Fire! (Champagne Edition)
About This Machine
Fire! (Champagne Edition) is a limited collector's version of Williams' 1987 firefighting game Fire!, designed by Barry Oursler from a concept and artwork by Mark Sprenger. Based on The Great Chicago Fire of October 1871, this Solid State Electronic (SS) machine on the Williams System 11A platform saw a production run of only about 273 units, making it far scarcer than the roughly 7,700-unit standard version.
At its core, Fire! challenges players to put out fires that erupt throughout the playfield. With 15 standup targets, three moving ramps, two horseshoe lanes, and two slingshots — and no pop bumpers — players must strategically complete target banks or make lit shots to extinguish flames. The game's Fire Multiplier system starts each ball at its maximum 10x value and counts down each time a fire is not put out within a timed interval, creating a real sense of urgency. Ramps guarding the ends of the large horseshoe lane raise and lower to deliver balls to locks, and a rising upper-playfield ramp opens an elevated shot for multiball.
What sets the Champagne Edition apart is its presentation: a hand-stained natural wood cabinet, brass-plated side rails, lockdown bar, and legs, and a white "porcelain-look" plunger knob for a period-correct feel. Its signature feature is mechanical backbox animation — rotating flame-graphic cylinders that project a rolling fire effect through the backglass during multiball, echoing the rotating color cylinder under the playfield that simulates a burning building. A ringing bell atop the backbox completes the package, making this edition both an engaging game and a distinctive collector's piece from the golden age of Williams' System 11 era.
Images (6)
Technical Details
- Theme:
- Firefighting
- Model Number:
- 556-SE
- MPU:
- Williams System 11A
- Notable Features:
- Flippers (2), Slingshots (2), Standup targets (15), Moving ramps (3), Horseshoe lanes (2), Plunger skill shot. No pop bumpers. Has speech. Rotating color cylinder under playfield simulates building on fire. The player must quickly "put out fires" when they appear in various places on the playfield, by either completing a bank of targets or making a lit shot. These objectives award points increased by the "Fire Multiplier " as displayed in the upper playfield inserts indicating 10x-7x-5x-3x-2x. Each ball in play starts with this multiplier at its highest value of 10x and counts downward each time a fire is not put out within a timed interval. Each end of a large horseshoe lane is protected by ramps that raise and lower. When lowered, they deliver the ball to ball locks. Upper playfield has a ramp that raises and lowers during play, allowing a ball to enter an elevated opening for multiball. A small horseshoe lane above this ramp advances bonus multipliers 2x-3x-4x-5x-10x which display in the storefront windows in the lower playfield. Top of backbox has a ringing bell. The first and second player score displays are alphanumeric and the third and fourth player displays are numeric-only. Mechanical backbox animation (color cylinders rotate to simulate fire).
Credits
- Designer:
- Barry Oursler
- Artist:
- Mark Sprenger
- Music:
- Chris Granner
- Sound:
- Chris Granner, Rich Karstens, Brian Schmidt