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Archer

gameactive26 mentionsFirst seen Aug 24, 2015Last seen Dec 15, 2025

Profile

Archer is a homebrew pinball machine designed by Keith Elwin and his brother Randy using the P-Rock modular platform. Created as a weekend project over 3-4 years, it served as Elwin's audition piece for Stern Pinball and featured innovative design elements including four flippers. The game's playfield layout impressed George Gomez and directly influenced the design of the commercial Iron Maiden pinball machine, effectively bridging Elwin's transition from homebrew designer to professional game designer at Stern.

Aliases

No aliases

Relationships

  • designedKeith ElwinCreated the Archer homebrew pinball game before joining Sternmedium
  • affiliated_withIron MaidenIron Maiden's playfield layout was adapted from Keith Elwin's Archer homebrew designmedium
  • designedKeith ElwinKeith Elwin designed and built Archer with his brother Randymedium
  • designedRandy ElwinRandy Elwin co-designed and built Archer with his brother Keithmedium
  • affiliated_withIron Maiden

Facts

  • achievementPlayfield design served as basis for Iron Maiden commercial releasehigh
  • achievementServed as proof of concept that led to Keith Elwin's hiring at Stern Pinballhigh
  • attributeFeatured four flippers (two top, two bottom)high
  • attributeDeveloped over 3-4 years as weekend projecthigh
  • attributeOriginally inspired by Judge Dredd conceptmedium
  • attributeBased on animated spy-comedy TV show thememedium
  • attributeHomebrew pinball game designed by Keith Elwin and his brother Randyhigh

Claims (1)

  • factualhigh

    Keith Elwin's Archer homebrew machine is currently folded up in storage and last tested 2 years prior to interview

    Source: Keith ElwinFree Play Pinball Podcast Ep 13: Dissecting A Goat - Special Guest Keith Elwin

Recent Mentions (26)

  • 1937 Genco game themed after Robin Hood archery tournament; illuminated bumpers, illuminated posts, backlit arrow scoring displays

    Episode 399 - Multi-Bingo Progress - The Special Games - Robo-Frenzy Progress - Service Call on Wall Street Special - 1937 Genco ArcherJun 29, 2017
  • Stern pinball game designed by Keith Elwin, gameplay videos removed from YouTube after his hiring

    Episode 29 – An Unexpected SaleFeb 2, 2017
  • Earlier pinball game; Keith Elwin reused its layout for Iron Maiden design

    Ep 10: Keith Elwin’s Game #3 Revealed! (aka clickbait)Jun 26, 2020
  • Animated spy comedy series; Lana and Pam discussed as character dating preferences

    Stream 561: GOTG (Stern) ProJun 21, 2022
  • Pinball game designed by Keith Elwin and his brother, eventually re-themed to Iron Maiden after licensing issues prevented Guardians of the Galaxy inclusion

    S221: Jurassic Park Pro (Stern) v0.96Dec 13, 2019
  • Keith Elwin's original homebrew pinball machine that was developed into the commercial Iron Maiden Pinball release

    Iron Maiden Pinball v. 1.05

Contradictions

  • Existing: Archer was the original theme/prototype before Iron MaidenvsConflicting: Episode 3 claims Archer was the 'original theme for Iron Maiden playfield before theme change' which mischaracterizes it as merely a theme variant rather than the design foundation
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 2, 2026
  • Existing: Archer is a homebrew machine designed by Keith Elwin and his brother RandyvsConflicting: Episode 2 describes Archer as 'Stern game designed by Gary Stern' rather than a homebrew
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 2, 2026

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

Archer's playfield layout and design served as the foundation and template for the commercial Iron Maiden pinball game
medium
  • affiliated_withStern Pinball Inc.Archer impressed George Gomez at Stern and led to Keith Elwin's hiring at the companymedium
  • affiliated_withGeorge GomezGeorge Gomez was impressed by Archer's playfield layout, contributing to Keith Elwin's hiring at Sternmedium
  • attributeBuilt using P-Rock modular platformhigh
  • locationPlayable at Arcade Expo 2.0highfrom 2018 until 2018
  • Jan 4, 2019
  • Custom pinball machine themed on adult cartoon; designed by Keith Elwin; single machine build

