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Pigs Cleared for Take-off

Pinball News Website·article·analyzed·Jun 3, 2007
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Analysis

claude-haiku-4-5-20251001 · $0.014

TL;DR

PMI completes Big Bang Bar reproduction after 3-year manufacturing struggle

Summary

Gene Cunningham's PMI (Pinball Manufacturing Inc.) successfully completed production of new Big Bang Bar pinball machines on June 3, 2007, after nearly three years of delays, supply chain obstacles, and manufacturing challenges. The first batch shipped to European customers in July 2006 to meet RoHS lead import deadlines, with full production completion achieved by June 2007. Despite producing each machine at an estimated cost of $6,500 versus the $4,500 asking price, Cunningham absorbed losses and delivered to patient pre-order customers who had paid deposits as far back as November 2004.

Key Claims

  • Gene Cunningham announced plans to build new Big Bang Bar machines on October 11, 2004

    high confidence · Direct statement in article citing specific announcement date

  • The reproduction Big Bang Bar machines were priced at $4,500

    high confidence · Multiple references to pricing throughout article

  • Each Big Bang Bar machine cost Gene Cunningham approximately $6,500 to produce

    high confidence · Direct quote: 'by Gene's estimates - $6,500 for him to produce (he took the hit on the extra costs)'

  • First batch of games shipped to European customers in July 2006 to comply with RoHS lead import regulations

    high confidence · Article states: 'The patience of a lucky few was rewarded in Europe when, to beat the deadline on the import of products containing lead, they received the first batch of games in July last year'

  • PMI faced significant obstacles with parts suppliers and experienced delays and cost increases

    high confidence · Article notes: 'Gene, himself, has not been shy about the obstacles and difficulties he has encountered along the way with his pinball manufacturing company (PMI) and the various parts suppliers. Promises were not fulfilled, delays were incurred and prices mounted.'

  • Cunningham used a closed forum to provide regular progress updates to pre-order customers

    high confidence · Article states: 'his regular feedback through the closed forum kept those who paid their money updated on progress'

Notable Quotes

  • “Some said it could never happen, some scoffed at the very notion, while others were all too willing to take a punt on him pulling it off.”

    Article author — Sets tone for community skepticism about PMI's ability to deliver reproduction machines

  • “The $4,500 price tag was not the issue, but few thought a company hitherto thought lethargic and unambitious by some could mount the resources necessary to actually build new games.”

    Article author — Explains core community concern—not price, but manufacturer credibility and execution capability

  • “Promises were not fulfilled, delays were incurred and prices mounted.”

    Article author (summarizing Gene's disclosures) — Catalogs manufacturing challenges PMI faced during production

  • “Although the intention was to release all the games simultaneously, the new RoHS laws forced PMI's hand.”

    Article author — Explains regulatory context forcing staggered release strategy

  • “by Gene's estimates - $6,500 for him to produce (he took the hit on the extra costs)”

    Article author (paraphrasing Gene Cunningham's disclosure) — Documents manufacturer's financial loss on each unit and commitment to customer delivery

Entities

Gene CunninghampersonPMIcompanyBig Bang BargameBloomington, IllinoislocationRoHSregulation

Signals

  • ?

    business_signal: PMI absorbed significant per-unit manufacturing losses ($2,000 loss per machine at $6,500 production cost vs. $4,500 sales price), raising questions about business sustainability

    high · Gene's estimates showed $6,500 production cost with $4,500 selling price; article notes 'he took the hit on the extra costs'

  • ?

    business_signal: Regulatory compliance (RoHS lead import deadline) forced staggered release strategy, with European pre-orders fulfilling first in July 2006 to meet regulatory window

    high · Article states: 'to beat the deadline on the import of products containing lead, they received the first batch of games in July last year' and 'the new RoHS laws forced PMI's hand'

  • ?

    business_signal: PMI successfully delivers reproduction Big Bang Bar machines after 2.75-year development cycle from initial announcement (October 2004) to final delivery (June 2007)

    high · Article documents full timeline from October 11, 2004 announcement through June 2007 delivery completion

  • ~

    sentiment_shift: Pre-order customer base maintained faith throughout 33-month delay cycle, rewarding manufacturer's transparency via closed forum updates

    high · Article notes: 'the vast majority kept the faith' and 'his regular feedback through the closed forum kept those who paid their money updated on progress'

  • ?

    product_strategy: Extended manufacturing delays caused by supply chain failures, unfulfilled promises from parts suppliers, and regulatory compliance requirements (RoHS lead regulations)

    high · Article states: 'Promises were not fulfilled, delays were incurred and prices mounted' and 'the new RoHS laws forced PMI's hand'

Topics

Manufacturing and production challengesprimarySupply chain and parts sourcing difficultiesprimaryReproduction/legacy pinball machine manufacturingprimaryCommunity trust and pre-order customer relationsprimaryRegulatory compliance (RoHS lead regulations)secondaryPricing and manufacturer marginssecondary

Sentiment

positive(0.82)— Article celebrates successful completion of ambitious project despite significant obstacles. Tone is congratulatory and validates customer patience. Some implicit skepticism about PMI's initial reputation ('lethargic and unambitious') is overcome by demonstrated execution.

Transcript

raw_text · $0.000

Story dated: 3rd June 2007 Some said it could never happen, some scoffed at the very notion, while others were all too willing to take a punt on him pulling it off. When we first announced Gene Cunningham's plans to build new Big Bang Bar machines back on the 11th October 2004, pinball fans around the world were split on whether he could ever turn the games from a pipe dream into reality. The $4,500 price tag was not the issue, but few thought a company hitherto thought lethargic and unambitious by some could mount the resources necessary to actually build new games. Yes, he had the circuit boards needed, but - as others have discovered - there's a lot more to building games than just owning some of the parts. Gene, himself, has not been shy about the obstacles and difficulties he has encountered along the way with his pinball manufacturing company (PMI) and the various parts suppliers. Promises were not fulfilled, delays were incurred and prices mounted. But his regular feedback through the closed forum kept those who paid their money updated on progress and the vast majority kept the faith. Several pinball personalities pitched in to help make the dream happen - working at the assembly plant, building parts and games, responding to questions and keeping the project's momentum. The patience of a lucky few was rewarded in Europe when, to beat the deadline on the import of products containing lead, they received the first batch of games in July last year. Although the intention was to release all the games simultaneously, the new RoHS laws forced PMI's hand. But it was a massive boost to the project's supporters because there was finally proof games did exist, and PMI were capable of manufacturing the remainder in the not-too-distant future. Well, that time has now arrived and all the obstacles have been overcome. This weekend buyers could turn up at the assembly facilities in Bloomington, Illinois and collect the game they ordered for $4,500 back in November 2004. Their faith had been amply rewarded by a game that cost - by Gene's estimates - $6,500 for him to produce (he took the hit on the extra costs), and as well as enjoying a welcome party, visitors received a tour of Gene's personal collection. Those not in a position to collect will have their games shipped to them this week. It's been a massive undertaking and the dedication and commitment of those involved cannot be underestimated, so congratulations not only to Gene and everyone at PMI for having the vision and turning it into real pinball machines, but also to all the lucky owners who have discovered the old adage is indeed true, that good things come to those who wait. Back to the news page Back to the front page