From: jng53092@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Jon Gad)
Newsgroups: rec.games.video.arcade
Subject: Re: Battletech Game?
Date: 9 Oct 92 20:05:54 GMT
Article-I.D.: news.BvvEHx.CJ2
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana

skoester@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Scott A Koester) writes:

>I have heard of some places in Florida and Chicago that have a Battletech game 
>that you get into, and seal a door behind you. You are linked to all the other 
>machines (Battletech machines) and can actually give orders and such and attck 
>as a group. I have heard that this game is not in arcades with other games, but
>are in a shop with just 10 Battletech machines. When you get in you also put on
>a helmet to talk to others. Not sure what else it does. Is this rumor or fact? 
>If fact, please let me know of locations if any are known...

>Scott Koester

*Sigh*

Ok, its not your fault you live in Ohio and don't know about the Center, but
this question keeps popping up every month or so, and its getting a little
old.  Maybe a FAQ is in order, perhaps?

Oh well.  In any case, the Battletech Center DOES exist.  In fact there are 
3 of them.   Unfortunately, 2 of the 3 are in Japan.  (Tokyo and Yokohama, to
be exact)  The 3rd (actualy, it was the first built and opened) is in Chicago.
Not coincidentally, FASA is also headquartered in Chicago.

Whiles I've never been to Japan, I can tell you this about the one in Chicago.

1) The Center has a total of sixteen machines.  These are broken down into two
   groups of 8, Alpha and Omega, which are in turn broken down into Red and 
   Green.  If you're on Alpha, you do NOT fight those on Omega.  The games are
   seperate and run on a staggered schedule.  Furthermore, one machine from 
   each group (Alpha Red, Alpha Green, etc.) is down at all times, so the 
   largest game you will ever see is a 3-on-3 or a 6 person free-for-all.

2) There is no helmet.  There IS a microphone with which you can talk to other
   people on your team, or even people on the OTHER team.  However, since you
   have to hold down a button while you talk, and no one else can talk while
   you are talking, the comm system dosn't see much use.  Talking as someone 
   who's been playing on and off for two years now, coordinating with other 
   members of your team is probably the hardest part of the game.  (Unless 
   you're playing against a REAL vet, in which case the hardest thing is just
   staying alive...)

3) There isn't really a DOOR per say, but more of a closable canopy that you
   pull over your head.

4) Location.  The Battletech Center is located at North Pier Mall in Chicago,
   Illinois.

With the exception of #4, and probably #3, this information is perhaps out of
date.  That's because the last time I was there was in late August, and the
new software was going to be installed in early September.  Nontheless, I 
doubt that very much has changed, but I've got no proof.  If anybody's been
down there since the new software went into effect, it would great if you
could post some of the major differences.  Maybe someone at UIC?  In any case,
if anyone wants a lot of details about the OLD format, feel free to ask... ;)

Jon Gad
jng53092@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu 
Newsgroups: rec.games.video.arcade