George Opperman
George Opperman (1935–1985) was a pioneering graphic artist whose work at Atari helped define the visual landscape of early video gaming and pinball. Trained in design and advertising, he entered Silicon Valley in the 1960s and quickly distinguished himself by blending artistic flair with corporate branding. When Nolan Bushnell recruited him in 1972, Opperman famously created the iconic “Fuji” Atari logo—a stylized “A” said to be inspired by the game Pong. As Atari’s first in-house art director, he brought a professional, holistic approach to game visuals, overseeing everything from cabinet artwork to promotional materials at a time when most manufacturers treated art as secondary.
Beyond corporate branding, Opperman had a significant impact on pinball, particularly through Atari’s short-lived pinball division. He produced memorable artwork for several widebody machines, including The Atarians (1976), Airborne Avenger (1977), Middle Earth (1978), and Superman (1979). His cohesive designs integrated backglass, playfield, and cabinet art to reinforce each game’s theme—a departure from the fragmented styles often seen in earlier pinball. By combining bold sci-fi and fantasy imagery with emerging electronic technologies, Opperman’s aesthetic helped Atari’s tables stand out, influencing how later manufacturers and designers conceived the overall “look” of pinball machines.
Opperman remained with Atari through multiple transitions—such as its sale to Warner Communications and the rise of video arcades—adapting his team’s talents to new corporate demands. Although he passed away in 1985 at just 50, his influence endures: the Atari logo remains a globally recognized design icon, and collectors still seek out Atari’s unique pinball machines for their distinctive, illustrated backglasses. Opperman’s legacy is that of an artist who elevated game graphics from peripheral decoration to a core component of the player experience, shaping how modern pinball and arcade art are both created and appreciated.
