| Host | |
| Chris Jericho | |
| Commentator | |
| Dave Farra | |
| Broadcast | |
 | |
| Packager | |
| Smart Dog Media | |
Robot Combat League (also shortened to RCL) was a one-off robot combat show aired by SyFy in early 2013. Hosted by Chris Jericho with commentary by Dave Farra, and founded by roboticist and special effects specialist Mark Setrakian, the show involved battles between teams fighting humanoid robots in a purpose-built arena.
The main combat elements were occasionally interspersed with behind-the-scenes segments and occasional cameos from celebrities within the special effects and boxing circles. Amongst those included appearances by Lucasfilms founder George Lucas and boxing trainer Freddie Roach.
Robot Combat League ran for one season consisting of nine episodes.
Gameplay[]
Each weekly show featured one-on-one battles between eight-foot, 1,000lbs humanoid robots, the battles forming part of a larger multi-episode tournament. The machines themselves would function in a similar manner to those of the Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots game, operated from either side of the purpose-built arena by two-person teams. Each team would have one person acting as a Robo-Tech and a Robo-Jockey respectively (see Competitors).
Twelve teams of individuals from diverse backgrounds would compete for the $100,000 grand prize, controlling their robots using specially-designed exo-suits to direct its movements. To help acclimatize contestants with their machines, a 'Power-Up Challenge' took place during Episode 1 in which they had to inflict a blow on a dummy robot, controlled by Mark Setrakian, within the given time. This helped set up the first battle draw for the main competition, in which the fastest competitor from the challenge would face the slowest.
In most rounds, each fight would last for up to three rounds lasting two minutes. Robots could score points through landing strong, solid hits on an opponent's "weak spots" or vital components, as well as potentially scoring a knockout (KO) victory by inflicting severe enough damage to their opposition. In the event that both machines survive all three rounds, three ringside Judges would determine the winner based on a set of scoring criteria. The winning team from each match-up would move on to the next stage of the contest.
A total of four stages were held throughout the course of the season - the opening 'Team' stages, followed by Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals and the final Championship battle between the last two surviving machines. The latter consisted of five two-minute rounds, the winner of which would be declared the Robot Combat League Champion and receive the $100,000 prize.
Rules[]
The following "Rules of Combat" were displayed on-screen at the beginning of earlier rounds:
- Fights consist of three, two-minute rounds
- Three ringside Judges scored the action to determine a winner
- Points are awarded for strong, solid hits inflicted to vital parts
- Teams have a Pit Crew and a twenty minute time period (to make 'all necessary repairs' in between rounds)
- Judges can stop a round early due to excessive damage
- Robots could be KO'd if they are unable to make the bell
In the final Championship fight, there were five two-minute rounds, with teams being allowed to equip an additional 'powered weapon' after picking up two individual round victories. The winner would be the first team to win three rounds out of the five.
Competitors[]
Each team consisted of two members, each assigned with the following roles to operate different components on their robots:
- The Robo-Tech, responsible for arena movements, controlled the robot's legs and feet from a seat next to the podium used by the Robo-Jockey. These were achieved using a set of joysticks situated on either side, with the additional ability to operate extra features including moveable heads. Robo-Techs would also report potential technical issues and malfunctions with their machines to their teammates.
- The Robo-Jockey, responsible for combat, controlled the robot's arms and torso from a stand-up position, using joystick controls and an exo-suit style harness strapped to their back and arms. The exo-suits mainly enabled wearers to throw punches as well as block incoming attacks, their motions similar to those of a human boxer.
Both the Robo-Tech and Robo-Jokey controlled their machines together via direct line-of-sight from raised platforms on either side of the ring.
Twelve robots in total were specially created for the show by Mark Setrakian and a team from his company Spectral Motion. All utilized a steel two-legged construction, hydraulics and pneumatic mechanisms providing articulation for the torso and limbs, the former via a 2,000lbs pressure system delivering hydraulic fluid through a steel/alloy T-bar system. All robots built for Robot Combat League took four months in total for Spectral Motion to complete.[1]
Individual robots were distinguished by unique designs with different weapons (e.g. punching fists, axe-style blades) and armor configurations, along with "weak spots" which their opponents would target and aim to exploit during combat. Some of the machines seen included an axe-headed, laser-eyed warrior (A.X.E.) and one utilizing a roll cage exoskeleton and plexiglass panels as part of its defensive structure (Crash).
Smaller components such as the robots' hands could be quickly detached to facilitate repairs during the 20-minute window in between rounds. Teams also had the option to swap these out for different weapon attachments to try and gain a competitive advantage over opponents. On-board cameras were installed on most robots by the production staff to provide footage for the show, though these did not aid the teams in controlling their machines.
TV Rating[]
Trivia[]
- This was Chris Jericho's second game show as the host. His first was ABC's ill-fated program Downfall in 2010.
- In his career, Mark Setrakian has also worked on control technology used for popular films like Men In Black, The Grinch and Hellboy.
- Prior to his involvement with Robot Combat League, Setrakian competed in the original US Robot Wars and BattleBots competitions with a variety of his own machines, including The Master, Snake and Mechadon.