For many years, Team Pinball has been a significant contributor to the pinball industry, renowned for its collaboration with Pedretti Gaming on hardware and software solutions for their Funhouse and Whirlwind 2.0 kits, as well as the Funhouse remake machine. The company has also been actively developing several upcoming titles, including a highly anticipated remake of Capcom’s classic, Big Bang Bar. Following a period of significant development and subsequent withdrawal from the project, Team Pinball has issued a detailed statement to the pinball community to clarify their perspective on the events that led to their disengagement from the Big Bang Bar remake.

Genesis of the Big Bang Bar Remake Project

The Big Bang Bar remake project, a venture that has generated considerable buzz within the pinball enthusiast community, officially commenced in 2022. This ambitious undertaking involved a tripartite collaboration, bringing together distinct expertise from three key entities:

  • Pedretti Gaming / Manufacturing: Tasked with the crucial role of physical manufacturing and production of the pinball machines.
  • Team Pinball: Responsible for the intricate software programming and the development of electronic components and systems.
  • Melvin Williams: Appointed to handle all aspects of prototyping and redesign work for the game, leveraging his deep understanding of the original machine and pinball mechanics.

This initial partnership was forged with the shared goal of resurrecting a beloved classic, aiming to bring a faithful yet modernized rendition of Big Bang Bar to a new generation of players and dedicated collectors. The involvement of Melvin Williams was particularly noteworthy, given his direct connection to the original Capcom title and his extensive experience in pinball design and restoration.

Initial Collaboration and Subsequent Disagreements

The early stages of the Big Bang Bar remake project were characterized by a focused effort to establish a solid foundation for the machine. Melvin Williams, in his capacity as the prototyping and redesign lead, successfully developed initial prototypes and gathered all pertinent documentation and intellectual property related to the game. These prototypes were instrumental in defining the physical layout, mechanical components, and overall aesthetic of the remake.

However, the collaborative spirit that marked the project’s inception eventually fractured due to irreconcilable disagreements that arose between Melvin Williams and Pedretti Gaming. The specifics of these disagreements have not been publicly detailed, but their severity led to the cessation of the initial collaboration. At this critical juncture, Melvin Williams retained possession of the completed prototypes and all associated paperwork, representing a significant portion of the project’s foundational work.

Continued Partnership with Pedretti Gaming

Despite the dissolution of the original three-party collaboration, Team Pinball elected to continue its working relationship with Pedretti Gaming on other projects. This decision underscored the perceived strength and positive nature of their ongoing partnership. Team Pinball highlighted that their association with Pedretti Gaming had spanned nearly four years, during which they experienced a highly cordial and productive relationship. They expressed a sentiment that their connection extended beyond a mere business arrangement, viewing Pedretti Gaming as both partners and friends. This enduring rapport was maintained even through periods of considerable pressure and challenging production cycles, with both parties consistently demonstrating mutual respect and maintaining a friendly demeanor.

This sustained collaboration suggests a level of trust and commitment from Team Pinball towards Pedretti Gaming, even after the initial setback with the Big Bang Bar project. It also implies that Team Pinball believed in the viability of future projects with Pedretti Gaming, separate from the complexities that had arisen with Melvin Williams.

Acquisition of the Prototype and Renewed Efforts

In a significant development that marked a new phase for the Big Bang Bar remake, Team Pinball, in October 2024, purchased one of the original prototypes directly from Melvin Williams. This acquisition was undertaken with the explicit agreement and full knowledge of Pedretti Gaming. The understanding and agreed-upon terms of this purchase were clear: Team Pinball would assume responsibility for completing the game by providing the necessary software and electronics support. Furthermore, they committed to supplying the manufacturing Printed Circuit Board (PCB) files, essential for mass production, in exchange for royalties on each machine sold.

This pivotal transaction represented Team Pinball’s direct investment and renewed commitment to bringing the Big Bang Bar remake to fruition. It also signaled a strategic shift, positioning Team Pinball as the primary driver for the game’s technical completion, with Pedretti Gaming’s role focused on manufacturing.

Progress and Setbacks in the Final Stages

The renewed efforts quickly translated into tangible progress. In 2025, Team Pinball shipped their acquired prototype to Pedretti Gaming’s facilities. A delegation from Team Pinball personally traveled to Pedretti Gaming’s location to finalize the machine’s integration with the version 2 PCBs. During this intensive period of collaboration, Pedretti Gaming implemented several physical updates to the machine. These modifications included enhancements to the cabinet design and the replacement of the initial blank whitewood playfield with the final printed version. It is important to note that this final printed playfield had also been a collaborative design effort, originally conceived in 2022 with input from Melvin Williams.

