Modern designer don't hold a candle to the forefathers of pinball design. My favorite designers all worked during a period where there was tough competition amongst manufacturers and in any given year, 20 titles would be the norm.
These are my favorite designers ;
Ed Krynski (Gottlieb) is the greatest pinball designer of all time. He designed well over 200 titles across 20 years at Gottlieb. Here's just some of the legendary tables - Spirit of 76, Jacks Open, Bronco, Surf Chanp Buccaneer, Royal Flush. Ed Dorado, Sky Jump, Flying Carpet, Pop-a-card, Snow Queen, King of Diamonds, Dancing Lady, Crosstown. SYS80 - Joker Poker, Countdown, Genie...
Wayne Neyens (Gottlieb) - Ed Krynski's partner in crime at Gottlieb. 37 years as a designer across 150 games - Spirit of 76, Mermaid, Mystic Marvel, Southern Belle, World Champ, Rocket Ship, Dancing Doll, Fashion Show, World Fair, Gigi, North Star, Buccaroo
Greg Kmiec (Bally) - Designed my favorite game - Paragon, and designed other games in the "Golden Era" - Wizard, Old Chicago, Alladin's Castle, Captain Fantastic, Night Rider, Power Play, $6 Man, Xenon,
Jim Patla (Bally) - El Toro, Hi-Lo Ace, Twin Win, Sky Kings, Boomerang, Air Aces, Mata Hari, Playboy, KISS, Space Invaders, Viking, Centaur, truck stop, EATPM
Steve Kordek - (Williams) - His career spanned 30 years - Space Ship, Big Deal, Beat Time, Shangri La, Zodiac, Honey, Winner, Space Mission
John Trudeau (Gottlieb) - Learnt from the masters at Gottlieb - Rocky, Spirit, Genesis, Robo Wars, Black Rose, CFTBL
Steve Richie - (Williams) - Flash, Superman, Firepower, Black Knight, T2, ST TNG, T3
Most of my collection is based from late 70's to mid 80's. Ed Kynski Gottliebs and Greg Kmiec and Jim Patla Ballys and John Trudeau Gottliebs.
No modern designer (except Trudeau and Steve Ritchie) are even in the same galaxy as the old timers. Trudeau is my favorite modern day designer as a lot of his designs use the same principle as he used to do at Gottlieb - at least attempt to innovate or bring something new to the table. When I see how brilliant Rocky or Spirit is, you can see that kind of influence on CFTBL, WWE and now Ghostbusters.
