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The past, present, and future share a show floor at Pinball Expo 2026
Ars Technica • • general
Key Points:
- The annual Pinball Expo in Chicagoland highlights the resurgence of pinball, with Stern Pinball dominating 90% of the current market and continuing to release licensed machines like Fallout.
- Innovative developments include modular systems like Multimorphic’s P3, which features interchangeable playfields and a reactive display, allowing multiple games on one machine and supporting third-party game development via a free SDK.
- The homebrew pinball scene is thriving, with designers creating unique machines such as Shaolin Flow, which incorporates motion controls, showcasing growing accessibility and creativity in pinball design.
- New tools like Johnny Zen’s Pinball Construction Set enable users to design pinball tables in a browser with drag-and-drop functionality, aiming to expand the pool of developers beyond traditional CAD methods.
- Pinball Expo also celebrates the history and culture of pinball, featuring vintage machines, artists, vendors, and aftermarket mods, while the industry is seeing diversification with new manufacturers emerging beyond the traditional Chicagoland hub.
