# WINCHESTER MYSTERY HOUSE **Source:** Pinball News Website **Type:** article **Published:** 2025-10-13 **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2025/10/13/winchester-mystery-house --- ## Analysis Barrels of Fun announced Winchester Mystery House, their third pinball title designed by Karl DeAngelo with artwork by Brad Albright. The game features innovative mechanics including a Pepper's Ghost LCD effect, rotating turntable, collapsing tower, and Ouija board apron at $11,600 for a limited run of 525 units. The entire production run sold out within one day of announcement, marking a significant success for the boutique manufacturer. ### Key Claims - [HIGH] Winchester Mystery House is Barrels of Fun's third title — _Article states 'revealed their third title' in opening paragraph_ - [HIGH] Karl DeAngelo joined Barrels of Fun as a game designer with Winchester Mystery House as his debut title — _Article: 'The game sees the introduction of Karl DeAngelo as a game designer for the company' and 'with Winchester Mystery House as his debut title'_ - [HIGH] The entire run of 525 machines sold out just one day after reveal — _Article UPDATE section: 'Just one day after the reveal, the entire run of 525 machines sold out'_ - [HIGH] The production run of 525 units matches the house number of the Winchester Mystery House property — _Article: 'The title is limited to a run of 525 units which matches the house number of the property'_ - [HIGH] Barrels of Fun planned to sell 200 units directly to US buyers, 100 to overseas buyers, leaving 225 for distributors — _Article: 'Barrels of fun expect to sell 200 of these directly to US buyers, 100 to overseas buyers, leaving 225 for their distributors to sell'_ - [HIGH] The game features a Pepper's Ghost LCD effect with projection onto a clear Perspex sheet — _Article: 'the LCD is reflected onto a clear Perspex sheet which sits at the front of the house, giving the Pepper's Ghost effect'_ - [HIGH] Brad Albright created artwork for the game after working on Multimorphic's Portal game — _Article: 'Artwork in the game comes from Brad Albright who recently created the art for Multimorphic's Portal game'_ - [HIGH] The game features a revolving Hallway turntable with 3 entrances and 8 rotational positions — _Article: 'The turntable provides 3 entrances and 8 rotational positions to create multiple ball path combinations'_ ### Notable Quotes > "The title is limited to a run of 525 units which matches the house number of the property." > — **Pinball News** > _Demonstrates thematic integration of production numbers with the real Winchester Mystery House property number, showing attention to detail_ > "Just one day after the reveal, the entire run of 525 machines sold out." > — **Pinball News** > _Remarkable market signal indicating extremely high demand and successful launch execution_ > "The planchette (the pointer) has an marking which, while ostensibly a 'W' for 'Winchester' also looks suspiciously like the initials LFS for Lyman F. Sheats Jr." > — **Pinball News** > _Reveals hidden Easter egg/tribute in game design, consistent with pinball designer practice of including subtle references_ > "This effect allows the projection to interact with the ball as it travels along the orbits or is grabbed by a magnet at the top of the outer orbit." > — **Pinball News** > _Technical description of innovative Pepper's Ghost mechanic that differentiates Winchester from competitors_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | Barrels of Fun | company | Boutique pinball manufacturer announcing Winchester Mystery House as their third title | | Winchester Mystery House | game | New pinball machine based on the Gothic mansion in San Jose, California; Barrels of Fun's third title | | Karl DeAngelo | person | Professional pinball player, IE Pinball streaming operation founder, tournament organizer, and debut game designer for Barrels of Fun with Winchester Mystery House | | Brad Albright | person | Pinball artist who created artwork for Winchester Mystery House; previously worked on Multimorphic Portal and Motörhead homebrew | | Lyman F. Sheets Jr. | person | Legendary pinball designer whose initials (LFS) appear hidden in the Ouija board planchette marking on Winchester Mystery House apron | | Multimorphic | company | Pinball manufacturer mentioned in context of Brad Albright's prior artwork on Portal game | | Pinball Expo | event | Annual pinball industry event where Winchester Mystery House machines will be playable starting October 15 | | IE Pinball | organization | Streaming operation run by Karl DeAngelo before joining Barrels of Fun as game designer | | Winchester Mystery House (real property) | product | Gothic-style mansion in San Jose, California that serves as the theme and inspiration for the pinball machine | ### Topics - **Primary:** New game announcement, Game mechanics and design features, Limited edition production and rapid sellout, Personnel: Karl DeAngelo transition to designer role - **Secondary:** Artwork and visual design by Brad Albright, Boutique manufacturer market success, Pepper's Ghost technology innovation - **Mentioned:** Pinball Expo 2025 ### Sentiment **Positive** (0.92) — Article is overwhelmingly positive regarding the announcement, innovative features, rapid sellout success, and thematic integration. No critical commentary or concerns are present. Tone is celebratory of Barrels of Fun's achievement and the game's design innovation. ### Signals - **[competitive_signal]** Barrels of Fun positioned Winchester Mystery House as premium boutique offering at $11,600 MSRP with innovative mechanical and visual features differentiated from mass-market competitors (confidence: high) — Article details