On Jan 1, 2023 my sons and I made the decision and commitment to embark on our first homebrew pinball project. As avid pinball enthusiasts, it was a natural progression in taking our love for pinball to the next level. Having been in the hobby for about 5 years now, most of our time has revolved around playing, buying, selling, trading and some light repairs (soldering, opto/switch repair, node board replacements were about the biggest challenges to date). Thus, we have ALOT to learn in every aspect. Having a busy full-time job and kids with busy school/activity schedules, I was a bit reluctant to agree to take this project, but was relieved to see the significant resources now available to help guide hobbyists through the process and the great enthusiasts out there who are willing to lend a hand and support along the way. It will obviously be a great life-long memory for me and the boys to build a pinball machine of our own from scratch! I am grateful to have this space and forum to document our work and to share it as we go. Also happy to learn from those of you out there who are also sharing in your own homebrew journeys!

We debated several themes for our machine, but the one that stood out and that the 3 of us could agree on was the Overwatch (Activision/Blizzard) game. We have enjoyed playing it together on Xbox/PC together and with friends for several years, and feel the depth of characters, art, and game style lend itself nicely to pinball. Was definitely inspired by Octomodz League of Legends homebrew (TWIPY nominee!) and will get into later how he is helping us even more now! Some images of the characters and graphics that inspire us are here for reference.

OW-logo-spray (resized).jpg

overwatch_lineup (resized).jpg

ow-heroes (resized).jpg

Initial notebook sketches of homebrew. We drew inspiration from our favorite pins:
-Left orbit to ramp/right wireform return (STh)
-Left ramp (AFM)
-Left inner orbit (IMDN)
-Left shot to target and drop to pops (new idea?)
-Center scoop with target (IJ, BKSOR)
-Right shot into pops (JP)
-Right Ramp (IMDN)
-Right inner orbit (IMDN)
-Drops on both sides (Deadpool)

BW-notebook (resized).jpgColor notebook (resized).jpg

Progression from notebook to large foamboard (relatively to scale).
Purchased ramps that seem to fit best from JodyG Ramp-O-Matic. What an amazing selection!
3D printed DIY wireform brackets from PinballRoom Youtube videos (he has a public Google Drive with many helpful files...thank you!) and ordered stainless steel rods from Amazon
Thanks Mudflaps for inspiring me with your Friday the 13th homebrew project and encouraging me along the way to get this kicked off!

Foam-draft (resized).jpg

DIY-wireforms (resized).jpg

DIY-wireforms2 (resized).jpg

We decided to use a FunkoPop of D.Va, one of the most fun and interesting characters in the game as the main toy/centerpiece. My son crafted a podium for her in Creality and we 3D printed an IJ/BKSOR style scoop in the middle along with space for stand-up target on left and right side of the scoop. We also purchased stickers of the characters from Amazon and decided that each shot/target should have a character associated with it.

DVA boxed (resized).jpgDVA-podium (resized).jpg

After 3D printing the podium, we decided to use foam board to mock up our wireforms and make them a bit more sturdy than the 3D print/steel rod version (those looked good but weren't sturdy enough).
Next we began placing inserts based on our modes and game objectives (still in progress!)

DVA-podium-toy (resized).jpg

DVA-podium-toy2 (resized).jpg

Foam-inserts (resized).jpg

Sent our mocked up foam wireform returns to Matt at Rolling Ball Sculptures who did a tremendous job fabricating these as well as communicating with me along the way!

wireform fab (resized).jpg

So with a foam draft of the playfield reasonably to scale, wireforms, inserts and even toys, it was time to order the heavy duty supplies we would need. This came from two places, PinballLife and Octomodz
We purchased coils, posts, captive ball, drops, inserts and other key must-have items from PinballLife
We ordered a homebrew starter kit from Octomodz which I believe saved us weeks of time (perhaps is the only reason we are still moving the project forward!). For those of you that don't know, he sells different levels of starter kits and also provides ongoing support from him and his community of customers via a Discord channel (so ongoing team support for your homebrew!). The kit came in yesterday and I could not be happier with it. Kit included:
-Whitewood with lower third pre-cut via CNC
-flipper, trough and slingshot assemblies and coils
-inlane/outlane ball guides
-3 pops
-PC with Misson Pinball Framework installed and configured for basic flipping to start
-Power supplies
-FAST pinball controllers
-Wiring
-A few other components
I also research a pinball rotisserie. After reviewing several very costly, large, and heavy looking options, I ordered to $50 bike repair stands from Amazon which seem to be perfect for the job!

