We Are Pinball #48 BOF CEO David Van Es Joins WAP!!

We Are Pinball #48 features David Van Es, CEO of Barrels of Fun, discussing the surprise launch and immediate sellout of Winchester Mystery House at Pinball Expo 2025. Van Ness explains his philosophy of unexpected game drops (avoiding pre-launch hype), the decision to limit production to 525 units (tied to the house's address), the market challenges of original IPs, and Karl DeAngelo selection as Winchester's designer. The conversation covers Barrels of Fun's rapid growth, the mixed reception of Dune despite strong code updates, and the company's strategy of prioritizing gameplay experience over traditional industry marketing.