For years, Team Pinball has been a significant player in the pinball industry, providing essential hardware and software solutions for acclaimed kits and machines. Their collaborative work with Pedretti Gaming, particularly on the Funhouse and Whirlwind 2.0 kits, and the Funhouse remake machine, established a reputation for technical expertise and reliable partnership. Beyond these established projects, Team Pinball has been actively developing new titles, with a highly anticipated remake of Capcom’s classic Big Bang Bar being a prominent undertaking. However, in a recent public statement, Team Pinball has sought to clarify their perspective on the dissolution of their involvement in the Big Bang Bar remake project, citing a series of events that led to their eventual departure and a substantial financial loss.

Genesis of the Big Bang Bar Remake Project

The ambition to revive the beloved Big Bang Bar arcade game began to take shape in 2022, initiating a tripartite collaboration involving key entities within the pinball manufacturing and development sphere. Pedretti Gaming / Manufacturing was slated to handle the crucial manufacturing aspects of the project. Team Pinball was assigned the responsibility for the software and electronics development, a role they have consistently excelled in. The third critical partner was Melvin Williams, who was tasked with all prototyping and redesign work for the game. This division of labor was intended to leverage each party’s unique strengths to bring the classic title back to modern pinball enthusiasts.

The initial phase of the project saw the creation of prototypes, a critical step in the development cycle of any complex electromechanical device like a pinball machine. These prototypes, overseen by Melvin Williams, represented the tangible embodiment of the resurrected game’s design and functionality. However, the collaborative spirit that marked the project’s inception was reportedly strained and eventually fractured due to disagreements that arose between Melvin Williams and Pedretti.

The Split and Team Pinball’s Continued Partnership

Following the breakdown in communication and collaboration between Melvin Williams and Pedretti, the project’s trajectory shifted. At the point of this divergence, Melvin Williams had successfully completed the prototypes and was in possession of all the associated intellectual property and design documentation. Despite this pivotal moment, Team Pinball found themselves in a position to continue their professional relationship with Pedretti Gaming.

The statement from Team Pinball highlights a sustained and apparently cordial working relationship with Pedretti Gaming that persisted for nearly four years after the initial Big Bang Bar collaboration ceased. Team Pinball characterizes this period as highly productive and amicable, extending beyond a mere business arrangement to one they considered friendship. Even during periods of elevated stress or complex production challenges, the communication and interactions reportedly remained characterized by mutual respect and a friendly demeanor. This long-standing rapport seemingly laid the groundwork for future collaborations.

Acquisition of the Prototype and Renewed Collaboration

A significant turning point in the narrative occurred in October 2024. Team Pinball initiated the acquisition of one of the original Big Bang Bar prototypes directly from Melvin Williams. Crucially, this transaction was conducted with the explicit agreement and knowledge of Pedretti Gaming. The understanding, as articulated by Team Pinball, was that they would leverage their expertise to complete the game by providing the necessary software and electronics. Furthermore, they were to supply the manufacturing PCB (Printed Circuit Board) files, a critical component for mass production, and in return, receive royalties for each machine sold. This arrangement positioned Team Pinball as a key contributor to the commercial viability of the Big Bang Bar remake.

In 2025, Team Pinball took a concrete step by shipping their acquired prototype to Pedretti Gaming. Members of Team Pinball reportedly traveled to Pedretti’s facilities to personally oversee the finalization of the machine, utilizing version 2 PCBs. During this hands-on phase, Pedretti Gaming reportedly implemented several updates to the physical elements of the machine. These modifications included enhancements to the cabinet design and the replacement of the initial whitewood playfield with the final printed version. It is noteworthy that this final printed playfield had also been a product of collaborative design efforts involving Melvin Williams back in 2022, underscoring the interconnectedness of the project’s development stages.

At this juncture, Team Pinball asserts that the Big Bang Bar remake was nearing completion, with only software polishing and final operational adjustments remaining. The subsequent period involved continued remote collaboration between Team Pinball and Pedretti Gaming.

Communication Breakdown and Prototype Retention

The positive momentum of the project reportedly came to an abrupt halt when communication between the two parties suddenly ceased. Initially, Team Pinball attributed this silence to potential production pressures related to other projects, specifically mentioning the "Predator" production. Later, they received information that the Big Bang Bar remake would be postponed to 2026. This revised timeline was reportedly accepted by Team Pinball, as they viewed additional time for refinement as beneficial rather than detrimental to the project’s quality.

