Denver, CO
This whole thread is amazing. Thanks to those of you who were close to the situation for sharing your thoughts - fuzzy memories or not. I've been in the hobby since the mid-90s and was a sideline spectator of the whole BBB/ IPB situation. Reading these stories about the BBB announcement, the WMS licensing fiasco, Mr. Pinball, etc. etc. is really bringing back some memories. Those were crazy times in the hobby.
My small add to this is that I acquired a BBB some years ago which was missing the manual and the engraved plate with the game number. I called IBP am pretty sure I talked with Kim about getting replacements. We talked for about 20 minutes and I remember her being really happy to know where my game had landed. She said they kind of considered the BBB games their kids (her words) and were always wondering where they were in the world. They had their engraver make me a new plate and I got a copy of the usual, photo-copied manual that everyone else originally got with their game (for a price, of course).
I only met Gene once at an early Rocky Mountain Pinball Showdown but honestly don't remember much about our conversation. I think this was after BBB and possibly when there was talk about Kingpin. I asked him about KP pre-orders and he said they were working on getting parts reproduced, etc. but were not ready to start taking any orders yet.
Keep the stories coming everyone. This is great stuff.
Victoria, BC
