For years, the name Team Pinball has been synonymous with innovation and dedication within the pinball community, particularly for their collaborative efforts with Pedretti Gaming on hardware and software solutions. Their work on the Funhouse and Whirlwind 2.0 kits, as well as the Funhouse remake machine, has cemented their reputation as a key player in modern pinball development. However, recent developments surrounding a highly anticipated remake of Capcom’s classic, Big Bang Bar, have prompted Team Pinball to issue a detailed public statement, shedding light on their perspective and the reasons for their withdrawal from the project. This statement aims to provide transparency to the pinball community, addressing lingering rumors and offering a factual account of the events that transpired.

Genesis of the Big Bang Bar Remake Collaboration

The ambitious undertaking to revive Capcom’s Big Bang Bar began in 2022, bringing together three distinct entities, each with a crucial role in the complex process of bringing a pinball machine to life. Pedretti Gaming / Manufacturing was slated to handle the manufacturing aspects, a vital component for any large-scale production. Team Pinball was responsible for the intricate software and electronics that govern a pinball machine’s gameplay and functionality. Complementing these roles, Melvin Williams, a significant figure in the original Big Bang Bar’s development, was tasked with all prototyping and redesign work for the remake. This tripartite agreement represented a confluence of expertise, aiming to deliver a faithful yet modernized rendition of a beloved arcade title.

The initial synergy, however, proved to be short-lived. According to Team Pinball’s account, the collaboration eventually faltered due to irreconcilable disagreements that arose between Melvin Williams and Pedretti Gaming. This divergence in vision or operational approach led to the cessation of their joint efforts. At the point of this split, Melvin Williams had reportedly completed the necessary prototypes and retained all associated intellectual property and documentation, a critical factor in the subsequent narrative.

A Continued Partnership and a New Agreement

Despite the dissolution of the initial three-party collaboration on the Big Bang Bar remake, Team Pinball maintained its working relationship with Pedretti Gaming. For nearly four years, their partnership on various other projects was characterized by a strong rapport, extending beyond mere professional association. Team Pinball described their relationship with Pedretti as one of friendship as well as partnership, a testament to the mutual respect and positive interactions they experienced. Even during periods of high pressure and challenging production cycles, the communication remained consistently respectful and amicable, according to their statement.

The trajectory of the Big Bang Bar remake took a significant turn in October 2024. In a move that was reportedly made with the explicit agreement and knowledge of Pedretti Gaming, Team Pinball acquired one of the original prototypes from Melvin Williams. This acquisition was underpinned by a clear understanding: Team Pinball would provide the software and electronics support necessary to complete the game, furnish the manufacturing PCB files, and in return, receive royalties for each machine sold. This arrangement signaled a renewed commitment to the Big Bang Bar project, with Team Pinball taking a more direct role in its completion.

The Path to Prototype Completion and Subsequent Standoff

In early 2025, Team Pinball transported their newly acquired prototype to Pedretti Gaming’s facilities. This was not merely a handover; Team Pinball representatives were personally present to oversee the finalization of the machine, utilizing version 2 PCBs. During this critical phase, Pedretti Gaming reportedly implemented several updates to the physical components of the machine. These enhancements included modifications to the cabinet and the replacement of the initial blank whitewood playfield with the final printed version. This final playfield design itself was a product of the earlier collaboration, having been developed in conjunction with Melvin Williams back in 2022.

At this juncture, the Big Bang Bar remake was nearing completion. The primary tasks remaining were software polishing and the execution of final adjustments to ensure optimal gameplay. Team Pinball continued to collaborate remotely with Pedretti Gaming, working on these final touches.

The situation took an unexpected and concerning turn when communication from Pedretti Gaming abruptly ceased. Initially, Team Pinball attributed this communication gap to potential production pressures related to another project, the Predator. However, they were later informed that the Big Bang Bar remake would be postponed until 2026. This news was met with acceptance from Team Pinball, as they viewed additional time for refinement as beneficial to the project’s overall quality.

The Prototypes and the Escalation of Disagreements

Following the postponement announcement, Team Pinball made a crucial request: the return of their prototype. Their intention was to continue the software polishing and finalization independently, preparing the machine for eventual production. Their statement emphasizes that their standard practice was to return such prototypes to Pedretti Gaming after their work was complete, as had been the norm in their established business cooperation.

The response to this request was a definitive "NO." This outright refusal came as a profound shock to Team Pinball, particularly given that Pedretti Gaming concurrently stated their decision not to proceed with the manufacture of the Big Bang Bar at all. The situation became increasingly convoluted when Team Pinball was subsequently 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 development-related alterations.

While acknowledging the disappointment of these new financial demands, Team Pinball expressed their willingness to pay for the modifications to retrieve their prototype. This willingness, they state, stemmed from the belief that Pedretti Gaming’s request for financial contributions indicated an acknowledgment of the prototype’s ownership by Team Pinball.

A Shift in Stance and Financial Implications

However, after another period of silence and further communication breakdowns, Team Pinball received the final, definitive word: the prototype would not be returned. The rationale provided was that the prototype was now considered the property of Pedretti Gaming. This declaration directly contradicted the earlier stance that proposed a financial settlement for its return, creating a significant point of contention and confusion.

The financial ramifications for Team Pinball are substantial. They estimate their total loss to be approximately €90,000. This figure encompasses the cost of the purchased prototype, which was acquired directly from Melvin Williams, as well as the investment in custom electronics, colored DMD frames, extensive PCB development, and years of dedicated software development.

Underlying Concerns and a Call for Transparency

Reflecting on the sequence of events, Team Pinball articulates a deep-seated concern that their role in the Big Bang Bar remake might have been strategically managed. They question whether the intention was for them to solely complete the prototype and finalize the machine, only to be subsequently excluded from the project entirely. While they express a hope that this was not the case, the unfolding of events makes it difficult for them to dismiss this perspective.

Team Pinball has made it clear that they do not intend to pursue expensive legal avenues at this time. Instead, their primary objective in releasing this statement is to ensure transparency and to inform the pinball community about their experience, thus explaining their current non-involvement in both the Big Bang Bar project and other initiatives associated with Pedretti Gaming. They assert that they possess a wealth of supporting evidence, including agreements, screenshots, photographs, and detailed development records, to substantiate their account.

This public disclosure is framed not as an attempt to generate drama, but as a necessary step towards honesty and clarity. Team Pinball hopes this explanation will also shed light on the various rumors that have circulated about the Big Bang Bar remake over the years, and clarify the recurring mentions of Melvin Williams’ involvement, given his pivotal role in creating the original prototypes and possessing the Capcom parts and molds. Their statement concludes with an expression of gratitude, underscoring their commitment to open communication within the pinball community. The implications of this public disagreement could reverberate through the industry, impacting future collaborations and consumer confidence in projects involving these entities.