Steve Ritchie (pinball designer)

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Steve Ritchie at CA Extreme 2009

Steve Ritchie is a renowned pinball designer and video game designer, widely recognized for his significant contributions to the pinball industry. He is often referred to as the "King of Pinball" due to his influential designs and innovative approach to the game.

Early Life[edit | edit source]

Steve Ritchie was born on February 13, 1950, in San Francisco, California. He developed an interest in electronics and mechanics at a young age, which later translated into his passion for designing pinball machines.

Career[edit | edit source]

Ritchie's career in the pinball industry began in the 1970s when he joined Atari, Inc. as a pinball designer. His first major success came with the design of the pinball machine Airborne Avenger in 1977.

Williams Electronics[edit | edit source]

In 1978, Ritchie moved to Williams Electronics, where he designed some of the most iconic pinball machines in history. Notable titles include:

  • Flash (1979) - The first pinball machine to feature continuous background sound.
  • Firepower (1980) - Introduced the concept of multiball.
  • Black Knight (1980) - Featured the first-ever two-level playfield and the "Magna-Save" feature.

Midway Games[edit | edit source]

In the 1990s, Ritchie joined Midway Games, where he continued to innovate in the pinball industry. He designed the popular The Getaway: High Speed II (1992) and Star Trek: The Next Generation (1993) machines.

Stern Pinball[edit | edit source]

Ritchie later joined Stern Pinball, where he designed several successful machines, including:

Design Philosophy[edit | edit source]

Steve Ritchie's design philosophy focuses on creating engaging and challenging gameplay experiences. He is known for incorporating innovative features and technology into his designs, which have set new standards in the pinball industry.

Personal Life[edit | edit source]

Ritchie is also an accomplished musician and has played in several bands. He continues to be active in the pinball community, participating in events and sharing his expertise with new generations of designers.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

Steve Ritchie's contributions to the pinball industry have earned him a legendary status among enthusiasts and collectors. His machines are celebrated for their creativity, complexity, and lasting appeal.

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

External Links[edit | edit source]

Template:Pinball-bio-stub

Wiki.png

Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD


Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.

Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD