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Brian

person14 mentionsFirst seen Mar 16, 2022Last seen Feb 6, 2026

Profile

Brian is a multi-faceted figure in the pinball and arcade gaming industry with diverse roles spanning design, ownership, competition, and content creation. He has contributed to major pinball machine designs (Mandalorian, Venom), co-owns Astrocro Games as a game designer and programmer, owns vintage pinball machines undergoing restoration, competes in pinball tournaments, and recently acquired American Pinball's assets with plans to release 3-4 new titles by 2027. His involvement ranges from technical consulting on competitive machines to public appearances on gaming shows and representation of Barrels of Fun.

Aliases

No aliases

Relationships

  • affiliated_withDwightCollaborated with Dwight on Venom Pinball designmedium
  • affiliated_withBarrels of FunLeadership/support role and company representativemedium
  • ownsAmerican PinballNew owner of American Pinball assets and intellectual property purchased from Ametronmedium

Facts

  • achievementOwner of Six Million Dollar Man pinball machinehighfrom 2017
  • achievementContributed to Encounter mini playfield design on The Mandalorian Pinballhighfrom 2022
  • achievementPlans to release 3-4 American Pinball titles by 2027highfrom 2026 until 2027
  • affiliationCo-owner of Astrocro Gameshigh
  • attributeCompetitive pinball playerhighfrom 2025
  • roleHandles coding and sound for Astrocro Games arcade cabinet projectshigh
  • role

Claims (26)

  • factualhigh

    Battle Stations head-to-head pinball is designed for 90-120 second play duration

    Source: Brian (Battle Stations creator)Expo Homebrew Tour!
  • factualhigh

    Borderlands damage in transit to Pintastic disabled the linear actuators; parts are out of stock for repair this weekend

    Source: Homebrew developer panel, Pintastic 2024Homebrew Developers Panel - 2024
  • factualhigh

    A friend contributed approximately 150 hours of work developing the Borderlands articulation control software while unemployed

    Source: Brian (Borderlands developer)Homebrew Developers Panel - 2024
  • factualhigh

    Borderlands homebrew features a fully articulated tilting playfield controlled by player via joystick, similar to the game Labyrinth

Recent Mentions (14)

  • New owner of American Pinball assets and intellectual property; purchased from Ametron; stated goals for 3-4 titles by 2027

    Episode 91 – Heated RivalryFeb 6, 2026
  • Guest player; participates in gameplay tutorial and competitive play against host; referenced as having teaching experience

    The Big Lebowski (Dutch Pinball 2016)Jan 21, 2026
  • Co-owner of Astrocro Games; game designer, programmer, handles coding and sound; responsible for arcade cabinet manufacturing coordination

    Throwback Jai-Alai Heroes, Indie Arcade Game with the Creators | Ep 181Jan 18, 2026
  • Audience member who asked about code and electronics architecture

    Pinball Circus HomebrewDec 2, 2025
  • Co-host mentioned in earlier tournament hosting commentary

    Concord Champ '25: Semis, Game 3/4 on The Shadow by Bally. Streamed from The Flipper Room.Nov 18, 2025
  • Competitive player in tournament attempting skill shot strategy

    Concord Champ '25: Qualifying Round 7 on Star Wars by Data East. Streamed from The Flipper Room.

Contradictions

  • Existing: Brian purchased Six Million Dollar Man from Mike 7-8 years prior (implying ~2017-2018)vsConflicting: Same machine appears to be the subject of ongoing restoration work at Grazely Garage with no completion date mentioned
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 3, 2026
  • Existing: Brian purchased Six Million Dollar Man 7-8 years prior to October 2025 (mention 6), placing purchase around 2017-2018vsConflicting: Mention 5 references the same machine but doesn't specify acquisition timeline clearly
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 3, 2026
  • Existing: Brian is a Stern team member (mechanical engineer) who contributed to Mandalorian Pinball designvsConflicting: Brian is co-owner of Astrocro Games and owner of American Pinball assets, with no other mentions confirming current Stern employment
    Resolved
    accepted_new · Mar 3, 2026

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

New owner of American Pinball assets and intellectual property
high
from 2026
  • roleCo-host of pinball tournament streamingmediumfrom 2025
  • roleDesigner/collaborator on Venom Pinballhighfrom 2024
  • roleLeadership/support role at Barrels of Funhighfrom 2025
  • roleMechanical engineer at Stern Pinballmedium
  • roleGame designer and programmer at Astrocro Gameshigh
  • Source: Homebrew developer panel, Pintastic 2024Homebrew Developers Panel - 2024
  • factualhigh

    Borderlands playfield articulation system was developed over approximately two years with ~150 hours of Arduino programming by a collaborator

    Source: Homebrew developer panel, Pintastic 2024Homebrew Developers Panel - 2024
  • factualhigh

    Borderlands playfield articulation system was developed over approximately 2 years using Arduino and linear actuators

    Source: Brian (Borderlands developer)Homebrew Developers Panel - 2024
  • factualhigh

    Borderlands 2 Pinball debuted at Pintastic in April 2024 and had no public presence before that event

    Source: direct statementPinball Expo 2024 Recap [ 08 / 08 ] - Homebrews! Bordlands, Friday the 13th and Tony Hawk
  • factualhigh

    Borderlands 2 Pinball playfield can achieve negative 20 degrees to positive 25 degrees pitch and side-to-side roll motion

    Source: direct specificationPinball Expo 2024 Recap [ 08 / 08 ] - Homebrews! Bordlands, Friday the 13th and Tony Hawk
  • factualhigh

