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Chris Franchi

personmerged35 mentionsFirst seen Sep 1, 2015Last seen Feb 18, 2026

Profile

Chris Franchi is a prominent pinball artist and art director who has been a key creative figure in the industry since at least 2019. He is known for his distinctive black and white with color splash aesthetic and has worked with multiple major pinball manufacturers including Stern Pinball, Spooky Pinball, and American Pinball. His artwork has won multiple awards, including Best Art Package at the 2025 TWIPY Awards for Evil Dead and a previous win for The Munsters in 2019.

Aliases

No aliases

Relationships

  • affiliated_withGalactic Tank ForceChris Franchi created art for Galactic Tank Forcemedium

Facts

No facts recorded

Claims (15)

  • opinionhigh

    Chris Franchi is the best pinball artist currently working

    Source: Gonzo (host)Pinball Machine Review | The Most Highly Tuned Pimped Game I've Ever Played | Galactic Tank Force
  • factualhigh

    Spooky Pinball does not have Gremlins in development

    Source: direct statement on SMS streamSMS - March 15
  • opinionhigh

    For pinball gameplay, 60 frames per second and minimal lag are more important than 4K resolution

    Source: Discussion of player priorities and gameplay experienceWere you finished? Allow me to retort!
  • factualhigh

    The Arcade1Up press release from September 15, 2023 never explicitly stated that games would play in 4K resolution

Recent Mentions (35)

  • Artist/designer; created back panel artwork for Medieval Madness Royal Edition topper; mentioned as potentially selling toppers aftermarket

    FNO Pinball Ep 24: Medieval Madness Royal Edition LIVE with CGC Director of Sales, Ryan WhiteNov 10, 2019
  • Mentioned in chat regarding potential upcoming podcast featuring Chris Franchi, Ed Van Der Veen, and Dr. Pin Christian Lyon launching Black Friday.

    FNO Pinball Ep 25: Jurassic Park Pro LIVE from Studio CNov 25, 2019
  • Twitch chat participant; Ken mentions Salem's Lot project; involved in pinball community; personal interaction with Jason Fowler about potential favor

    FNO Pinball Ep 5: OUTDOOR Black Knight Limited Edition Pinball MachineJun 9, 2019
  • Pinball industry figure; memorable encounter with hosts at Spears bar; associated with artist/design work

    Special When Lit pinball crew unites!Apr 5, 2022
  • Artist/designer who worked on Elton John pinball; has multiple games in top earnings at Electric Bat

    Episode 11 :: The Electric Bat CastFeb 15, 2024
  • Well-known pinball artist announced as artist for American Pinball's next game

Contradictions

  • Existing: Stern team member involved in art development for The Munsters (Episode 0, 2019)vsConflicting: Freelance artist hired by American Pinball, formerly associated with Stern/Spooky (Episode 3, 2023)
    Resolved
    accepted_new · Mar 3, 2026
  • Existing: Stern team member for The Munsters (Episodes 0, 1, 2)vsConflicting: Art director at Spooky Pinball with Best Art Package win for Evil Dead in 2025 (Episode 4, 2026)
    Resolved
    accepted_new · Mar 3, 2026

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

Source: Analysis of official press release documentWere you finished? Allow me to retort!
  • factualhigh

    BlahCade Podcast is approximately 150 subscribers away from reaching 1,000 total subscribers

    Source: Channel milestone announcementWere you finished? Allow me to retort!
  • opinionhigh

    Influencer content about Arcade1Up 4K gaming capabilities exceeded and speculated beyond what the official press release stated

    Source: Analysis of influencer vs. official messagingWere you finished? Allow me to retort!
  • opinionhigh

    Chris Franchi is emerging as a top-tier pinball artist with balanced visual approach

    Source: Nick LaneBDYETP 81: Labyrinth, Elton John, Prices Plummet, Venom Impressions
  • opinionhigh

    Galactic Tank Force's artwork by Chris Franchi is excellent and represents the greatest strength of the game despite some media calling it one of his worst packages.

    Source: Host 1 (Zach Sharpe)The Pinball Show Ep 125: GTF?!
  • factualmedium

    Recent Stern playfield printing issues are due to printing method, not quality control

    Source: Chris Franchi confirmation in chat during episodeEpisode 68: Guns and Roses Rumors! CGC Rumors! What to expect this Fall???
  • factualhigh

    Chris Franchi is no longer returning to Stern Pinball and is pursuing artwork for multiple other companies

    Source: Chris Franchi (Facebook)Ep 73 - See More Without The Score
  • opinionmedium

    E.T. table is visually weakest of the three announced Pinball FX 3 licensed tables

    Source: Chris Franchi assessment from screenshotsAllegedly...
  • factualhigh

    Gus won the inaugural Blockade Theatre Forum Tournament season with 222 total points across 6 months

    Source: Official tournament results announcementForum Questions Part 2
  • factualhigh

    Black Hole flipper angles in Pinball Arcade were significantly misaligned from real machine behavior until recent tuning update

    Source: Personal validation after playing real Black Hole and testing updated TPA versionForum Questions Part 2
  • factualhigh

    Wizard Amusement will provide three custom shooter rod prizes across the next Blockade Theatre tournament season with player choice selection

    Source: Announcement of sponsor commitmentForum Questions Part 2
  • predictionmedium

    Farsight is exploring a 'prototype add-on' model to allow players to purchase cut features separately while keeping base game authentic

    Source: Reported conversation with anonymous Farsight staffForum Questions Part 2
  • American Pinball to Produce Barry Oursler’s Last Game, Adds New Artist & More
    Mar 26, 2022
  • Pinball artist; recommended as ideal artist for He-Man pinball machine; Rachel references existing He-Man art package potentially created by Franchi

