Originally booked to be in the
massive Main Hall of Manchester Picadilly Hotel with no planned
Boundary or Tek. Matt, Ewok and SMS relocated it in the underground
Disco Pit so that they were able to take advantage of the natural
auditorium, sound/light tek and video screen to allow simultaneous
playback.
Tek did the most impressive Guerilla Tekking on record and
the event set a standard we wish to maintain. Event begun by Sms
behaving suspiciously akin to Jeremy Clarkson. Apparently a reference
to a new BBC program. First 'Hazards' round including 'The
Cup Of Tea', 'The Cuddly Toy' and 'The Sarcastic
Comment'. Heavily sarcastic stuff.
In complete 'ATeam' style, Tek grabbed a schedule spreadsheet and a map and lay on the floor with beer, wallyphones and a wallchart and devised a complex matrix whereby kit could be 'virtually there' for a variety of events in such a way that it was actually at BC, without inconveniencing anyone. They then jury-rigged a variety of kit that "Couldn't work because it was incompatable" to work perfectly together. We were utterly awed!! All Praise Be To Tek! Particularly this lot!
First video playback. First Dual-Commentary (Matt and SMS in 'Test Match' mode). First appearance of 'The Roamer' *pre-programmed robot which advertised BC by wandering the carpet of the bar areas, displaying its little banner (Programmed by Eira). First Sprokkettes appearance (Jaine and Eira). VC constructed. MBE awarded for first time. First appearance of 'The Clanger Of power'.* First BC Workshop. Two special (Edible!) awards donated by Brian. First video records of the event (Aside from the BBC that is) by Steve Lawson and Bobby.
By resident hardware genius Brian. A terrifying wind-up car with a toy pig in it… Very nearly a Hazard.
Entered by mistake, thinking this was
'Robert Wars'. A brilliantly engineered K-Nex construction
powered by batteries. Bob includes a cunning (And very visible) cam
system, allowing Bob to wander about aimlessly. Bob is armed with
'mine'- dropping capability to snargle up the driveshafts
of other robots. His autonomous bimbling about thrills anyone who
likes watching machinery actually working, so he's won MBE two
years running! By Tim Kirk.
Named after the Manchester pub SF group. "Bastard offspring of Jurassic Park and Sydney Opera House". This daunting stack of polysterene was supposed to be remote control. It quickly fell victim to the 1999 Law of Motion. By Gav and Dave.
Suddenly, someone seemed to be taking BC seriously! A daunting double-entry. Both: painted red with terrifying slogans. Both: radio controlled.
Over the Top used a cunning 'wedge' shape
to tip opponents over.
Hyperion sported a worrying spinning circular saw!
These two quickly became the most active and dangerous of the BC robots, beginning the long and near legendary line of Rising Star supermachines. By 'Rising Star Enterprises', under the supreme command and executive management of Andrew Langhammer.
Created in the Beyond Cyberdrome Workshop the previous day by 9 year
old Richard Roaff,
who knew he couldn't be at the match to see it be beaten up (Or
win), but built it all the same! As it sounds; a wheeled chip pan
with terrifying spikes and hand and reactive motive powering…
Awarded edible prize. By Richard Roaff.
(Special Award) Sarah seemed a fairly innocuous massive orange cuboid robot towed along behind K.I.E.T.H., until her tissue-thin hide was punctured, whereupon a swarm of 'Nanite' robots erupted Baby-Spider-Like from her innards… Sarah narrowly missed MBE by her featherweight brood's little wheels failing to find friction on the polished wooden floor. By Matt and Miche.
A last minute entry. Superficially; an ambulatory black fedora hat. Soon revealed itself to be a battery-powered random-directional toy jet, wearing a black fedora hat. Ohhh… Cunning. By The 2Kon Team.
A disturbing long-leggy thing that
sort of juddered its way around the pitch. Fell over on people
a lot, but difficult to tell if that qualifies as a victory or
a defeat. The spectators felt it was just drunk. By Rob.
(Special Award). The Hard Science Entry. In honour of the recent Mars probe (And some bestsellers), a battery-operated scale model of the Mars Rover, dual string-operated steering with a small figure on top "To shout sarcastic instructions". Armed by balloons in the eponymous colours which, upon bursting, showered the opponents (And floor) in flour. This brilliant showmanship very nearly snatched the MBE from Bob. Awarded edible prize. By Mark Slater and Elaine Coates.
Road Worrier. K 4.5. K.I.E.T.H. Universal Battle Robot. One I Made Earlier.
Over the Top.
Bob.
(Easter Eggs presented by
Brian)
Red Mars, Green Mars, Blue Mars.
Attila the Chip Pan.
