Key facts
- Stern Pinball controls an estimated 90% of the current pinball market.
- Multimorphic's P3 system features a ball-tracking display and swappable playfields.
- The Dungeon Crawler Carl pinball game will be part of Multimorphic's P3 lineup.
- Dungeon Crawler Carl is planned for production by year-end and delivery early next year.
The annual Pinball Expo 2026 took place in Chicagoland, drawing hundreds of enthusiasts and manufacturers. Stern Pinball, a dominant force in the industry, hosted tours of its headquarters and factory, showcasing its latest Fallout machine. Gary Stern, the company's founder, provided background on its 40-year history, while game designer George Gomez stated Stern controls approximately 90% of the current pinball market. Despite Stern's market leadership, the expo floor revealed innovation from smaller companies and hobbyist projects. Multimorphic presented its P3 system, featuring a dynamic display and swappable playfields, including the Dungeon Crawler Carl prototype. According to Multimorphic co-creative director Stephen Silver, the P3 system allows for 10 different playfields, with Dungeon Crawler Carl planned to encompass seven books from the series. The Dungeon Crawler Carl game is slated for production by the end of the year, with deliveries expected early next year.