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Pinball

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CGC

companymerged31 mentionsFirst seen Mar 27, 2018Last seen Jan 26, 2026

Profile

Chicago Gaming Company (CGC) is a modern pinball manufacturer founded in the 2010s that specializes in producing high-quality remakes and reimaginings of classic pinball titles from Williams and Bally. Known for releases including Medieval Madness Merlin Edition, Cactus Canyon Remake, Attack from Mars, and partnerships on Pulp Fiction, CGC positions itself as a premium alternative to Stern with games that offer superior aesthetics and build quality at competitive price points (~$9,500). The company has faced brand reputation challenges and is known for extended production timelines (3+ year waits), but continues to expand its portfolio with rumored original titles and collaborative ventures.

Aliases

No aliases

Relationships

  • affiliated_withTwilight ZoneCGC is planning to manufacture a remake of Twilight Zonemedium
  • works_atDavid ThielAudio designermedium
  • affiliated_withAmerican PinballCompetitor in remake-focused pinball manufacturing strategymedium
  • producesMedieval Madness Merlin EditionRemake game with improved aestheticsmedium
  • producesAttack from MarsRemake used in tournament play

Facts

  • achievementManufactured Cactus Canyon Limited Edition remake and upgrade kithighfrom 2025
  • achievementRumored to be developing Halo pinball machinelowfrom 2026
  • achievementSpring 2026 game release rumored as Xbox launch titlelowfrom 2025
  • achievementManufactured Medieval Madness Merlin edition remakehighfrom 2025
  • achievementManufactured Attack from Mars remakehighfrom 2025
  • affiliationPartnership with Play Mechanics on Pulp Fiction pinball machinehighfrom 2025

Claims (10)

  • opinionhigh

    CGC remake of Attack from Mars is beautiful but some players prefer the original machine

    Source: Unnamed commentatorConcord Champ '25: Quarters, Game 3/4 on Attack from Mars by CGC. Streamed from The Flipper Room.
  • factualmedium

    Pulp Fiction has produced 300 LE units in approximately two months (December to February)

    Source: Scott Rundell, Neil McRaeThe Great British Pinball Podcast - Episode 20
  • factualhigh

    Pulp Fiction has been in production for over two years

    Source: Kaneda (reading news)Episode 1017: "Are We Waiting For The Next Godzilla?"
  • factualmedium

    CGC warehouse has approximately 500 games ready pending final parts

Recent Mentions (0)

No mentions

Contradictions

  • Existing: CGC is described as a 'smaller modern pinball company' in mention 9 and 'second-largest manufacturer' in mention 8vsConflicting: Market positioning appears contradictory regarding company size relative to competitors
    Unresolved
  • Existing: CGC is described as 'second-largest manufacturer' in the modern pinball industry (Episode 44, 2018)vsConflicting: CGC is described as 'smaller modern pinball company' (Episode 108, 2019) and positioned as a competitor rather than market leader relative to Stern
    Resolved
    accepted_new · Mar 2, 2026
  • Existing: CGC manufactures under their own brand name with games released under 'Chicago Gaming Company' brandingvsConflicting: Episode 14 indicates CGC served as manufacturing partner for Pulp Fiction with Play Mechanics as apparent primary entity, suggesting potential co-manufacturing or OEM role
    Resolved
    accepted_new · Mar 2, 2026

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

medium
  • manufacturesPulp FictionGame manufactured in partnership with Play Mechanicsmedium
  • attributeFocused strategy on traditional remake-focused gamesmediumfrom 2025
  • attributeProduces remake games at lower price points than Stern (approximately $9,500)highfrom 2025
  • attributeKnown for high-quality but slow production (3-year wait times)highfrom 2025
  • attributeProduces games that look more expensive than Stern offeringsmediumfrom 2025
  • attributeUses 48-volt/12-volt power architecture similar to Fast Pinball systemsmediumfrom 2025
  • attributeFull name is Chicago Gaming Companyhigh
  • rolePinball game manufacturerhighfrom 2018
  • statusBrand reputation described as 'completely damaged'highfrom 2026-01-15
  • statusSecond-largest pinball manufacturer in the markethighfrom 2018
  • Source: Neil McCrayThe Great British Pinball Podcast Episode 17
  • factualhigh

    CGC uses silkscreen playfield printing offering superior durability and color depth vs digital printing

    Source: Neil McCrayThe Great British Pinball Podcast Episode 17
  • factualhigh

    CGC redesigned drop targets three times for Cactus Canyon Remake to ensure location durability

    Source: Butch Peel (via Scott reporting)The Great British Pinball Podcast Episode 15 - Pinfest 24 aftermath
  • factualhigh

    CGC's Cactus Canyon Remake required three iterations of drop target redesign to achieve location durability

    Source: Butch Peel presentation at Pinfest 24The Great British Pinball Podcast Episode 15 - Pinfest 24 aftermath
  • predictionhigh

    CGC Medieval Madness Final Edition is releasing soon based on topper availability

    Source: KanedaEpisode 980: "The Damian List"
  • factualhigh

    Pulp Fiction games will not ship before November 30/December 1 and are therefore ineligible for TWIPI 2021 Favorite Pinball Topper award

    Source: Ryan White communication relayed by KanedaEpisode 878: "When Cowards & Thankfullness Collide"
  • factualhigh

    CGC clarified they will only announce new releases when ready to manufacture and ship, not before

    Source: CGC statement from DougEpisode 44 – Michael Bowyer from AMD: Stern’s Australian distributor