The pinball community has been abuzz with speculation and rumors surrounding the much-anticipated remake of Capcom’s classic arcade game, Big Bang Bar. In a significant development, Team Pinball has released a detailed statement aiming to provide transparency and clarity from their perspective regarding their involvement and eventual departure from the project. The statement, shared directly with the public, addresses years of collaboration with Pedretti Gaming and details a complex series of events that led to the current impasse.

A History of Collaboration and Ambition

For many years, Team Pinball has been a recognized force in the pinball industry, known for its expertise in developing hardware and software solutions. Their contributions have been instrumental in the success of Funhouse and Whirlwind 2.0 kits, as well as the Funhouse remake machine, working closely with Pedretti Gaming & Manufacturing. This established relationship, characterized by mutual respect and perceived friendship, set the stage for ambitious new ventures.

The Big Bang Bar remake project, announced with considerable excitement, represented a significant undertaking for all parties involved. The ambition was to resurrect a beloved title, leveraging modern technology while honoring the spirit of the original Capcom masterpiece. This collaborative effort, initiated in 2022, brought together three key entities:

• Pedretti Gaming & Manufacturing: Responsible for the crucial manufacturing aspects of the project.
• Team Pinball: Tasked with the intricate software and electronics development.
• Melvin Williams: Entrusted with all prototyping and redesign work, drawing upon his deep understanding of the original game and its components.

This tripartite collaboration aimed to pool the distinct strengths of each partner to bring the Big Bang Bar remake to fruition. The initial stages involved the creation of prototypes and the foundational design work, laying the groundwork for what was intended to be a highly faithful and technically advanced reproduction.

The Genesis of Disagreement

The collaborative spirit, however, reportedly fractured due to irreconcilable differences that emerged between Melvin Williams and Pedretti. While the precise nature of these disagreements remains undisclosed in Team Pinball’s statement, the impact was significant. According to Team Pinball, this divergence in vision or operational approach led to the cessation of the original collaboration.

At the point of this initial split, Melvin Williams had reportedly completed the necessary prototypes and possessed all related documentation and intellectual property associated with the redesign efforts. This created a pivotal moment in the project’s trajectory, leaving the future of the Big Bang Bar remake uncertain.

Despite the breakdown in direct collaboration between Melvin Williams and Pedretti, Team Pinball continued its working relationship with Pedretti Gaming. This partnership, which Team Pinball states spanned nearly four years, was described as being conducted "on very good terms." The sentiment expressed by Team Pinball suggests a strong bond that transcended purely business transactions, with mutual respect and friendship being key components. Even during periods of high pressure and challenging production cycles, the communication and interaction between Team Pinball and Pedretti remained characterized by respect and amiability.

A New Path Forward for Big Bang Bar

In October 2024, a new chapter for the Big Bang Bar remake began, with Team Pinball taking a significant step to re-engage with the project. Team Pinball purchased one of the original prototypes directly from Melvin Williams. Crucially, this acquisition was reportedly made with the explicit agreement and knowledge of Pedretti. The understanding, as articulated by Team Pinball, was that they would then proceed to complete the game by providing the necessary software and electronics support. Furthermore, they would supply the manufacturing PCB files, and in return, receive royalties for each machine sold. This arrangement signaled a renewed commitment to bringing the Big Bang Bar remake to market, albeit through a revised operational framework.

The project gained further momentum in 2025 when Team Pinball shipped their acquired prototype to Pedretti’s facilities. A personal visit by Team Pinball representatives to Pedretti’s location was undertaken to finalize the machine, utilizing their developed version 2 PCBs. During this critical phase, Pedretti reportedly made several enhancements to the physical components of the machine. These updates included modifications to the cabinet and the replacement of the unadorned whitewood playfield with the final printed version. It is important to note that this playfield design itself was a product of the initial collaboration in 2022, involving both Melvin Williams and Pedretti.

