Roger Sharpe is a legendary pinball historian, designer, and advocate who fundamentally shaped the modern pinball industry. Most famously, he testified in a 1976 NYC courtroom case that established pinball as a game of skill rather than gambling, effectively legalizing the game. He worked as Director of Marketing at Williams/Bally/Midway for 26.5 years starting in 1988, where he was instrumental in the 1990s pinball renaissance through strategic licensing negotiations (Terminator, Elvira, etc.). Sharpe is also an accomplished game designer (Sharpshooter, Cyclops, Barracora), author of the definitive pinball history book, co-founder of PAPA, and subject of the 2026 documentary 'Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game.'
Gary Stern kept pinball alive during the manufacturing void more importantly than Roger Sharpe's 1976 advocacy
Jersey Jack Pinball entered the market in 2013 with The Wizard of Oz
Roger Sharpe advised Game Plan against cigarette and alcohol licensing at a New York State trade show meeting with Kenny Anderson
Sharpe grew up in Chicago where pinball was illegal and did not play pinball until college
79-year-old pinball advocate and subject of 'Pinball: The Man Who Saved The Game' biopic; demonstrated pinball skill before NYC City Council April 2, 1976; attended TPC opening 50-year anniversary event with wife Ellen
Legendary pinball figure; Williams/Bally/Midway licensing lead; known as 'the man who saved pinball'; LJ Greene's mentor and colleague
Historic pinball figure known for 'The Shot' (1976); attending Pinball Capital grand opening on April 2nd; signing Bank Shot machine as raffle prize
Legendary pinball historian and industry figure; authored pinball history book that host acquired and highly recommends; signed the book for the host
Legendary pinball figure who legalized pinball in NYC; consulted on Game Plan cocktail machine licensing strategy
Pinball industry icon. 50th anniversary of 'The Shot' is being commemorated at The Pinball Capital's grand opening (April 2026). Will provide signed Bank Shot machine for raffle.
No linked glossary terms
Roger Sharpe proved pinball is a game of skill, not chance or gambling, leading to the overturning of New York City's 35-year pinball ban
Sharpe's legal victory in NYC cascaded to legalize pinball in Chicago and many other cities and countries that previously had no restrictions
The lack of accessibility and awareness was the core problem preventing pinball acceptance, not the games themselves
Sharpe served as associate editor and later managing editor at GQ magazine, where he authored feature stories about pinball
A feature film titled 'Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game' was made about Sharpe's life, starring actor Dennis Bikiatis as older Sharpe
Roger Sharpe achieved Grand Champion on Pokémon Pro first play
Roger Sharpe's biopic 'Pinball: The Man Who Saved The Game' was screened at the event with Sharpe present to introduce and answer questions
Roger Sharpe passed on making Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to make Doctor Dude with Greg Freres and Dennis Nordman
Roger Sharpe played pinball at a NYC city council hearing to prove pinball was a game of skill
Roger Sharpe's 26.5 years at Williams, Bally, Midway entities gave him significant visible impact on those companies' success, and he could have influenced the industry more from an alternate position like Capcom
Roger Sharpe was hired as Williams' marketing director in March 1988 by Marty Glazeman and Ken Fedesna
Sharpe discovered Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles at a licensing show in summer 1987 and recommended it to Williams
Sharpe's balanced licensing strategy involved four licensed games per year (spring, summer, fall, winter)
Warner Brothers prevented Williams from using Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson likenesses in Batman pinball promotional materials
Mechanical toy saturation eventually led to design redundancy and diminished returns in pinball games by late 1990s
Pat Lawlor is the master of mechanical toys and interactive features that transformed 1990s pinball design
Roger Sharpe played Bankshot during his landmark 1979 court case, with El Dorado as a backup game
Roger Sharpe discovered Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles at a toy fair in 1988 before it became a mainstream phenomenon
Roger Sharpe's design philosophy evolved from selling generic games with artwork to building collaborative relationships with licensors for mutual promotion
Sharpe disputes the narrative that he 'saved pinball,' stating the industry was 'going along nicely' in the mid-1970s without NYC legalization
Roger Sharpe graduated from University of Wisconsin in 1971 with a marketing degree
Roger Sharpe claims to be a more consistent player than Steve Epstein, while Epstein achieves higher peaks
The Super Shooter tournament series (1978) attracted over 60,000 entrants nationally with 20 finalists and a car prize, covered by major networks (ABC, CBS, NBC)
Sharpe's main motivation for writing the GQ article was personal—he wanted to meet people in the pinball industry and buy a machine for his house
The 1976 New York City courtroom hearing legalized pinball based on Roger Sharpe's skill demonstration on Bank Shot, where he called shots before executing them
Stingray (1977) was designed by Roger Sharpe, Sam Stern, and Mike Kubin, with Sharpe providing input on the right side playfield during a factory consultation
The original 'Pinball!' book manuscript contained significantly more photographs and content than the final published version, cut for financial/production reasons
Sharpe worked as a journalist for Gentleman's Quarterly (GQ) after moving to New York City
Roger Sharpe played Bank Shot in a New York courtroom to demonstrate pinball is a game of skill, which lifted the state's ban on pinball.
