# Melvin Williams Leaves Dutch Pinball Exclusives; RAZA Production in Doubt **Source:** Knapp Arcade **Type:** article **Published:** 2026-02-09 **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.knapparcade.org/blog/melvin-williams-leaves-dutch-pinball-exclusives-raza-production-in-doubt --- ## Analysis Melvin Williams (Melvin Brouwer-Williams), creator of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and designer of RAZA, has announced he is leaving Dutch Pinball and DPX effective immediately due to organizational restructuring and new investors with a different vision. Williams states RAZA production is now uncertain, though he commits to supporting Alice with code updates through his own team and expects Dutch Pinball to fulfill customer promises. The separation leaves the pinball community with significant questions about both the RAZA project and remaining Alice machine fulfillment. ### Key Claims - [HIGH] Melvin Williams is stepping away from DPX (Dutch Pinball Exclusive) effective immediately — _Official statement from Melvin Brouwer-Williams dated February 9, 2026_ - [HIGH] The departure is due to new organizational structure within Dutch Pinball and new investors with a different vision — _Official statement from Melvin Williams_ - [HIGH] RAZA (Retro Atomic Zombie Adventureland) production is now in doubt — _Knapp Arcade headline and Melvin's statement that his 'next game was scheduled to be released' but now uncertain_ - [HIGH] Williams will continue code updates for Alice's Adventures in Wonderland through community contacts/forums with his own team — _Official statement: 'Code updates will be a bit slower at times but rest assure it won't be forgotten'_ - [HIGH] Melvin Williams retains IP ownership of Alice and RAZA/planned games — _Statement: 'alice and the planned game that was announced and other titles are my own IP and or design'_ - [MEDIUM] Williams expects Dutch Pinball to fulfill remaining Alice customer commitments and resolve outstanding topper issues — _Statement: 'I expect that Dutch Pinball will take care of there customers with the promises that where made and build all the final Alice's'_ - [MEDIUM] Williams plans to pursue future game projects with other USA manufacturers — _Statement: 'my plan with my upcoming game/games will have to shift to other MFG party's in the USA'_ ### Notable Quotes > "It is with a heavy heart that I have to announce that, effective as of today, I Melvin Brouwer-Williams will be stepping away from DPX (Dutch Pinball Exclusive)." > — **Melvin Williams**, February 9, 2026 > _Official announcement of departure from Dutch Pinball_ > "This decision is an unfortunate result of a new organizational structure within Dutch Pinball and also because of a new investors party that have a different vision then me." > — **Melvin Williams**, February 9, 2026 > _Cites specific causes: organizational restructuring and new investor vision misalignment_ > "DPX will be defunct as of today for upcoming releases from my involvement." > — **Melvin Williams**, February 9, 2026 > _Clarifies that DPX brand ceases operations for future projects_ > "I tried my best to build the brand to certain point that I now can no longer control to my standards." > — **Melvin Williams**, February 9, 2026 > _Suggests loss of creative control was a key factor in departure_ > "I'm heartbroken that it came to this point as I also expected many more things to come from the DPX brand." > — **Melvin Williams**, February 9, 2026 > _Emotional tone; indicates unexpected nature of departure_ > "my plan with my upcoming game/games will have to shift to other MFG party's in the USA when that possibility arrives." > — **Melvin Williams**, February 9, 2026 > _Future plans now depend on finding new manufacturer relationship_ > "This definitely leaves RAZA production very much up in the air and I'm not sure what it means for the remaining Alice machines." > — **Knapp Arcade (article author)**, February 9, 2026 > _Industry observer's immediate assessment of implications_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | Melvin Williams | person | Designer/creator of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and RAZA pinball machines; co-founder/creative force behind DPX (Dutch Pinball Exclusive); departing Dutch Pinball February 9, 2026 | | Dutch Pinball | company | Pinball manufacturer; Melvin Williams leaving effective immediately; company continuing with new organizational structure and new investor backing | | DPX | company | Dutch Pinball Exclusive brand founded by Melvin Williams; defunct as of February 9, 2026 for future releases; formerly handled Alice and RAZA production | | Alice's Adventures in Wonderland | game | Pinball machine created by Melvin Williams; production and support transitioning to Dutch Pinball; outstanding topper issues; code updates to continue slower pace | | RAZA | game | Retro Atomic Zombie Adventureland; pinball machine designed by Melvin Williams for Dutch Pinball; scheduled for release but now in production doubt; Williams retains IP ownership | | Knapp Arcade | organization | Pinball news outlet breaking the story of Melvin Williams' departure from Dutch Pinball | | Lior | person | Team member mentioned by Melvin Williams moving with him from Dutch Pinball; involved in technical/development work | | Papa Duke | person | Previous designer/owner of RAZA before transition to Dutch Pinball; indirectly referenced through RAZA history | ### Topics - **Primary:** Personnel departures and reorganization, Product pipeline uncertainty (RAZA), Investor influence on creative direction, Post-release support and fulfillment obligations - **Secondary:** IP ownership and licensing implications, Dutch Pinball organizational changes, Code update roadmaps and community support ### Sentiment **Negative** (0.25) — Melvin's tone is professional but clearly sorrowful ('heavy heart', 'heartbroken'); frustration evident regarding loss of control and standards. Uncertainty dominates regarding RAZA and future direction. However, maintains commitment to pinball industry and gracious language toward supporters. ### Signals - **[business_signal]** Potential fulfillment and support gap for Alice machines; code updates now