Game Plan Inc.

Game Plan, Inc. was an American pinball manufacturer founded in 1978 in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, by industry veteran Wendell McAdams, alongside Leo Goldboss and Mike Abrams. Operating as a subsidiary of AES Technology Systems, the company initially focused on “cocktail” pinball machines—smaller, bar-friendly tables distinguished by their compact design. By releasing five different cocktail models in its first year, including Foxy Lady (1978) and Black Velvet (1978), Game Plan gained a measure of recognition within a competitive market.

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Seeking further growth, Game Plan expanded to full-sized pinball games with the introduction of Sharpshooter (1979), designed by noted pinball figure Roger Sharpe. Sharpshooter became the company’s best-selling title, with approximately 4,200 units produced, helping to establish the young manufacturer’s credibility in the broader arcade industry. Game Plan also employed designer John Trudeau, whose work on themes such as Agents 777 (1984) and Captain Hook (1985) reflected the company’s experimental spirit. Technologically, Game Plan’s machines employed solid-state circuitry and Zilog Z80 microprocessors while featuring LED displays—a choice that set them apart from some competitors—alongside a cost-conscious approach of reusing or “mirroring” playfield layouts.

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Despite these innovations, the surge of video games in the 1980s and rising financial pressures proved difficult for the company to overcome. Game Plan ceased operations in late 1985, leaving its final project, Loch Ness Monster (1985), unreleased beyond a single prototype. Though short-lived, the pinball division remains noteworthy for its creative cabinet designs, distinctive themes, and willingness to take calculated risks, distinguishing Game Plan as an inventive contributor to the late golden era of pinball.