Game Plan Inc.

Game Plan, Inc., founded in 1978 in Elk Grove Village, Illinois by Wendell McAdams (with Leo Goldboss and Mike Abrams), was an American pinball manufacturer and AES Technology Systems subsidiary known for blending compact cocktail pinball and full-size arcade tables, building a reputation for distinctive cabinet art and inventive themes. Initially focused on cocktail machines with 1978 releases such as Foxy Lady and Black Velvet, Game Plan moved into full-size games with Roger Sharpe’s Sharpshooter (1979) — its best-selling title at roughly 4,200 units — helping establish the brand in the arcade market. Designers including Roger Sharpe and John Trudeau contributed notable titles like Agents 777 and Captain Hook, while the company adopted solid-state Zilog Z80 electronics, LED displays and cost-saving mirrored playfield layouts across many machines. Facing mounting financial pressure and the rise of video games, Game Plan ended pinball production in late 1985 and left the Loch Ness Monster as an unreleased prototype; collectors and enthusiasts today recognize Game Plan for its cocktail and full-size pinball innovations, memorable themes, and contribution to the late golden era of pinball.