kit (resized).jpg

whitewood (resized).jpg

Given we had so much of our draft playfield design and parts ready, we made alot of progress from bare whitewood to current version. Definitely taking our time making any new holes/cuts. It is difficult to determine best placement of the large ball guide in the back of the orbit as this will dictate how much room we have on our playfield. I feel if we don't get this right we may lose space for a shot or 3 pops. Will see as we progress.
Meanwhile have a cabinet and backbox flatpack kit on order. Managed to convince a well-known pinball artist to work with us on this project! More to come in a couple of months on this but it's gonna be epic!

WW2 (resized).jpg

WW3 (resized).jpg

WW4 (resized).jpg

Draft Game Rules (work in progress):
Each shot/target has a corresponding character. When shots are hit we plan to have call-outs/animations of that character but not planning to have each character be "collected". Instead, accumulating enough shots of the character will qualify their "ultimate" ability at the action button which will have different perks based on character (smart missile, ball saver, increase playfield X, etc) to help progress through modes which also require different shots. Four inlane/outlanes will be associated with the 4 healers and spelling H-E-A-L will light outlane ball saver (Mercy resurrection animation).

4 main modes (one will randomly start at ball launch):
-Stop the payload (lit shot starts at right orbit and slowly progresses towards left; must hit lit shots to slow payload progress)
-Move the payload (spinners/switches move the payload to checkpoints. Hit the scoop to qualify next checkpoint)
-Capture the Flag (random shot will be lit but disappear like Megalon in GZ. hit the shot to grab the flag and then your "home base" shot will light. Hit the home base shot to bring the flag home and score a point. 5 points wins the mode)
-Deathmatch (2-ball multiball. Shots will be lit in groups of 3 with middle shot flashing faster worth a kill while others do 1/2 damage. 5 kills to beat the mode. Add a ball at captive ball after first kill)

After getting through each of the 4 main modes, Total Mayhem is qualified. 4-ball mini-wizard MB (rules to come)

D.Va MB-side mode (rules to come) and 5 combos, both to qualify Junkenstein's Revenge mini-wizard mode (qualified after...rules to come)

Icewall Mei inlanes (rules to come)and complete 2 main modes to qualify Yeti Hunter mini-wizard mode (rule to come)

Get through all mini-wizard modes to light Omnic Crisis (rules to come)

Haha see my next post with our draft game rules! Move the payload mode by hitting spinners/switches! Hit scoop at each checkpoint to advance! Keep the ideas coming!

LOL! Love it! He will be one of our H-E-A-L lanes to light ball save for a "Mercy revive".

Aww shucks! This will probably cost me as much as a Stern LE hahaha

Yes perfect! Mercy will play a big role in “reviving” the player

Agree! ordered flat pack here (wanted a new one, not to reskin an old one):
https://pinside.com/pinball/market/shops/1431-trident-pinball-homebrew/07791-diy-cabinet-flat-pack

Tonight we added the ramp in the back right of game which is hit via the left orbit shot (like STh). Also secured the ramps and wireforms fully with hex posts through the playfield. Added some mock ball guides to get an idea of geometry. A few adjustments we are already seeing will be required:
-we may have to eliminate a shot to ensure none are too tight and we have hittable shots and flow (likely the inner target shot into pops to left of D.Va
-Initial plan for 3 pops behind D.Va but thinking we may only have room for 2. Will see as we continue to progress!
-Need to remix the D.Va podium to ensure it fits and also has room inside for scoop
-The Right wireforms have loops for securing to playfield and stick out a little too far towards edge of playfield…will need to bend or snip these

4553E75C-B18B-4622-B36C-D6F9B437E90D (resized).jpeg

7CB47101-AD2D-40AC-8EBB-B48510EC0761 (resized).jpeg

327FD787-CCCD-4389-ADE0-BB8748604321 (resized).jpeg

9A46D5C6-E7C7-4F56-9EF4-7D4EBEAFF329 (resized).jpeg

10F1BBF8-1199-4EDC-A7E0-3D4039FAB2F0 (resized).jpeg

AAA0DA97-667D-4754-8394-0F5903BF6CC5 (resized).jpeg

B642C726-0772-47D9-B6F1-E7ECA7569DA3 (resized).jpeg

E3EEF5AD-D436-40C2-B06C-F62BE01BC2A5 (resized).jpeg

3D printed these great ball guide holders to install this weekend. Steve at Pinball Room has them freely available on his Google Drive…thanks Steve!

