Difference between revisions of "Menlo"

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'''Menlo''' is a very realistic [[Augmented Reality]] game. It is real in every sense except for the fact that you cannot die in the game. Movement, physics, pain, and damage are all real factors during game play, and are played out exactly as they would be in real life.
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[[File:crashdragon.png|300px|thumb|A Menlo suit.]]
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'''Menlo''' is a very realistic [[Augmented Reality]] game. Players outfitted in elaborate mechanical suits are pitted against each other in a virtual fight to the death. Menlo matches are played out exactly as they would be in real life. Movement, physics, pain, and damage are all relevant factors during game play.
  
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Menlo players have cards which hold the data of different mechanical suits on them. The suits are basically robotic extensions or exoskeletons of the player, like a large robot that is controlled by the player inside. These suits are constructed through the player’s own mechanical genius and ingenuity. Cards are programmed with the information of the suit and the player uses this suit during game play. The players and their suits are all pitted against each other in a fight to the virtual death.
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Menlo suits are mechanical extensions or exoskeletons of the player. The data of an individual suit is held on a device called a Card. Players program these cards to create their personal suits. The design and power of a suit is limited only by the card’s size, and the player’s ingenuity.
  
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Menlo is a very diverse and customizable game. The suits can be constructed to your exact liking, and there is a ''vast'' Menlo offshoot that programmers and mechanics have created. Those with mechanical abilities create their own Game Boards, cards, headsets, everything. It is a highly versatile game that has evolved over time with the ingenuity of pendragons.
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Menlo is a very versatile game. While default Game Boards, cards, and headsets can be bought from the MCC, the majority of higher level play involves personal customization of this equipment. Various programmers and mechanics have made careers of selling their custom merchandise to would-be Menlo players. Menlo is constantly evolving and will continue to grow alongside the ingenuity and technology of pendragons.
  
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==Cards==
 
  
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Cards are basically regulation size mechanical components. They are typically much larger and wider than playing cards, also much heavier. They are more comparable to a very dense cassette tape, or VHS. Every card is encrypted with a different suit. This way, it is simple to select your preferred fighter for every fight, and display your collection to friends. Cards are inserted into an Arena, Game Board (see Arenas and Game Boards below), or Headset, and then the player will arrive in the game in this suit.
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==Game Play==
  
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Cards can really be any size, though there is a standard size that is used by the [[Menlo Competitions Corporation]] (MCC) and all their products are produced to use this standard size. This size is roughly 4in by 3in by 1in in terran measurements. However, due to the amount of homemade equipment, cards can come in basically any size. Pendragons can and sometimes do make their own size cards and Game Boards to utilize these cards so that they can either have more card space for more complex coding, or less to test their abilities at simple, concise coding. However, the standard MCC size is the most widely used.
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[[File:Menlo-Chair.png|right]]
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Due to the highly customizable nature of the game, there are no ‘set’ rules for Menlo. Anyone who makes or programs their own equipment can create any set of rules they desire. Outlined below is the typical MCC set of rules and regulations for game play. This rule set generally serves as a baseline for custom rule sets.
  
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Cards can look like anything really. Basic MCC cards are just circuitry in a metal case with various plugs and input holes lining the edges, a circling picture of the suit in the card on the front, and a little sticker on the back with the fields “Card Name”, and “Player Name” on it so that the player can fill in the fields. Unlike size, appearance is virtually inconsequential in the card’s ability to function. In other words, pretty much whatever it looks like, so long as it has the right plugs and size, it will work.
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Players begin in the virtual reality world at equal intervals along the edges of the world. There is a short period of time in which the suits cannot be moved or activated. This time can be used for last minute checks and adjustments. The match begins with a sharp siren sound, at which point suits can be moved and operated as normal. A match ends when only one player is left standing and all other players have been killed or disabled.  
  
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==Coding==
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A player ‘dies’ and is extracted from the game when they are mortally injured, pass out, surrender, or their suit is rendered incapable of moving or functioning. Players in the game do feel pain and will be affected by injury. While this pain is not strictly real, it does have bearing on a player’s ability to continue playing. When a match is over all players are extracted from the game. Suits and game boards are reset to their original conditions.
  
