Chicago gamer Boxes ‘bots’ in Syfy’s ‘Robot Combat League’

Each fight in “Robot Combat League” consists of three rounds. Judges observe and crown a winner based on points or a technical knockout that renders a ‘bot unable to move. In Tuesday’s premiere, a robot called Steel Cyclone takes on Crash, a ‘bot controlled by a pair of Portland-based software engineers. Howard is seen doing drills with a sparring robot, but she and Game Over compete later in the season. “It’s crazy when you’re in there,” Howard said. “Seeing the sparks fly and the hydraulic fluid fly around and the noise from the crowd out there cheering … It was epic.”

Besides the tech engineers and the gamers, some of the other robo-jockeys chosen were a race car driver, a National Guard helicopter pilot, and former Olympians and athletes–including “Star Wars” creator George Lucas’ daughter Amanda, a Mixed Martial Arts fighter. The athletes had the physical advantage, Howard said, but robot fighting rendered that edge somewhat moot.”Those guys are used to physical feedback that tells them if they are getting hurt or hurting their opponent,” said Howard. “This was more like gaming, where you fight without the feedback and it’s more about focus and hand-eye coordination.”

Howard wasn’t ready to spoil the ultimate winner of the “Robot Combat League,” but she did say that the show was a perfect fit for her.”I didn’t want to be part of a reality show where it’s like 12 girls competing for one penis,” she said. “I wanted to be part of something that required skill and intellect, so this was perfect.”

“This wasn’t ‘Jersey Shore.’ The show is full of nerds and a lot of very accomplished people.”

Article Appeared in The Redeye Chicago.

Also Appeared in The Black Truth News Volume 4 Issue 7

 

 

 

  

 

The 12 robots featured in “Robot Combat League” were created and designed by robotics expert Mark Setrakian (“Hellboy,” “Men in Black”). Each machine boasts its own unique design, strengths and weaknesses. “Medieval,” for instance, was fitted with chain mail coverings and metal crests so that it resembles an armored knight from medieval Europe.Howard was initially worried that her all-female team would be stuck with a “pink, super-girly robot,” but the automaton, also named Game Over, is a hulking steel creation with a static-filled video monitor as a head.”I loved it. It could not have been more perfect in concept,” Howard said. “It was one of the biggest and tallest and the screen made it feel a little creepy, in a good way.”

                                                     

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