| The Internet Pinball Machine Database — also known asthe IPDB — is a comprehensive, searchable listing ofvirtually every pinball machine ever made. It is an ad free,popup free, registration free resource. The database isconstantly expanding and includes images other game related files, aswell as links to other pinball web sites, all arranged bymachine. The database also includes pitch & bat baseball games,co*cktail table machines, bingos and payout machines, with a pinballtheme. The data in the database has been gathered from books, photographs,flyers, web sites, pinball manufacturers, collectors' personalrecords, and of course the machines themselves. The photographsin the database have been provided by collectors themselves. | | The starting data for this, the second instance of the InternetPinball Database (IPDB), was taken from the original IPDB at The Pinball Pasture (no longer online). From that data, a new site was designed with new web based information submissionfeatures and was moved to the site at https://www.ipdb.org. For more information on the people who created the original IPDB, seethe names at the bottom of the list below.For information on the people contributing to the current IPDB at thissite, see below. The original announcement for the first IPDB can be seen here,for historical reference. The original announcement for the currentIPDB can be seen here. | | Following are those people who have made significant contributionstowards the new data and features of the current Internet PinballMachine Database:Jay Stafford
Senior Editor[Photo w/Gary Stern] | Jay is the primary editor for the IPDB and is a roving editor whoexplores various impromptu information sources for new information that the IPDBdoes not have, including eBayauctions, other web sites (such as new international sites),and pinball reference books. His workhas abundantly and conspicuously expanded the information in the currentIPDB since it's inception. A self-described "Minister of Images" forthe IPDB, Jay wears a powdered wig while uploading. | Kevin Martin
| Kevin Martin is the owner of both PAIR Networks and the Professionaland Amateur Pinball Association (PAPA). PAIR Networksis an environmentally friendly hosting company based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,established in 1996. It is one of the largest and most stable hostingcompanies in the world, hosting hundreds of thousands of websitesaround the world, including that of the Professional andAmateur Pinball Association (PAPA). PAPA is an organization dedicated topreserving and improving the quality of competitive pinball play.With the benefit of the pinball community in mind, the staff at PAPAhave come to an agreement with PAIR Networks to ensure thatweb-hosting for the IPDB will be upgraded and secure for many years tocome. PAIR Networks completely hosts the IPDB and provides thebandwidth and computers at no cost to the pinball community,ensuring fast and stable access to the database! | ChristopherWolf
Coordinating Editor &
Webmaster | Christopher functions as the Webmaster andCoordinating Editor. The resident tech, he wrote and maintains the softwarethat the IPDB runs on. Owner of 15 pinball machines, Chrisis not quite smart enough to think up a snappy comment abouthimself. | Rob Hawkins
and
Don Mueting
Historians | Don and Rob published the seminal Pinball Reference Guide in 1979 andthey continue today to research images and information on pinballmachines. Their PinballCollectors Resource Millenium Edition has beenan invaluable help to the IPDB. Rob and Don provide us muchdocumentation from old Billboard magazines and are helping to improvethe accuracy of the timelines for which the older games areassociated. | Clint Dimick
Generous Webmaster | Of the opinion that one can never have enough bandwidth, for many yearsClint donated some of his in the form of IPDB's first'mirror' site.Because that donation benefited everyvisitor to the site, this was an especially generous gift!Up to 50% of the image traffic was offloaded to the mirror, resultingin faster page load times for everyone. When notplaying pinball or running Linux servers, Clint is dreamingof a basem*nt gameroom to hold all the games he doesn't own. | Frank Laughlin
Editor, Retired | Frank was a member of the original IPDB team and continued his work at the current site.He had accumulated a collection ofdata on over 4,000 machines over a 15 year period, including previouslyunavailable information on production counts and model numbers. This information was used to greatly expand the original IPDB. Frank became the primary maintainer and coordinator for the original IPDB,setting the style and classifications still in use by the IPDB today. Obituary: Frank Laughlin, Jr. |
The following people were the project members responsible for the original IPDB at lysator.liu.se (no longer online), in alphabetical order. This text was taken from the original IPDB. These are the people who devised the concept of the IPDB and created the original look and feel. | | Chick Canterbury | ChickCanterbury originally developed the original Internet Pinball Databasefrom data contained in a variety of publications including books,periodicals and flyers. The first database was intended for hispersonal use and was limited to machine name, manufacturer, productionyear and number of players. After completing an initial database ofover 2,800 records, Chick posted a message to the rec.games.pinballnewsgroup to see if anyone else was interested in theproject. | | David Byers | David Byersexpressed an interest in expanding the initial database and offeringWeb access through the Pinball Pasture. David and Chick developedspecifications for an expanded database and David created the softwarerequired to access and search the database online. | | Russ Jensen | Russ Jensensupplied an enormous number of photographs to the original IPDB. | | Frank Laughlin | FrankLaughlin also responded to the r.g.p posting. He indicated that he hada database of almost 4,000 machines compiled over a 15 yearperiod. Frank contributed his information to the initial databaseincluding previously unavailable data on model numbers, productiondate and production runs. Frank was the primary maintainer of theoriginal IPDB web site database. | | Scott Tiesma | Scott Tiesmamaintained the bibliography that was cross-referenced through thephotos field of the original IPDB. He also developed the InternetPinball Database Windows™ application. | | Mark Valentine | MarkValentine did considerable proof-reading of parts of the originaldatabase and came with very useful suggestions for improving the IPDB,some of which were even implemented. |
| FAQs
The Internet Pinball Machine Database — also known as the IPDB — is a comprehensive, searchable encyclopedia of virtually every pinball machine ever commercially made. The database currently includes 80,332 images of 6,689 games, 5,936 other game related files, and links to other pinball websites, grouped by machine.