    Recovery. 08/21/15Aug 24, 2015
  • Homebrew pinball machine also displayed at Pinball Expo 2018 in the homebrew area, described as well-designed and created through whiteboarding/custom design process

    Spinal Tap Pinball - Pinball Expo 2018 - Pinball NewsOct 21, 2018
  • Homebrew pinball machine designed by Keith Elwin and his brother; served as prototype for Iron Maiden design; inspired by FX animated series

    Keith Elwin - Pinball Expo 2018 - Pinball NewsOct 23, 2018
  • Keith Elwin's homebrew machine that inspired Iron Maiden layout; featured bullseye target (highlight feature from Archer repurposed for Iron Maiden).

    Episode 59 - Put Them in the Iron Maiden... Excellent!Apr 9, 2018
  • Keith Elwin's homebrew pinball machine; designed with brother; folded up in storage at Keith's condo; worked last time tested 2 years prior; influenced Iron Maiden commercial design

    Free Play Pinball Podcast Ep 13: Dissecting A Goat - Special Guest Keith ElwinMar 9, 2022
  • Pinball project by Keith and Randy Elwin; exhibited at Pin-a-Go-Go 2016

    PIN-A-GO-GO 2016Jul 12, 2016
  • Homebrew pinball machine designed by Keith Elwin that became portfolio piece leading to Iron Maiden pinball at Stern. Referenced as precedent for moving from homebrew to commercial production.

    Episode 271: Legends of Valhalla updateJul 28, 2020
  • Homebrew pinball whitewood designed and built by Keith Elwin and his brother; incomplete after two years development; basis for his Stern hiring

    Episode 59: Keith Elwin, new guy at SternJul 22, 2017
  • Keith Elwin homebrew whitewood prototype; basis for Iron Maiden retheme; praised for smooth flipping feel; developed over extended period before becoming commercial release

    Ep 15: Jurassic Park and Pinburgh with Martin Robbins!Aug 9, 2019
  • Keith Elwin's homebrew whitewood that served as his audition for Stern; took 3-4 years as weekend project; influenced Iron Maiden design; originally inspired by Judge Dredd concept

    Ep 12: Keith Elwin!Jul 1, 2019
  • Keith Elwin's homebrew whitewood before joining Stern; basis for Iron Maiden adaptation

    Ep 129: Signing Donuts with Keith ElwinJan 19, 2024
  • Early homebrew game; cited as foundational inspiration for homebrew community development

    Ghost in the Shell Pinball, Designing a Homebrew Pinball with Ed Owens | Ep 178Dec 3, 2025
  • Keith Elwin's homebrew pinball machine based on the animated spy-comedy TV show; served as proof of concept that led to his hiring at Stern; playfield design was basis for Iron Maiden

    The Seasoned Vet Keith ElwinOct 3, 2025
  • Stern game designed by Gary Stern; used as example of commercial pinball design constraints compared to homebrews

    Drinks with Jack: Part 3 w/ Pinball Game Designer Brian EddyDec 15, 2025
  • Keith Elwin's custom/resume project built with brother Randy; used P-Rock modular platform; template for Iron Maiden design

    Episode 45 – Keith Elwin. The One, with 2 HeadsMay 28, 2018
  • Keith Elwin's homebrew whitewood before joining Stern; he did all design work himself; featured a problematic very target in the original design

    Episode 106 – The GOAT featuring Keith ElwinAug 26, 2019
  • Prototype layout that became the foundation for Iron Maiden, previously played at Indisc, created by Keith Elwin

    Episode 36b – Zach Sharpe on Iron MaidenMar 28, 2018
  • Keith Elwin-designed layout with four flippers (two top, two bottom); playable at Arcade Expo 2.0; materials removed when Elwin joined Stern; rumored to be reused for Iron Maiden

    Episode 30 – The Supreme Jonathan JoostenFeb 12, 2018
  • Original theme for Iron Maiden playfield before theme change

    Episode 81 – Richard Rhodes ACS ChampionFeb 25, 2019
  • Homebrew pinball game designed by Elwin and his brother; playfield layout impressed George Gomez and led to Elwin's hiring at Stern; adapted into Iron Maiden

    Drinks with Jack: Part 2 w/ Pinball Game Designer Keith ElwinDec 11, 2025