The situation took a decisive turn when Team Pinball requested the return of their prototype. Their stated intention was to continue the software polishing and finalization process independently, preparing the machine for mass production. Team Pinball emphasizes their consistent practice of returning machines to partners after completing their work, a standard operating procedure in their business collaborations.

However, the response to their request for the prototype’s return was a definitive "NO." This refusal came as a significant shock to Team Pinball. This was compounded by the subsequent information that Pedretti Gaming had decided not to proceed with the manufacture of Big Bang Bar altogether. Following this, 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 modifications, and other developmental changes that had been implemented. While expressing disappointment, Team Pinball indicated their willingness to bear these costs, viewing it as a necessary step to reclaim their prototype and potentially salvage their investment. This willingness to pay for modifications, they contend, was a tacit acknowledgment by Pedretti of Team Pinball’s ownership of the prototype.

Escalating Disagreement and Financial Impact

The situation devolved further after another period of silence. Team Pinball was ultimately informed that the prototype would not be returned, with the justification being that it was considered the property of Pedretti Gaming. This assertion directly contradicted the earlier communication where Pedretti Gaming had indicated a willingness to return the prototype in exchange for financial contributions towards the modifications. This conflicting messaging created a significant point of contention and fueled Team Pinball’s concerns about the project’s trajectory and the treatment of their intellectual property.

Team Pinball has provided an estimated financial loss stemming from these events, calculating it to be approximately €90,000. This figure encompasses several key components: the purchased prototype itself, which was acquired directly from Melvin Williams; custom electronics developed for the machine; colored DMD (Dot Matrix Display) frames; extensive PCB development; and the cumulative investment in years of software development. This substantial financial impact underscores the gravity of the situation for Team Pinball.

Perceived Motives and Public Disclosure

Reflecting on the unfolding events, Team Pinball expresses a profound sense of unease and questions the underlying motives behind the project’s termination and their exclusion. They candidly state their suspicion that they may have been intended solely to bring the prototype to a near-production ready state, only to be subsequently removed from the project. While they express hope that this was not the case, they acknowledge that, from their perspective, the series of events makes it difficult to reach any other conclusion.

Team Pinball has made it clear that they do not currently intend to pursue costly legal action. However, they feel a strong obligation to the wider pinball community to provide transparency regarding their experience. This public statement, they assert, is intended to explain their withdrawal from the Big Bang Bar project and, by extension, their disengagement from other projects involving Pedretti Gaming. They emphasize that their intention is not to generate drama but to offer a factual account of their side of the story.

The statement also aims to shed light on the persistent rumors surrounding the Big Bang Bar remake over the years. By detailing their involvement and the subsequent breakdown, Team Pinball hopes to clarify why Melvin Williams’ name was occasionally mentioned in connection with the project, given his foundational role in creating the original prototypes and possessing the necessary Capcom parts and molds.

Broader Implications for the Pinball Industry

The dispute between Team Pinball and Pedretti Gaming, while specific to the Big Bang Bar remake, raises broader questions about collaboration, intellectual property, and partnership within the niche but passionate pinball community. For developers and manufacturers, clarity on contractual obligations, dispute resolution mechanisms, and the clear delineation of ownership is paramount to fostering trust and ensuring the successful realization of ambitious projects.

The financial implications for Team Pinball are significant, representing a substantial loss of investment in time, resources, and expertise. The public disclosure, while potentially contentious, serves as a cautionary tale and a call for greater transparency. It highlights the importance of clear communication channels and robust legal frameworks to protect the interests of all parties involved in complex collaborative ventures.

The future of the Big Bang Bar remake remains uncertain, with Pedretti Gaming having reportedly decided against its manufacture. The incident underscores the delicate balance of creative vision, manufacturing capabilities, and interpersonal dynamics that underpin the development of new pinball titles. As the pinball industry continues to evolve, with a growing demand for both new and remade classics, the lessons learned from such disputes will undoubtedly shape future partnerships and development strategies. Team Pinball’s commitment to transparency, though born out of a negative experience, provides valuable insight into the challenges and complexities inherent in bringing beloved arcade games back to life in the modern era.