    Episode 23 :: The Electric Bat CastFeb 5, 2025
  • Co-host of Super Awesome Pinball Show; artist at Spooky Pinball; Don pays tribute to show's shutdown

    DPP #14 "New GnR topper! Loads of newsbits! We say goodbye to SAPS. Meetup info!"Feb 9, 2023
  • Host of Blockade Theatre podcast, also known as Shut Your Trap; participated in league tournament, scored poorly on Monster Bash and Attack from Mars, excelled on Big Bang Bar

    Forum Questions Part 2Sep 1, 2015
  • Blockade Podcast co-host (alias 'Shut Your Trap'); pinball analyst and content creator

    Allegedly...Sep 5, 2017
  • Co-host of BlahCade Pinball Podcast, also known as 'Shut Your Trap'; content creator and pinball analyst

    Were you finished? Allow me to retort!Nov 25, 2024
  • Pinball artist; interviewed by Bug Screamin' Stream; worked on multiple Stern games

    DPP #130 "Rumors and Road Trips!"Jun 24, 2024
  • Artist on Elton John (JJP); praised by hosts for balanced visual approach; recent transition from Stern to boutique designer work

    BDYETP 81: Labyrinth, Elton John, Prices Plummet, Venom ImpressionsNov 13, 2023
  • Artist at Spooky Pinball; present at TPF booth; described as 'always a joy to be around'

    DPP #182 "TPF wrap up. I wanna like Portal!"Mar 24, 2025
  • Attending Pinball at the Beach; known as artist/designer in community

    DPP #171 "Triple Game's Challenge!"Jan 31, 2025
  • Artist on Beatles pinball (Kapow/Stern collaboration); interviewed on Super Awesome Pinball Show; discussed Ed Sullivan vs. Yellow Submarine theming choice.

    The Pinball Show Ep 11: We Are The Truth-SeekersApr 27, 2020
  • Designer at Spooky; consulted on Beetlejuice licensing; created Beetlejuice translight

    The Pinball Show Ep 65: Spooky Lifts Their Top & We See Something Stacked And LoadedJun 28, 2021
  • Stern artist referenced in context of typical art direction; mentioned alongside Zombie Yeti as key art staff

    We Are Pinball #19 "Let's talk D&D!"Jan 5, 2025
  • Artist for Galactic Tank Force; described as 'the best pinball artist' by host; also noted for Evil Dead artwork

    Pinball Machine Review | The Most Highly Tuned Pimped Game I've Ever Played | Galactic Tank ForceOct 1, 2025
  • Artist responsible for Beetlejuice's art package and playfield design

    Episode 259 - It's Showtime!Nov 23, 2025
  • Artist/designer at Spooky Pinball; appeared live on stream to dispel Gremlins rumor and discuss Spooky's upcoming titles

    SMS - March 15Mar 16, 2025
  • Artist credited on Evil Dead pinball; known for playfield artwork and design

    BDYETP 90: Evil Dead Revealed, WTF AP/Stern, Games We’ve Loved (or not)Dec 22, 2024
  • Well-known pinball artist; will provide artwork for American Pinball's next title; highly anticipated by community

    The Pinball Show Ep 95: Texas Two-StepMar 28, 2022
  • Artist on Galactic Tank Force; previously known for Spooky Pinball artwork

    The Pinball Show Ep 124: Foo Fighters VS The Godfather VS GTF! VS TNA 2: Carbon CopyFeb 28, 2023
  • Spooky Pinball artist known for distinctive contemporary pinball art style; Led Zeppelin art contrasted against his work

    The Pinball Show Ep 43: Two Inch Kriesel Stocking, Zach's Big Package, & Lednuts Rocking On An Open PlayfieldDec 21, 2020
  • Artist/designer at Spooky Pinball; subject of community Facebook post mockery regarding lack of mechanical knowledge (coil stops); admits non-mechanical background.

    Episode 196 – Violent And NoisyNov 29, 2022
  • Stern Pinball artist; created cabinet and back glass design for Beatles game presentation; credited with high-quality detailed playfield artwork including retro wood grain effects and Beatlemania aesthetic

    Bonus Podcast: Joe Kaminkow & Gary Stern on The Beatles: Beatlemania PinballNov 6, 2018
  • Stern pinball artist; created artwork for Iron Maiden premium edition; praised for 'lush, fabulous, rich and detailed' aesthetic.

    Pinball Industry News: May 2018 Re-capJun 2, 2018
  • Artist who created Beatles game artwork before pitch to licensors; designed visual concept that was presented with licensing proposal.

    Episode 272: Jerry ThompsonAug 2, 2020
  • Artist who worked on Galactic Tank Force; praised for making non-IP game look like licensed property

    Episode 388: A FIXer UpperFeb 2, 2024
  • Art director at Spooky Pinball; won Best Art Package for Evil Dead at 2025 TWIPYs, previously won for Stern's The Munsters in 2019

    The 2025 TWIPY Pinball Awards: Full Winners and RecapFeb 18, 2026
  • Freelance artist hired by American Pinball for artwork (formerly associated with Stern/Spooky based on context)

    Ep 125: Fixing the rumors with David FixDec 5, 2023
  • Pinball artist who created artwork for Munsters; praised for black and white with color splash aesthetic design

    Episode 1: A Small IntroductionJan 12, 2019
  • Stern team member involved in art development for The Munsters

    The Making of The Munsters Pinball - Behind The Scenes!May 7, 2019
  • Mentioned as having strict podcast content rules; featured in Slap Save podcast segment with 10-minute rants

    Episode 90 – Stern Battle Royale!!Apr 29, 2019