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Sorcerer

gameactive35 mentionsFirst seen Aug 29, 2007Last seen Aug 4, 2025

Profile

Sorcerer is a 1985 Williams pinball machine designed by Mark Ritchie, representing a landmark title in mid-80s single-ramp era pinball design. The game was a commercial and critical success, winning Best Game of Year, Best Art Package, and Best Software awards in 1985, and sold approximately 3,700 units. It featured innovative gameplay elements including multiball, drop targets, spinners, stand-ups, and pop bumpers, and was notably Ritchie's second design. The machine has been digitally preserved on Pinball Arcade and other digital pinball platforms.

Aliases

No aliases

Relationships

  • designedMark RitchieMark Ritchie designed Sorcerer as his second pinball gamemedium
  • manufacturesWilliamsWilliams manufactured Sorcerer in 1985medium
  • affiliated_withSpace ShuttleSorcerer sold approximately half the units of Space Shuttle; sound elements sourced from Space Shuttle arcade systemmedium
  • appears_inPinball ArcadeSorcerer has been digitally recreated for Pinball Arcade with some rendering issuesmedium
  • affiliated_withComet

Facts

No facts recorded

Claims (2)

  • factualhigh

    Sorcerer tournament machine has been modified with the lock removed to prevent multiball

    Source: Carl D'Angelo2019 IFPA Pin-Masters Qualifying | Day 2 | First Session
  • factualhigh

    Sorcerer factory version includes two star posts (one per outlane) that have been removed from this tournament machine

    Source: Colin McAlpine2019 IFPA Pin-Masters Qualifying | Day 2 | First Session

Recent Mentions (35)

  • Pinball machine used in Yegpin High Stakes Division; steep setup with lightning flippers and no outlane rubbers

    Episode 4 - YegpinApr 29, 2019
  • Pin golf tournament game listed on target score board

    2019 IFPA Pin-Masters Qualifying | Day 1 | Second SessionJun 2, 2020
  • Upcoming game in pin golf rotation; Derek hints at a 'surprise' about this machine's condition/setup

    2019 IFPA Pin-Masters Qualifying | Day 1 | First SessionMay 30, 2020
  • Mark Ritchie design with programmer Ed Sahaki; magic theme; budget-constrained production; featured three-bank shot with unique flipper; had friction with Steve Kordek over rule clarity; didn't receive 'fair shake' sales-wise due to next game in pipeline.

    TOPCast 49: Mark RitchieAug 29, 2007
  • Classic pinball machine heavily modified for this tournament: lock removed, ramp disabled, drop target timers adjusted

    2019 IFPA Pin-Masters Qualifying | Day 2 | First SessionJun 3, 2020
  • Pinball machine Marcus played as child at bowling alley for 50 cents; difficult to learn on; ball times under 30 seconds

    Episode 76_Pinville with Marcus Petersen (1)

Contradictions

  • Existing: Sorcerer is a Williams 1985 electromechanical (EM) pinball machinevsConflicting: Episode 6 describes Sorcerer as a Williams EM table with sound sourced from Space Shuttle arcade system
    Resolved
    accepted_new · Mar 2, 2026

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

Sorcerer received the 1985 GOTY award instead of Comet
medium
Jun 18, 2025
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    On Tilt League Finals - Season Five - Spring 2019Jul 18, 2020
  • Williams System 9 pinball machine from parents' estate (Ohio); required field service work alongside High Speed; rare System 9 title

    #106 Centaur re-examined. - The Classic Pinball PodcastJul 18, 2023
  • Classic pinball machine featured in national championship qualifier rounds with high scoring potential exceeding 7 million points

    IFPA 2018 National and Women's World Championships - Part 10 of 10May 15, 2018
  • EM pinball machine with modified lock rules (three drop targets for first lock, one per lock thereafter), Derek's favorite game

    INDISC 2023 Classics I Playoffs - QuarterfinalsOct 16, 2023
  • Pinball machine Drew is actively restoring; Williams classic; estimated $4,000 total investment with new playfield

    Episode 113Feb 23, 2022
  • Classic pinball machine; Drew's restoration project documented in upcoming video series

    Episode 111Jan 25, 2022
  • Early 1980s solid-state pinball machine being restored by Drew; purchased for ~$1,600-$1,700

