Good Deal Games - Classic Videogame Games INTERVIEW

INTERVIEW
Rob Berk

Rob Berk is one of the masterminds responsible for organizing this years Pinball Expo '99. His pinball collection spans over 500 unique machines, so Rob knows pinball!

MT> As Expo Chairman, what exactly are your responsibilities?
RB> As Expo chairman, I am responsible for everything! I set up the seminars, banquet, tour, tournament, and help Mike, Exhibits Chaiman, in getting exhibitors for the show.

MT> How did you come into contact with your fellow organizer and partner, Mike Pacak (Exhibits Chairman)?
RB> I met Mike years ago at a local arcade where he was fixing a pinball machine. About 6 months into planning of the first show, I asked him if he wanted to help out with the show. The rest is history.

MT> Could you provide a brief summary of what one would expect to find at the Pinball Expo?
RB> The Expo is a show for everyone..No matter what your interest is, we have it. It is a meeting ground for collectors and enthusiasts from all over the world

MT> The Pinball Expo has been in existence for almost a decade and a half. What type of evolution has it made in scope of coverage and scale?
RB> The Expo has continued to grow in size & has become recognized as THE pinball show for pinball players & afficiandoes. We will be covered this year by personnel from the TODAY show

MT> Any new plans for the expo in the coming decade, or rather, the next millennium?
RB> We really have no new plans for next year. Our show is dependent to a certain degree on the strength of the industry. If it does well, we get a lot of support from them. Our show continues to add new events and will always be packed full of activities.

MT> This years Williams factory tour sounds spectacular! What other notable events have Pinball Expo attendees experienced in the past?
RB> The tour is sure to be a highlight. As being the number one producer of pinball machines, it is truely a privilege to tour this facility. As far as notable events, there are many. The autograph session for one is very popular. The Pat Lawlor show is also extremely popular.

MT> 1: For those of our readers which aren't so pinball savvy, who is Pat Lawlor? (designer of Roadshow and funhouse, right?)
RB> Yes, Pat Lawlor is the wonderful designer who designed Roadshow,Funhouse, Twilight Zone, Whirlwind, and everyone's favorite-Addams Family...He gives a really fun presentation & will be our quest speaker at the banquet.

MT> The consoles have produced a few outstanding pinball games, (i.e. Turbografx's Devil's Crush and Saturn's Last Galdiators) The Atari Lynx actually has versions of Police Force and Elvira and the Party Monsters. Although these aren't true pinball simulations, we are curious how a pinball aficionado perceives them?
RB> True pinball players get no joy out of playing a video version of their favorite game. No colors, flash, feel, sounds, & looks of the real game. PLUS, there is no adventure of playing with money knowing you have a chance to win a free game.
MT> Ouch, that hurts to those of us that enjoy video pinball, but we DO understand!

MT> What is your personal favorite pinball machine of all time?
RB> Since I was born in the 50's, I enjoy electro-mechanical games-especially those made in the 60's. I like all single player games from this time period. My favorites are Post Time & Smarty made by Williams. I also like Black Knight 2000.

MT> My favorite pinball machine of all time is the classic Black Knight. It had a Magna save function, where the player could "grab" the ball with the use of a magnets, which were operated by slapping a button to activate them. Do you think that the magna save will ever return to pinball?
RB> The magna save has been used in other games besides Black Knight. If you want to find out if it is returning, the Expo would give you a great opportunity to talk to the desgners & ask them directly!

MT> Playing pinball all these years, have you had any ideas you wished were implemented in pinball machines?
RB> I wish pinball machines would return to a more simplistic design with easier rules to understand.

The Expo was originally started as a means to recognize those game desgners that produced the games I love. At the first Expo, we recognized Steve Korder, Norm Clark, Wayne Neyens, and Harvey Heiss. Between these gentlemen, they desgned over 600 games going back to the 30's. As of this date, all are still living!

Good Deal Games thanks Rob for taking time from the flippers to bounce around a few questions.
Visit the Pinball Expo '99 Webpage