PAX East: Steel Battalion Freeplay

MaradineMaradine Registered User regular
edited March 2010 in PAX Archive
And so it was that eleven fully functional Steel Battalion rigs, complete with Line of Contact, were carefully packed into crates and sent into the great unknown that is the US private domestic shipping system. Their value immense, their lifespan limited to a few weeks by the Great Off-lining of Xbox Live v1 - who knew when or if we would ever see them again.

But, on the off chance they show up . . .

PAX East 2010: Steel Battalion Freeplay
Room 303
Brought to you by the Hai Shi Dao Disco Appreciation League

That's right. What the Internet of 2004 couldn't do, we bring to you with unhealthy levels of enthusiasm - Line of Contact for 10 simultaneous players. Veterans might recall the sorry state of affairs those many years ago. American domestic broadband was spotty, the netcode was, er, not optimal, and getting a stable 3v3 match was an accomplishment. To get a full 5v5, you needed to be in Tokyo.

With the other 9 players in Tokyo.

But, through the magic of some eBay sniping, a few Enforcer loans, and a lot of CAT5, you too can participate in the mecha combat simulation that has enough buttons for eight hands.

This is not like a standard Console Freeplay room. No checking out required - all units will be active for the entire show with someone on hand to assist you. You are free to come, play, and learn which button washes your windshield. Or why you don't want to turn off your Oxygen Supply System in the middle of combat. Or why you do.

Event Schedule

Friday
2pm - 2am Steel Battalion Freeplay

Saturday
10am -5pm Steel Battalion Freeplay
6pm - 12am Steel Battalion FFA Tournament
12am - 2am Steel Battalion Freeplay

Sunday
10am - 4pm Steel Battalion 5v5 Tournament
4pm - 6pm Steel Battalion Freeplay


If you haven't managed to tl;dr by now, you probably saw the word 'tournament' up there once or twice. A few details need to be jiggered a bit - timings are subject to change until showtime. Signups for yourself or your team of 5 will be accepted on-site. You can do mara a favor by indicating some tentative interest here - I'd hate to shortchange you on prizes.

If there were any prizes.

Which there aren't.

For the rest of you, please come by and sample one of the most unique experiences in console gaming history - one that ate lives, shattered marriages, made people buy all new living room furniture. Twice.

M

Githon, this one's for you.



Post-post Edit Roll
=======
A video Tutorial for what you're getting into.

Maradine on

Posts

  • kropotkinkropotkin Forum Badge Creator London UKRegistered User regular
    edited March 2010
    Does this mean I have to set mind back up again to remind myself hoe to play it? Not to mention get some practice in. Ah well, it's a small price to pay :) I really liked playing it at PAX 09. Great job of setting it up.

    kropotkin on
    ryr7xy0i2ynw.png





  • tentaclesextentaclesex Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    I'll never forget the drama of LoC's release. It was an exciting and infuriating time. Good on you for getting this together; as screwed up as LoC is, it plays like a dream over a LAN.

    I'll try to make it over so I can fling a Vitzh or two into the meat grinder.

    I wonder if any of the old community superstars will be there, like KingLeerUK, Parias, Pippin or, uh, that guy who was obsessed with Garpikes. We can all hold each other and cry.

    tentaclesex on
  • HunterAngelHunterAngel Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    So there.

    HunterAngel on
    Monty: Correct me if I'm wrong, but haven't I been inside you?
  • WormdundeeWormdundee Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    Oh my lord, 11 steel battalion rigs, I've always wanted to play this game. Too bad I'm not going to east.

    Wormdundee on
  • xWonderboyxxWonderboyx Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    I had a friend back out and I just gloated over this victory of gaming that he will not experience. I am gonna at least try out the freeplay because I wanted to play this so bad back in the day.

    xWonderboyx on
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  • ZombiewskiZombiewski New JerseyRegistered User regular
    edited March 2010
    0_0

    I'm very interested in this. I always wanted to play Steel Battalion but couldn't justify the price at the time. Now I totally could, but who would I play with?