    Episode 114Mar 5, 2022
  • Pinball machine owned by Drew, brought to MGC tournament, underwent setup modifications and repairs (flipper adjustment, sticker removal, center post rubber removal)

    Tribe Multiball with Rachel and Tim, Episode 27: The Mysterious Third Poor Man at MGCMay 11, 2022
  • Harry Williams solid-state pinball machine used in women's semifinals; two-ball multiball with always-lit locks, left ramp primary strategy, 5x playfield multiplier in multiball

    IFPA 2018 National and Women's World Championships - Part 8 of 10May 13, 2018
  • Restored classic game being brought to MGC; recently purchased in fall; underwent extensive restoration project

    Episode 117 GNR Baby!Apr 14, 2022
  • Game 7 tournament match in women's bracket

    IFPA 2018 National and Women's World Championships - Part 4 of 10May 9, 2018
  • Solid state pinball machine modified for tournament with locks disabled to eliminate multiball spam strategy

    Part 08 | 2018-19 IFPA NA Championships & 2019 Women's World ChampionshipsMay 26, 2020
  • Pinball machine that Jonathan Hall restored with ~$4,000 invested; notes it's not worth that amount but could sell for it

    Episode 118 Special Guest Kaneda?Apr 28, 2022
  • 1980s Bally pinball machine mentioned as honorable mention with good backglass art

    SDTM: a pinball Show Episode 11: Top 10 BackglassesApr 11, 2017
  • Classic pinball machine featured in exhibit lineup

    Skill Shot Art Exhibit Walkthru! #Pinball #StreamingSep 25, 2016
  • Pinball machine initially spotted on Craigslist that prompted barn expedition; heavily damaged with caved-in back glass and degraded playfield; acquired for parts

    Barn Diving for Pinball and Arcades!Feb 11, 2019
  • Barn-find pinball machine that became Hardy's most-viewed video; discovered via Craigslist lead from friend Jason.

    My Road to 1000 Subscribers!Nov 19, 2019
  • Classic pinball game featured in Brian Allen's Mashup Volume 2

    Brian Allen Pinball Mashup Volume 2 is Here!Aug 18, 2021
  • Gottlieb pinball machine; another machine found at the barn location that was too damaged to restore economically; some parts were salvaged

    The Addams Family Pinball Restoration - FINALEJul 2, 2020
  • Pinball machine; Ralph's fifth and final game, placed first to win tournament

    Episode 17: "I Can't Believe This Happened! My Epic Pinball Tournament Comeback"Nov 13, 2024
  • Williams classic available for play in exhibition

    PINBALL ARTWORK EXHIBITION OPENSSep 12, 2016
  • Classic/vintage pinball machine raffled as Sunday grand prize at GSPF 2018; won by Michael Bender

    GOLDEN STATE PINBALL FESTIVAL 2018 - SUNDAYMay 29, 2018
  • Williams EM table confirmed as next Pinball Arcade release; sound sourced from Space Shuttle arcade system; built via observation at Banning Museum

    Saucy Sounds from StepanskyJan 13, 2018
  • FarSight digital pinball table released on iOS/Android/PC with texture rendering issues on mobile platforms

    Arcooda Video Pinball NewsFeb 3, 2018
  • Pinball table in beta on Pinball Arcade; experiencing dynamic lighting/insert brightness inconsistencies in DX11

    Dee Ex Do-overJan 23, 2018
  • Mark Ritchie-designed pinball machine; Joe's first pinball purchase in 2010 for $800; features multiball, drop targets, spinners, stand-ups, pop bumpers

    Episode 199 – Car HaulerJan 31, 2023
  • Mark Ritchie second game; sold 3,700 units; featured voice and multiball; approximately half Space Shuttle's sales

    Barry Oursler Saves PinballJun 19, 2021
  • Williams 1985 pinball machine by Mark Ritchie; won Best Game of Year, Best Art Package, Best Software

    Episode 94 - Pinball Hindsight Awards 1985Aug 4, 2025
  • Mid-80s game; cited alongside Xenon as single-ramp era example.

    Episode 8 - Pinball Terminology Explained (new players start here)Dec 11, 2023