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Constructing a suit is very difficult and complicated. There are two ways to construct a suit. The first method is more accepted and utilized by the ‘computer geek’ player base of Menlo. This is the method of constructing or purchasing a card ‘cast’ or empty card and plugging it into a computer. Then, the card is loaded into any of a variety of coding programs. Then, the geek does their thing, carefully and painstakingly encoding their suit. The coding describes the way the suit will look and function. The second method is used by the ‘mechanics’ who prefer to get their hands dirty. An empty card cast is plugged into a specialized ‘Building’ or ‘Construction’ Game Board. Then, the player enters the game, and constructs the suit in the game, using parts and materials in the Game Board.
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===Game Board Match===
  
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Card casts are basically empty cards with a portion of the card already taken up by a shell of a suit. These cards are sold by MCC, and other manufacturers for aspiring players to more easily construct their own cards. However, some advanced players simply begin their cards from scratch without any cast whatsoever.
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Game Board match rules are typically used for practice and recreational matches. There are no standard rules for these types of matches. The rules of any given match are determined by the participants. It is good practice for all players to agree on a set or rules before a match begins. Game Boards that would be purchased from the MCC come pre-programmed with this rule set (or rather lack of rule set) in mind.
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* As many players as are desired may participate in a single match.
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* Any size card may be used so long as it can be plugged in.
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* Because these matches are generally used for practice, it is typical for all players to know the setting of the environment beforehand.
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* Some advanced players enjoy using viruses and detachable suit components in matches. It is important that all players be informed if these aspects of gameplay are allowed.
  
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When constructing a suit, physical limitations exist. The inside of a suit cannot be larger than that of the outside, parts of the suit cannot overlap each other without physically being able to do so (For example, a protrusion going through a metal plate will need a hole in the metal for it to go through, and cannot just sorta holographically go through). Also, only materials that exist in Ramath-lehi can be used in construction of a suit. There are no invisible metals or unbreakable glass. Everything has a weakness, and there are no super-break-everything rays or swords, or block-everything shields. The durability of a suit depends on craftsmanship and ability to code.
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===Arena Match===
  
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Coding of a suit will consist mainly of powering systems and general setup of the suit. This does not logically leave much room for weapons and gadgets, or power-jumping/running/hitting etc. For this reason, smaller and more concise codes for different aspects are always sought after. The better the coder, the more that can be fit onto a card. Typical players can only fit a few specialized aspects on to their cards.
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The rules of an Arena match are typically used in tournament style competitions. Each match involves only two players to determine a single victor. Environments and conditions for Arena matches are random and differ with each match. Players do not know the nature of the environment until a match begins, forcing players to be prepared for anything, and testing the integrity of the suits under a variety of conditions. Prior knowledge of an environment generally results in a player being disqualified from a match.
  
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==Viruses and Add-Ons==
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The probationary period at the beginning of an Arena match is longer than in casual matches, typically lasting a half-hour. This gives players and/or their team ample time to test the suit in the gameplay environment, and make any necessary last minute adjustments. During this time the players cannot see or interact with each other.
  
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[[Menlo Virus Game Play|Viruses]] and Add-Ons are both banned from official and Arena matches. However, this does not stop a great population of game players to uses these aspects in their game play. Sometimes special tournaments are set up by third parties especially for these types of players.
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Arena matches are overseen by an in-game referee. The referee’s suit is hover capable, and entirely defensive in design. It is also equipped with a wide range of sensory capabilities to collect and process as much data as possible. At the end of the probationary period, the referee will sound the siren. The referee overlooks the entire match to ensure no foul play, and declares the winner at the conclusion of the match.  
  
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Viruses are strings of codes that interrupt aspects of gamy play, including physics of the reality world, functionality of an opponent’s suits, and even functionality of one’s own suit. They are used to create an advantage for oneself, or a disadvantage for one’s opponent. Most viruses are put into effect right when the game begins. However, more complicated viruses can have triggers in game play. For example, close proximity of something to the suit may cause a shield to appear around the suit to block or absorb a blow. However, these types of viruses are very long and take up a lot of space.
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Arena matches almost always take place in a Menlo stadium with a massive audience. The center of the stadium is a large area capable of projecting realistic holograms of the players and game board environment. The audience can also hear the fight over the blaring stadium speakers. While the audience is treated to a larger than life version of their favorite athletes as they compete, players themselves cannot see or hear the audience while in the game.
  
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Viruses in general are long, complicated, and take up a vast majority of card space. For this reason, virus players tend to work with larger model cards, Add-Ons, or with very simple, body-fitting suits.
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* Only two players may be in a match at a time.
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* Menlo cards must be 2in by ½in by ½in in size (including add-ons), and must be compatible with standard MCC Arena equipment.
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* No player may have prior knowledge of the Arena environment.
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* Viruses are absolutely forbidden in Arena matches. Any player that is found to have installed a virus in their card will be banned from any further competitions.
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* No player may purposefully injure the referee.
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* Suits may not be designed with components that operate independently of the suit (such as surveillance bots).
  
