The pinball industry is abuzz with significant news as Melvin Brouwer-Williams, a co-founder of Dutch Pinball Exclusive (DPX), has officially parted ways with Dutch Pinball. This abrupt departure has immediate and profound implications for the future production of the highly anticipated title, Retro Atomic Zombie Adventureland (RAZA), effectively shelving all immediate plans for its development and release under the DPX banner. The joint venture, DPX, was established to leverage Brouwer-Williams’ design expertise and intellectual property, with Dutch Pinball responsible for manufacturing the games at their facility in Herkenbosch, the Netherlands.

Genesis and Early Promise of DPX

Dutch Pinball Exclusive (DPX) emerged as a collaborative effort between Melvin Brouwer-Williams and Dutch Pinball, with the express purpose of bringing unique and innovative pinball machine designs to market. Brouwer-Williams, a recognized talent in the pinball design community, brought his creative vision and existing intellectual property to the partnership. Dutch Pinball, with its established manufacturing capabilities, was tasked with the physical realization of these designs. The initial venture culminated in the launch of their inaugural game, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, in October 2024. This limited-run title, capped at 500 units, has been in production since its unveiling, representing the tangible output of the DPX collaboration.

The Unforeseen Split and its Immediate Consequences

The recent separation between Brouwer-Williams and Dutch Pinball was communicated through a formal statement from Brouwer-Williams, which also served to clarify the impact on ongoing projects. He assured stakeholders that the departure would not disrupt the continued production of the outstanding Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland machines. Furthermore, Brouwer-Williams indicated that code updates for the Alice game would persist. However, he cautioned that the pace of these updates might experience a slowdown due to the reduced availability of development resources following his exit.

The cessation of immediate plans for Retro Atomic Zombie Adventureland (RAZA) marks a significant setback. RAZA was slated to be the second title under the DPX umbrella, with its development reportedly nearing completion. The game’s origins trace back to design work initiated by Deeproot Pinball, a company that has since ceased operations due to bankruptcy. The genesis of Deeproot’s RAZA further stemmed from an original design concept by John Popadiuk for his Zidware company. Melvin Brouwer-Williams had previously acquired the rights to Zidware’s intellectual property, including the physical assets associated with the company, a transaction that was reported in December 2022. This acquisition positioned Brouwer-Williams as the owner of the RAZA concept and its associated design heritage.

Following the collapse of Deeproot Pinball, Brouwer-Williams expanded his portfolio by purchasing the rights to games that were under development by that company. This included RAZA and another title, Magic Girl. While Brouwer-Williams had no immediate plans to revive Magic Girl, citing the presence of existing games in circulation and the perceived need for substantial design modifications to ensure playability and manufacturability, RAZA was considered a prime candidate for production.

Underlying Tensions and the Catalyst for Separation

Melvin Brouwer-Williams’ statement hinted at a period of strained relations with Dutch Pinball. He expressed dissatisfaction with the perceived pace and quality of Dutch Pinball’s manufacturing processes, particularly concerning the Alice game and its accompanying topper. These concerns had reportedly been brewing for some time. The timing of the split, coinciding with the impending announcement of RAZA and the introduction of new investors into Dutch Pinball, appears to have brought these underlying issues to a head. The arrival of new financial backing and a potentially divergent strategic vision seems to have precipitated the decision for Brouwer-Williams to step away.

Melvin Brouwer-Williams’ Statement: A Personal Account

In his official statement, dated February 9, 2026, Melvin Brouwer-Williams articulated his reasons for departing DPX and Dutch Pinball. He stated:

"Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Februari 9, 2026

Dear all,
It is with a heavy heart that I have to announce that, effective as of today, I Melvin Brouwer-Williams will be stepping away from DPX (Dutch Pinball Exclusive). This decision is an unfortunate result of a new organizational structure within Dutch Pinball and also because of a new investors party that have a different vision than me. Therefore Dutch Pinball has decided that it will be continuing on its own path without my involvement.

I fully understand that this announcement may raise many questions… And at this moment, I do not yet have all the answers myself, and I must admit that this transition leaves me feeling somewhat uncertain.

As many may know my next game was on its scheduled to be released. Nevertheless, I remain confident in the future of the pinball industry and in my own continued journey within it, unfortunately that won’t be with the Dutch Pinball family. DPX will be defunct as of today for upcoming releases from my involvement. I tried my best to build the brand to a certain point that I now can no longer control to my standards.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere and heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported and believed in me and in Alice throughout this journey. Your trust, encouragement, and shared passion have meant more to me than words can adequately express. I’m heartbroken that it came to this point as I also expected many more things to come from the DPX brand.

While this chapter comes to a close, my commitment to pinball does NOT. I have to look forward in my own way to see what the future holds and hope our pinball paths in the community may cross again, as my plan with my upcoming game/games will have to shift to other MFG party’s in the USA when that possibility arrives.

Rest assure that I will still do my best to help wherever needed on Alice. Although that will be through community contacts, forums, etc.

Code updates will be a bit slower at times but rest assure it won’t be forgotten. As I have my own team (coders, Lior, tech and other great people) that will move with me and will handle upcoming projects with me. As Alice and the planned game that was announced and other titles are my own IP and or design.

I expect that Dutch Pinball will take care of there customers with the promises that were made and build all the final Alice’s and solve the outstanding topper related issues. This was unfortunately never in my control, nor some of the other structural issues that many are aware off.

As you also might understand by now that some situations may have lead to this outcome I present today.

Any questions regarding AAIW and or this writing please contact your local distributor and or dutch pinball support to keep this separation as professional as possible.

