Journalist Tool

Kineticist

  • HDashboard
  • IItems
  • ↓Ingest
  • SSources
  • KBeats
  • BBriefs
  • RIntel
  • QSearch
  • AActivity
  • +Health
  • ?Guide

v0.1.0

← All beats

Pinball

/pinball

DashboardKnowledge Base2768IntelligenceTools1SettingsChangelog
← Back to KB

Midway

companyactive52 mentionsFirst seen May 23, 2007Last seen Feb 17, 2026

Profile

Midway was an American arcade and pinball manufacturer that acquired Williams Electronics in the early 1980s, becoming a major force in coin-operated gaming. The company manufactured arcade games and pinball machines at their Franklin Park, Illinois facility, producing over 1100 games per day at peak capacity. Midway later became owned by Valley and continued producing both arcade and home pinball games before eventually closing, after which some former employees (like Keith Johnson) were offered positions at competing companies like Stern.

Aliases

No aliases

Relationships

  • ownsAtariAtari was later acquired by Midwaymedium
  • manufacturesSpace InvadersMidway produced the original arcade version of Space Invadersmedium

Facts

  • achievementPurchased rights to Japanese games including Namco Pac-Man and manufactured them in U.S.high
  • achievementMerged with Bally in early 1980shighfrom 1980 until 1983
  • affiliationDaughter company of Williamshigh
  • attributeAmerican arcade distributorhigh
  • attributeProduced 1100 games per day at peak capacityhigh
  • locationVideo game manufacturer located in Franklin Park, Illinoishigh

Claims (8)

  • factualhigh

    The Grid was developed by Midway and released in 2000 as Midway's last arcade game

    Source: RetroRalphMystery Box from Galloping Ghost Arcade: What's inside?!
  • factualhigh

    The Grid was Midway's last arcade game, released in 2000

    Source: JonRARE Arcade Pickup - The Grid!
  • factualhigh

    The Grid and Cruisin' Exotica are the only two arcade games to use Midway's Zeus 2 hardware platform

    Source: JonRARE Arcade Pickup - The Grid!
  • factualhigh

    Original Killer Instinct arcade used internal hard drives and Silicon Graphics pre-rendered assets

    Source: RetroRalph

Recent Mentions (52)

  • Prominent EM-era gun game manufacturer, known for motorized score reels

    Episode 94 - EM Rifle Games - Smoke and MirrorsJun 13, 2015
  • Manufacturer of Mystery Score and other pinball machines from the 1960s

    Episode 235 - 1965 Midway Mystery ScoreNov 1, 2015
  • Pitch-and-bat manufacturer using motor-based scoring instead of solenoid-driven score reels

    Episode 13 - Pitch and Bat GamesMar 24, 2015
  • Manufacturer that produced some turret shooter games

    Episode 360 - The Turret ShooterMar 5, 2016
  • 1960s pinball manufacturer mentioned among major EM producers in America

    Episode 9 - What's So Great About the 60's?Mar 20, 2015
  • EM arcade game manufacturer known for Chopper helicopter game using levers to pilot model helicopter; made pitch-and-bat games and auto-race games

    Episode 66 - EM Arcade GamesMay 16, 2015
  • Pinball and game machine manufacturer; produced Joker Ball (1959) and Flying Carpet (1970)

Contradictions

  • Existing: Midway acquired/merged with Williams in early 1980s (mention 5)vsConflicting: Mention 0 describes Williams as a daughter company of Midway, reversing the acquisition direction
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 2, 2026
  • Existing: Midway was an American pinball/arcade manufacturervsConflicting: Mention 1 describes Midway as an 'American arcade distributor' that 'purchased rights to Japanese games' and manufactured them, conflating Midway with a distribution model more aligned with Segasa, not Midway's primary manufacturing business
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 3, 2026

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

Arcade1up - Killer Instinct - Can they really do this?
  • factualhigh

    Midway motorized score reels from the 1960s used clutch mechanisms similar to bingo machines

    Source: Nicholas BackboneEpisode 83 - Score Reel Differences
  • factualhigh

    Midway motorized score reel nylon couplings are over 50 years old and prone to snapping under pressure

    Source: Nicholas BackboneEpisode 83 - Score Reel Differences
  • factualhigh

    Replacement nylon couplings for Midway motorized score reels are currently unavailable commercially

    Source: Nicholas BackboneEpisode 83 - Score Reel Differences
  • factualhigh

    Midway made Chopper helicopter arcade game using levers to pilot model helicopter landing in specific spots

    Source: Nick BaldridgeEpisode 66 - EM Arcade Games
  • Episode 232 - Interview with Chad Dubovsky 10-27-15Oct 29, 2015
  • Arcade game manufacturer that made rifle games and other arcade cabinets, part of the early arcade business.