The pinball documentary 'Pinball: The Man Who Saved The Game' started production in February 2020 and was officially finished in late spring 2022
Roger Sharpe has attended 38 of the last 39 Pinball Expos, missing only one due to COVID
Chicago became the pinball manufacturing capital due to Polish immigrant workforce, transportation infrastructure, raw materials access, and geographic position
Chicago currently has approximately 16 pinball companies including boutiques and startups
Roger Sharpe was universally liked and respected within the pinball industry with no negative experiences reported
Roger Sharpe insisted the adult bookstore scene in the film occur during daylight and refused to have taken Ellen there on an actual date
Roger Sharpe documentary is coming out in 2026
Spirit of '77 (EM-era machine) sold significantly more units than modern DMD-era machines, making older EM claims for 'greatest-selling' potentially inaccurate
The Roger Sharpe documentary won the fan favorite award at a film festival
Roger Sharpe's documentary will be released in theaters on March 17th
The Moving Picture Institute backed the film project
The film is structured as a love story centered on Roger and Ellen's relationship, rather than as a pinball-focused narrative
Roger Sharpe has digitized historical cassette tape interviews spanning 40+ years with pinball industry pioneers like Harry Williams, Alvin Gottlieb, and Sam Stern
Every pinball machine in the film was handpicked by Roger Sharpe for specific narrative and historical reasons
Roger Sharpe finished fourth in a recent tournament, defeating both Josh and Zach Sharp
The film 'Pinball: The Man Who Saved The Game' is a narrative feature film with actors portraying Roger Sharpe, Ellen, and their son Seth, not a documentary
Roger Sharpe was approached in February 2020 by filmmakers Meredith and Austin Bragg via email
Roger Sharpe and Ellen recently celebrated their 44th anniversary and have been together 49 years
Roger Sharpe approached the Prince estate on behalf of American Pinball to negotiate licensing
Roger Sharpe documentary is PG or PG-13 and suitable for general audiences
Roger Sharpe overturned New York City's 35-year-old ban on pinball machines
Roger Sharpe bid $7.5 Million to buy Bally/Williams
Roger Sharpe worked with financial advisors to put together offers to buy both Gottlieb Premier and Bally/Williams
Gary Stern was more responsible for keeping pinball alive long-term than Sharpe's role in the 1976 legal case
Steve Ritchie's heart was in video game development (California Speed), and it was uncertain whether he would have remained for pinball work
If Sharpe had acquired Williams Pinball, he would have implemented a 4-6 game per year release schedule
Williams management valued the tax write-off from shutting down pinball at $3-4 million, making closure more valuable than any sale
Roger Sharpe assembled a $7.5 million opening bid backed by Banco Paribas to purchase Williams Pinball intact
Williams management made the pinball shutdown decision before announcing it, timing it around fiscal quarter-end to manage stock price
Joe Dillon, Williams Pinball sales manager, died around 1999
Episode 1 ran production from October 1999 through end of year at approximately 100 games per week
Medieval Madness and Cactus Canyon had unmet market demand that exceeded what Williams management authorized production for
Roger Sharpe designed a prototype Muppets pinball machine in 2002 called 'The Muppets Haunted House Adventure'
Modern pinball licensing requires more complex negotiations than the dot matrix era due to video asset, likeness rate, and talent approval requirements.
Approximately 90% plus of all licensed pinball themes from late 1980s through 1990s were either acquired or turned down by Roger Sharpe personally.
Modern entertainment licensors prioritize ego/vanity/passion as motivation for pinball licensing rather than guaranteed financial returns.
Stern Pinball's Mandalorian game represents a relatively low-risk IP choice because it is an adjunct/derivative of the established Star Wars franchise.
Average production run at Williams Valley was 10,000-15,000 machines, compared to much lower volumes for modern manufacturers.
Arnold Schwarzenegger personally recorded all speech dialogue for Terminator 2 pinball machine (and video game) after rejecting sound-alike voice actors.
Roger Sharpe attended his first licensing show in 1987 and has maintained continuous involvement in licensing for pinball and other gaming/entertainment media for 30+ years.
Bally's 8-Ball game featured unauthorized use of Happy Days characters and required a settlement, though the specific settlement terms are uncertain.
Roger Sharpe personally intervened to settle a licensing dispute where an unnamed company faced jail time and asset seizure from a studio over false licensing claims.
Spooky Pinball's smaller production run model allows for non-mainstream IP selection (Halloween, Ultraman) that would not work for mass-production manufacturers.
Roger Sharpe has claimed to have played every pinball game from 1963 onwards.