    Borderlands 2 Pinball code is approximately halfway complete

    Source: direct statementPinball Expo 2024 Recap [ 08 / 08 ] - Homebrews! Bordlands, Friday the 13th and Tony Hawk
  • factualhigh

    Ernie Silverberg provided seven consecutive days of intensive Zoom mentoring (10pm-1am sessions) to teach Brian Mission Pinball Framework coding

    Source: direct quotePinball Expo 2024 Recap [ 08 / 08 ] - Homebrews! Bordlands, Friday the 13th and Tony Hawk
  • factualhigh

    Borderlands 2 Pinball playfield resets to level position within 0.2 degrees of accuracy when game boots

    Source: direct specificationPinball Expo 2024 Recap [ 08 / 08 ] - Homebrews! Bordlands, Friday the 13th and Tony Hawk
  • factualmedium

    Pacific Pinball Expo had over 400 games

    Source: Brian (recollection)The Spinner Is Lit - Episode 52 Unwrapping 2022
  • factualmedium

    Metallica's art direction was inspired by Ghostbusters Yeti artwork

    Source: BrianThe Spinner Is Lit - Episode 52 Unwrapping 2022
  • factualmedium

    Atticus has watched approximately 700 hours of pinball streaming videos

    Source: Brian discussing his son's quarantine viewingepisode 32. rebooting normal life
  • opinionmedium

    The recent code update for Ghostbusters Stern improved the game by addressing difficulty issues

    Source: Stream commentaryGhostbusters by Stern (2016) Pinball Duel!
  • speculationlow

    Ghostbusters Stern's center drain may have been designed without architectural accommodation for a center post due to artwork constraints

    Source: Stream speculationGhostbusters by Stern (2016) Pinball Duel!
  • factualhigh

    Sacramento Pinball Group was founded in 2002 or 2003 as a news group

    Source: Direct statement during SPG history discussionEpisode - 28 , 2019 whats new, lets review
  • factualhigh

    The three free pinball games were offered by a former eight-year SPG member through email on the Saturday after Thanksgiving

    Source: Brian's free game acquisition storyEpisode - 28 , 2019 whats new, lets review
  • factualmedium

    The leaked Rick and Morty cabinet artwork came from Brian, a friend of Spooky Pinball

    Source: TWIP (via Cary Hardy)Updates! Plus, Rick and Morty Cabinet Art Mock Up!
  • factualhigh

    Brian is doing artwork on Star Wars pinball

    Source: HostPinball Cribs: Bonus Expo Episode
  • factualhigh

    Brian is IFPA rank 50

    Source: Host query and Brian's responseJurassic Park (Stern 2019)
  • factualhigh

    Brian is moving to an area to play more against Bowen Kerins

    Source: Host (Dr. C) farewell remarksJurassic Park (Stern 2019)
  • factualhigh

    NBA Jam was widely played and popular among the participants' social circles during the 1990s.

    Source: Brian's pitch for NBA Jam selection$10 Video Game Treasure Hunt
  • factualmedium

    The original Nintendo Game Boy was going to be bundled with Super Mario Land but was changed to Tetris for broader market appeal

    Source: Video gameplay segmentTengen Tetris vs Nintendo Tetris
  • factualhigh

    Black Knight is a licensed IP requiring Williams/Midway permission, so calling the rumored BK3000 'unlicensed' is technically inaccurate

    Source: BrianEpisode - 19 way to go idaho. or,Bosie on 25cents a play.
  • opinionhigh

    Free Play Florida 2018 at Carib Royale is the best venue location the event has used

    Source: BrianFree Play Florida 2018 Main Playoffs - Semifinals
  • Nov 18, 2025
  • Provided technical input about magnet disable mechanism

    Concord Champ '25: Finals, Game 3/4 on The Addams Family by Bally. Streamed from The Flipper Room.Nov 18, 2025
  • Purchased Six Million Dollar Man from Mike years ago (7-8 years prior); bringing machine back to Grazely Garage for full cabinet restoration

    The Grasley Garage! Radical is done, Flintstones progress & more!Oct 5, 2025
  • Owner of $6 Million Man playfield being worked on at Grazley Garage

    The Grasley Garage! Projects Galore! The good, the Bad and the Ugly!Nov 20, 2025
  • Moved streaming rig during Walt's fifth game; appeared to coordinate with Walt who was playing

    Qualify run...James Bond Pro...PAPA22 R.I.P. LFS in Schaumberg, IL courtesy of @Foxcitiespinball!Sep 6, 2025
  • Stern team member (likely mechanical engineer) who contributed to Encounter mini playfield design

    The Making of The Mandalorian Pinball From Stern! (2022)Mar 16, 2022
  • Leadership/support role at Barrels of Fun

    Exploring the Winchester Mystery House – A Haunted Pinball Machine from Barrels of FunOct 13, 2025
  • Designer/collaborator who worked with Dwight on Venom design, mentioned multiple times discussing game concepts.

    The Making of Venom PinballFeb 22, 2024
  • Barrels of Fun representative; interviewed on Kaneda's show; deflected production timeline questions citing vendor supply chain uncertainty

    FREE SHOW: Episode 1148: Barrels of Fomo Suspends Common Sense And It's Fun To Watch!Oct 14, 2025
  • Existing: Brian worked with Stern on Mandalorian and Venom designs (mentions 1-2)vsConflicting: Mention 11 identifies him as co-owner of Astrocro Games (arcade game developer), not pinball-focused
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 3, 2026