    RePlay Magazine Podcast - Eddie Adlum Part 2Oct 10, 2025
  • Classic arcade game manufacturer, subject of the Insert Coin documentary

    YOU must WATCH this NOW - Insert Coin - Midway Documentary!Dec 4, 2020
  • NYC pinball venue near Quarter Club in Williamsburg, home venue of Balls of Steel team

    As Birthday as Apple PieSep 23, 2024
  • Arcade/video game division of Williams/Bally, ceased pinball and arcade operations in 1999, assets led to Raw Thrills creation

    Ep 33: How To Get A Great Tan with Josh SharpeApr 25, 2020
  • Parent company that acquired Bally and changed cabinet design to arcade-style particleboard construction in mid-1980s

    #72 Fireball Classic - The Classic Pinball PodcastJan 18, 2022
  • Video game company that employed Sheridan Oursler (Barry Oursler's brother).

    Pinball Heroes: Barry OurslerApr 4, 2009
  • Parent company of Williams; provided Mace arcade game assets for Pinball 2000 prototype

    Pinball Heroes: John PopadiukJul 4, 2009
  • Manufacturing division where Bally moved its pinball group around 1982; later context involves the sale of Bally Pinball to Harry Williams in 1988.

    Jim PatlaAug 30, 2022
  • Historical arcade/pinball manufacturer; pioneered motorized score reel system in 1960s with clutch mechanisms

    Episode 83 - Score Reel DifferencesJun 2, 2015
  • Arcade manufacturer referenced for superior bass design in racing games with seat bass shakers

    Arcade Cabinet Pickup - OutRun2!Apr 5, 2021
  • Classic arcade game manufacturer referenced in context of Chicago's arcade history

    World's LARGEST Arcade - Galloping Ghost - Doc Mack Interview!Nov 19, 2021
  • Original manufacturer of Killer Instinct arcade; co-developed Ultra 64 proprietary hardware with Rare

    Arcade1up - Killer Instinct - Can they really do this?Jan 15, 2021
  • Arcade cabinet manufacturer; provided the cabinet housing for War Final Assault; also associated with Vegas board set

    RARE First-Person Shooter Arcade Game Pickup!Mar 17, 2022
  • Original manufacturer of Killer Instinct arcade cabinet (manufacturing sticker visible inside)

    Arcade Cabinet Pickup - KILLER INSTINCT!Jan 20, 2021
  • Developer and publisher of The Grid (2000), Midway's final arcade game; also made Cruisin' Exotica on Zeus 2 hardware

    RARE Arcade Pickup - The Grid!Mar 29, 2022
  • Arcade game manufacturer; manufacturer of Cruisin' World

    1st Arcade Cabinet Pickups of 2021!Jan 2, 2021
  • Manufacturer of redemption and arcade games being installed during Castles and Coasters expansion

    A Major Pinball Upgrade Coming SOON!Dec 28, 2022
  • Arcade game developer credited with Hydro Thunder, Arctic Thunder, Cruisin' Exotica

    Top 10 Arcade Racing Games!Oct 14, 2022
  • Arcade manufacturer referenced regarding dust cap design conventions on 90s games

    Saving Humanity one Arcade at a time!Nov 30, 2022
  • Publisher/licensor of games on the cabinet (Joust, Robotron, Defender, Tron)

    This Arcade Game SUCKS!Jun 2, 2023
  • Arcade game manufacturer; developer/publisher of The Grid in 2000

    My Most Epic Arcade Discovery!Feb 26, 2022
  • Arcade game developer that created The Grid in 2000

    Mystery Box from Galloping Ghost Arcade: What's inside?!Oct 6, 2022
  • Historical arcade game publisher; credited with creating Ms. Pac-Man

    How to install a 60in1 board in your Pacman/Ms.Pacman Arcade MachineAug 23, 2018
  • Arcade/game manufacturer acquired by Williams in 1988 along with Bally; contributed limited design talent (Brian Colon, Jeff Nauman) to pinball division.

