Episode 76 - Original Themes

PodcastMar 31, 2025

Wedgehead Pinball Podcast

1 hr 15 min

Summary

Wedgehead explores why Williams dominated with original themes but modern boutique makers fail at them.

Alan and Alex (Waterboy) discuss the history and modern state of original/unlicensed pinball themes, contrasting the golden era of Williams' acclaimed original-themed machines (High Speed, Pinbot, Funhouse, etc.) with modern boutique manufacturers' struggles to create successful original themes. They argue that 1980s-90s unlicensed games sold massive units and aged better than licensed competitors, but modern original themes fail because manufacturers use them as cost-cutting measures rather than creative necessities.

Highlights

Williams stayed away from licensed games during the 1970s while Bally pioneered licensing, and Williams designers took pride in creating original games from scratch
High Speed (1986) sold 17,000 units and Getaway (1992) sold over 13,000 units, proving unlicensed themes could be massive commercial hits
Best games from the 1990s Williams renaissance were unlicensed originals, and these themes aged better than contemporary licensed competitors
Data East and Sega made only licensed games by 1989 and were outsold by Williams despite those licenses
Gary Stern becoming the last manufacturer standing after Williams closed shaped the industry toward all-licensed games
Modern boutique manufacturers create original themes primarily as cost-cutting measures, not creative necessities
Vacation America (2003) flopped not because of the original theme but because the game itself wasn't good