Roger Sharpe listened to and enjoyed the first show despite not normally listening to himself
Roger Sharpe appeared in unreleased Power of Baseball video game with trading cards
Young players demonstrate exceptional ball control compared to traditional pinball expectations
Roger Sharpe lost his father at age 13
Roger worked as a journalist for Playmeter magazine covering the pinball industry
Roger Sharpe's sons work at Stern and are huge in IFPA
Roger Sharpe saved pinball
Roger Sharpe was a playable character in NBA Jam Tournament Edition and NFL Blitz when inputting specific initials and birthday
Williams Bally Midway was profitable in 1999 but shareholders demanded higher profitability, leading to the company's exit from pinball manufacturing.
Pinball can only sustain long-term under private ownership; public ownership will cause the industry to fail again as it did in the 1990s.
Modern pinball manufacturers lack comprehensive technical training programs or maintenance guides for customers, limiting accessibility for non-technical buyers.
Williams Bally maintained separate design teams and production lines for Bally and Williams brands from 1988 through 1999, with the two never crossing over.
Pat Lawlor's Addams Family proved that Bally-branded games could sell in enormous quantities despite Bally's diminished brand reputation.
Harley-Davidson pre-ordered 220 Harley-Davidson pinball machines from Williams in the 1990s, triggering a special production run.
The lack of technical support infrastructure and skilled technicians is the primary barrier preventing pinball from expanding into commercial venues.
License term renewal and parts availability are the primary constraints limiting JJP's ability to produce more Pirates of the Caribbean machines.
Gary Stern pioneered the ability to create short production runs and vault editions while maintaining a functioning primary production line.
Pinball industry will remain viable long-term if it stays in private hands with investors who understand multi-year business cycles and realistic growth expectations.
Bally created the first pinball payout machine in 1934, which blurred the line between pinball as amusement and pinball as gambling
Roger Sharpe maintains a personal archive of materials related to pinball history and views himself as an archivist rather than a hoarder; his sons may eventually steward this collection
Roger Sharpe was working as associate editor at GQ magazine in 1974 when he originally pitched a pinball feature; the editor jokingly suggested he write a book instead
On April 2, 1976, Roger Sharpe testified in NYC courtroom and demonstrated pinball as a game of skill by playing Bank Shot; he did not choose which game to play—a skeptical council member redirected him from El Dorado
The 1956 Kieffer Commission and Supreme Court case defined amusement-only pinball machines and bingo-style pinball machines
Roger Sharpe's pinball book took three years to complete, involved over 5,000 photographs (fewer than 300 in final version), and extensive international travel and interviews
World Series from Rockola sold over 50,000 units in the early 1930s
The pinball prohibition was driven by moral panic about children spending lunch money, assumptions about mob involvement, and concerns about gambling—not by substantive evidence of organized crime
Mayor LaGuardia banned pinball machines in New York in the late 1930s/early 1940s by destroying machines and throwing them into the East River
Roger Sharpe won a court case that established pinball as a game of skill rather than gambling
Jersey Jack and Spooky Pinball are not exhibiting at Amusement Expo because they focus on the collector/enthusiast market rather than commercial operators
In 2019, pinball manufacturers will release almost monthly new games when looking at all companies collectively
The first amusement show Sharpe attended was AMOA (Amusement Operators Expo) in Chicago in fall, with AOE following in spring in New Orleans
Chicago Gaming Company has significant production numbers and market penetration despite only making remake games for their first three releases
Roger Sharpe has attended approximately 30+ industry trade shows over his career
Roger Sharpe did not hand-select the games used in the 1976 legal case demonstration; they were selected by others and he had played them beforehand
Modern pinball games would be more difficult to explain to lawmakers in layman's terms compared to classic machines, due to complex rule systems
Modern action buttons can create balance issues in pinball games if they provide asymmetrical advantage based on whether they are used
Roger Sharpe has completed approximately 400-500 licenses in his career including slot machines
Roger Sharpe's Head-to-Head Pinball Podcast interview took 3-4 hours to record
Dialed In's success proves designer reputation can function as implicit licensing to the pinball community
Roger Sharpe secured the Beatles pinball license from Williams approximately 25 years prior (circa 1993) with seven songs and a designer aligned at an inexpensive price point
Sigourney Weaver's absence from Aliens pinball was due to Dutch Pinball not pursuing her likeness rights, not her refusal or cost prohibitiveness
Big Lebowski licensing issues resulted from Dutch Pinball only securing foreign rights and failing to acquire US music publisher rights for vocals
Williams did not release licensed pinball games historically; licensing strategy began after Sharpe joined in 1988
The majority of pinball games from 1988-1999 were not licensed, including successful titles like Medieval Madness and Banzai Run
Sharpe was able to clarify available Wizard of Oz licensing assets to Jack Guarneri by directing him to correct Warner Brothers departments
Roger Sharpe has worked on over 400 different licenses across pinball, video games, and slot machines
Contemporary music groups have less reach and staying power for ancillary merchandise compared to classic bands from 1970s-80s
