Totem

Totem, designed by Ed Krynski with artwork by Gordon Morison, was released by Gottlieb in August 1979 as part of its System 1 line of solid-state machines. Built around an American West theme, it was a commercially successful title for Gottlieb, with 6,643 units confirmed produced.

Gameplay features two flippers, two pop bumpers, three sets of two-bank drop targets, a vari-target, and a kick-out hole. Like Atari's earlier 'Middle Earth,' Totem uses asymmetrically placed flippers, challenging players with shot angles that reward precise flipper control.

Two distinct paint schemes have been identified on the rear lower cabinet of Totem, distinguished by their dot-and-dash patterns, though the reason for the variation isn't documented. Some surviving playfields also show a fully painted shooter lane and rollover areas rather than exposed wood, a variant collectors refer to as an alternate playfield composition. Beyond these production quirks, little else is documented about the specific creative process behind Totem's design.