Programming, mechnical engineering, artwork, animation and sound all play key roles in drawing the player into the game. A successful pinball machine requires a seamless integration of skills from all the design areas and especially critical with something like the Ringmaster. As it is the main playfield toy and a key focus area for the player, it got special attention from the design team. (If you think designing a pinball game is easy, then you don't know "Jack" ....) Take a look at some of the early stages of Ringmaster design and then take a look at the Ringmaster today. Note: Click on pictures with thick borders to see a larger image

Early Design

The first Ringmaster mechanism (November 1996) was given to the programmer on this fixture so the driver could be written. This mechanism wasn't installed on a playfield until Whitewood #2

The first Ringmaster mechanism on Whitewood #2. The cylinder was just a place holder until the molded head was ready. (January 1997)
Ringmaster mold (March 1997)	The very first Ringmaster heads ... ... what color should the eyes be? (May 1997)
The first Ringmaster, hand-painted by Linda Deal

Artwork concept for Ringmaster and WOW area (January 1997)

Related Design

Don't forget to look Behind the Scenes of Dot Matrix Animations and listen to sounds of the Cirqus Voltaire

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