Roger Sharpe demonstrated in 1976 that pinball was a game of skill, leading to lifting of NYC and Chicago pinball bans that had lasted since 1942
Roger Sharpe attended North Star's legalization party in 2017 and ceremonially passed the torch to Adam Keisler
Modern licensing has become more restrictive than the 1988-1999 Williams/Bally era in terms of creative freedom and character representation
Sharpe's magazine proposal to Williams Electronics projected $6 million annual revenue
Indiana Jones was selected over Star Wars for Williams Electronics based on superior character and storyline potential
Sharpe rejected the original Batman license (1989) because licensing restrictions prevented promotional use of actor likenesses
Comprehensive thematic authenticity (speech, music, character representation) is essential to successful licensed pinball game design
Sharpe is currently working on a Walking Dead pinball license with an undisclosed manufacturer and has encountered no approval problems
Roger Sharpe began his marketing career at Williams in 1988
Pinball manufacturers prioritize collector and enthusiast markets over commercial operator support
Modern competitive pinball strategy emphasizes high-value shot optimization at the expense of appreciating complete playfield design
The primary barrier to expanding pinball in commercial locations is the lack of on-site technical support and maintenance infrastructure
Online forum criticism of pinball designers, programmers, and manufacturers is disproportionately harsh and harmful to industry morale
Roger Sharpe and Steve Epstein created PAPA (Professional and Amateur Pinball Association) after witnessing unfairness at the 1976 Valley Super Shooter Finals
Roger Sharpe helped overturn the New York pinball ban
Roger Sharpe 'saved pinball' historically
Roger Sharpe has been in the licensing and marketing business for decades covering pinball, video games, and slot machines with knowledge spanning the whole pinball business since the seventies
Roger Sharpe testified before NYC City Council playing Bank Shot to demonstrate pinball as a game of skill and overturn the ban
Roger Sharpe designed Sharpshooter, Barracora, and Cyclops
Roger Sharpe's first owned machine was Gottlieb Buckaroo (replay version of Cowpoke)
Roger Sharpe wrote or contributed to thirteen books in addition to the pinball book
Roger Sharpe views himself primarily as a 'popular historian' rather than academic historian
Modern competitive pinball technique emphasizes 'control and precision' more than strategies from Sharpe's era
Peter Max's artwork on the charity Pin-Bot project was 'less than inspiring' in result
Chicago's pinball legalization in 1976 followed New York's successful legalization case in which Roger Sharpe was involved.
Roger Sharpe served as contributing editor for Play Meter magazine for 15 years writing a 'Critics Corner' column.
Roger Sharpe's pinball history book remains out of print and commands premium prices on eBay due to rarity.
Lee Goldbots asked Roger Sharpe directly whether Sharpshooter would be successful, and Roger confidently predicted it would be.
Roger Sharpe's sons Joshua and Zachary both work in the pinball industry with passion and continue his legacy through commentary and industry involvement.
Video game success (Pong, Space War, Missile Command) enabled rather than replaced pinball by expanding family entertainment centers and arcade spaces that benefited both industries.
Roger Sharpe demonstrated pinball skill in a 1976 Manhattan courtroom using Eldorado and Bank Shot machines to prove pinball was a game of skill, not gambling, helping legalize it after a 35-year NYC ban.
Roger Sharpe's motivation to write about pinball was to meet people in the industry and gain access to pinball machines after moving to NYC where they were banned.
Roger Sharpe designed Sharpshooter for Game Plan after meeting Ken Anderson at a trade show and Lee Goldbots at a follow-up dinner meeting.
Roger Sharpe's first full-time job in the pinball industry was Director of Marketing at Williams Electronics beginning April 18, 1988.
Pinball industry figure, signed action figures created by Kineticist limited to 50 units.
Referenced for potential future interview about pinball history and superstitions; previously featured on Big Game episode
Speaker at Flipping the Script with Jen Ruper from No Coin Drop Required
IFPA founder referenced as agreeing with Martin's criticism of modern-game-only tournament formats
Legendary pinball licensing expert, historian, and industry figure with 30+ years of experience securing licenses across pinball, video games, and slot machines. Has worked with virtually all major studios and entertainment properties.
Pinball legend; attended Chicago tournament; pictured by Ian Jacoby at event
Father of IFPA operators Josh and Zach Sharp; testified in Cincinnati court case that established pinball as skill-based game to legalize free play in Ohio
Competitive pinball player; recognized by Bruce at Pinburgh despite peripheral vision sighting; father of Zach Sharp
Credited with arguing before the New York City legislature that pinball was a game of skill, making it legal in the U.S.
Legendary pinball player; mentioned as one of only two people (alongside Todd Tuckey) believed to have played nearly every pinball machine, starting from 1963.
Licensing negotiator; secured Alien license for Pinball Brothers; previously worked on securing Sigourney Weaver likeness
Licensing executive/designer, secured Pirates license for Jersey Jack Pinball and Hot Wheels license for American Pinball
Pinball designer; gave Sheets influential advice on scoring progression that shaped Attack from Mars design
Pinball designer and author; DeMar's collaborator on Las Vegas; played pinball with DeMar; competed with DeMar in early IFPA tournaments as doubles partners
Legendary pinball designer (Paragon, 1981); father of Josh and Zach Sharp.
