Barrels of Fun Launches "Barrels Reserve" Collectors' Club; Production Update; New Game Sooner Than We Thought
By knapparcade
Barrels of Fun's latest pinball machine, Winchester Mystery House almost instantly sold out of its 525 unit limited production run. Needless to say, a lot of members of the pinball community who wanted one were left out in the cold. Barrels has a new plan to make sure that doesn't happen again. Moments ago, the company launched its new "Barrels Reserve" program, a new collectors' club built around a simple promise: fans who want a game should be able to get one, directly from Barrels of Fun. They're billing it as "the fan club made for collectors, by collectors," and the new club has a number of benefits beyond just guaranteed access to games, including planned members-only events, exclusive merchandise, and an annual collectable gift. Here's how the game-buying aspect of the club actually works: Barrels of Fun's future pinball titles will still be limited, numbered runs that can sell out. As a Barrels Reserve member, you can order a machine even if the announced Limited Edition number is reached through regular sales in the first week. If a sellout occurs, Barrels Reserve members get seven additional days to place an order before the edition closes for everyone. Non-members can still order games directly from Barrels of Fun anytime or through their favorite distributor. As I mentioned earlier, Barrels Reserve membership comes with other benefits including members-only event access (with two big events currently in the works), discounts on existing Barrels of Fun merch throughout the year, and new custom-designed merchandise made exclusively for members (an announcement on that should happen in the next week or two). I will provide updates here about these items as they are announced. Barrels Reserve membership costs $75 for a one-year membership: Membership Page. Speaking of Barrels, I just got off the phone with the company's CEO a little while ago and I have a production update for everybody. As I mentioned here last week, Barrels recently went through the time-consuming process of expanding its Houston, Texas facility, adding an entirely new section and hiring new employees, they are up to approximately 40 or so now. Dune and Winchester are currently on the production line. Dune production will end next month (July). Winchester pins are coming off the line daily. The pace is not quite where the company wants it yet, but they are picking up speed and continuing to improve. Barrels' current plan is still to complete Winchesters Mystery House production by the end of October or so, assuming no major outside disruptions. A lot of people had expected that we might get the next Barrels of Fun pin around Chicago Pinball Expo (October 14th). After speaking with David, I think that we are getting a new game from Barrels MUCH sooner than that. I can't wait!