    Thank you for neatly solving both problems.

    Zombiewski on
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  • MaradineMaradine Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    Zombiewski wrote: »
    0_0

    I'm very interested in this. I always wanted to play Steel Battalion but couldn't justify the price at the time. .

    What's interesting is that the price has not gone down since then - getting even a well-worn rig these days is often as expensive as the launch price. It was a real impediment to gaining a larger audience at the time.

    And now we shell out $$$ for rockband sets and (shudder) Ion drum kits. Truly, 2004 was too early for the $200 controller setup.

    That, or more people like music than giant robots. Really, what's the world coming to?

    Maradine on
  • arsonisfunarsonisfun Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    Yay

    I finally get to play this without having to blow $200 on it and dragging my xbox out of my closet!

    The only problem is I bet I'll love it and thus want to find it on ebay ...

    arsonisfun on
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  • WedgeWedge Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    This is going to be epic! I wonder if anyone will be inspired enough to do SB cosplay.

    Wedge on
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  • ArcoArco Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    I'm going to have to check this out. I've never played SB, but I've heard stories.

    Arco on
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  • dyaballikldyaballikl PAX Main Theatre House & Security Manager • PAX Community Cartographer Gold Coast QLD AustraliaRegistered User regular
    edited March 2010
    So, this game always fascinated me. I helped set it up last year (well, i helped put it on the desk), but really knew nothing about it. After looking around, I really want to try it.

    And for the rest who haven't heard of it, here's Jeff Gerstmann reviewing it.

    dyaballikl on
    a.k.a. dya
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  • MaradineMaradine Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    While a good introduction to the visuals and the overall flavor, this is actually not the review you're looking for. The original Steel Battalion (2002) was succeeded by an online-only para-MMO, Line of Contact, in 2004. In addition to expanding the universe and equipment collection substantially, it also provided a persistent world in which to have an ongoing realtime military campaign. Additionally, since all opponents were now humans in highly diverse hardware, the depth and pacing of the combat improved tremendously.

    And, of course, permadeath.

    All rigs at PAX East (and Prime 2010, assuming this little experiment is successful) will be running Line of Contact. I will be running both team-based and free-for-all scenarios for attendees all weekend. I will have copies of the original Steel Battalion on hand, but they will not get a ton of system time.

    A better reference to get you prepared for the experience is here.

    Maradine on
  • RobzielRobziel Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    Oh man, seriously? I've always wanted to try this game.

    Robziel on
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  • DixonDixon Screwed...possibly doomed CanadaRegistered User regular
    edited March 2010
    YES
    We'll be coming by this room for sure

    Dixon on
  • MaradineMaradine Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    A shameless bump. Look for either of the following signs on the 3rd floor.
    4442229228_d06aa33a68.jpg


    4443849671_0629f6acc7.jpg

    Maradine on
  • facetiousfacetious a wit so dry it shits sandRegistered User regular
    edited March 2010
    Oh shit. I am so in.

    facetious on
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  • ravemongerravemonger [E] Silicon ValleyRegistered User regular
    edited March 2010
    This will be awesome.

    ravemonger on
  • GHoooSTSGHoooSTS Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    We will roll on this, I've always wanted to play it but just never had the space for the controller.

    GHoooSTS on
  • ZeroHourHeroZeroHourHero Allentown, PARegistered User regular
    edited March 2010
    My old room mate had this, it was a blast, Im down.

    ZeroHourHero on
  • MaradineMaradine Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    Just received a crate of voice equipment - dedicated team chat for the room. Somebody loves you.

    Maradine on
  • GamingCthulhuGamingCthulhu Registered User new member
    edited March 2010
    Oh Steel Battaltion how I love you. I shall be there with bells and whistles :)

    GamingCthulhu on
  • PainePaine Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    Oh, so there. I've never played but I've always wanted to try.

