Steve Epstein was a legendary pioneering figure in competitive pinball who founded and operated Broadway Arcade. He co-created the IFPA (International Flipper Pinball Association) and collaborated with Roger Sharp on pinball machine design, including work on the Barracora concept. Epstein passed away prior to June 2020 and was regarded by the pinball community as a significant historical figure worthy of documentation.
No aliases
No facts recorded
Steve Epstein understood the ways in which coin-op games and pinball brought people together better than most people in the industry
Steve Epstein was planning a youth tournament with Project Pinball for the NYC Pinball Championship before his death
Steve Epstein's daughter has committed to continuing his charitable work with Project Pinball
Steve Epstein passed away earlier in 2020 after registering for Pinberg
Former owner of Papa tournament rights; sold rights to Kevin Martin in 2004
Tournament organizer/operator of Morristown Game Vault, charity fundraiser, industry legend known for historical Broadway arcade and Papa Duke knowledge
Deceased pioneer of competitive pinball; founder of PAPA; owner of Broadway Arcade (ran ~30 years); recognized as 'father of competitive pinball'
Co-organizer of early Papa league play with Roger Sharp (Josh's father) in early 1980s
Tournament competitor at Pinburgh; runs Broadway Arcade; described as 'super cool'
Succeeded Steve Kordek as president of the Century Club
No linked glossary terms
Steve Epstein, founder of PAPA and owner of Broadway Arcade, passed away.
Steve Epstein passed away within the past week from the interview recording date
Steve Epstein headed the Century Club for approximately 2-3 years before it dissolved
Roger wanted Steve Epstein to head the IFPA but 'the industry at that time, politically speaking, that didn't happen'
Steve Epstein founded Broadway Arcade in New York City and pioneered the first PAPA tournament (PAPA 3) in 1993
Steve Epstein was actively competing in tournaments again at Pinberg and Freeplay Florida in recent years before his passing
Epstein's legacy will ensure his name is remembered through the annual Epstein Cup at IFPA World Championships
The first PAPA league was intentionally scheduled for Saturday morning to test whether players would commit to a competitive league despite having been out Friday night.
Steve Epstein created PAPA and later sold the organization to the Pinburgh tournament organizer
Founder of PAPA; sold PAPA name and assets (magazines, shirts, trophies) to the person organizing Pinburgh tournaments; ran early PAPA tournaments in NYC hotels
Former owner of the world famous Broadway Arcade in New York City; facilitated Peter Max collaboration with Roger Sharpe for PAPA tournament event
Legendary Broadway arcade operator; arcade closed 1997; veteran arcade owner who collaborated with Steve Zoller on Modern Pinball in 2013
Pinball designer and co-owner of Modern Pinball NYC (located at 26th and 3rd); worked with Sharpe on Bericora (formerly Las Vegas) game in 1980s
Former owner of Broadway arcade whose pinball collection was recently acquired by Strong Museum of Play for display.
Co-founder of PAPA (Professional and Amateur Pinball Association), instrumental in building early competitive pinball infrastructure, credited by Sharpe as 'godfather of competitive pinball'
Owner of Broadway Arcade in NYC for 35 years; co-founder of PAPA with Roger Sharpe; lifelong friend of Sharpe; competitive pinball player
Co-founder/reviver of modern IFPA in 2006
Founder and former president of PAPA (Professional Amateur Pinball Association); passed away recently; operated Broadway Arcade in NYC
Broadway Arcade owner/operator and PAPA co-founder (deceased); inducted to Hall of Fame 2024 posthumously
Co-founder and joint runner of IFPA (2006), co-founder of PAPA in late 1970s, competitive pinball player
Co-founder of IFPA
IFPA Director; presented first World's Greatest Pinball Player award to Keith Elwin at ASI show in Las Vegas
Co-founder of Papa with Roger Sharp from Broadway Arcade in New York; passed away in 2020; had registered for final Pinberg before death
Pinball community member who appeared in photo with Lyman, Penny, and Alan. Referenced as recently deceased.
Early pinball competitive scene figure; co-creator of PAPA (Professional and Amateur Pinball Association) with Roger Sharp; wife Sandy helped track tournament scores.
Legendary pinball figure, founder of Broadway Arcade, co-creator of PAPA and modern IFPA, recently deceased; subject of tribute episode
Late co-founder of IFPA with Roger Sharp; referenced as foundational figure in competitive pinball
Pinball community advocate; deceased in 2020; worked with Project Pinball on youth tournament planning for NYC championship; to be honored via 'Steve's Kids Tournament'
Owner of legendary Broadway Arcade in New York City; co-founder of competitive pinball with Roger Sharp; created leagues, tournaments, and PAPA; died June 2020 at age 71.
Operator of Broadway Arcade in New York; ran famous test location for Williams and other manufacturers in pre-internet era; known for getting new games before public release
Legendary pinball figure; confused with Penni Epstein due to shared last name at early PAPA tournaments; became joking 'father' figure to Penni; best friend Roger Sharp participated in the running joke.
Recently deceased pinball industry figure; founder/operator of Broadway Arcade; head of Century Club; close collaborator with Roger Sharpe on IFPA development and Silver Ball Cafe concept
Late iconic figure in coin-op and pinball history; founder/operator of Broadway Arcade in NYC; created Papa competitive pinball system with Roger Sharp; pioneered competitive pinball culture; archival materials recently acquired by Strong.
Operator and owner of Broadway Arcade in New York City from early 1960s through 1997; co-creator of PAPA scoring system with Roger Sharp; lifelong pinball enthusiast and community figure.
Co-founder of PAPA (Professional and Amateur Pinball Association) with Roger Sharpe in 1970s.
Pinball designer who collaborated with Roger Sharp on Barracora concept before Oursler redesign
Legendary pinball figure; recently passed away; had been scheduled for interview by Loser Kid hosts; referenced by Roger Sharp as worth interviewing
Co-designer of original Barracuda layout with Roger Sharp; Barry redesigned playfield
Co-designer of Barracora; co-creator of IFPA; credited only on Barracora with Sharp.
Broadway Arcade founder/operator; featured in Pinball Profile interview; pioneering figure in competitive pinball