Blast-Off With BattleBots!; Robotic Combat Comes to Long Beach Pyramid August 14-15, 1999.

LONG BEACH, Calif.--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--July 29, 1999--

The first ever competition of BattleBots, the emerging sport of robotic combat, comes to life August 14-15, 1999 at the Long Beach Pyramid on the California State University Long Beach campus.

"This new and exciting event is a way to capture the minds of young scientists and engineers all over the world and to show people the amazing technology that can be accomplished by putting your mind to the test," said BattleBots founder Trey Roski.

This contest will captivate audiences with the inventiveness of the creators, as well as the difficulty of the courses and battles within each division. By employing massive destructive weapons such as saws, hammers, drill bits, and spikes, these remote-controlled gladiators use malicious weapons in four different competitive events to be declared the ultimate bot. Their creators use their scientific and engineering ingenuity, creativity, skill, and strategy to defeat their opponents.

The contestants compete in the BattleBox, which is a square arena that is 48' by 48' with walls that reach 19' 6". The dangerous arena contains traps, spike bumpers, hazards, and surprise pop-up weapons such as saws and spikes that emerge from the arena floor. The arena adds an additional challenge to the competitors and promotes the resourcefulness of each robot. Each robot must survive not only the attacks by the other bots, but also the hazards provided by the contest organizers.

These remote-controlled machines are separated into three weight classes of robots. Lightweight Kilobots range from 25-83 pounds and Megabots weigh between 84-164 pounds. In the heavyweight division, Gigabots minimum weight requirement is 165 pounds and can reach up to 300 pounds.

There are two match types that the BattleBots may enter. The first event is the Robot Duel. This is a five-minute, action-packed, one-on-one battle between contestants from the same weight division. The event is a double-elimination tournament, allowing each BattleBot to participate in at least two rounds.

Each BattleBot starts on opposite ends of the arena with all rotary weapons turned off. When the action begins, the BattleBots must show continuous signs of movement or else they will be declared "incapacitated" and be eliminated from the competition. The winner of the Robot Duel is decided when one of the BattleBots has successfully put his opponent out of commission or received the most audience support.

If there is no decisive winner after the five-minute battle, a two-minute overtime is allowed to determine a winner.

The second match that the BattleBot may enter is the Robot Rumble. This is a free-for-all combat between all BattleBots of the same weight division. Robot Rumble is a no holds barred contest to try to eliminate enough BattleBots to advance to the next round.

There are 10 BattleBots in each Robot Rumble that will be evenly distributed throughout the arena. At the start of each event, all BattleBots must remain motionless and have all rotary weapons turned off. When the action begins, the BattleBots must show continuous signs of movement or else they will be declared "incapacitated" and be eliminated from the competition. After 10 minutes of steel-crushing action, the judges decide which BattleBots will advance to the next round. This format continues until there is an ultimate champion for each division.

There are eight weapons that all BattleBots are prohibited to use in battle. No BattleBot is allowed to use electricity (stun guns/RF jamming equipment), liquid (water, foams, adhesives), explosives (gunpowder, flammable solids), lights (lasers, strobe lights, or floodlights), visual obstructions (smoke), projectiles, heat, or entanglement devices (fishing line or string). This would result in an automatic disqualification from the tournament.

BattleBots Inc. will be distributing over $25,000 in cash and prizes to this tournament. The first and second place winners from each weight division, in the event of the Robot Duel, receives prize money. In the Gigabot division, first place receives $5,000 prize money and second place receives $2,500 cash. In the Megabot weight class, $2,500 and $1,250 will be distributed to the top winners, respectively. In the Kilobot division, first place will receive $1,250 and the second place winner receives $625.

Only the BattleBot champion of the Royal Rumble will receive prize money. The winner from the KiloBot weight class will earn $1,000. The MegaBot champion will walk away with $2,000 cash. And $4,000 will be given to the last standing BattleBot in the GigaBot class.

The events created by BattleBots Inc. are the ultimate challenge for the participants, but are extremely enjoyable for the spectators. The fans will be amazed by the imagination and cleverness of each BattleBot, and will walk away with a thirst for more. Lucky for the fans, there will be another BattleBot challenge in November of 1999, in Las Vegas, Nevada.