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Virus blockers are basically special virus shields that some virus players put in their cards to minimize or null and effect done by an opponent's virus.
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==Cards==
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Add-Ons are separate circuit components that can be plugged into a card, making the overall unit of the card and plug-in, larger than regulation size. Plugging these in will add different aspects to a suit, making it easier to customize on the spot, and also to fit more coding into a single suit. Some add-ons are designed to fit into holes in the card, so that when they are plugged in, the whole unit (card and add-on) is still regulation card size. However, this method does not add any information space to the card, simply makes it easier to customize.
 
  
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==Arenas and Game Boards==
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[[File:Menlo_card.png|200px|frame|right|A standard sized Menlo Card for a suit called Crash Dragon.]]
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Cards are small devices that hold all the data necessary for the design and function of an individual suit in the Menlo virtual reality. Everything about a suit must fit on the card. A suit’s design is only limited by the memory space of the card. Cards are plugged into a player’s headset or directly into the Game Board. When a match begins, the player will start the game inside their suit.
  
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Arenas and Game Boards are the components that house the information for the scene or setting of the game. They hold the information for the virtual reality world in which the suits appear, and are also encoded with the rules and restrictions of the game. Headsets and cards are plugged into the Arena or Game Board, and play ensues. Typically, cards are plugged into headsets; however there are also a couple models where the cards are plugged into the Game Board itself.
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The standard card size used by the [[Menlo Competitions Corporation]] (MCC) is 2inches by ½ by ½ inches in size, slightly smaller than a tube of chap-stick. However, due to the amount of homemade equipment, cards can be made in almost any size. Some cards are also designed to operate with detachable add-ons or plug-ins. Most cards are designed with some method of attaching the card to a key-ring. This makes it easier for a player to keep track of all of their cards.
  
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As a note, Headsets are sort of like helmets or goggles that cards are plugged into. They show the information of the game and the suit to the player before a fight begins. Screens on the headsets are typically operated through thought and mind. When the player is ready, they enter the game through their headset, and their mind is sucked into the virtual reality of the Game Board through the headset. Headsets are distributed by MCC and cannot legally be bought by anyone under 18.
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==Creating a Suit==
  
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There are two types of virtual reality environment generators; the Game Board, and the Arena. The Game Board is that which is used by the general public. The Arenas are used for large scale, and spectator games. Players competing in large tournaments or matches, those who are the celebrities of the game, use Arenas in their determining matches. (Arenas are the equivalent of the Football stadium)
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Creating a suit from scratch is very difficult and complicated. It takes years of study and practice to create the caliber of suit used in professional competitions. Template suits can be purchased from the MCC for beginners to modify.
  
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Like everything else of Menlo, Game Boards are extremely customizable and come in hundreds of models, both official MCC, and homemade. Different Game Boards are used for different environments, different sets of rules, and different types of play (like team play, or training). Different Game Boards are used to produce a city, a jungle, or even another planet. The most common and typical Game Board made by the MCC is the City-scape. Also, different Game Boards will come with different rules and regulations, programmed to detect and bar different aspects of play such as viruses or add-ons. However, rules are easily customizable on Game Boards. Physics in the game can also be changed from Game Board to Game Board, to create moonscapes, underwater scenes, or other planets and environments.
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There are two main ways to construct or modify a suit. The first and most popular method is by directly programming the suit via a computer or programming device. There are a number of software packages that have been developed to help would-be Menlo programmers in this process. The second way is a more recent trend. It involves a specialized ‘Construction’ Game Board, in which the suit can be constructed by hand via the virtual world, just as it would be constructed in the real world. Of course the two methods can be combined, going back and forth as is needed to perfect a suit.
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==Game Play==
 
  
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It is difficult to give a set or rules for Menlo because anyone who makes their own Game Board or reprograms an existing one can make any set of rules they desire. Rules for any game will be given to the players by the owner of the Game Board before the actual game begins; at least you hope they will. Outlined here will be the typical MCC outline of the rules and game play.
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When constructing a suit, physical limitations exist. For example, a player must physically be able to fit inside the suit. The different components of the suit must also be able to physically interact with each other in a real-world way. This is why the construction method of suit building began. It is easier to construct a suit that can actually function when it can be seen and felt. It should also be kept in mind, that only materials that exist in real world Ramath-lehi can be used in construction of a suit.
  
