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Mission Pinball Framework

productactive43 mentionsFirst seen May 27, 2018Last seen Apr 6, 2026

Profile

Mission Pinball Framework is an open-source, Python-based software framework designed for homebrew pinball machine development. It provides a hardware-agnostic, event-driven game engine that supports multiple pinball control boards (FAST, Cobra, P-ROC) and is intentionally accessible to non-programmers. The framework is actively maintained by community members like Anthony Van Winkle and has become a foundational tool in the homebrew pinball ecosystem, enabling creators to develop game logic, audio coding, and virtual simulations before physical construction.

Aliases

No aliases

Relationships

  • affiliated_withFast PinballFAST hired original MPF creator and maintains integration/symbiotic partnershipmedium
  • producesFASTFAST creates and maintains the MPF framework used with their hardware platformsmedium
  • affiliated_withFast PinballWorks alongside and integrates with FAST Pinball hardware boards in the homebrew pinball ecosystemmedium
  • producesMonster League HockeyUsed as the software framework for Monster League Hockey game developmentmedium
  • producesBig Trouble in Little China

Facts

  • achievementUsed in Trogdor! Pinball game developmenthigh
  • achievementUsed in Spaceballs Pinball game developmenthigh
  • achievementUsed in Monster League Hockey game developmenthigh
  • attributeDesigned for accessibility to non-programmer team membershigh
  • attributeIncludes virtual simulator capabilitieshigh
  • attributeIntegrates with GDAU for game design planningmedium
  • attributeUsed in commercial games and homebrew projectshigh

Claims (2)

  • opinionhigh

    Mission Pinball Framework was chosen specifically to allow non-programmers (like light show designers) to contribute to game development

    Source: Austin (Coder)Monster League Hockey | Artist Brad Albright | BONUS X
  • factualmedium

    Mission Pinball Framework created a code reformatting tool to help newbies after Jack Danger debugged an extra space in his code

    Source: Jack Danger seminarHow I built a pinball machine. (My Cal Extreme 2020 quick seminar)

Recent Mentions (43)

  • Open-source pinball control software; includes 'Show Creator' tool for LED animation programming

    Homebrew Showcase: Monsters Inc Pinball at Texas Pinball Festival 2026Apr 6, 2026
  • Software framework used in HEXA machines

    HEXA Pinball Launches The 3 MusketeersMar 20, 2026
  • Open-source Python-based software development framework for custom pinball games, works with P-ROC and other hardware

    Episode 450 - Interview with Gerry Stellenberg 6-26-19Jun 27, 2019
  • Software framework for pinball game development, used with P-ROC and P3 hardware

    Episode 10 With Special Guest Eric Priepke (epthegeek)May 22, 2019
  • Software framework for creating custom pinball rules on LISY 1 and other MPU replacement boards

    Episode 120 – Socket To MeDec 12, 2018
  • Homebrew pinball game logic framework; VPE is integrating support so MPF-written games can run in VPE

    Chatting with The Visual Pinball Engine Dev TeamNov 17, 2021

Contradictions

  • Existing: Mission Pinball Framework is open-source and community-maintainedvsConflicting: Mention 0 describes it as 'complementary software framework mentioned alongside FAST for accelerating game development' without clarifying it is open-source; this appears to be from a FAST Pinball podcast where MPF might be mentioned in a commercial context
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 2, 2026

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

Software framework used in Big Trouble in Little China development
medium
  • attributeMaintained by community members including Anthony Van Winklemedium
  • attributeComplementary to FAST Pinball for accelerating game developmenthigh
  • attributeOpen-source Python-based software framework for homebrew pinball machineshigh
  • attributeStrongly-typed framework used for game logic and audio codingmedium
  • attributeUses event-driven architecturehigh
  • attributeHardware-agnostic framework supporting multiple platforms (FAST, Cobra, P-ROC, etc.)high
  • Software framework written by Michael Ocean; used as secondary layer in Rick and Morty and Iron Man; also used for Buffy the Vampire Slayer

    Episode 55: The Return of Eric Priepke!May 19, 2020
  • Open-source Python-based pinball game framework; Dick Hamill considering creating interface for MPF to enable non-programmers to write custom rules using configuration files

    Dick Hamill custom code for Solid State gamesDec 9, 2021
  • Open-source software framework for pinball machine programming; accessible to non-programmers; supports both Fast and Multimorphic board sets; used by Mark Seiden, John Manuelian, Brian Smith

    Homebrew Seminar 2021Feb 9, 2022
  • Open-source Python-based pinball game engine used by multiple homebrew builders, configuration-file based, supports FAST/Cobra Pin/Multimorphic hardware

    Homebrew and Custom Pinball Chat with the Makers: Golden State Pinball Festival 2024Dec 7, 2024
  • Open-source pinball development framework; Scotty mentions it as inspiration for creating Orbital to provide similar off-the-shelf tools for VPX creators

    Pizza Time Preview (Scotty Wic 2020)Nov 18, 2020
  • Open-source software framework (MPF) used to control game logic on Good vs. Evil; handles complex attack/defend mechanics

    Good VS. Evil Pinball Machine, Head to Head Homebrew!Nov 16, 2018
  • Open-source Python-based pinball programming framework used for the machine's logic and game programming; team provided extensive support to non-programmer Jack

    How I built a pinball machine. (My Cal Extreme 2020 quick seminar)Aug 2, 2020
  • Software platform used across multiple panel projects (Warhammer, Borderlands, King of the Arcade, Battle Stations); open-source, code-based approach

    Homebrew Developers Panel - 2024Feb 7, 2025
  • Open-source Python-based software platform used for programming the Rocky Horror Picture Show machine; required significant learning curve and external help.