40D5961E-905D-4952-9DB2-DC04D4D404FB (resized).jpeg

993F275F-0366-49A1-9EAE-E755EA54BD52 (resized).jpeg

Thanks! First time and trying to keep momentum up and do at least one thing each day!

Thanks! I bought a kit from Ramp o Matic so should be all set!

Measured entry and exit points for orbits and placed 3D printed ball guide holders and a few post rubbers. Happy to report that everything is shooting smooth! most shots are ~2 inches to make this a flowy shooter. Shot to right of D.Va will be tighter and be a smart missile target through the pops now ala JP (this will be the Widowmaker sniper shot). Still need to sure up back orbit ramp flap. One note is that the metal strips I am using for draft ball guides are super sharp! got a few cuts trying to slide ball guide holders on them. Be careful out there haha!
Next up is placement of drops, stand ups and captive ball.

196BDC72-494D-4B2D-A1DC-7729CBA1AED2 (resized).jpeg

645D8086-AAD3-4D5C-857E-9DB0AB04F564 (resized).jpeg

83446E70-E4AE-481D-AFEB-3F45D4640DDF (resized).jpeg

85E24B01-6AC3-408A-8800-C58DC842580E (resized).jpeg

CD1B845B-5664-4D78-982D-453DB716A510 (resized).jpeg

EB521A7C-C1D5-437B-A1C7-7CD2EA26020E (resized).jpeg

Captive ball and our first target added. Already learning we can make it work with smaller holes than we thought.

10EF51BA-901F-4619-A66B-C66D6B964992 (resized).jpeg

375D048E-2737-4B33-8D1E-D272666A4D9F (resized).jpeg

84FEC7A3-BEA1-4B60-939A-9D68BA274803 (resized).jpeg

B8C8F0BD-D3AB-4683-B170-8EC9AA6BA430 (resized).jpeg

E2DD4624-C752-45D8-872B-AB584AF7D8EA (resized).jpeg

Added spinner at left orbit and right inner orbit. Added ball guide for inner orbit which will have an opening and a diverter which will drop it into pops. Some draft placement for pops added, although we need to compare vs other machines to see optimal distance between and also whether we can fit 3 or may need to drop to 2.
Next up we need to add 3-bank drops on each side and the widowmaker single drop target with stand-up target behind it on right side.
Finally, we will likely need to do a sad half plunge from shooter lane across playfield (like STh and GNR, just not enough room for a full plunge shot. But making progress!

DB35FBE2-879C-4AD6-8EA1-58FFF9C05E49 (resized).jpeg

7144C35C-0D84-4731-98C2-F3F109E73F6D (resized).jpeg

A34B97D8-5624-4235-B590-B349B28D5C9C (resized).jpeg

91CCC9D1-57FB-4A92-9EBE-F220049C5CE7 (resized).jpeg

211401DA-6BFB-4775-9782-60C7F1C0812C (resized).jpeg

8E532085-EFAF-4B77-BEC4-1A82F5F23BCA (resized).jpeg

Great ideas! Duly noted!

Installed “Widowmaker” drop/stand-up target to right of right orbit. In the game she is a sniper so we thought it would be cool to have this tight shot. We may even convert it to a physical ball lock using the drop target (like Orb shot on GOTG). We also installed the 3-bank drops on right side and ball guide for our half plunge (which luckily fits right in and I am now at piece with a short plunge haha!). Realizing we need to leave another 1/4 inch minimum behind drops to allow room for the rubber, so in next whitewood the drops will move in closer to PF. Aiming for drops and rubbers on left this weekend. Then we just need to install center scoop, pops and diverter(s).

