Xenon (pinball)

Xenon's playfield is a single-level layout with a central "Xenon" magnet that can capture the ball and then fling it, adding a unique strategic element. The game features a "3-ball multiball" mode that is triggered by completing the "Xenon" lanes, and a "skill shot" that awards bonus points for hitting a specific target on the first ball. The upper playfield includes a "spinner" and a "drop target" bank, while the lower field has a "pop bumper" trio. The game's rules are relatively simple but offer depth through its "Xenon" magnet and the "Extra Ball" feature, which is lit by completing the "Xenon" letters. The game also includes a "novelty" feature: the voice says "Xenon" when the magnet is activated, and "Come play with me" during gameplay, adding to the atmosphere.

Xenon was the first pinball machine to use a speech synthesizer, the Votrax SC-01 chip, which produced the female voice. The game's cabinet art, designed by artist Python Anghelo, features a striking black-and-blue color scheme with a futuristic female face, which was a departure from the colorful, cartoonish art of earlier games. The backglass art depicts the android Xenon in a seductive pose, and the playfield uses black lighting to enhance the neon-like glow of the inserts. The game's sound system also includes a synthesized music track that plays during gameplay, composed by Ritchie and Williams' audio engineer, which was innovative for its time. The game's electronics are based on the Williams System 7 hardware, which was a reliable platform used in several other Williams titles.

Xenon was a commercial success, with over 1,200 units produced, and it helped establish Steve Ritchie as a leading pinball designer. The game's use of a synthesized voice was a major marketing point, and it influenced later games like Gorgar (also by Williams) and Firepower. Xenon's art and theme have made it a favorite among collectors, and it is often cited as one of the best-looking pinball machines of the 1980s. The game has appeared in popular culture, including in the 1982 film "Tron" and in the music video for the song "Danger Zone" by Kenny Loggins. Xenon is also notable for being one of the first pinball machines to feature a female android as the central character, which was a departure from the male-dominated themes of earlier games.

Xenon's speech synthesizer was a Votrax SC-01, which was a primitive chip that could only produce phonemes, and the voice was programmed by Williams' engineer, who had to manually code the pitch and duration of each sound. The game's "Xenon" magnet is actually an electromagnet that can hold the ball for a few seconds, and it is one of the few pinball machines to feature such a device. Xenon was also released in a limited "cocktail table" version, which is extremely rare and highly sought after by collectors. The game's art was originally intended to be more colorful, but the decision to use a black-and-blue palette was made to emphasize the "futuristic" theme. Additionally, Xenon's voice lines were recorded by a woman named "Xenon" who was a friend of the design team, and her voice was then processed through the synthesizer to create the robotic effect.

Solid-state

Refers to pinball machines that use electronic components instead of electromechanical relays, common in the late 1970s and 1980s.

Multiball

A gameplay mode in pinball where multiple balls are in play simultaneously, often triggered by specific objectives.

Skill shot

A bonus awarded for hitting a specific target on the first ball, often requiring precise timing or aim.

Backglass

The vertical panel at the top of a pinball machine that displays the game's title and artwork, often illuminated.