How does a virtual pinball machine work? ›
Virtual pinball machines use computer software to recreate the experience of playing on a physical pinball table. The game is displayed on a monitor, and players use buttons and flippers to control the action. Many virtual pinball machines also come with force feedback, making the game feel more realistic.
Why was pinball illegal? ›
But by the mid-1940s, and especially during World War II, pinball was associated with gambling and organized crime; many cities across the United States made it illegal until the bans were lifted in the 1970s.
What is the number one pinball machine? ›
Does any company still make pinball machines? ›
They still make pinball machines? They do, and Stern is not alone: There's also Jersey Jack Pinball of Elk Grove Village, American Pinball of Palatine, Chicago Gaming Company of Cicero, as well as several others, in Wisconsin, Texas. But none as large as Stern these days.
How much does it cost to build a virtual pinball machine? ›
In reality, virtual pinball tables range from $700 to over $10,000. Even do it yourself builds can cost upwards of $5,000.
Is VPX pinball free? ›
Visual Pinball ("VP") is a freeware and source available video game engine for pinball tables and similar games such as pachinko machines.
Why did Microsoft remove pinball? ›
Discontinuation. According to Microsoft employee Raymond Chen, 3D Pinball for Windows – Space Cadet was first removed from later releases of Windows due to a collision detection bug during early development of 64-bit versions of Windows.
What cities banned pinball? ›
Milwaukee, Chicago, New Orleans and Los Angeles followed New York's lead in banning pinball. Other cities such as Washington, D.C., prohibited children from playing it during school hours.
Is pinball a game of chance or skill? ›
The ban ended when Roger Sharpe (a star witness for the AMOA – Amusem*nt and Music Operators Association) testified in April 1976 before a committee in a Manhattan courtroom that pinball games had become games of skill and were not games of chance (which are more closely associated with gambling).
As long as you take care of your pinball machine properly, it'll last you a lifetime and give you the best value for your money. Restoring pinball machines increases its resale value, so don't hesitate the next time you might want to play a game or two on your collector pinball machine as it will not damage its value!
Who owns the most pinball machines? ›
Rob Berk is the owner of Girard's Past Times Arcade. He was presented with a plaque from Guinness World Records on Saturday signifying he owns the most pinball machines in the world. When the record was confirmed in February, Berk had 1,041 machines. He said that number has since grown.
What is the best selling pinball machine of all time required? ›
Designed by Pat Lawlor, Addams Family is the best selling pinball machine of all time with over 20,000 units built.
What is the potential cost of a pinball machine? ›
You can find some used pinball machines selling for less than $2,000. However, more collectible and sought-after pinball machines can cost $10,000 or more when fully restored. Meanwhile, new machines are generally more expensive. They can range between $5,000 to $9,000 depending on the manufacturer and the machine.
What is the old name for the pinball machine? ›
The First Pinball Machines
It wasn't until the 1930s that the first modern-looking, coin-operated pinball machine was invented. It was created by the company Automatic Industries, which named it a “whiffle board.” Next up was a game called “Ballyhoo,” invented in the 1930s by Raymond Maloney.
What do solenoids do in virtual pinball? ›
Solenoids are widely used in virtual pinball machines to mimic the physical sensations of real pinball machines. For example, solenoids can be attached to the cabinet or the playfield of the virtual pinball machine to produce thumps, bumps, or shakes when the ball hits certain targets or triggers.
How is visual pinball different from virtual pinball? ›
Official titles of pinball games and machines are often licensed, credited and included in many virtual pinball games and simulation. Visual Pinball refers to a specific brand of pinball simulation software released in the year 2000. Visual pinball machines allow users to play, design and share their own creations.
How do pinball slingshots work? ›
The mechanism for slightshots involves a coil under the playfield that fires when a ball hits the rubber ring of the slingshot, closes one of two switches to register the hit, then propelling the ball in the opposite direction.
What is a virtual pinball PuP pack? ›
PuP-Packs are a combination of videos/media and config files to work with tables so that the media will play during gameplay. There are actually 3 different methods Pup-Pack authors can choose to get it working. 1> table script (example: stranger things SE edition).
