Possible Evidence that A Different Company is Now Working on a Capcom Pinball Kingpin Remake

Knapp Arcade·article·analyzed·Feb 21, 2023

Analysis

claude-haiku-4-5-20251001 · $0.017

TL;DR

New Kingpin pinball remake trademark filing hints at Dutch Pinball involvement

Summary

A new trademark application filed in February 2024 by Williams and a Netherlands-based individual suggests a potential new party may be working on a Kingpin pinball remake, replacing or supplementing Circus Maximus's stalled efforts. The specificity of the trademark and the Netherlands connection raise speculation about possible Dutch Pinball involvement, though this remains unconfirmed.

Key Claims

Circus Maximus has not released significant updates on their Kingpin remake in over a year or two
medium confidence · Author observation of lack of public communication from Circus Maximus
A new trademark application for Kingpin was filed February 2nd by Williams and a Netherlands-based individual for pinball machines and accessories
high confidence · Direct reference to trademark database filing
Two previous Kingpin trademark applications existed: one abandoned in 2020 and one from Planetary Pinball cancelled in 2017
high confidence · Trademark database records cited
Only nine Kingpin machines were originally produced
high confidence · Historical pinball production data; Kingpin designed by Mark Ritchie
The author heard unverified rumors about Dutch Pinball working on a Big Bang Bar remake
low confidence · Author states 'I had heard rumblings...but I never knew if they were actually true'

Notable Quotes

“For a while, things for that remake seemed to be on track, with a prototype game making the trip to the Southern Fried Gaming Expo and collectable translites with new art being sold.”
Author — Documents Circus Maximus's prior progress before apparent stall
“However, over the past year or two there hasn't been much word out of Circus Maximus, leading to speculation that they may have abandoned the Kingpin project.”
Author — Key observation about stalled communication from original developer
“I wonder if this has anything to do with Dutch Pinball?”
Author — Speculative connection between new trademark applicant and Dutch Pinball
“Only nine of this Mark Ritchie-designed game were ever produced, so it's exceptionally rare and may have a market.”
Author — Establishes rarity/collector value of original Kingpin

Entities

Circus Maximuscompany Kingpingame Dutch Pinballcompany Planetary Pinballcompany Williamscompany Mark Ritchieperson Big Bang BargameSouthern Fried Gaming Expo

Signals

?
business_signal: New trademark application suggests potential developer change for Kingpin remake, with Netherlands-based applicant possibly indicating Dutch Pinball involvement
medium · February 2024 Williams trademark application with Netherlands individual for Kingpin pinball machines and accessories
?
leak_detection: Trademark application database provides first concrete evidence of new Kingpin remake development after extended silence
high · Specific trademark filing found in public database with clear Kingpin and pinball machine references
?
product_strategy: Circus Maximus Kingpin remake appears stalled with minimal public communication over past 1-2 years
medium · Author notes 'over the past year or two there hasn't been much word out of Circus Maximus' despite prior prototype displays
?
rumor_hype: Unconfirmed reports of Dutch Pinball working on Big Bang Bar remake, now connected speculatively to Kingpin trademark application
low · Author states 'I had heard rumblings about Dutch and a Big Bang Bar Remake, but I never knew if they were actually true'

Topics

Capcom pinball game remakesprimaryKingpin remake project statusprimaryTrademark filings and IP licensingprimaryDutch Pinball business activitiessecondaryRare pinball machine collectingsecondaryManufacturer project stalls and delayssecondary

Sentiment

neutral(0.5)— Author maintains objective analytical tone while reporting on trademark evidence; speculates about Dutch Pinball involvement without making definitive claims; cautiously optimistic about remake prospects ('third time is the charm?')

Transcript

raw_text · $0.000

For years, a small group of pinball enthusiasts named Circus Maximus worked on a remake of the very rare Capcom pinball machine, Kingpin. For a while, things for that remake seemed to be on track, with a prototype game making the trip to the Southern Fried Gaming Expo and collectable translites with new art being sold. However, over the past year or two there hasn't been much word out of Circus Maximus, leading to speculation that they may have abandoned the Kingpin project. It appears as though there may be a new party interested in remaking Kingpin. If I'm reading this February 2nd trademark application correctly, Williams and an individual in the Netherlands filed an application to use Kingpin in "Pinball machines, parts and accessories for pinball machines" and various items of clothing. Much like the Twilight Zone trademark application that I wrote about in my previous post, this is a very specific application, not some sort of large blanket filing. In addition to the brand new live Trademark for Kingpin pinball, the database contains two dead ones, one that was abandoned in 2020 and one from Planetary Pinball that was cancelled in 2017. Neither of those filings resulted in a remake of the game. Perhaps the third time is the charm? I don't recognize the name of the new applicant, but the fact that they are in the Netherlands jumps out at me. I wonder if this has anything to do with Dutch Pinball? I had heard rumblings about Dutch and a Big Bang Bar Remake, but I never knew if they were actually true. Here's another potential link to Dutch Pinball and Capcom Pinball remakes. Only nine of this Mark Ritchie-designed game were ever produced, so it's exceptionally rare and may have a market. There's definitely a lot of speculation here, but is the first concrete reference to a Kingpin remake that I've seen in quite a while, so it's definitely something to keep an eye on.