# Around the Playfield with John Borg
by [Jeff Patterson](/author/jeff-patterson) · March 29, 2018 · [This Week in Pinball](/news/category/this-week-in-pinball)

> An interview with Stern game designer John Borg.

![Digital text saying "Around the Playfield with John Borg"](https://media.kineticist.com/posts/around-the-playfield-with-john-borg/inline/6839bb7855acd7966e087151_6565d5b154c4afe4b2256456_Screen-Shot-2018-03-05-at-4.40.12-PM.png)

## **Flyer**

[John Borg](/pinball-people/john-borg) is a pinball designer for Stern Pinball.

## Around the Playfield with John Borg

‍

### The Start Button: How did you first get into pinball?

*I was seeking a mechanical Engineering position and followed a Chicago Tribune ad which took me to Premier Gottlieb Pinball.*

### **  
The Plunge: What was the first pinball machine you bought?**

*Data East Star Wars.*

### **  
The Skill Shot: What is your best pinball achievement or favorite pinball moment?**

*Running my first game down the line and winning my first launch party tournament against a lot of great players. Just had a great game!!!!*

### **  
Good Shots, Bad Bounces: What is your favorite and least favorite pinball machine?**

*I’d prefer not to answer this question.*

### **  
The Wizard Mode: What is your dream theme you’d like to see made into a pinball machine?**

*Led Zeppelin*

### **  
The Tilt: What is the dumbest mistake you’ve made in pinball (mishap moving a machine, messing up trying to fix a machine, etc.)?**

*Broke a glass on my test game. On location!!!! Had to drive back to Data East for another one. Soldering with the machine turned on. Oops!!!!*

### **  
The High Score: Describe the pinball hobby in one word.  
**

*I’d say awesome but we are now substituting  – “Supreme”*

### **  
Match – Next Game: Where do you see the pinball hobby in 5-10 years?**

*Stronger and twice as many followers. Lots of people don’t know they can own a game. We need a Super Bowl television commercial!!!!*

## Related
- Game: [Metallica](/games/pinball/metallica)

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