For many years, Team Pinball has been a significant player in the pinball manufacturing and software development scene, notably collaborating with Pedretti Gaming and Manufacturing on hardware and software solutions for their popular Funhouse and Whirlwind 2.0 kits, as well as for the Funhouse remake machine. In addition to these established projects, Team Pinball has been actively involved in developing several upcoming titles. Among these was a highly anticipated remake of Capcom’s iconic Big Bang Bar. However, following a period of significant collaboration and development, Team Pinball has issued a public statement to explain their perspective on the project’s dissolution, citing irreconcilable differences and a breakdown in communication with Pedretti Gaming.

Genesis of the Big Bang Bar Remake Collaboration

The ambitious undertaking to revive the beloved Big Bang Bar pinball machine began to take shape in 2022, with a tripartite collaboration formed between three key entities. Pedretti Gaming & Manufacturing was slated to handle the crucial manufacturing aspects of the project. Team Pinball was assigned the vital roles of developing the game’s software and electronics. Melvin Williams, a figure deeply connected to the original Capcom title, was entrusted with all prototyping and redesign work, leveraging his expertise and access to original components and molds. This initial structure suggested a synergistic approach, pooling specialized skills to bring a cherished classic back to life for a new generation of enthusiasts.

The partnership, however, proved to be more fragile than anticipated. According to Team Pinball’s account, the collaboration between Melvin Williams and Pedretti Gaming ultimately faltered due to unspecified disagreements. This initial schism created a pivotal moment in the project’s development. At the time of this divergence, Melvin Williams had reportedly completed the necessary prototypes and was in possession of all related intellectual property and documentation.

Shifting Dynamics and Continued Partnership with Pedretti

Despite the initial rupture involving Melvin Williams and Pedretti Gaming, Team Pinball continued its working relationship with Pedretti on other endeavors. This continued association spanned nearly four years, a period that Team Pinball characterizes as having been conducted on "very good terms." They express a sentiment that their professional relationship transcended mere business, fostering a sense of friendship and partnership. Even during periods of intense pressure or challenging production cycles, Team Pinball asserts that their interactions with Pedretti remained characterized by respect and amiability. This long-standing rapport set the stage for a new initiative involving the Big Bang Bar remake.

The Acquisition and Development of the Big Bang Bar Prototype

A significant turning point in the narrative occurred in October 2024 when Team Pinball made a crucial acquisition: one of the original Big Bang Bar prototypes, purchased directly from Melvin Williams. This transaction was reportedly conducted with the full knowledge and explicit agreement of Pedretti Gaming. The understanding, as articulated by Team Pinball, was that they would undertake the completion of the game, providing the essential software and electronics support. Furthermore, they were to furnish the manufacturing Printed Circuit Board (PCB) files and, in return, would receive royalties for each machine sold. This agreement positioned Team Pinball as a key stakeholder in the project’s future commercial success.

In 2025, the culmination of this agreement saw Team Pinball ship their prototype to Pedretti’s facility. Team members personally traveled to the location to finalize the machine, utilizing version 2 PCBs. During this hands-on phase, Pedretti Gaming reportedly made several enhancements to the physical elements of the machine. These modifications included updates to the cabinet design and the replacement of the initial whitewood playfield with the final printed version. Notably, this final playfield design had itself been a product of collaborative efforts with Melvin Williams back in 2022, underscoring the intricate development history of the project. At this juncture, the machine was described as being "very close to completion," with only software refinement and final adjustments remaining.

Communication Breakdown and Prototype Retention

Following the on-site work at Pedretti’s facility, the collaboration continued remotely. Team Pinball states that they worked in tandem with Pedretti until communication abruptly ceased. Initially, Team Pinball surmised that this communication lapse might be attributed to Pedretti’s concurrent production demands for another project, the Predator pinball machine. Subsequently, they were informed that the Big Bang Bar remake would be postponed until 2026, a delay that Team Pinball indicated they accepted, viewing additional time for refinement as beneficial rather than detrimental.

However, the situation took a more concerning turn 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 imminent production. They also affirmed their commitment to returning the machine to Pedretti afterward, a standard practice in their previous business dealings. The response to this request was a definitive "NO."

This refusal came as a profound shock to Team Pinball, particularly given that Pedretti Gaming, at this point, had reportedly declared their decision not to proceed with the manufacture of the Big Bang Bar remake. Subsequently, Team Pinball was informed that the prototype could be returned, but only if they agreed to cover the costs associated with the cabinet swap, playfield changes, and other modifications implemented during the development process. While acknowledging this as disappointing, Team Pinball indicated their willingness to bear these costs to retrieve their prototype, a stance that they believed acknowledged the prototype’s ownership by Team Pinball.

Escalating Dispute and Financial Impact

A further period of silence ensued, after which Team Pinball received the final communication: the prototype would not be returned, as it was now being considered the property of Pedretti Gaming. This assertion directly contradicted the earlier statements regarding payment for modifications as a condition for its return, creating a significant point of contention.

The financial ramifications of this dispute for Team Pinball are substantial. They estimate their total loss to be approximately €90,000. This figure encompasses the initial cost of purchasing the prototype directly from Melvin Williams, the expense of custom electronics, the acquisition of colored DMD frames, the extensive PCB development, and the cumulative value of years dedicated to software development.

Team Pinball expresses a deep-seated concern that their role in the project may have been strategic, with the intention of utilizing their expertise to bring the machine to a near-complete state before being systematically excluded. While they state a hope that this was not the case, the sequence of events, from their perspective, makes it difficult to avoid such a conclusion.

Transparency and Community Disclosure

Despite the significant financial and developmental investment, Team Pinball has stated that they do not intend to pursue costly legal action at this juncture. However, they feel a strong obligation to the broader pinball community to provide a transparent account of their experience. This public statement aims to explain their reasons for no longer being involved in the Big Bang Bar remake project and, by extension, other projects bearing the Pedretti brand.

Team Pinball asserts that they possess supporting documentation, including agreements, screenshots, photographs, and detailed development records, to substantiate their account. They emphasize that the purpose of this disclosure is not to incite drama but rather to ensure transparency and to articulate their side of a complex and ultimately fractured collaboration to the pinball community.

They also hope that this explanation will shed light on the persistent rumors surrounding the Big Bang Bar remake over the years and clarify why Melvin Williams’ name has been periodically associated with the project, given his foundational role in creating the prototypes and his custodianship of the original Capcom parts and molds.

The statement concludes with a note of thanks, underscoring their commitment to open communication within the industry. The ramifications of this dispute extend beyond the fate of a single pinball machine, potentially impacting future collaborations and the trust dynamics within the niche but passionate pinball development ecosystem. The industry will likely be watching to see if any further statements or resolutions emerge from Pedretti Gaming and Manufacturing.