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In a typical match, the players are entered into the virtual reality at equal intervals on the edges of the world. There is a short probationary period in which suits cannot be moved. During this time, players can go over their suits and make any necessary last minute modifications or adjustments. When the probationary period is over, a sharp siren will sound, signifying the beginning of the match. Then, players will hunt out their opponents. Fights are free-for-alls where any fighting method is allowed. A game ends when one player is left standing, and all other players have been killed or disabled. Pendragons cannot actually die in the game, but they will still feel the pains of the blows. When they ‘die’ they will be extracted from the game, and wake up in reality. A pendragon has died in the game when they are mortally injured, they pass out, they give up and surrender, or their suit is rendered incapable of moving or functioning. After a match, damage done to suits is not saved (typically. Some mechanics find it fun to force the losers to repair their suits). Suits will be in perfect condition when their next fight is started.
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When coding, most of the available space is taken up by the general physical aspects of the suit such as the materials and forms of the individual components, as well as the functions for movement and power. This does not leave an especially large amount of room for specialized weapons/gadgets/abilities for the suit. For this reason the best suits are created by very experienced programmers and have very concise and efficient code.
  
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In an Arena match, game play is a little different. Only two players can compete in an Arena match, and they appear in the virtual reality at opposite ends. Every environment for a tournament is different, and random. Neither player is allowed to know the nature of the virtual reality before the fight. This forces players to be prepared for anything, and tests the integrity of their suits under all conditions. If they are found to have knowledge of the environment beforehand, and they do not inform the proper game authorities, they will not be allowed to compete, and the victory will be given to the opposing player. The probationary period is a little longer in Arena matches, and suits are rendered completely inoperable during this time. A referee suit (operated by a pendragon who will oversee the fight) appears in the center of the virtual reality at the end of the probationary period, and sounds the beginning siren. The referee usually has nothing to do, since the fights have no rules, and the machines can usually catch any discrepancies. They are there for formality, and to possibly catch any new aspects that a player may have developed to get around regulations and rules. The last remaining player wins the match, and they are awarded with the tournament prize.
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==Menlo Equipment==
  
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Arena matches can be seen by the audience in the stand through a large Hologram Glass Room set up in the center of the arena. This room displays the virtual reality and the players inside it. The players cannot see or hear the audience, but the audience is treated with graphic sound from the fight blared loudly over the stadium speakers. The Hologram room displays the two players at either edge, zooming closer in and out as the players get closer and further from each other. This way, in the nitty-gritty of the fight, the audience can see clearly and hugely, every detail.
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[[File:Menlo_gameboard.png|400px|thumb|right|A standard Menlo Game Board.]]
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Game Boards and Arenas are consoles that essentially hold the Menlo virtual world. All information pertaining to the game’s environment and rules are housed within the Game Board or Arena. Game Boards are used by and sold to the general public. Arenas are essentially the same, but are much more robust and advanced, and come with technology that allows scenes from the virtual world to be projected into the real world. Both have special Administration modes in which specific aspects of the individual match rules and environments can be modified.
  
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==Rules and Regulations==
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Each pendragon that participates in a match does so via a specialized [[Multi Processing Device]] typically referred to as a headset. The headset is plugged into or linked to a Game Board or Arena. It is the means by which a pendragon’s consciousness is projected into the virtual reality. Cards are usually plugged directly into the headset. Any displays that appear in the headset can be navigated via thought.
  
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The rules depicted here are in no way uniform, except those of the Arena. Game Board rules are as diverse as possibly imaginable. Anything goes, so long as all players agree. This is simply an outline of general rules that are typically addressed.
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Like everything else of Menlo, Game Boards and headsets are extremely customizable. Described above are official MCC versions, but all Menlo equipment has highly customized versions available.
  
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===Arena===
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==Other Ways to Play==
  
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*Only two players may be in a match at a time.
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[[Menlo Virus Game Play]] is a very popular sub-genre of Menlo, with a huge following despite the fact that viruses are banned from official Menlo matches. Viruses are strings of code create advantages that extend beyond the physical limitations of the Menlo virtual reality. They work by interrupting existing code in the Game Board, an opponent’s suit, or even one’s own suit.  
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*Menlo cards must be 4in by 3in by 1in in size, with no add-ons, and must be compatible with standard Arena programs.
 
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*No player may know the setting of the Arena at any time before the official match. If a player knows the setting of an Arena, failure to come forward and alert an official will result in forfeit for that player and victory for the opponent.
 
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*Viruses are not prohibited in Arena matches. Any player that is found to have installed a virus in their card will be banned from any further competitions.
 
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*You may not purposefully injure the referee. If a player does, the apposing player may choose a replacement referee even if that referee is in allegiance with them. (Not a very serious offence)
 
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*Your suit may not be designed to have separate components. All components on the suit must be intended to stay on the suit throughout the entire match. For example, you may not program a ‘rover’ that detaches from your suit to scout out the land into your card. This does not include projectile weapons.
 
  
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===Game Board===
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While [[Menlo Team Game Play]] has been around for a while, only recently has an official MCC Team League been formed. Team matches play out much like capture the flag, where each team has a Standard, and a member of the team called the Bearer. A team's Bearer must hold both Standards in order to win a match.
  
