Epic Pinball

Epic Pinball is a pinball simulation developed principally by Canadian programmer James Schmalz and published by Epic MegaGames for MS-DOS in 1993. Created before Schmalz formally established the Digital Extremes name, it became one of the most successful games distributed through Epic’s shareware model. The freely available version contained the Android table, while additional tables could be obtained by purchasing the registered editions.

The game was originally divided into three packs containing four tables each. The selection includes the science-fiction-themed Android, the fantasy-based Excalibur and Magic, the prehistoric Pangaea, the racing table Crash & Burn, and Jungle Pinball, a tribute to Epic’s earlier platform game Jill of the Jungle. Other tables explore subjects ranging from deep-sea exploration and space travel to toys and Irish folklore. The later CD-ROM collection added a thirteenth table, African Safari.

Each table is presented from above in a vertically scrolling window, with the display following the ball as it travels around a playing field larger than the screen. Players operate the flippers, launch the ball and nudge the table while attempting to activate scoring combinations, bonus multipliers and special modes. Although the layouts differ considerably, they use the familiar components of physical pinball machines, including bumpers, ramps, lanes, drop targets and multiball sequences.

Epic Pinball was programmed entirely in x86 assembly language and runs in a 320 × 240 graphics mode. Its smooth scrolling, colourful artwork and detailed table animations made effective use of contemporary PC hardware. Music and sound effects also play an important role in distinguishing the tables; the soundtrack was created with Scream Tracker and includes compositions by Robert A. Allen and Joshua Jensen. Up to four players can compete by taking turns on the same computer.

The game received favourable reviews, with Computer Gaming World praising its overall quality and describing the registered package as good value for its selection of tables. According to Epic founder Tim Sweeney, it became the company’s best-selling shareware title; more than 200,000 copies were sold, and Schmalz earned over one million dollars in royalties during its first year. Its success helped establish Digital Extremes and provided part of the financial foundation for the later development of Unreal, making Epic Pinball important not only as a DOS pinball game but also in the early history of two major game studios.