For many years, Team Pinball has been a significant contributor to the retro pinball scene, collaborating with Pedretti Gaming on hardware and software solutions for their Funhouse and Whirlwind 2.0 kits, as well as the Funhouse remake machine. The company has also been actively involved in developing several upcoming titles, notably a highly anticipated remake of Capcom’s classic, Big Bang Bar. However, in a move aimed at fostering transparency within the pinball community, Team Pinball has issued a detailed statement outlining their perspective on the project’s abrupt halt and their subsequent separation from Pedretti Gaming.

Genesis of the Big Bang Bar Remake Project

The Big Bang Bar remake initiative officially commenced in 2022, involving a tripartite collaboration between Pedretti Gaming/Manufacturing, responsible for the physical manufacturing; Team Pinball, tasked with software and electronics development; and Melvin Williams, who was to handle all prototyping and redesign work for the game. This partnership aimed to bring a beloved arcade classic back to the forefront of the pinball world, leveraging the distinct expertise of each entity.

Melvin Williams, a figure with a deep connection to the original Big Bang Bar, having created the prototypes and possessing the original Capcom parts and molds, played a crucial role in the early stages. His involvement was integral to capturing the essence of the original machine while adapting it for modern production.

The Initial Partnership and Subsequent Disagreement

The initial collaboration, however, encountered significant friction. According to Team Pinball’s account, disagreements between Melvin Williams and Pedretti Gaming ultimately led to the dissolution of this initial partnership. At the time of this split, Melvin Williams had reportedly completed the prototypes and was in possession of all associated intellectual property and documentation.

Despite the breakdown in the direct collaboration with Williams, Team Pinball continued its working relationship with Pedretti Gaming on other projects. This continued partnership spanned nearly four years, characterized, from Team Pinball’s perspective, by positive and respectful interactions. They described their relationship as extending beyond mere business, viewing Pedretti Gaming personnel as friends and partners, even through challenging production phases.

A New Agreement and the Prototype’s Journey

The narrative takes a pivotal turn in October 2024 when Team Pinball acquired one of the original prototypes from Melvin Williams. This transaction, Team Pinball asserts, was conducted with the explicit knowledge and agreement of Pedretti Gaming. The understanding at this juncture was that Team Pinball would undertake the completion of the game, providing the necessary software and electronics support. Furthermore, they were to furnish the manufacturing PCB files and, in return, receive royalties for each unit sold.

In 2025, Team Pinball facilitated the shipment of their acquired prototype to Pedretti Gaming’s facilities. A contingent from Team Pinball personally traveled to the manufacturing site to finalize the machine, utilizing their developed version 2 PCBs. During this hands-on phase, Pedretti Gaming implemented several physical modifications to the machine. These updates included changes to the cabinet and the replacement of the blank whitewood playfield with the final printed version, a design that had itself been a collaborative effort involving Melvin Williams back in 2022.

At this stage, the Big Bang Bar remake was reportedly nearing completion, with only software polishing and final calibration adjustments remaining.

Communication Breakdown and Unfulfilled Promises

Following the on-site collaboration, Team Pinball and Pedretti Gaming continued their work remotely. However, communication suddenly ceased without explanation. Initially, Team Pinball surmised that this interruption might be linked to Pedretti Gaming’s concurrent production of the Predator pinball machine. Later, they were informed that the Big Bang Bar remake would be postponed to 2026. Team Pinball stated they accepted this delay, viewing additional time for refinement as beneficial.

It was at this point that Team Pinball requested the return of their prototype. Their stated intention was to continue refining and finalizing the software independently, preparing the machine for mass production. They emphasized their commitment to returning the prototype to Pedretti Gaming afterward, a practice they described as standard within their cooperative business relationship.

The response to this request was a definitive "NO." This refusal came as a significant shock to Team Pinball, especially given Pedretti Gaming’s simultaneous declaration that they had decided not to proceed with the manufacture of the Big Bang Bar remake at all.

Subsequently, Team Pinball was informed that the prototype could be returned, but only if they covered the costs associated with the cabinet swap, playfield changes, and other modifications made during the development process. While disappointed, Team Pinball indicated their willingness to meet these financial demands to retrieve their prototype, a sentiment that, from their perspective, suggested Pedretti Gaming still acknowledged the prototype’s ownership by Team Pinball.

Escalating Disputes and Financial Impact

Following another period of silence from Pedretti Gaming, Team Pinball received the final communication: the prototype would not be returned, as it was now deemed Pedretti Gaming’s property. This assertion directly contradicted the earlier statements regarding potential reimbursement for modifications, creating a clear and irreconcilable dispute over ownership.

Team Pinball has estimated their financial loss stemming from this situation to be approximately €90,000. This figure encompasses the cost of the purchased prototype (acquired directly from Melvin Williams), custom electronics, colored DMD frames, PCB development, and the cumulative hours of software development invested over years.

Team Pinball’s Perspective and Community Transparency

The unfolding events have led Team Pinball to question the original intentions of the partnership. "Considering how events unfolded, we cannot help but wonder whether we were only expected to recover the prototype and finish the machine before being pushed out of the project entirely," their statement reads. "We truly hope that was not the case, but from our perspective, it is difficult not to feel that way after everything that happened."

While Team Pinball has indicated they do not intend to pursue costly legal action at this time, they feel a responsibility to the pinball community to provide a transparent account of their experience. This public statement aims to explain their withdrawal from the Big Bang Bar project and, by extension, their cessation of involvement with other Pedretti-branded projects.

Team Pinball asserts that they possess supporting documentation, including agreements, screenshots, photographs, and development records, to substantiate their account. Their stated objective is not to generate controversy but to ensure transparency and present their side of the narrative to the pinball enthusiasts who follow these projects.

Furthermore, Team Pinball hopes this explanation will shed light on the persistent rumors surrounding the Big Bang Bar remake over the years and clarify the occasional mentions of Melvin Williams’ name. His foundational role in creating the prototypes and his possession of the original Capcom assets were critical to the project’s inception.

The departure of Team Pinball from the Big Bang Bar remake project marks a significant turning point for the anticipated title. As a key developer of software and electronics for numerous modern pinball machines, their withdrawal raises questions about the future of the Big Bang Bar remake and the broader implications for collaborative projects within the pinball industry. The industry often relies on intricate partnerships, and disputes like these highlight the inherent risks and the importance of clear contractual agreements and open communication channels between manufacturers, developers, and intellectual property holders. The pinball community will undoubtedly be watching for any further developments or official responses from other parties involved.