    EPC2025 - Wolfgang Grauvogl - Pinball NewsJun 1, 2025
  • Open-source Python-based software framework used by Scott for Cuphead code; strongly-typed; has user group support; documentation available; alternative to writing code from scratch

    From Pixels to Pinball: The Cuphead Homebrew - Pinball Expo 2025 - Pinball NewsOct 17, 2025
  • Open-source Python-based game engine used by Borderlands 2 Pinball creator for game logic and coding; Brian used MPF after learning from Ernie Silverberg mentorship

    Pinball Expo 2024 Recap [ 08 / 08 ] - Homebrews! Bordlands, Friday the 13th and Tony HawkOct 31, 2024
  • Open-source pinball machine software framework; integrates with Fast Pinball hardware; used by multiple homebrew designers; Tattoo Mystique was first public show display of framework.

    Pinball Expo 2024 Recap [ 05 / 08 ] - Aaron Davis with Fast PinballOct 31, 2024
  • Open-source pinball software framework used with Fast Pinball controllers for homebrew machine programming

    Pinball Innovators & Makers Podcast Ep 5: A Family AffairApr 23, 2023
  • Open-source pinball software (not Zen product); referenced contextually during discussion

    The 2024 State of Zen with Mel KirkNov 11, 2024
  • Open-source pinball software framework used alongside custom graphics engine in Hypnotron II to handle game logic and playfield switch signal processing

    Art Project: The Story of Aziz!Pinball and the Hypnotron IIJul 31, 2025
  • Python-based open-source pinball software framework used in Elf for game logic and control

    2022 Best Pinball Machine Homebrew DesignFeb 17, 2024
  • Open-source coding platform used by Bob Nies for Anime Poker game logic

    Bob Nies & Holly Nies first project Pinball Machine Anime PokerMar 7, 2024
  • Software framework created/developed by Michael Ocean and community; adopted in-house by multiple companies and commercial games including TNA

    Ep 116: Final Resistance with Scott Danesi and Micheal OceanAug 29, 2023
  • Open-source Python-based framework used by Anthony for game development; he became a contributor extending its capabilities

    Episode 359: Anthony van Winkle of Paradigm TiltApr 6, 2023
  • Open-source pinball programming platform used by Mark for game code; includes built-in trough handling, ball counting, and basic game modes

    Episode 132: Nightmare Before Christmas pinballMay 27, 2018
  • Open-source Python-based software framework for homebrew pinball; enables game rule writing through configuration files rather than line-by-line code; handles core game loop, high score entry, ball tracking; makes programming accessible to non-experts; used by Sean Irby for 8 Ball Beyond

    Episode 41 - Homebrew GamesJul 29, 2024
  • Software/code framework used by Kyle for pinball game programming; community members help debug code issues

    Big Trouble in Little China Pinball with Homebrewer Kyle Smet | Ep 177Nov 15, 2025
  • Open-source pinball programming platform; integrated with Fast Pinball hardware in homebrew support ecosystem

    Homebrew Pinball Machine Tour at Pinball Expo 2025 With Imoto From MarcoOct 22, 2025
  • Software framework used to code the Cuphead machine; Scott found it strongly-typed and difficult for fine-tuning

    Homebrew Showcase: Cuphead Pinball by Scott MillerNov 7, 2025
  • Software framework used in House of Flesh and Blood development

    Homebrew Showcase: House of Flesh and Blood Pinball by Tanner PetchNov 7, 2025
  • Software framework used for Enigma coding alongside FAST Pinball

    Homebrew Showcase: Enigma Pinball by Jeff PalmerNov 7, 2025
  • Open-source game logic engine used in Trogdor; works with FAST boards; includes virtual simulator capabilities and integration with GDAU; enables software planning before physical construction

    Homebrew Showcase: Trogdor! Pinball by Alex LabascoNov 7, 2025
  • Open-source Python-based pinball rules engine used in homebrew and commercial games; maintained by Anthony Van Winkle

    Homebrew Showcase: BMO! Pinball by Anthony Van Winkle and Jayauna JamesNov 7, 2025
  • Software framework used in Big Trouble in Little China; designed for non-programmers; enables coding without formal programming background; Kyle handles all coding and mode design

    Homebrew Showcase: Big Trouble in Little ChinaNov 4, 2025
  • Open-source pinball control software used by Mike W for both RooTech and Legend of Zelda games

    Homebrew Showcase: Legend of Zelda Pinball by Mike WNov 7, 2025
  • Software framework used by Lisa Sue Jones to write code for The Greatest Showman homebrew

    Homebrew Showcase: The Greatest Showman Pinball by Jeffrey and Lisa Sue JonesNov 7, 2025
  • Game engine running Spaceballs; hardware-agnostic framework supporting multiple platforms (FAST, Cobra, P-ROC, etc.)

    Homebrew Showcase: Spaceballs the Pinball Machine by John MarshNov 7, 2025
  • Open-source Python-based game engine for pinball machines using event-driven architecture; accessible to non-programmers

    The Simpsons Who Shot Mr. Burns Custom Homebrew Pinball Machine!Sep 29, 2025
  • Python-based open-source software framework for homebrew pinball; used for Monster League Hockey game logic and audio coding

    Monster League Hockey | Artist Brad Albright | BONUS XNov 14, 2025
  • Python-based software framework used for Monster League Hockey coding; chosen for accessibility to non-programmer team members

    Ep 186 Monster League HockeyJan 12, 2026
  • Open-source homebrew pinball software framework referenced as tool available to creators

    Episode 424: Rocky Horror PinballSep 10, 2025
  • Complementary software framework mentioned alongside FAST for accelerating game development

    Dirty Pool Podcast - Ep19 - Aaron Davis of FAST PinballNov 7, 2025