The landscape of the pinball manufacturing world has been significantly reshaped with the abrupt departure of Melvin Brouwer-Williams from Dutch Pinball Exclusive (DPX). This development brings an immediate halt to the much-anticipated production of the Retro Atomic Zombie Adventureland (RAZA) pinball machine, a project that had generated considerable excitement within the enthusiast community. DPX, a strategic joint venture established between Brouwer-Williams and Dutch Pinball, was built upon the foundation of Brouwer-Williams’s innovative designs and intellectual property, with Dutch Pinball responsible for the manufacturing at their facility in Herkenbosch, the Netherlands.

Genesis of DPX and the Alice Endeavor

The DPX venture officially launched its inaugural title, Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland, in October 2024. This highly anticipated machine, with a strictly limited production run of 500 units, is still in the process of being built. Brouwer-Williams has explicitly stated that his departure will not impede the completion of the outstanding Alice machines. He has also assured customers that code updates for the Alice game will continue, although he cautioned that the pace of these updates might be affected due to a reduction in available development resources.

The genesis of DPX can be traced back to the ambition of bringing unique, high-quality pinball designs to market. Melvin Brouwer-Williams, a recognized creative force in the pinball design arena, sought a manufacturing partner to realize his visions. Dutch Pinball, with its established manufacturing capabilities, presented an ideal synergy. The initial output, Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland, was intended to be a flagship product, showcasing the collaborative potential of DPX. The limited nature of its production underscored a strategy of exclusivity and high-end appeal.

The Shadow of RAZA: A Troubled Lineage

Retro Atomic Zombie Adventureland (RAZA) was slated to be the second major release under the DPX banner. The development of RAZA had reached an advanced stage, leveraging substantial design work previously undertaken by Deeproot Pinball. The collapse of Deeproot Pinball into bankruptcy left a void, but also an opportunity. Brouwer-Williams had acquired the rights to the intellectual property of games that Deeproot had in development, including RAZA.

The lineage of RAZA is complex, further underscoring the challenges inherent in its development. The game’s origins lie in an original design by John Popadiuk for his Zidware company. Following the dissolution of Zidware, Brouwer-Williams acquired the rights to this intellectual property, including physical assets. This acquisition, previously reported in December 2022, positioned him to potentially revive projects that had been stalled. Deeproot Pinball had subsequently acquired rights to some of these Zidware designs, including RAZA, before its own financial difficulties. Brouwer-Williams’s purchase of Deeproot’s assets therefore consolidated his ownership of RAZA.

In addition to RAZA, Brouwer-Williams also secured the rights to Magic Girl, another game that Deeproot Pinball had in development. However, he has indicated no immediate plans to produce Magic Girl, citing the presence of existing games in circulation and the significant design modifications he believes would be necessary to enhance its playability and manufacturing feasibility for mass production. This strategic focus on RAZA as the next DPX title highlighted its perceived market potential and design completeness.

Escalating Tensions and the Catalyst for Separation

A statement issued by Melvin Brouwer-Williams late on February 9, 2026, offered a candid, albeit veiled, account of the strained relationship that ultimately led to his departure. It became evident that Brouwer-Williams harbored significant dissatisfaction regarding the pace and quality of Dutch Pinball’s manufacturing processes for the Alice game and its associated topper. These concerns had been ongoing for a considerable period.

The timing of Brouwer-Williams’s departure, just as RAZA was poised for an official announcement the following month, suggests that the introduction of new investors into Dutch Pinball served as a critical inflection point. This infusion of capital, while potentially bolstering Dutch Pinball’s financial standing, appears to have fundamentally altered the company’s strategic direction and operational philosophy, creating an irreconcilable divergence from Brouwer-Williams’s own vision and standards.

Melvin Brouwer-Williams’s Statement: A Farewell and a Forward Look

In his official statement, Brouwer-Williams articulated the reasons behind his decision, citing a "new organizational structure within Dutch Pinball and also because of a new investors party that have a different vision then me." He conveyed a sense of regret and uncertainty, acknowledging that the transition had left him "somewhat uncertain."

"Effective as of today, I Melvin Brouwer-Williams will be stepping away from DPX (Dutch Pinball Exclusive)," the statement began. "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 then me. Therefore Dutch Pinball has decided that it will be continuing on its own path without my involvement."

He expressed his confidence in the broader pinball industry and his personal commitment to continuing his work within it, albeit no longer with the "Dutch Pinball family." The dissolution of DPX as a brand for his upcoming releases was confirmed, with Brouwer-Williams stating, "DPX will be defunct as of today for upcoming releases from my involvement. I tried my best to build the brand to certain point that I now can no longer control to my standards."