    Paine on
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  • HellsAttackHellsAttack Registered User new member
    edited March 2010
    You could've had 12 steel battalion rigs...I own SB and LOC and live 20 min south of Boston. I'll see you there though!

    HellsAttack on
  • tentaclesextentaclesex Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    You guys did an amazing job hosting this. I just hung around and watched some friends play near the end on Saturday. It was an all Vitzh match, and one of my buddies was killed in action. The brave pilot will be missed.

    The coaching from both team leaders was phenomenal, and it was fun to reminisce about garpikes and the glorious HSD. I wish I'd had more time to kick it with you guys.

    tentaclesex on
  • Lord JezoLord Jezo Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    Step 1) Have cocktails
    Step 2) Play really late at night
    Step 3) Kick it into fifth gear, run away scared in overdrive from the battle, say "Oh what does this do?" and press the eject button.

    It was awesome to finally get a chance to play this. The guys coaching us noobs who had no idea what we were doing did a great job. They really had a good grasp on the 100 button monster of a controller.

    Lord Jezo on
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  • ukiyo eukiyo e Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    The Steel Battalion room was the highlight of PAX for me. Thanks for putting this together guys.

    ukiyo e on
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  • GausGaus Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    I hadn't played Steel Battalion in a few years, and I'm soo glad that this room was there. Thanks so much for putting it together!

    Gaus on
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  • creid8creid8 Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    I've always wanted to play this game so I made it a point to come back on Sunday, but it was during tournament time, so no go :(

    Bring it back next year?

    creid8 on
  • MaradineMaradine Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    creid8 wrote: »
    Bring it back next year?

    Barring a virulent plastic-eating epidemic, I don't think they could stop us if they tried.

    Thank you everyone for coming out and making this the most epic gaming event I've ever had the privilege of running. As far as PAX moments go, it's right up there with the '07 Halo3 reveal at the final round of the Omegathon. People noticed. You can be sure we'll find a way to top this and get you more stick time.

    <3

    M

    Maradine on
  • MeraxesMeraxes Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    Holy shit thanks for running this. I was the omeganaut with a buddy that kept coming back here. Whenever I wasn't in the Steel Battalion room, I was downstairs telling people about it.

    You know you've got a good room when we're considering skipping a panel to come play another round. I also liked the "on deck" chairs that we used to queue up. 15 minutes of sitting, followed by 15 minutes of sitting (and playing) were awesome.

    Meraxes on
  • DeefuzzDeefuzz Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    This was completely off my radar so it was a nice surprise to stumble into a room and see this going on this weekend.

    Luckily I was able to get in on some freeplay, I've never touched this game before.

    Definitely a lot of fun. Thanks for putting this on! I hope to see it again at a future PAX!

    Deefuzz on
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  • Lord JezoLord Jezo Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    creid8 wrote: »
    Bring it back next year?

    I don't think that can ever happen.

    XBox Live shuts down in April and with that goes the ability to play this game online. I think PAX was the last time this will ever happen on planet Earth and in our dimensional plane of existence.

    Lord Jezo on
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  • GausGaus Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    Lord Jezo wrote: »
    creid8 wrote: »
    Bring it back next year?

    I don't think that can ever happen.

    XBox Live shuts down in April and with that goes the ability to play this game online. I think PAX was the last time this will ever happen on planet Earth and in our dimensional plane of existence.

    They didn't use Xbox Live. It was played in LAN mode. Also, further down the post, he already said it was coming back. ( thanks for that by the way )

    Gaus on
    Professional assassination. It's the highest form of public service. - Chiun
  • Wraith260Wraith260 Happiest Goomba! Registered User regular
    edited March 2010
    gave this a bash on friday night and loved it. waited so long to get my hands on this game. would have been nice to get some more time with the game, and get used to the controls(i certainly could have stayed/came back for another go) but was fun non the less.

    if its back next year then i'll definitely be stopping by again.

    Wraith260 on
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