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*As many players as are desired may participate in a single match.
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Add-Ons are separate circuit components that can be plugged into a card, adding to the memory space of the card. Plugging these in will add different aspects to a suit, making it easier to customize on the spot. Some add-ons are designed to fit into holes in the card, so that when they are plugged in the whole unit is still regulation card size. Add-ons are not standard practice in official matches, but many professional cards are capable of integrating add-ons, either for testing purposes or for recreational play. They are very popular among more advanced casual players for easily testing a variety of combinations of suit components and abilities.  
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*All players must agree on the rules before they start the match.
 
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*There is no regulation size card, so long as it is possible to plug the card into the Game Board generator the match is taking place in, it is allowed.
 
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*Since the standard Game Boards are of a limited variety, players will typically know the setting of the match before hand. For this reason, it is customary to inform all players of the setting before a match to eliminate any possibly advantages. However, those who make their own Game Boards and new, unknown environments, often mess with this rule as they see fit.
 
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*In some matches, viruses are also considered a part of the game. As are virus blockers and such. However, viruses that are made to affect the actual Game Board system itself are not typically allowed. Some amateur virus players can have their viruses get ‘stuck’ in other player’s suits or Game Board generators. This is punishable by law as destruction of property, so virus players usually agree before hand not to charge each other, or they simply take their chances and rely on their coding skills.
 
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*Again, in some matches detachable components are part of the game.
 
  
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==Menlo Background==
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==History==
  
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The Menlo game was created by [[Serin Menlo]], and the Menlo Competitions Corporation (MCC). They are responsible for all standards of the game, along with a diverse line of products sold for the game, including Arena equipment, household Game Board systems, headsets, cards, and so forth. They are also the major sponsors of many of the Menlo tournaments. They hold regular competitions, with roughly 100 official Arena matches held annually. Their main competition is held every spring (Dyo Tournament) which is meant to pit the very best Menlo players of the world against each other to come up with an annual Menlo champion.
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The Menlo game was created by [[Serin Menlo]], and the [[Menlo Competitions Corporation]] (MCC). They are responsible for all standards of the game, along with a diverse line of products sold for the game, including Arena equipment, household Game Board systems, headsets, cards, and so forth. They are also the major sponsors of many of the Menlo tournaments. They hold regular competitions, with roughly 100 official Arena matches held annually. Their main competition is held every spring (Dyo Tournament) which is meant to pit the very best Menlo players of the world against each other to come up with an annual Menlo champion.
  
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The pendragon most responsible for the game’s popularity is [[Raebin Yanq'fal]]. He was a young and handsome pendragon who attracted a wide variety of fans, promoting the game in many social circles. Raebin was the only known pendragon to win the Dyo Tournament for 3 consecutive years, and may have won many more had it not been for his unfortunate and mysterious demise during one of the matches. His cards are showcased in the MCC headquarters, along with tributes to other Menlo pioneers. He is still considered the best Menlo player ever to live.
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The Pendragon most responsible for the game’s popularity is [[Raebin Yanq'fal]]. He was a young and handsome Pendragon who attracted a wide variety of fans, promoting the game in many social circles. Raebin was the only known Pendragon to win the Dyo Tournament for 3 consecutive years, and may have won many more had it not been for his unfortunate and mysterious demise during one of the matches. His cards are showcased in the MCC headquarters, along with tributes to other Menlo pioneers. He is still considered the best Menlo player ever to live.
  
 
Although Menlo is not originally a team sport, in recent years the popularity of team fighting has grown immensely. Generally, rules in these matches are those of the Arena, with the additional rule that team members must each use the same exact suit that has been made for that team. It is rumored and believed that the MCC will soon begin to sponsor official team matches as well. Also, major universities and schools may soon develop teams for aspiring players. (This is slightly different than Game Board team playing. In the Game Board team playing, players have their own, differing suits that they have made, they are simply on opposing teams.)
 
Although Menlo is not originally a team sport, in recent years the popularity of team fighting has grown immensely. Generally, rules in these matches are those of the Arena, with the additional rule that team members must each use the same exact suit that has been made for that team. It is rumored and believed that the MCC will soon begin to sponsor official team matches as well. Also, major universities and schools may soon develop teams for aspiring players. (This is slightly different than Game Board team playing. In the Game Board team playing, players have their own, differing suits that they have made, they are simply on opposing teams.)
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* [[A Player's Guide to Menlo]]
 
* [[A Player's Guide to Menlo]]
 
* [[Menlo Virus Game Play]]
 
* [[Menlo Virus Game Play]]
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* [[Menlo Team Game Play]]
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=Menlo Matches=
 
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The following are a list of roleplay threads that contain Menlo matches.
 