    Pinball Expo Hall of Fame Inductions - Pinball Expo 2018 - Pinball NewsOct 23, 2018
  • Pinball manufacturer (Valley/Midway games mentioned as using 74154 ICs)

    Brett Davis - Pinball Expo 2023 - Pinball NewsOct 20, 2023
  • Division of Williams/Midway; Gomez worked in Midway during 1970s arcade era, then transitioned to pinball side.

    Pinball 2000 Part 2 - Featuring George GomezApr 11, 2024
  • Pinball manufacturer with documentation (1933-2000) included in archives

    THE STRONG ACQUIRES PINBALL ARCHIVEJun 28, 2018
  • Pinball manufacturer that released The Addams Family (1992), Twilight Zone, and Terminator 2 licensed machines.

    SILVER SCREEN TO SILVER BALLApr 26, 2019
  • Video game division where Penacho worked on Mortal Kombat and NBA Jam

    MARK PENACHO JOINS STERN PINBALLMar 7, 2021
  • Video game company where Gomez headed up game teams

    Gomez Joins SternJul 12, 2011
  • Arcade game manufacturer that purchased cabinets from Churchill during video game boom

    CHURCHILL CABINET COMPANY TOURNov 4, 2016
  • Spun off from WMS; retained distribution agreement for WMS pinball; pushed for Playboy theme and forced Haunted House cancellation

    Rare Pictures of Never Produced Williams Pinball 2000 Concept Games...Star Trek, Defender & MoreJan 25, 2023
  • Leading US video game producer (late 1970s-late 1980s); licensed Pac-Man and Ms. Pac-Man; had $500M revenue in 1982 before being absorbed by Bally's GE-influenced parent company

    Pinball Is Dying Part 3 – Bally-MidwayJan 16, 2023
  • Video game division of Williams; employed George Gomez as executive producer (2000s) on NBA Ballers franchise

    The Architect – George Gomez Part 2Oct 15, 2022
  • Video game manufacturer contacted by Walter Day in 1982; referred Casey Murphy's Gallagher high score inquiry to Twin Galaxies, leading to first remote score submission call.

    Episode 238: Walter Day, an oral historyDec 25, 2019
  • Company that acquired Williams/Bally; Midway later collapsed, making certain artists (Kevin O'Connor, Margaret Hudson) available as freelancers

    Episode 45 - Pinball Art Director w/ Greg FreresAug 26, 2024
  • Gaming company that offered Keith position after Williams closure; he turned down their offer to join Stern

    TOPCast 63: Keith JohnsonNov 2, 2008
  • Company owned by Valley; manufactured home pinball games; was to produce Evil Knievel home game but replaced it with Galaxy Ranger

    TOPCast 48: Paul FarisAug 12, 2007
  • Video game manufacturer in Franklin Park, Illinois where Gomez began his career; produced 1100 games per day at peak

    TOPCast 40: George GomezJun 10, 2007
  • Merged with Bally in early 1980s; resulted in Nordman's layoff after one year

    TOPCast 36: Dennis NordmanMay 23, 2007
  • Company that acquired Williams; Richie worked at briefly during Atari employment

    Steve Ritchie, King of Flow, visits the Dutch Pinball MuseumNov 21, 2025
  • Company where Sam Zehr previously worked in coin-op software

    Big News About Upcoming Bally Williams Pinball RemakesDec 31, 2025
  • Pinball NYC venue hosting Left Flipper division matches; home to Balls of Steel

    Another Week to Contemplate Their FateNov 24, 2025
  • American arcade distributor; purchased rights to Japanese games (Namco Pac-Man) and manufactured them in U.S., similar to Segasa's Williams licensing model

    Pinball Tapas - Segasa-Sega S.A. Sonic PinballNov 13, 2025
  • Daughter company of Williams where JP completed his internship doing video graphics for touchscreen games

    Episode 64 – Jean-Paul de Win and Steve GouveiaOct 15, 2018