69C4E498-46E6-4C88-BB89-132901E807C7 (resized).jpeg

F3BDF23C-175F-4E56-A6CD-4E89AD8DA9A0 (resized).jpeg

6132C05C-5AF5-46A2-AD47-B123F7ECD10B (resized).jpeg

D794C97A-0EB3-4860-A01B-856941CE6EF1 (resized).jpeg

DBBBD39E-1384-4EBB-8BE2-4EB2CFA47350 (resized).jpeg

4A8EA5B8-D9AF-4B53-BE52-0BA636F83AB7 (resized).jpeg

0269CD17-4EAE-4FCE-B575-C028BAD7DD56 (resized).jpeg

820A4610-C614-407A-A238-4A60F4B2D24B (resized).jpeg

693B9DCE-78DE-428B-B741-C1C6532FD127 (resized).jpeg

We installed left side 3-bank drops and posts/rubbers as well as outlane ball guide. Trough installed and added a few more toys (final placement TBD). Need an order of parts from PBL to make much more progress.
But very happy with 2 hrs of progress…its amazing how far you can get with a little quiet time and all the parts you need!

7626C61E-05CA-46EF-AFD3-5BD77569FEA5 (resized).jpeg

595EEFA0-851B-4B33-AFAC-D8CC43EB9A9F (resized).jpeg

4DAC3671-75E4-45AD-AF69-102BFF4F0605 (resized).jpeg

458ED9DD-62F3-4D77-8A58-E46E2D529D91 (resized).jpeg

07AFF8FF-95A8-49E1-A4D2-1707384DD547 (resized).jpeg

95F48F11-2B0C-4ABF-A9DC-86CDA7F83404 (resized).jpeg

95C177E9-8C00-4501-94D1-6EE412E64B8A (resized).jpeg

B54BC137-EC62-46F1-9F87-D3D6DF8FDE9A (resized).jpeg

5E05EBAF-89E4-44A5-AB40-3183562BCA64 (resized).jpeg

32B4FDEB-17D5-4863-8975-B56E1AA8EA4C (resized).jpeg

7638FFA8-65A2-4261-8C67-E0EE9F8BD97A (resized).jpeg

center scoop installed! Obviously we need to adjust our 3D printed D. Va podium

26CFF7B5-3BF8-482B-A629-9FBE7D900B0C (resized).jpeg

6AC4D0C1-1D70-4F97-A201-ABC05A8490CF (resized).jpeg

BF503634-3660-4B1D-BA4F-37CEAB266494 (resized).jpeg

C29FE4E2-1A24-498D-BEA4-DBB5833BF0D0 (resized).jpeg

CA778C18-34B6-4585-B827-A48D8D72A85F (resized).jpeg

Tonight we added standup targets in front of each ramp as well as in front of D. Va podium. Also added our 2 pops! Initially planned for 3 but it would be way too tight. We measured the distance between pops on some of our other pins and realized we can only fit two. Then though to other pins like CCr with only 2 pops but also having a bumper or long rubber in the pops to keep the action going. So we will add either a bumper or rubber eventually.
Waiting for parts from PBL to screw everything in properly (standups currently hanging there haha). Then we just add two small diverters and are moving on to start wiring and moving the build into Adobe Illustrator for a CNC cut whitewood number two from @octomodz!

2DC43FB5-BC8E-4CF8-85F4-CAFF27BE15E9 (resized).jpeg

793AF776-8722-499B-9D7E-7946BAE813C6 (resized).jpeg

0BAC3412-CF2F-420F-BE7D-282CABA93C6C (resized).jpeg

20E2EDE9-49E2-48BE-93EF-43567DCA3645 (resized).jpeg

57C045EA-C30D-4B18-867E-F351022D34F8 (resized).jpeg

7F228E98-0AC8-44AA-86E3-1A84852C4D28 (resized).jpeg

DEA04DF7-3421-4497-9656-C75B05164436 (resized).jpeg

0B0DC84D-E29B-4500-89EA-2A4FA64268E5 (resized).jpeg

Thank you, they are beautiful! Credit to Matt Gaulden at Rolling Ball Sculptures for the wireforms. And I connected them to ramps via inserts I found on Pinball Life.

amazing! yeah currently using a drill..haha thank you!