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{| 
 
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! Thread Title
 
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! Participants
 
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|-
 
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| [http://legacy.shadowlack.com/viewtopic.php?p=58949 Menlo Spar]
 
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| Lucian and Pirate Ferret
 
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|-
 
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| [http://legacy.shadowlack.com/viewtopic.php?p=41180 At the Local Menlo Arena...]
 
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| Firax, A'delos, Silith, Pirate Ferret, and Kaieta Ultima
 
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|-
 
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| [http://legacy.shadowlack.com/viewtopic.php?p=32857 Bring It]
 
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| A'delos and Silith
 
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|-
 
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| [http://legacy.shadowlack.com/viewtopic.php?p=30651 Menlo Match at Magi Lake]
 
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| [[User:Lautir|Lautir]], Kitsufox, Silith, Kwoiffei, Fused Eidolon, and Pirate Ferret
 
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|}
 
  
 
=Menlo Images=
 
=Menlo Images=
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<gallery>
 
<gallery>
 
File:MCC R112.gif|A [[MCC R112]], the ''very first'' Menlo head set. Now discontinued.
 
File:MCC R112.gif|A [[MCC R112]], the ''very first'' Menlo head set. Now discontinued.
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File:MCC_R853.gif|A [[MCC R853]] head set. The second head set. Still manufactured, but not popular.
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File:MCC Aviator Helmet.gif| A [[MCC Aviator Helmet]] head set.
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File:MCC A06.gif|A [[MCC A06]] head set.
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File:MCC P24.gif|A [[MCC P24]] head set.
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File:MCC P57.gif|A [[MCC P57]] head set. Used by professional Menlo players.
 
File:MCC CA-257.gif|A [[MCC CA-257]] head set.
 
File:MCC CA-257.gif|A [[MCC CA-257]] head set.
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File:MCC P57.gif|A [[MCC P57]] head set.
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File:MCC CU-412.gif|A [[MCC CU-412]] head set. The newest and currently best selling model.
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
 
==Menlo Suits==
 
==Menlo Suits==
 
Menlo suits, as they appear to the participants and spectators of a match.
 
Menlo suits, as they appear to the participants and spectators of a match.
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[[File:crashdragon.png|Example suit: Marikas 'Blueberry' Sinine's Crash Dragon.]]
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=Menlo Matches=
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The following are a list of roleplay threads that contain Menlo matches.
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 +
; [http://shadowlack.com/threads/menlo-spar.4249/ Menlo Spar]
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: Lucian and [[User:PirateFerret|PirateFerret]]
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 +
; [http://shadowlack.com/threads/at-the-local-menlo-arena.3212/ At the Local Menlo Arena...]
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: Firax, A'delos, Silith, [[User:PirateFerret|PirateFerret]], and Kaieta Ultima
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 +
; [http://shadowlack.com/threads/bring-it.2689/ Bring It]
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: A'delos and Silith
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 +
; [http://shadowlack.com/threads/menlo-match-at-magi.2503/ Menlo Match at Magi Lake]
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: [[User:Lautir|Lautir]], Kitsufox, Silith, [[User:Nasuella|Kwoiffei]], Fused Eidolon, and [[User:PirateFerret|PirateFerret]]
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{{Navbox_Menlo}}
  
 
[[Category:Games]][[Category:Menlo]]
 
[[Category:Games]][[Category:Menlo]]

Latest revision as of 17:06, 19 March 2013

A Menlo suit.

Menlo is a very realistic Augmented Reality game. Players outfitted in elaborate mechanical suits are pitted against each other in a virtual fight to the death. Menlo matches are played out exactly as they would be in real life. Movement, physics, pain, and damage are all relevant factors during game play.

Menlo suits are mechanical extensions or exoskeletons of the player. The data of an individual suit is held on a device called a Card. Players program these cards to create their personal suits. The design and power of a suit is limited only by the card’s size, and the player’s ingenuity.

Menlo is a very versatile game. While default Game Boards, cards, and headsets can be bought from the MCC, the majority of higher level play involves personal customization of this equipment. Various programmers and mechanics have made careers of selling their custom merchandise to would-be Menlo players. Menlo is constantly evolving and will continue to grow alongside the ingenuity and technology of pendragons.


Game Play

Menlo-Chair.png

Due to the highly customizable nature of the game, there are no ‘set’ rules for Menlo. Anyone who makes or programs their own equipment can create any set of rules they desire. Outlined below is the typical MCC set of rules and regulations for game play. This rule set generally serves as a baseline for custom rule sets.