At this juncture, Team Pinball asserts that the Big Bang Bar remake was nearing completion. The remaining tasks were primarily focused on software polishing and making the final adjustments necessary to bring the game to production readiness. The progress made during this period underscored the potential for a successful revival of the classic title.

Communication Breakdown and Unreturned Prototype

Following the hands-on development period at Pedretti’s facility, Team Pinball continued to work remotely with their partners. This remote collaboration reportedly proceeded until communication abruptly ceased. Initially, Team Pinball attributed this silence to potential production pressures related to other Pedretti projects, such as Predator. Subsequently, they were informed that the Big Bang Bar remake would be postponed to 2026. This delay was accepted by Team Pinball, as they viewed additional time for refinement as beneficial for the project’s overall quality.

The situation took a significant turn when Team Pinball requested the return of their prototype. Their stated intention was to continue polishing and finalizing the software independently, preparing the machine for the anticipated production phase. Team Pinball emphasizes that their standard operating procedure in past collaborations was to return the prototype to Pedretti after completing their work, a practice they intended to uphold.

However, the response to their request for the prototype’s return was a definitive "NO." This refusal came as a profound shock to Team Pinball, particularly as Pedretti, at this point, reportedly declared their decision not to proceed with the manufacturing of Big Bang Bar at all. This statement created a significant contradiction, as Team Pinball was later informed that the prototype could potentially be returned if they agreed to cover the costs associated with the cabinet swap, playfield modifications, and other development-related changes made by Pedretti.

While disappointed by this turn of events, Team Pinball indicated their willingness to bear these costs to retrieve their prototype. This willingness, they suggest, was based on the understanding that the prototype was still acknowledged as belonging to Team Pinball, given the conditionality of its return.

Escalating Discrepancies and Financial Impact

After another period of silence and further communication gaps, Team Pinball received the ultimate notification: the prototype would not be returned, as it was now considered the property of Pedretti. This assertion directly contradicted the prior statements from Pedretti, which had suggested a willingness to return the prototype in exchange for financial contributions towards modifications. This conflicting messaging has led to significant consternation and a feeling of being misled.

The financial ramifications for Team Pinball are substantial. They estimate their loss to be approximately €90,000. This figure encompasses:

• The cost of the purchased prototype, acquired directly from Melvin Williams.
• Investment in custom electronics specifically developed for the project.
• Development of colored DMD frames, a key visual element.
• Extensive PCB development.
• Years of dedicated software development labor.

Reflecting on the sequence of events, Team Pinball expresses a deep-seated concern. They question whether their role was intended to be limited to recovering the prototype and completing the machine, only to be subsequently excluded from the project entirely. While they express a hope that this was not the deliberate intention, the circumstances, from their perspective, make it difficult to avoid such a conclusion.

A Call for Transparency and Community Awareness

Team Pinball has stated that they do not intend to pursue costly legal action at this time. However, they feel a responsibility to the pinball community to share their experience and provide a clear explanation for their withdrawal from the Big Bang Bar remake project, as well as their cessation of involvement with other Pedretti-branded projects.

The organization asserts that they possess substantial evidence to support their account, including agreements, screenshots, photographs, and detailed development records. Their stated purpose in releasing this information is not to generate drama but to foster transparency and ensure that their side of the narrative is understood by the community.

Furthermore, Team Pinball hopes that their statement will shed light on the persistent rumors that have circulated about the Big Bang Bar remake over the years. They also aim to clarify the recurring mention of Melvin Williams’s name in discussions surrounding the project, acknowledging his pivotal role in creating the initial prototypes and possessing the original Capcom parts and molds.

The release of this statement marks a significant moment in the ongoing discourse surrounding the Big Bang Bar remake, offering a detailed, albeit one-sided, account of the project’s troubled development and the factors that have led to the current impasse. The pinball community will undoubtedly analyze these revelations as they await further developments, if any, regarding the future of this highly anticipated title. The implications for future collaborations within the niche but passionate pinball manufacturing sector are also a subject of potential discussion.