Industry veteran; discussed Police Force Batman licensing and American Gladiators/Roller Games licensing on previous Wedgehead episodes
Legendary pinball licensing expert; interviewed on Head to Head Pinball podcast; has negotiated 400-500+ licenses in pinball and slot machine industries
Legendary pinball industry figure; consultant on game remakes; interviewed extensively on Deep Root delays, distribution models, and pinball industry trends; located in Chicago area
Guest on Episode 27; pinball industry veteran; known for eloquent corrections and brilliant insights; had dinner with hosts after interview
Assisted Dutch Pinball in securing The Big Lebowski license
Pinball industry legend who appeared on Special When Lit podcast (episodes ~50-60), met in person at Jamesons restaurant in Chicago area
Legendary pinball designer; known for distinctive mustache; seen at Freeplay Florida events
Industry figure; noted alongside Kamenkow as major license broker
Author of *Pinball* book (referenced as 'one of my favorites' and primary inspiration for Shalhoub's Compendium project). Pioneering pinball historian.
Pinball historical figure credited with saving pinball industry; participated in Interium tournament (102 players)
Researcher mentioned by Nieman who conducted historical research on pinball licensing; found evidence of early unlicensed games but no prior fully licensed titles
Legendary pinball designer; Python credits him with designing The Addams Family and praises him as an innovator alongside Harry Williams
Williams designer; original co-designer of Barracuda playfield (with Steve Epstein); Barry redesigned and relayed out the game
Designer; rumored to be working with Dutch Pinball on Matrix game
Legendary pinball community figure, close to Lyman Sheets, described as universally loved alongside Lyman
Hot Wheels licensing contact and consultant for American Pinball; played key role in securing Hot Wheels license deal with Mattel and Hot Wheels City video footage. Engaged in rules and design consultation.
Legendary pinball historian and designer; featured in 'Pinball: The Mystery Theater 3000' film; scheduled to participate in Q&A at Expo; has met speakers multiple times; designed Cyclops (Game Plan)
Referenced as significant pinball figure in community history; used as benchmark when discussing Steve Ritchie's importance
Executive at Williams/Bally/Midway involved in hiring Michael; Michael describes working in 'Roger Sharp fashion' on playfield design
Author of 1977 book 'Pinball' referenced for wizard design inspiration
Legendary pinball designer, journalist, and licensing executive; subject of the episode; known for saving pinball in 1970s courtroom battle and for pioneering collaborative licensing strategy at Williams
Legendary pinball player and personality, met by Albert at original Pinburg, 'the myth, the mustache'
Josh Sharp's father, helped found the original IFPA in the 1990s, involved in Papa league play with Steve Epstein
Referenced as inspiration for 'grassroots' pinball growth strategy through personal relationships
Pinball designer; discussed design history of Barracuda on Pinball Profile
Subject of pinball film 'The Man Who Saved the Game,' legendary pinball figure who saved the industry
Kaneda credits him with securing Back to the Future license for Dutch Pinball (rather than Stern)
Pinball industry figure who produced content and later worked for Williams, authored 'Pinball' book
Pinball historian and author of 'Pinball' (1970s); recorded interviews with electromechanical luminaries for his book
Legendary pinball figure; competed at Interium tournament; placed 44th; Don placed 38th
Legendary pinball figure; observed playing Ninja Eclipse at Expo
Historic competitive pinball player Zoller studied through archived tournament videos
High-powered industry figure known for securing licenses; compared to Joe Camico's licensing capabilities
Dutch Pinball figure; credited with securing Back to the Future license over Stern
Stern Pinball executive/decision-maker on theme selections; criticized for IP strategy choices
Stern leadership mentioned in context of company direction
Subject of Pinball Profile 100th episode; legendary pinball player known for detailed memory of 40-year-old game details
Stern Pinball executive; rumored to have secured Sonic license on behalf of Stern
Legendary pinball player, author, tournament pioneer, and father of Zach and Josh; previously worked at Williams Valley Midway; figure in pinball history
Industry figure working with Dutch Pinball on upcoming game; credited with helping identify theme passion match
Josh Sharpe's father, influential pinball figure, worked at Williams/Bally/Midway, helped negotiate IFPA rights
Industry veteran, former executive at Williams Bally Midway, pinball historian and author, currently speaking about industry sustainability and technical challenges
Legendary pinball figure, pending confirmation for We Love Pinball Autism Charity Expo, has a movie premiere about his life
CFO of Raw Thrills; coding the new CGC Cactus Canyon game; spotted playing new Cactus Canyon code on Pinside, triggering community discussions
Pinball historian/authority; signed the Star Trek TNG backglass on Don's road game
Legendary pinball figure; appeared on Head-to-Head Pinball Podcast in two-part interview; attempted to buy Harry Williams
Stern personality; mentioned as part of Stern's formal game reveal video format
Legendary pinball designer and tournament player, referenced in discussion of 1970s game design
Historical reference for media strategy; pinball personality; example of how Stern should have managed pre-launch media
Legendary pinball historian, designer, and industry advocate; subject of the documentary feature 'Pinball: The Man Who Saved The Game'; testified in 1976 NYC courtroom case that established pinball as game of skill; worked 26.5 years in marketing at Williams/Bally/Midway starting in 1988; recently competed in tournament finishing 4th.