Players begin in the virtual reality world at equal intervals along the edges of the world. There is a short period of time in which the suits cannot be moved or activated. This time can be used for last minute checks and adjustments. The match begins with a sharp siren sound, at which point suits can be moved and operated as normal. A match ends when only one player is left standing and all other players have been killed or disabled.

A player ‘dies’ and is extracted from the game when they are mortally injured, pass out, surrender, or their suit is rendered incapable of moving or functioning. Players in the game do feel pain and will be affected by injury. While this pain is not strictly real, it does have bearing on a player’s ability to continue playing. When a match is over all players are extracted from the game. Suits and game boards are reset to their original conditions.

Game Board Match

Game Board match rules are typically used for practice and recreational matches. There are no standard rules for these types of matches. The rules of any given match are determined by the participants. It is good practice for all players to agree on a set or rules before a match begins. Game Boards that would be purchased from the MCC come pre-programmed with this rule set (or rather lack of rule set) in mind.

  • As many players as are desired may participate in a single match.
  • Any size card may be used so long as it can be plugged in.
  • Because these matches are generally used for practice, it is typical for all players to know the setting of the environment beforehand.
  • Some advanced players enjoy using viruses and detachable suit components in matches. It is important that all players be informed if these aspects of gameplay are allowed.

Arena Match

The rules of an Arena match are typically used in tournament style competitions. Each match involves only two players to determine a single victor. Environments and conditions for Arena matches are random and differ with each match. Players do not know the nature of the environment until a match begins, forcing players to be prepared for anything, and testing the integrity of the suits under a variety of conditions. Prior knowledge of an environment generally results in a player being disqualified from a match.

The probationary period at the beginning of an Arena match is longer than in casual matches, typically lasting a half-hour. This gives players and/or their team ample time to test the suit in the gameplay environment, and make any necessary last minute adjustments. During this time the players cannot see or interact with each other.

Arena matches are overseen by an in-game referee. The referee’s suit is hover capable, and entirely defensive in design. It is also equipped with a wide range of sensory capabilities to collect and process as much data as possible. At the end of the probationary period, the referee will sound the siren. The referee overlooks the entire match to ensure no foul play, and declares the winner at the conclusion of the match.

Arena matches almost always take place in a Menlo stadium with a massive audience. The center of the stadium is a large area capable of projecting realistic holograms of the players and game board environment. The audience can also hear the fight over the blaring stadium speakers. While the audience is treated to a larger than life version of their favorite athletes as they compete, players themselves cannot see or hear the audience while in the game.

  • Only two players may be in a match at a time.
  • Menlo cards must be 2in by ½in by ½in in size (including add-ons), and must be compatible with standard MCC Arena equipment.
  • No player may have prior knowledge of the Arena environment.
  • Viruses are absolutely forbidden in Arena matches. Any player that is found to have installed a virus in their card will be banned from any further competitions.
  • No player may purposefully injure the referee.
  • Suits may not be designed with components that operate independently of the suit (such as surveillance bots).

Cards

A standard sized Menlo Card for a suit called Crash Dragon.

Cards are small devices that hold all the data necessary for the design and function of an individual suit in the Menlo virtual reality. Everything about a suit must fit on the card. A suit’s design is only limited by the memory space of the card. Cards are plugged into a player’s headset or directly into the Game Board. When a match begins, the player will start the game inside their suit.

The standard card size used by the Menlo Competitions Corporation (MCC) is 2inches by ½ by ½ inches in size, slightly smaller than a tube of chap-stick. However, due to the amount of homemade equipment, cards can be made in almost any size. Some cards are also designed to operate with detachable add-ons or plug-ins. Most cards are designed with some method of attaching the card to a key-ring. This makes it easier for a player to keep track of all of their cards.

Creating a Suit

Creating a suit from scratch is very difficult and complicated. It takes years of study and practice to create the caliber of suit used in professional competitions. Template suits can be purchased from the MCC for beginners to modify.

There are two main ways to construct or modify a suit. The first and most popular method is by directly programming the suit via a computer or programming device. There are a number of software packages that have been developed to help would-be Menlo programmers in this process. The second way is a more recent trend. It involves a specialized ‘Construction’ Game Board, in which the suit can be constructed by hand via the virtual world, just as it would be constructed in the real world. Of course the two methods can be combined, going back and forth as is needed to perfect a suit.

When constructing a suit, physical limitations exist. For example, a player must physically be able to fit inside the suit. The different components of the suit must also be able to physically interact with each other in a real-world way. This is why the construction method of suit building began. It is easier to construct a suit that can actually function when it can be seen and felt. It should also be kept in mind, that only materials that exist in real world Ramath-lehi can be used in construction of a suit.