Pepper's Ghost effect, revolving turntable, collapsing tower, and custom sculpts at premium price point with limited 525-unit run - **[design_philosophy]** Winchester Mystery House features hidden Easter egg tribute to Lyman F. Sheets Jr. embedded in Ouija board planchette design (LFS marking disguised as 'W') (confidence: high) — Article: 'The planchette (the pointer) has an marking which, while ostensibly a W for Winchester also looks suspiciously like the initials LFS for Lyman F. Sheats Jr.' - **[event_signal]** Winchester Mystery House playable machines will be featured at Pinball Expo 2025 starting October 15 (confidence: high) — Article: 'Barrels of Fun will have several Winchester Mystery House games set up to play at this year's Pinball Expo which begins on Wednesday 15th October' - **[market_signal]** Entire production run of 525 units sold out within 24 hours of announcement, indicating exceptional market demand and FOMO-driven success (confidence: high) — UPDATE section: 'Just one day after the reveal, the entire run of 525 machines sold out' - **[personnel_signal]** Karl DeAngelo, professional pinball player and tournament organizer, joined Barrels of Fun as game designer with Winchester Mystery House as debut title (confidence: high) — Article: 'The game sees the introduction of Karl DeAngelo as a game designer for the company...with Winchester Mystery House as his debut title' - **[announcement]** Barrels of Fun officially announced Winchester Mystery House as their third pinball title (confidence: high) — Article states 'Barrels of Fun today revealed their third title' - **[technology_signal]** Introduction of Pepper's Ghost LCD projection effect that creates interactive holographic visuals with playfield ball action (confidence: high) — Article describes 'the LCD is reflected onto a clear Perspex sheet which sits at the front of the house, giving the Pepper's Ghost effect where the projected image appears in front of the ball' --- ## Transcript In a surprise announcement, Barrels of Fun today revealed their third title, *Winchester Mystery House*, based on the Gothic-style mansion in San Jose, California, which has become a popular tourist attraction due to its size, architectural curiosities and for the numerous myths and legends associated with it. [![The left side of Winchester Mystery House](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/winchester-mystery-house/001-winchester-mystery-house-659x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/winchester-mystery-house/001-winchester-mystery-house.jpg) The left side of Winchester Mystery House [![The front of Winchester Mystery House](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/winchester-mystery-house/002-winchester-mystery-house-374x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/winchester-mystery-house/002-winchester-mystery-house.jpg) The front of Winchester Mystery House [![The right side of Winchester Mystery House](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/winchester-mystery-house/003-winchester-mystery-house-620x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/winchester-mystery-house/003-winchester-mystery-house.jpg) The right side of Winchester Mystery House [![The three sides together](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/winchester-mystery-house/018-winchester-mystery-house-1024x671.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/winchester-mystery-house/018-winchester-mystery-house.jpg) The three sides together The game sees the introduction of Karl Karl DeAngelo as a game designer for the company. Karl is not only one of the world’s top players, he runs the IE Pinball streaming operation and organises many world-class tournaments. Now he has joined Barrels of Fun as a game designer, with *Winchester Mystery House* as his debut title. Artwork in the game comes from Brad Brad Albright who recently created the art for Multimorphic’s Portal game having previously designed the art package for a *Motörhead* homebrew. [![The backglass for Winchester Mystery House](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/winchester-mystery-house/004-winchester-mystery-house-1024x626.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/winchester-mystery-house/004-winchester-mystery-house.jpg) The backglass for Winchester Mystery House *Winchester Mystery House* only comes in one model with a retail price of $11,600. This includes a shaker motor, anti-reflective glass, and high gloss cabinet art decals. The title is limited to a run of 525 units which matches the house number of the property. Barrels of fun expect to sell 200 of these directly to US buyers, 100 to overseas buyers, leaving 225 for their distributors to sell. **UPDATE**: Just one day after the reveal, the entire run of 525 machines sold out. [![The numbered plaque on the display panel](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/winchester-mystery-house/016-winchester-mystery-house-683x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/winchester-mystery-house/016-winchester-mystery-house.jpg) The numbered plaque on the display panel So, what’s on the playfield? [![The playfield for Winchester Mystery House](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/winchester-mystery-house/017-winchester-mystery-house-835x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/winchester-mystery-house/017-winchester-mystery-house.jpg) The playfield for Winchester Mystery House One of the most striking features is found on the bottom apron where a Ouija board is used to spell out words, give yes/no decisions and indicate player and ball numbers. The planchette (the pointer) has an marking which, while ostensibly a ‘W’ for ‘Winchester’ also looks suspiciously like the initials LFS for Lyman F. Sheats Jr.. There are three full-size flippers in the game along with one mini-flipper. A large sculpt of the house occupies the back of the playfield and acts as a frame for the back panel LCD. Unusually, the LCD is reflected onto a clear Perspex sheet which sits at the front of the house, giving the ‘Pepper’s Ghost’ effect where the projected image appears in front of the ball. [![The back of the playfield with the model of the house](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/winchester-mystery-house/009-winchester-mystery-house-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/winchester-mystery-house/009-winchester-mystery-house.jpg) The back of the playfield with the model of the house This effect allows the projection to interact with the ball as it travels along the orbits or is grabbed by a magnet at the top of the outer orbit. [![The Pepper's Ghost screen](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/winchester-mystery-house/019-winchester-mystery-house-1024x650.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/winchester-mystery-house/019-winchester-mystery-house.jpg) The Pepper’s Ghost screen The game also features a revolving Hallway turntable. This works rather like the rotating ‘Jungle Run’ platform in *Gilligan’s Island*, or the moving staircase in *Harry Potter*, providing multiple different shot entrances and exits depending on the angle of rotation. [![The revolving Hallway turntable](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/winchester-mystery-house/020-winchester-mystery-house-1024x684.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/winchester-mystery-house/020-winchester-mystery-house.jpg) The revolving Hallway turntable The turntable provides 3 entrances and 8 rotational positions to create multiple ball path combinations. As you can see in the image above, there is a tower which can collapse. [![The collapsing tower](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/winchester-mystery-house/011-winchester-mystery-house-683x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/winchester-mystery-house/011-winchester-mystery-house.jpg) The collapsing tower This tower references the 1906 Earthquake which destroyed the house’s tower. When it falls, a hidden ball path within the house is revealed. Other features on the playfield include: * **Staircase to Nowhere Magnetic Ball Catch**A seemingly dead end that plummets the ball further into the depths of the house! * **Door to Nowhere Staircase Ramp**Expels the house’s ghostly inhabitants. * **Right Staircase Ramp**Diverts the ball to 3 unique exits. * **Seance Room Inline Target Bank**Break through the wall to uncover the mysterious Seance Room. * **Seance Table & Crystal Ball**Take your seat around the illuminated Crystal Ball with this 3-ball physical lock. * **Spirit Board Apron**Communicate with spirits through hidden illuminated lettering and backlit spirit planchette; also featuring a “Return” left outlane kickback. * **5 High-Fidelity Custom Sculpts**Winchester Mystery House Witch’s Cap, Roofline, Tower, Stained Glass Window Frame, and Crystal Ball. * **2 Magnets**Spider Web Magnet Catch within the Ghost Box and Staircase to Nowhere. [![The Door to Nowhere ramp](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/winchester-mystery-house/010-winchester-mystery-house-683x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/winchester-mystery-house/010-winchester-mystery-house.jpg) The Door to Nowhere ramp [![The Seance Table feature](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/winchester-mystery-house/015-winchester-mystery-house-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/winchester-mystery-house/015-winchester-mystery-house.jpg) The Seance Table feature [![The K-E-Y drop targets and upper mini-flipper](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/winchester-mystery-house/012-winchester-mystery-house-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/winchester-mystery-house/012-winchester-mystery-house.jpg) The K-E-Y drop targets and upper mini-flipper [![The house's many rooms](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/winchester-mystery-house/014-winchester-mystery-house-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/winchester-mystery-house/014-winchester-mystery-house.jpg) The house’s many rooms [![The bottom of the playfield](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/winchester-mystery-house/013-winchester-mystery-house-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/winchester-mystery-house/013-winchester-mystery-house.jpg) The bottom of the playfield Here are the flyers for the game. [![The front of the flyer](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/winchester-mystery-house/005-winchester-mystery-house-802x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/winchester-mystery-house/005-winchester-mystery-house.jpg) The front of the flyer [![The back of the flyer](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/winchester-mystery-house/006-winchester-mystery-house-802x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/games/winchester-mystery-house/006-winchester-mystery-house.jpg) The back of the flyer In addition, there is a promotional video for the game from Barrel of Fun. VIDEO Although the game is now sold out, Barrels of Fun will have several Winchester Mystery House games set up to play at this year’s Pinball Expo which begins on Wednesday 15th October. We will bring you details of that and much more in our extensive Pinball Expo coverage, right here at Pinball News. _(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: f16e71b4-b14a-4b80-8de9-9f99683b8697*