Orin Day
Orin Day is a prominent software engineer and game developer whose influential career spanned from 1994 to 2002 at Data East, Sega Pinball, and Stern Pinball. Known particularly for his innovative software design, Day made substantial contributions to over two dozen pinball machines, including programming the groundbreaking 13-ball "Mega-Multiball" for Apollo 13 (1995)—the largest multiball feature in pinball history. His technical achievements also include integration of sophisticated licensed themes in popular titles such as Guns N' Roses (1994), Independence Day (1996), and South Park (1999), demonstrating his ability to effectively merge complex gameplay mechanics with engaging thematic content.
Day's work significantly influenced modern pinball by pioneering interactive playfield mechanisms, advancing multiball complexity, and emphasizing the tight integration of licensed intellectual properties with game design, which remains a core practice today. He played an essential role in navigating major industry transitions, including the acquisition of Data East by Sega, and subsequently Sega by Stern, helping to sustain pinball through a period of declining arcade popularity. Although he left the industry in 2002, Day's innovations, collaborative approach, and accessible engagement with the pinball community have left a lasting legacy, continually shaping both physical pinball machines and modern digital adaptations.