With sincere thanks and respect,
Melvin Brouwer-Williams"

This statement clearly delineates Brouwer-Williams’ perspective, emphasizing his dissatisfaction with the evolving organizational structure and the vision of new investors, which he felt was incompatible with his own standards and goals. It also highlights his intention to continue his work in pinball design, potentially through partnerships with manufacturers in the United States, and his commitment to supporting the Alice game post-departure. The mention of his "own team" suggests a continuity of development talent that will accompany him in future endeavors.

Dutch Pinball’s Response and Strategic Realignment

Following Brouwer-Williams’ announcement, Barry Driessen, the owner of Dutch Pinball, confirmed the split. Driessen’s communication to distributors provided further insight into the company’s strategic pivot. He indicated that Dutch Pinball would be moving away from collaborations with external parties and would instead concentrate on developing original titles in-house. This strategic decision appears to be a direct consequence of the experiences with the DPX venture.

While the phrasing "eschew collaborations with other parties" could be interpreted in various ways, the context suggests a shift away from joint ventures where creative and manufacturing responsibilities are divided. The company’s aim is to maintain complete control over creative direction, production timelines, and commercial execution, thereby streamlining operations and ensuring alignment with their long-term vision for growth and stability.

New Investment and Future Prospects

A significant development for Dutch Pinball is the recent acquisition of two new Dutch entrepreneurial investors. These individuals, described as having a strong passion for pinball, are expected to provide substantial financial and strategic strengthening for the company. This influx of capital and expertise is intended to enable Dutch Pinball to operate with greater professionalism, stability, and financial robustness.

Implications for Future Releases and the Pinball Market

The separation and Dutch Pinball’s subsequent strategic realignment have direct implications for planned game releases. Prior to the split, the original roadmap involved the unveiling of RAZA as the next DPX title in March, followed by Dutch Pinball’s own proprietary title at Pinball Expo in October. With RAZA no longer a DPX project, Dutch Pinball is now in a position to accelerate the announcement of its own upcoming projects. Distributors have reportedly been hinting at the potential for an earlier-than-expected announcement of the much-anticipated Back to the Future pinball machine from Dutch Pinball. This suggests that the company is keen to reassert its presence in the market with its own IP.

Barry Driessen’s statement to partners further elaborated on this shift:

"Dear Dutch Pinball partner,

We would like to update you directly on a few important developments at Dutch Pinball.
Dutch Pinball confirms that its collaboration under the working name DPX, involving an external creative partner, has come to an end.

While the first title was successfully brought to market, discussions around a potential second title revealed a misalignment on commercial terms, specifically regarding margin structure and long-term sustainability for all parties involved. As a result, both sides mutually agreed to discontinue not only the second project, but the collaboration as a whole.

Based on this experience, Dutch Pinball has concluded that this type of external collaboration introduces a level of complexity and dependency that does not align with how we want to build and scale the company going forward.

Dutch Pinball will therefore refocus fully on developing and producing its own original titles, where creative control, production planning, and commercial execution are fully integrated within the company.

We are pleased to share that Dutch Pinball has recently welcomed two Dutch entrepreneurial investors, both with a strong passion for pinball, who strengthen the company financially and strategically. Their involvement enables Dutch Pinball to operate in a more professional, stable, and well-capitalized manner.

Dutch Pinball is fully committed to completing the remaining Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland machines and continues to work diligently toward final delivery. A short update regarding the toppers will be shared in a few days.

An announcement regarding new Dutch Pinball projects will follow in the next couple of months.
We thank our distributors, partners, and customers for their continued trust and support.

Hartelijke groet, Herzliche Grüße, kind regards,
Barry Driessen"

This statement from Driessen underscores the commercial disagreements that contributed to the dissolution of the DPX partnership, citing issues with margin structure and long-term sustainability. The company’s decision to prioritize in-house development is presented as a strategic move to gain greater control and operational efficiency. The confirmation of new investors signals a renewed commitment to growth and stability, potentially positioning Dutch Pinball for a more assertive presence in the competitive pinball manufacturing landscape.

Broader Industry Impact and Analysis

The departure of Melvin Brouwer-Williams from DPX and Dutch Pinball represents a significant event with multifaceted implications for the pinball community. For enthusiasts eagerly awaiting RAZA, the news is undoubtedly disappointing, marking another instance of a highly anticipated game facing production uncertainty. The acquisition of Zidware IP by Brouwer-Williams had generated considerable excitement, and the halt in RAZA’s development leaves a void in the release schedule.

From a business perspective, the split highlights the inherent challenges of joint ventures in the specialized field of pinball manufacturing. Balancing creative vision with commercial realities, managing production timelines, and aligning the strategic goals of different parties can prove complex. The stated financial and commercial misalignments suggest that while the creative partnership was promising, the operational and economic frameworks were not fully synchronized for long-term success.

The strategic shift by Dutch Pinball towards exclusively in-house development, bolstered by new investment, indicates a desire for greater control and a more predictable operational model. This could lead to a more focused product line and potentially a faster development cycle for their own intellectual property. The market will be watching closely to see if this new direction translates into successful and timely releases.

For Melvin Brouwer-Williams, this marks a new chapter. His stated intention to pursue future projects with US-based manufacturers suggests an ongoing commitment to bringing his designs to fruition. His established reputation and the continuation of his core development team will undoubtedly position him as a sought-after collaborator. The pinball community will keenly anticipate his next moves and the potential for future game announcements.

As the industry navigates these developments, the focus remains on the continued evolution of pinball manufacturing, the delivery of existing commitments like the Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland machines, and the unveiling of new projects from both Dutch Pinball and Melvin Brouwer-Williams in their respective future endeavors. Pinball News will continue to provide updates on this evolving story as more information becomes available.