Blackout

Williams' Blackout, released in June 1980, is a strong example of the company's early solid-state output. Designed by Claude Fernandez on the Williams System 6 platform, with sound and software by Paul Dussault, it enjoyed a healthy confirmed production run of 7,050 units. Its signature trick gave the game its name: Blackout was the first Williams pin game to have computer-controlled general illumination, used to plunge the playfield into darkness for the dramatic "BLACKOUT" sequence.

At its core, Blackout balances complexity with accessibility. The outer space theme is woven throughout a playfield featuring two flippers, three pop bumpers, two slingshots, six standup targets, two 3-bank drop targets, three spinning targets, and a kick-out hole, plus the then-new lane change feature. Players must manage ball control through flippers and slingshots and strategically use the target combinations to maximize their score. The layout proved durable enough that it was also used on Rowamet's 'Heavy Metal' and Taito do Brasil's 1983 'Vortex', with a nearly identical layout on Williams' 1982 'Warlok'.

Visually, Blackout is a striking piece of 1980 space-fantasy design, with backglass and playfield artwork by Constantino and Jeanine Mitchell. Interestingly, Constantino Mitchell has said the original backglass concept was created by his teacher and mentor, noted Chicago artist Ed Paschke, before management asked Mitchell to redo it in his own style. Blackout remains a well-regarded classic among fans of early Williams solid-state games.