When coding, most of the available space is taken up by the general physical aspects of the suit such as the materials and forms of the individual components, as well as the functions for movement and power. This does not leave an especially large amount of room for specialized weapons/gadgets/abilities for the suit. For this reason the best suits are created by very experienced programmers and have very concise and efficient code.

Menlo Equipment

A standard Menlo Game Board.

Game Boards and Arenas are consoles that essentially hold the Menlo virtual world. All information pertaining to the game’s environment and rules are housed within the Game Board or Arena. Game Boards are used by and sold to the general public. Arenas are essentially the same, but are much more robust and advanced, and come with technology that allows scenes from the virtual world to be projected into the real world. Both have special Administration modes in which specific aspects of the individual match rules and environments can be modified.

Each pendragon that participates in a match does so via a specialized Multi Processing Device typically referred to as a headset. The headset is plugged into or linked to a Game Board or Arena. It is the means by which a pendragon’s consciousness is projected into the virtual reality. Cards are usually plugged directly into the headset. Any displays that appear in the headset can be navigated via thought.

Like everything else of Menlo, Game Boards and headsets are extremely customizable. Described above are official MCC versions, but all Menlo equipment has highly customized versions available.

Other Ways to Play

Menlo Virus Game Play is a very popular sub-genre of Menlo, with a huge following despite the fact that viruses are banned from official Menlo matches. Viruses are strings of code create advantages that extend beyond the physical limitations of the Menlo virtual reality. They work by interrupting existing code in the Game Board, an opponent’s suit, or even one’s own suit.

While Menlo Team Game Play has been around for a while, only recently has an official MCC Team League been formed. Team matches play out much like capture the flag, where each team has a Standard, and a member of the team called the Bearer. A team's Bearer must hold both Standards in order to win a match.

Add-Ons are separate circuit components that can be plugged into a card, adding to the memory space of the card. Plugging these in will add different aspects to a suit, making it easier to customize on the spot. Some add-ons are designed to fit into holes in the card, so that when they are plugged in the whole unit is still regulation card size. Add-ons are not standard practice in official matches, but many professional cards are capable of integrating add-ons, either for testing purposes or for recreational play. They are very popular among more advanced casual players for easily testing a variety of combinations of suit components and abilities.

History

The Menlo game was created by Serin Menlo, and the Menlo Competitions Corporation (MCC). They are responsible for all standards of the game, along with a diverse line of products sold for the game, including Arena equipment, household Game Board systems, headsets, cards, and so forth. They are also the major sponsors of many of the Menlo tournaments. They hold regular competitions, with roughly 100 official Arena matches held annually. Their main competition is held every spring (Dyo Tournament) which is meant to pit the very best Menlo players of the world against each other to come up with an annual Menlo champion.

The Pendragon most responsible for the game’s popularity is Raebin Yanq'fal. He was a young and handsome Pendragon who attracted a wide variety of fans, promoting the game in many social circles. Raebin was the only known Pendragon to win the Dyo Tournament for 3 consecutive years, and may have won many more had it not been for his unfortunate and mysterious demise during one of the matches. His cards are showcased in the MCC headquarters, along with tributes to other Menlo pioneers. He is still considered the best Menlo player ever to live.

Although Menlo is not originally a team sport, in recent years the popularity of team fighting has grown immensely. Generally, rules in these matches are those of the Arena, with the additional rule that team members must each use the same exact suit that has been made for that team. It is rumored and believed that the MCC will soon begin to sponsor official team matches as well. Also, major universities and schools may soon develop teams for aspiring players. (This is slightly different than Game Board team playing. In the Game Board team playing, players have their own, differing suits that they have made, they are simply on opposing teams.)

See Also

Menlo Images

Menlo Gear

Menlo Gear Part Key
Trans.gif Outer Shell
Trans.gif Visor
Trans.gif Decoration
Trans.gif Card/Card activator link
Trans.gif Adjustable
Trans.gif Buttons/Controls

In order to participate in an Augmented Reality Menlo match, all active participants must have a head set. A head set is a modified Multi Processing Device that has been tailored specifically for Menlo game play.

Menlo Suits

Menlo suits, as they appear to the participants and spectators of a match.

Example suit: Marikas 'Blueberry' Sinine's Crash Dragon.

Menlo Matches

The following are a list of roleplay threads that contain Menlo matches.

Menlo Spar
Lucian and PirateFerret
At the Local Menlo Arena...
Firax, A'delos, Silith, PirateFerret, and Kaieta Ultima
Bring It
A'delos and Silith
Menlo Match at Magi Lake
Lautir, Kitsufox, Silith, Kwoiffei, Fused Eidolon, and PirateFerret
Menlo-logo-small.gif Menlo Collection
About Menlo
Other Articles
Technology
Menlo Players
Related
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