PREDATOR PINBALL REVEALED! Launch Photos, Production Numbers, Build Date, Licensing & More in An Interview with Pinball Brothers' CEO

Jason
Jun 18
6 min read

This afternoon, Pinball Brothers officially revealed its next game, based on the iconic 1987 Action / Horror film Predator.

Below I have all of the official launch photos as well as an exclusive Q & A session with Pinball Brothers' co-founder and CEO Daniel Janson. We talk about licensing, shipping dates, production numbers and much more. They expect to release a gameplay video within the next few days. A trailer video of the game leaked and was quickly taken down earlier this morning, but the damage was done and some pictures are out there. I promised Pinball Brothers that I would not launch my article until 3:00 PM my time and I always keep my word, so here we are.

Q: How did you choose Predator as the theme for your next game?

A: The whole PB/EPC team is just massive Predator fans. So it was a no brainer for us to move on to make this game as a follow up to Alien. From the very beginning we also felt that this has to be a widebody game just like Alien. In many ways this game is a true “sister game” to Alien and so they really belong together. The team involved is about 50% the same people who made Alien, so it has been a true pleasure working on this game and we are immensely proud of the result.

Q: Who designed the layout for Predator? Who did the code? Who did the art?

A: The team behind this game is as follows:

Playfield layout: Daniel Janson, Peter Dahlman and Andrea Di Molfetta (a k a Andrea Pedretti)
Game rules & code: Daniel Janson and Andreas Mellström
Mechanical Design: Peter Dahlman
Electronics: FAST Pinball and Albéric Aublanc
Graphics and Animation: Kelly Mazurowski
Music and sound design: Olof Gustafsson
Cabinet and playfield artwork: Aurich Lawson
Additional artwork: Mariia Chekan
3D models/sculpts: Malin Ivarsson

Q: Is there only one version of Predator, or are you going to sell different trim levels, such as an entry level game and a premium game?

A: Yes there is only one version of the game. However, you have the option of adding a Trophy Package that includes:

Green Jungle warfare trims
Shaker motor
Invisiglass
Backbox mission lighting (60 RGB controlled LEDs on the back of the backbox that interactively enhances the light shows in the game)
Game exclusive poster (limited)
Predator merch package
Jungle service kit

Q: Tell us about the new mechs and boards that Pinball Brothers is now using.

A: Since we are working with FAST Pinball on the Funhouse remake (released through EPC) it became a natural step to also incorporate FAST pinball’s system in our original themed games, like Predator as well. There are a load of benefits for us as a company but mainly for our end customers and distributors. Everything will become easier in terms of spare parts availability, service and support. On the same topic we are also moving towards more standard parts on the mechanical side as well. For the very same reasons. To be honest the difference from what we are using in our games up until now is not huge because they also contain loads of standard parts, but this step we are taking now makes it even easier and better for everybody, from production to ownership of our games a long time from now.

Q: What is your favorite feature in the Predator pin?

A: There are so many things to love in this game. We really poured our hearts into it and it is fully packed. But to pick something that stands out and is really central for the whole game it is the Predator itself. The main character and the mech of the game. He moves in all directions and we have focused on making those fights with him as exciting as possible. Apart from that we are really proud of the overall feeling of the game. The aim has been to make an immersive game where the players should feel that they are stepping right into the jungle. The movie is a big contract of slow and action packed moments and we have tried to capture this also in the game. Things can be deceivingly calm only to suddenly burst into full-paced action. Just like the movie. Olof he made the music for the game contributes to this in a great way. We obviously have the iconic main theme from the movie in the game, but also loads of custom music to accompany this legendary theme.

Q: Did you have any licensing restrictions?

A: We have been able to use everything from the movie in terms of violence, weapons blood, gore etc. so there has been no restrictions regarding policies. And we are super happy about this because making a Predator game with restrictions on these things would have been almost impossible. It just would not work. We also have zero restrictions using most of the crew in the game, the only actor/character not featuring at all in the game is Billy. We are also not allowed to use any close ups of Dutch, see below for more details on that. However, this fits the context of the game well, because but when you play the game you step into the shoes of Dutch and play the game and fight the Predator as him. One of the general tasks in the game is also to bring your crew member with you into special missions and fighting the Predator. You see all the crew members in the UI on the display, so you know who is currently with you and not. For the cabinet art and playfield art we decided early on that we did not want actors there, but rather focus on the main character in the movie, the Predator, and to capture a good feeling of jungle scenery.

Q: If Arnold Schwarzenegger is not included in the game at launch, is it possible that he will be added to the code at a later date like Sigourney Weaver was to Alien?

A: As mentioned above, he is in the game, but he is not featured in close ups and does not play a significant part. But we are looking into the possibility of adding more clips since we know this is something many want to see and asks for. Even if it does not really fit with the narrative of the game, as you are playing the game as Dutch, we agree it would still be a good thing. If this will happen or not is beyond me to say for the moment. But it is definitely possible. Unfortunately it is not something that is in our hands to decide and there is nothing we can do to make it happen. This is entirely a decision between other parties.

Q: When can customers expect games to begin shipping to Europe and the United States?

A: Production is already ongoing and the plan is to start shipping games in mid-August. There are a few parts that have a long leadtime, like the molded parts for instance. This is what holds games off from being shipped already today.

Q: Is there a limit to how many Predator pinball machines can be sold?

A: Our production capacity is the limitation. The current plan is to make 800 games.

Q: Do you have another game in the works?

A: Yes! There are loads of games to come.

Q: Will Pedretti have to wait to build its game at the Euro Pinball Corp factory now that Predator is on the line?

A: Euro Pinball Corp is a subsidiary to Pinball Brothers and we plan the production as one big team for all titles. We already know we can build multiple games simultaneously and will continue to do so onwards.

In the United States, the game's MSRP is $10,995 USD plus shipping (around $500). Upgrading to the "Jungle Warfare" trim tacks on $1,495 to the price.

https://www.pinballbrothers.com/predator-pinball/

Game Specs:

Jungle hunt features & mission essentials
3 x flipper jungle hunt action
Interactive choppa with physical ball lock
Interactive and attacking Predator!
Ol’Painless minigun, spins and shoots with muzzle flashes!
Truck and rebel camp with exploding light show
Wristblade gauntlet ramp
Camp attack ramp
Diverting choppa ramp
Scorpion loop ramp
Fully lit and interactive Yautja Apron display
Trophy case specs & technical enhancements
Wide body jungle action game
Predator icon cut out black stealth trims

3 x B/W style flipper mechs
2 x B/W style pop bumpers
3 x Jungle mission spinners
4 x Super standup targets
3 x Up-posts
2 x Playfield magnets
Chromed mini gun loader VUK
Mini gun loader physical ball lock
Chromed shiny wire forms
Close range scoop
The Predator drop targets (3 bank)
Guns & ammo drop targets (3 bank)
Jungle scare single drop target (1 bank)
Battle rythm & jungle echoes
Iconic Predator sound clips, movie quotes & call outs
Original score by Alan Silvestri
Includes newly composed Predator Pinball Soundtrack
Custom-designed weaponry and jungle terror SFX crafted exclusively for the world of the game
Combat & recon visuals
Packed with original movie scenes and clips
Missions and tasks based on the original The Predator film
Full on military grit and alien horror!