At this stage, the Big Bang Bar remake was reported to be nearing completion. The primary remaining tasks involved software polishing and fine-tuning, aspects for which Team Pinball held the core expertise.

Following the on-site finalization, the teams continued to work remotely. However, communication from Pedretti Gaming abruptly ceased. Initially, Team Pinball attributed this communication gap to potential production demands related to another project, the Predator pinball machine. Subsequently, they were informed that the Big Bang Bar remake would be postponed to 2026. This revised timeline was accepted by Team Pinball, as they viewed additional time for refinement as beneficial for the game’s quality.

The Prototypes’ Return and Escalating Concerns

A critical turning point in the project’s trajectory occurred when Team Pinball requested the return of their prototype. Their stated intention was to continue polishing and finalizing the software independently, thereby preparing the machine for production. Team Pinball emphasized that their standard practice during normal business cooperation involved returning machines after completing their respective tasks, and they intended to adhere to this protocol.

The response to this request was a definitive "NO." This outright refusal came as a profound shock to Team Pinball, particularly in light of a subsequent statement from Pedretti Gaming indicating their decision not to manufacture the Big Bang Bar remake at all.

Following this perplexing turn of events, Team Pinball was later informed that the prototype could be returned, but only if they agreed to cover the costs associated with the cabinet swap, playfield modifications, and other developmental changes made during the process. While this proposition was disappointing, Team Pinball expressed their willingness to bear these costs in order to retrieve their prototype. This willingness to pay indicated their continued belief that the prototype was still recognized as their property, a sentiment reinforced by Pedretti Gaming’s conditional offer for its return.

Unresolved Ownership and Financial Losses

The situation further deteriorated after another period of silence from Pedretti Gaming. Team Pinball was ultimately informed that the prototype would not be returned, with the justification being that it was considered Pedretti Gaming’s property. This assertion directly contradicted the prior communication that suggested a financial contribution could secure its return, creating a significant discrepancy and raising serious questions about ownership.

The financial implications for Team Pinball are substantial. They have estimated their total loss to be approximately €90,000. This figure encompasses:

  • The purchased prototype: Acquired directly from Melvin Williams, representing a significant upfront investment.
  • Custom electronics: Proprietary hardware developed by Team Pinball for the machine.
  • Colored DMD frames: Specialized components for the display.
  • PCB development: Costs associated with designing and creating the circuit boards.
  • Years of software development: The extensive labor and expertise invested in programming the game’s logic, features, and gameplay.

The stark contrast between the initial collaborative spirit and the eventual refusal to return the prototype, coupled with the conflicting justifications, has led Team Pinball to express profound concern. They are left to question whether their role was intended to be limited to completing the machine for Pedretti Gaming to then take over, effectively pushing them out of the project entirely. While they express a hope that this was not the case, the sequence of events makes it difficult for them to perceive the situation otherwise.

Commitment to Transparency and Community Awareness

Team Pinball has explicitly stated that they do not intend to pursue expensive legal action at this juncture. However, they feel a strong obligation to inform the pinball community about their experience and the reasons behind their withdrawal from the Big Bang Bar project, as well as their disengagement from other projects involving Pedretti Gaming. They emphasize that this public statement is not intended to generate drama but rather to ensure transparency and present their side of the unfolding events.

To support their account, Team Pinball asserts that they possess a comprehensive collection of agreements, screenshots, photographs, and development records that corroborate their statements. They hope that their explanation will also shed light on the various rumors that have circulated regarding the Big Bang Bar remake over the years, and clarify why Melvin Williams’ name was intermittently mentioned in discussions, given his foundational role in creating the prototypes and his possession of original Capcom parts and molds.

Broader Implications for the Pinball Industry

The public statement by Team Pinball serves as a critical disclosure for the pinball community, which often relies on transparency and trust between developers, manufacturers, and enthusiasts. The dispute highlights potential challenges in collaborative ventures within the specialized niche of pinball manufacturing and development.

The situation raises important questions about intellectual property rights, contractual obligations, and the dissolution of partnerships in the context of high-value, long-term development projects. The financial loss incurred by Team Pinball, as reported, underscores the significant risks involved in such endeavors, particularly when prototypes and proprietary development are at stake.

For the pinball industry, this event serves as a cautionary tale, emphasizing the importance of clear contractual agreements, robust dispute resolution mechanisms, and open communication channels between all parties involved in bringing a new pinball machine to market. The future of the Big Bang Bar remake remains uncertain, and the community will undoubtedly be watching for any further developments or clarifications from Pedretti Gaming, should they choose to respond. The transparency provided by Team Pinball, however, offers a vital perspective for understanding the complexities and potential pitfalls inherent in the collaborative landscape of modern pinball development.