Pinball industry legend and father of Josh Sharpe (son); subject of upcoming documentary; sent email to podcast praising Bragg Brothers interview
Legendary pinball figure and GQ writer; subject of recently released documentary; interviewed by Jen Rupert at Flipping the Script event
Subject of 'Pinball: The Movie,' legendary pinball player who made the famous demonstration shot that helped legalize pinball in New York City in 1976, served as executive producer on the film, known as universally liked figure in pinball community
Stern Pinball leadership; quoted as having stated company philosophy: 'if the game is fun, how can you even put a price on that?'
Referenced as providing feedback about ramp width during Steamboat Willie 2.0 development
Legendary pinball player/advocate; officially licensed memorabilia t-shirts sold at Expo with manning/misspelling issues
Referenced humorously during gameplay; appears to be an industry figure or show attendee
Professional pinball designer and legend; briefly appeared to play and evaluate Ernie's Monsters Inc. machine, offering design feedback on ball flow, shot geometry, and layout maturity.
Legendary pinball champion, designer, author, judge; known as 'the mustache' by community; featured in film
Legendary pinball historian, designer, and industry advocate; subject of 99% Invisible episode and upcoming 2026 documentary
Pinball player and celebrity participating in Enterrium tournament
Historical figure credited with saving pinball in 1976; featured in Sparks educational display about pinball history
Pinball player who famously demonstrated that Bank Shot was a game of skill in a New York courtroom to lift the pinball ban
Legendary pinball figure (implied from context); attended North Star legalization party in 2017 and ceremonially passed torch to Adam Keisler
Tournament official holding notepad and ready to make rulings during finals matches
Legendary pinball figure and icon; attended Pinburgh; still actively competes; known for maintaining a distinctive mustache
Pinball historian cited as source for knowledge about rare Taxi variants
Historical pinball figure, played in group with Patrick at previous nationals tournament
Pinball industry figure and father of Josh and Zach Sharpe; commentator for tournament matches
Legendary pinball figure; interviewed on cassette in 1970s; interviews now being released by Nate Shivers
Historical pinball figure referenced for his play style preferences
Pinball legend; appeared in part two of interview on Super Awesome Pinball Show and Head to Head podcast
Referenced as subject of prior Pinball Blog interview; notable pinball industry figure with historical significance
Co-founder of PAPA and IFPA (according to Kevin Martin); appears in photos with Steve Epstein
Legendary pinball historian, designer, and advocate; testified in 1976 NYC legal case establishing pinball as game of skill; worked at Williams/Bally/Midway; designed Sharpshooter, Barracora, Cyclops; author and collector
Pinball historian, player, tournament organizer, designer, and industry veteran; met Martin Wiest at GPO 2007; described by Wiest as embodying pinball culture and fulfilling multiple industry roles
Pinball author whose book inspired Popadiuk to contact Bally and pursue a career in pinball
Pinball industry veteran, 1976 legal case hero, attempted to acquire Williams Pinball in 2000, legendary industry figure
Legendary pinball historian, designer, and advocate; testified in 1976 NYC court case establishing pinball as game of skill; wrote 1977 book noting Bally's slot machine involvement gave pinball 'a black eye'
Pinball personality with movie involvement; scheduled to appear remotely at Pintastic New England at 11 a.m.; unable to attend in person due to pilot shortage affecting flights
Legendary pinball figure who demonstrated pinball as game of skill before NYC Council in 1976, leading to re-legalization; Mystery Pinball Theater 3000 host; oversees IFPA with sons covering 40,000+ players
Industry figure; negotiated with Arnold Schwarzenegger to record voiceover for Terminator 2 pinball after initial refusal
Legendary pinball industry figure, director of marketing at Williams Electronics (1988-2014), licensing expert who worked on ~250 licenses including Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Addams Family, Bugs Bunny, Congo, Flintstones
Pinball historian and author; referenced as having similar access and trust relationships with manufacturers when writing books
Influential pinball writer and industry figure; cited by Schelberg as most influential person in pinball industry; wrote for GQ magazine and Play Meter
Legendary pinball figure credited with saving New York pinball from ban era; referenced in industry lore
Legendary pinball player who played Bankshot in landmark 1979 court case establishing pinball as game of skill; referenced throughout stream
Historical pinball figure credited with 'saving pinball'; sons mentioned as being in IFPA and at Stern
