We Are Pinball #48 BOF CEO David Van Es Joins WAP!!

Barrels of Fun CEO reveals Winchester sold 525 units in 24hrs via surprise launch; discusses game design philosophy and Dune code improvements.

Synopsis

David Van Es, CEO of Barrels of Fun, discusses the surprise launch and rapid sellout of Winchester Mystery House (525 units sold out within 24 hours at Expo 2026). He explains the company's strategy of unexpected game launches to recapture the excitement of classic game reveals, details the creative process behind Winchester's design with Carl D'Agostino, and reflects on the mixed reception of Dune's launch and subsequent code improvements. Van Ness also shares his origin story in pinball and articulates the company's philosophy around limiting production to maintain collector value and game integrity.

Entities

• Barrels of Fun· company
• Stern Pinball· company
• Australian Pinball Expo· event
• Expo 2026· event
• Attack from Mars· game
• Dune Pinball· game
• Harry Potter· game
• Labyrinth· game
• Theatre of Magic· game
• White Water· game
• Winchester Mystery House· game
• Bradlee Ching· person
• Brian Savage· person
• Carl D'Agostino· person
• David Van Es· person
• Donnie· person
• Jacob· person
• John· person
• Paul· person
• Shane· person
• FAST Boards· product
• Electric Bat· venue