Pinball still stirs wizardry at Schaumburg tournament
There are video games, and then there are pinball games.
That was the sentiment of pinball enthusiasts and nationally ranked competitive players who converged Saturday on GameWorks at the Streets of Woodfield for the first Chicago-area pinball tournament in 15 years.
"I love video games, but there's something about the physicality of pinball, of all the bells and whistles, and playing with a ball, that I still love," said one of the tournament players, Patrick McCarron, 29, of Carpentersville.
GameWorks' Pinball Tournament of Champions continues with open qualifying rounds from noon to 2 p.m. today, before the top 16 players advance to the finals, starting at 3 p.m. for the chance to win $1,000 in prizes, and raise their tour rankings.
Top players with enough ranking points will have the chance to qualify for the world pinball championship, taking place in July in London.
"Pinball is nostalgic for most people, but really, it's state-of-the-art technology," said Roger Sharpe of Arlington Heights, co-director of the International Flipper Pinball Association, which sanctioned the tournament.
"Each game has its own story, and as a player, it's up to you to discover its subtleties and nuances," added Sharpe, whose association oversees 100 competitive tournaments across the country, and supports the World Pinball Player Rankings, which includes more than 3,600 players from 19 countries.
In this weekend's tournament, competitors have the chance to play the latest games manufactured by Stern Pinball, based in Melrose Park, including its new Batman game, where players get to fight the Joker, strike Scarecrow's crane and race the Batmobile.
Roger Sharpe's sons, Zach and Josh, led the leader board on Saturday, and both are internationally ranked players. While they grew up playing the game, they now find its draw in all of the strategy and skill involved, they said.
"Most beginning players are reactive, shooting for the flashing lights," said Zach Sharpe, 27. "But the more comfortable and skilled you are, you become proactive. You plan your shots out and get control of the ball."
GameWorks officials said they hoped the tournament would promote the activity, and become an annual event.
"We have a core following here, including three of the top 10 ranked players living right around here," said General Manager Jim Olson, pointing to the Sharpe brothers and Lyman Sheats of Hoffman Estates.
"It's an activity that is a lot cheaper alternative than going out," Olson added, "and it allows you to stay close to home."