Brouwer-Williams extended his "sincere and heartfelt gratitude" to all who had supported him and the Alice project, emphasizing the profound impact of their trust, encouragement, and shared passion. He conveyed his heartbreak at the situation, stating, "I’m heartbroken that it came to this point as I also expected many more things to come from the DPX brand."

Looking ahead, Brouwer-Williams affirmed that his "commitment to pinball does NOT" waver. He indicated a shift in his manufacturing strategy, stating, "my plan with my upcoming game/games will have to shift to other MFG party’s in the USA when that possibility arrives." He reiterated his commitment to assisting with Alice, albeit through "community contacts, forums, etc." and confirmed that his dedicated team of coders, technicians, and other professionals would be moving with him to handle future projects. He underscored that Alice, RAZA, and other planned titles are his "own IP and or design."

Finally, Brouwer-Williams expressed his expectation that Dutch Pinball would uphold its customer commitments, including the completion of all Alice machines and resolution of topper-related issues. He alluded to underlying structural problems, stating, "This was unfortunately never in my control, nor some of the other structural issues that many are aware off." He directed any questions regarding Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland or his statement to local distributors or Dutch Pinball support to maintain a professional separation.

Dutch Pinball’s Strategic Pivot and New Investment

In the wake of Brouwer-Williams’s announcement, Barry Driessen, owner of Dutch Pinball, confirmed the split and acknowledged the involvement of new investors. In a communication to distributors, Driessen outlined a significant strategic shift for Dutch Pinball, indicating a move away from collaborations with external parties to concentrate on in-house design and development.

While some interpretations suggested a complete cessation of licensed titles, Driessen’s statement more likely signifies a renewed focus on original Dutch Pinball intellectual property. This strategic redirection appears to accelerate the company’s own development pipeline. Distributors have begun to hint at the imminent announcement of Dutch Pinball’s anticipated Back to the Future title, suggesting that the separation from DPX allows them to bring forward their internal projects.

Originally, the plan had been to unveil RAZA as the next DPX game in March, followed by the launch of Dutch Pinball’s proprietary next game at Pinball Expo in October. With RAZA no longer a DPX project, Dutch Pinball is now free to move up the announcement schedule for its own internally developed titles.

Barry Driessen’s Communication to Partners

Barry Driessen’s message to Dutch Pinball partners provided further insight into the company’s perspective:

"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"

Broader Implications for the Pinball Industry

The dissolution of the DPX partnership and Melvin Brouwer-Williams’s departure from Dutch Pinball carries significant implications for the pinball manufacturing sector.

• Design IP and Collaboration Models: The situation highlights the complexities and inherent risks in collaborative ventures between designers and manufacturers, particularly when intellectual property rights are involved. Brouwer-Williams’s acquisition of IP from failed companies like Deeproot and Zidware underscores a trend of asset consolidation in the industry, but also the challenges in bringing these dormant projects to fruition. His stated intention to seek manufacturing partners in the USA suggests a potential shift in the geographical distribution of pinball production and design realization.

• Future of RAZA: The immediate future of the Retro Atomic Zombie Adventureland pinball machine remains uncertain. With Brouwer-Williams no longer affiliated with Dutch Pinball and DPX defunct for his new projects, the path forward for RAZA is dependent on his ability to secure a new manufacturing partner. The substantial development work already completed suggests that the game is close to production-ready, but finding a suitable manufacturer capable of handling its intricate design and potential scale will be a critical step.

• Dutch Pinball’s Trajectory: Dutch Pinball’s strategic pivot towards in-house development, bolstered by new investment, signals a commitment to greater control over its product pipeline and commercial outcomes. This move could lead to a more cohesive brand identity and potentially faster product development cycles, free from the complexities of external partnerships. The anticipated announcement of new Dutch Pinball titles, such as Back to the Future, will be closely watched as indicators of the company’s future direction and its ability to compete in the evolving pinball market.

• Customer Confidence: For owners of the Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland machines, Brouwer-Williams’s assurance of continued support and code updates, albeit potentially slower, provides some reassurance. However, the departure of a key creative force and the strategic shifts within Dutch Pinball will undoubtedly be a point of concern. The company’s commitment to fulfilling its obligations regarding the remaining Alice machines and addressing topper issues will be crucial for maintaining customer trust.

The pinball community will be keenly observing the next steps for both Melvin Brouwer-Williams and Dutch Pinball as they navigate these significant changes. The resolution of the RAZA project and the success of Dutch Pinball’s new strategic direction will undoubtedly shape the industry landscape in the coming years. Further updates on these developments are expected to be reported as they emerge.