dependent on Melvin's volunteer efforts through community channels rather than official support (confidence: medium) — Melvin states code updates 'will be a bit slower at times' and will occur 'through community contacts, forums, etc.' rather than official Dutch Pinball channels - **[business_signal]** Dutch Pinball restructuring with new investors and organizational changes; represents strategic pivot or potential financial/operational challenges (confidence: high) — Melvin's statement: 'new organizational structure within Dutch Pinball and also because of a new investors party that have a different vision' - **[community_signal]** Uncertainty regarding remaining Alice's Adventures in Wonderland machine fulfillment and topper issue resolution (confidence: high) — Melvin expecting Dutch Pinball to 'build all the final Alice's and solve the outstanding topper related issues' but notes this was 'never in my control' - **[design_philosophy]** Melvin indicates loss of creative control and inability to maintain design standards at Dutch Pinball; potential quality/vision conflicts with new investor direction (confidence: high) — Statement: 'I tried my best to build the brand to certain point that I now can no longer control to my standards' - **[licensing_signal]** Melvin Williams retains IP ownership of Alice and RAZA; new manufacturer arrangement pending for future games (confidence: high) — Statement: 'alice and the planned game that was announced and other titles are my own IP and or design'; plans to shift 'to other MFG party's in the USA' - **[market_signal]** Dutch Pinball's production capacity and commitment to existing customer base may be impacted by organizational restructuring and Melvin's departure (confidence: medium) — Structural issues referenced in Melvin's statement; expectation that Dutch Pinball will fulfill promises suggests current uncertainty about their ability to do so - **[personnel_signal]** Melvin Williams departing Dutch Pinball; team members (Lior and others) moving with him; represents significant talent migration from established boutique manufacturer (confidence: high) — Official statement confirming immediate departure and team transition - **[product_strategy]** RAZA production now in doubt following Melvin Williams' departure; timeline and feasibility uncertain (confidence: high) — Headline states 'RAZA Production in Doubt'; Knapp Arcade notes 'this definitely leaves RAZA production very much up in the air' --- ## Transcript News Melvin Williams Leaves Dutch Pinball Exclusives; RAZA Production in Doubt k knapparcade February 9, 2026 BREAKING NEWS: Moments ago, Melvin Brouwer-Williams maker of Alice”s Adventures in Wonderland pinball and the planned production run of Retro Atomic Zombie Adventureland for Dutch Pinball Exclusive announced that he is cutting ties with Dutch Pinball. I’m sitting at a Super Bowl party right now, so I don’t have a lot to add to this at the moment. I’ll share my thoughts tomorrow, but this definitely leaves RAZA production very much up in the air and I’m not sure what it means for the remaining Alice machines. Below is his official statement: Amsterdam, The Netherlands Februari 9, 2026 Dear all, It is with a heavy heart that I have to announce that, effective as of today, I Melvin Brouwer-Williams will be stepping away from DPX (Dutch Pinball Exclusive) . This decision is an unfortunate result of a new organizational structure within Dutch Pinball and also because of a new investors party that have a different vision then me. Therefore Dutch Pinball has decided that it will be continuing on its own path without my involvement. I fully understand that this announcement may raise many questions…. And at this moment, I do not yet have all the answers myself, and I must admit that this transition leaves me feeling somewhat uncertain. As many may know my next game was on its scheduled to be released. Nevertheless, I remain confident in the future of the pinball industry and in my own continued journey within it ,unfortunately that won’t be with the Dutch Pinball family .DPX will be defunct as of today for upcoming releases from my involvement. I tried my best to build the brand to certain point that I now can no longer control to my standards. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere and heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported and believed in me and in Alice throughout this journey. Your trust, encouragement, and shared passion have meant more to me than words can adequately express. I’m heartbroken that it came to this point as I also expected many more things to come from the DPX brand. While this chapter comes to a close, my commitment to pinball does NOT. I have to look forward in my own way to see what the future holds and hope our pinball paths in the community may cross again, as my plan with my upcoming game/games will have to shift to other MFG party’s in the USA when that possibility arrives. Rest assure that I will still do my best to help where ever needed on Alice. Although that will be through community contacts,forums,etc. Code updates will be a bit slower at times but rest assure it won’t be forgotten. As I have my own team (coders,Lior,tech and other great people) that will move with me and will handle upcoming projects with me . As alice and the planned game that was announced and other titles are my own IP and or design. I expect that Dutch Pinball will take care of there customers with the promises that where made and build all the final Alice’s and solve the outstanding topper related issues . This was unfortunately never in my control , nor some of the other structural issues that many are aware off. As you also might understand by now that some situations may have lead to this outcome I present today. Any questions regarding AAIW and or this writing please contact your local distributor and or dutch pinball support to keep this separation as professional as possible. With sincere thanks and respect, Melvin Brouwer-Williams” P.S. I know that there’s a typo in the title of this article. I’m writing it on my phone and it’s too late to change it now lol _(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: fbd667fe-6d50-4db0-8efb-e25f34cf2899*