Historical pinball figure who won court battle regarding pinball classification as gambling
World-class pinball player with tournament history at Pinburgh
Chicago Gaming Company executive handling licensing deals; reportedly negotiating Back to the Future IP for Dutch Pinball; previously secured Pulp Fiction license
Referenced as legendary pinball designer/licensing expert; Kaneda invokes his name as model for securing IP partnerships
Rumored to be helping Dutch Pinball secure Back to the Future assets and licensing
Industry figure advising Barry Osler on Dutch Pinball's next title; assisting with Warner Bros./Paramount licensing discussions
Legendary pinball figure; played pinball at 1976 NYC city council hearing to prove it was a game of skill; subject of The Mystery Pinball Theater 3000 biopic; Madeline Lin met him at Pinball Expo
Pinball personality; subject of limited action figure (100 units) released by This Week in Pinball
Legendary pinball designer, advocate, and industry consultant; famous for proving pinball is a game of skill and overturning New York City's 35-year pinball ban; former GQ magazine editor; subject of documentary film 'Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game'
Subject of recent documentary; Foghorn references Sharpe's famous 'trouble with T' phrase and notes potential connection to 1980 newspaper articles
Legendary pinball licensing negotiator with 30+ years of experience securing licenses for Williams, Bally, Data East, and other manufacturers; central subject of this interview
Pinball notable mentioned as attendee at charity tournament
Referenced as great pinball player; Jack mentions competing against both 'Sharpes' on Metallica
Pinball legend referenced as having been beaten by Nick George Campbell in recent competition
Pinball player who competed in Gameworks tournament mentioned by Jack Danger; received random award extra ball
Legendary pinball player who testified in court in 1970s to prove pinball is a game of skill and restore its legality; father of Zach and Josh
Historical pinball figure; noted as founding member of Pinball Club
Historical pinball figure; portrait paintings being sold as prints by community member Joe
Legendary pinball figure, celebrating 77th birthday; featured guest on stream; known for 'saving pinball' and subject of a documentary film; declined multiple executive positions at Williams, Atari, and Gottlieb
Historic figure credited with saving pinball; in attendance at Level 257; father of Zach Sharpe
Referenced as significant figure in pinball history (saved pinball industry); thanked in Twilight Zone credits
Pinball historical figure; community identifies a homage to him in the Whoa Nellie! artwork
Pinball legend credited with preventing pinball ban in New York City in 1976 by demonstrating skill-based gameplay to regulatory committee
Pinball industry figure credited with saving pinball; wrote introduction to the graphic history book
Stern Pinball designer; celebrated on National Pinball Day during live stream referenced (77th birthday)
Pinball wizard; subject of 'Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game' biopic; executive producer on film; birthday celebration mentioned
Pinball historian and legal advocate known for his role in the 1976 legal case establishing pinball as a game of skill; appears as primary subject/speaker in fan-made teaser trailer
Subject of documentary 'Pinball: The Man Who Saved It' screening at TPF
Action figure available to This Week in Pinball subscribers
Subject of the biographical film; historical figure who overturned NYC's 35-year pinball ban in 1976
Founder of IFPA, subject of 'Mystery Pinball Theater 3000' documentary/biopic about pinball history
Pinball historian, author of pinball book, documentarian who conducted interviews for 'Pinball: The Man Who Saved The Game' film, founder/advocate who helped establish legal framework for pinball as game of skill
Pinball designer; featured in museum panel about designer and Addams Family machine
Pinball hero featured in museum educational displays
Williams executive who facilitated acquisition of Hollywood film licenses for pinball games
Close friend of Lyman Sheets; legendary pinball figure who witnessed Lyman's championship wins; spoke at Lyman's funeral; described Lyman's discipline as unparalleled
Father of Zach Sharp; pinball industry figure; referenced as 'lord and savior of pinball' in community
Legendary pinball figure, journalist, game designer, tournament pioneer; legalized pinball in NYC (1976) and multiple states; co-founded PAPA; wrote 'Pinball!' (1975)
Pinball historian; featured guest on Wedgehead episode 20 discussing Harry Williams
Co-founder/reviver of modern IFPA in 2006; pinball historian and industry advocate
Pinball historian and competitive player; father of Zach Sharp; involved in tournament scene that introduced Jack Danger to serious pinball play
Magazine critic who reviewed Airborne Avenger; Ritchie references him as 'Roger Sharp' in Critics Corner article.
