many people here loving Jersey Jack Pinball games and The Godfather - More to come!"

In addition to the post from France, a little earlier that week, on April 27th, Jersey Jack Pinball shared a video featuring Keanu Reeves talking about Toy Story 4 and Duke Kaboom on its Facebook page.

So that's where the whole Steve Ritchie is making The Matrix for Jersey Jack Pinball next rumor started. Does this mean that JJP is making The Matrix? I'm not sure, but I have heard a lot of rumblings that it is indeed coming. We will see.

Pictures from the Keanu Reeves video:

The pictures from Flip-Expo:

_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: eccc87c5-1dc7-47a7-8c15-dbdb796133c9*