Legendary pinball figure; subject of Kinetesis action figure release; attended Pinball Expo; appeared in signed selfie with daughters
Former Williams Licensing and Marketing Director; founder of Sharpe Communications
Featured subject of Pinball Magazine Issue 1 with 112-page interview; legendary pinball figure
Pinball legal advocate who helped overturn the New York pinball ban; featured prominently in book
Pinball author, marketing figure, and subject of the film; gave testimony before NYC council on pinball legality; attended the London premiere with wife Ellen
PAPA co-founder; panelist on licensing; introduced Steve Epstein to Hall of Fame
Pinball personality; first to play Oktoberfest at Pinball Expo 2018 seminar
Subject of main feature interview in Pinball Magazine's first issue; historical pinball figure
Co-founder and joint runner of IFPA (2006), co-founder of PAPA in late 1970s, competitive pinball player and industry figure
Pinball personality/expert present at JJP design summit
Co-founder of IFPA
Pinball player/historian who demonstrated in 1976 that pinball was a game of skill, leading to lifting of NYC ban after 34 years
Original IFPA director; returned in May 2006 to revive organization; father of world-class players Josh and Zach Sharpe
Veteran pinball industry figure with decades of experience in licensing and marketing for pinball, video games, and slot machines; special guest at DPO Expo 2015
Pinball industry figure who paid tribute to Barry; noted working with him from Phoenix onward
IFPA Director; presented first World's Greatest Pinball Player award to Keith Elwin at ASI show in Las Vegas
Pinball historian known as 'The Man Who Saved Pinball,' industry veteran of 25+ years
Pinball legend and licensor who was tasked with approaching the Prince estate to secure licensing rights
Subject of documentary; legendary pinball historian and advocate credited with overturning NYC's ban on pinball through 1976 testimony establishing the game as skill-based
Pinball historian and legal advocate who challenged NYC's pinball ban; subject of upcoming biopic
Legendary pinball historian and advocate known as "the man who saved pinball"; born August 1st; attempted to purchase Gottlieb Premier and Bally/Williams
Pinball designer who created the prototype; historically known as 'the man who saved pinball'
Pinball historian and industry figure, provided tribute to Oursler, mentioned working together on Phoenix and Barracora
Subject of documentary 'Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game' releasing March 17; movie screening at TPF; designated 'celebrity guest'
Legendary pinball figure; subject of two-part interview on show; has appeared in multiple video games including unreleased Power of Baseball
Legendary pinball historian and advocate credited with saving pinball from cultural obsolescence; provided endorsement quote for International Pinball Day
Pinball industry figure; member of Star Wars Episode I design team
Designer at Williams/Bally; known for quality-focused design approach; secured licenses like Terminator 2
Legendary pinball figure ('the man who saved pinball'); confirmed as potential guest for later in episode
Episode title reference; pinball legend and historical figure (not directly featured in episode content)
Williams executive who brought Elvira licensing opportunity to Dennis Nordman and Greg Frares
Legendary pinball historian and legal advocate; established pinball as game of skill in 1976 case; attended 30+ industry shows; interviewed discussing modern game design vs. classic games
Subject of Pinball documentary; appearing at Texas Pinball Festival for Q&A; pioneering pinball figure
Featured in documentary about pinball/pinball 2000 era. Documentary figure discussed for balancing pinball content with broader storytelling appeal.
Legendary pinball designer and historian; host's guest; father of Josh and Zach Sharpe; close friend of deceased Steve Epstein
Legendary pinball designer, author, former Williams marketing director, famous for 1976 'game of skill' testimony that legalized pinball in NYC; designed Cyclops and Barracora; co-founder of PAPA; father of Josh and Zach Sharp.
Legendary pinball marketing director and industry veteran (26.5 years at Williams/Bally/Midway); guest discussing 1990s pinball design philosophy and internal dynamics
Legendary pinball historian, designer, and industry figure; author of first major pinball book; proved pinball as game of skill before NYC Council; founded PAPA with Steve Epstein; worked as director of marketing at Williams; guest on this episode
Legendary pinball historian, author of 'The Man Who Saved Pinball,' hired as Williams marketing director in 1988; instrumental in licensing strategy and 90s renaissance
Legendary pinball figure ('The Man Who Saved Pinball'); achieved Grand Champion on Pokémon Pro on first play
Josh Sharp's grandfather; implemented youth development strategy avoiding early competition pressure
Legendary pinball historian, player, and advocate; led 1976 court case proving pinball is a game of skill; authored definitive pinball history book; worked at GQ magazine; pioneered pinball legalization movement
Legendary pinball figure; grand opening tied to 50th anniversary of 'The Shot'; Bank Shot machine will be raffled signed by Sharpe
Pinball historian; attended event to introduce screening of 'Pinball: The Man Who Saved The Game' biopic and discuss Sharpshooter game
Presented Elvira and the Party Monsters license idea to Williams; pinball industry figure
Legendary pinball historian, designer, and author; testified in 1976 NYC courtroom to legalize pinball; designed Sharpshooter for Game Plan; worked at Williams as Director of Marketing starting 1988; sons Joshua and Zachary continue his legacy.
Pinball legend; discussed Medieval Madness Remake in video from eleven years ago
Observed at Spooky booth playing Beetlejuice at Pinball at the Beach
Williams executive; negotiated Arnold Schwarzenegger's consent for Terminator voiceover participation
Referenced as guest on previous podcast episode discussing Bally Williams acquisition attempts