The B.S.B.B. Mk II

The “Big Steel Battalion Box” is an immersion cockpit for the mech simulation game Steel Battalion (Xbox, 2002), equipped with custom environmental stimuli.

It is also the platform for a cooperative metagame of communication for two players. While a rookie pilot comes to grips with the vast array of controls before them, their only lifeline is a coach who—frantically flipping through a simplified manual—tries to talk them through their first tentative steps into a dangerous world.

The first public exhibition of the B.S.B.B. was Nov 15th, 2014 in Brooklyn, NY.

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Kill Screen Magazine covered the launch event play-by-play and really nailed the spirit of the project.


The B.S.B.B. made an appearance at the 2019 GDC in SF! It was was a great crowd to share the experience with; many fascinating discussions were had. More than one visitor gave it their resounding ‘best in show’! Graphic Speak wrote up a lovely little piece, and we were also mentioned as an event highlight by 8Bit/Digi in their writeup.


The B.S.B.B. currently resides in the permanent collection of the The Museum of Art and Digital Entertainment — reopened at their new location in lovely downtown Oakland, CA!

If you’re making a special visit for the B.S.B.B. please call ahead or email dave@bsbb-mkii.com to confirm it’s operational at the time.


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The B.S.B.B. Mk II made it to the Bay Area Maker Faire 2015 in one piece and a blast was had by all! We won a Blue Ribbon and got a great writeup in the Maker Faire Blog! Photos have been added to our Process Gallery.


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We made Kotaku! Swoon. Now sh*t’s getting real.


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Got a lovely writeup from Polygon!


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Mark Bussler of Classic Game Room gave the B.S.B.B. a nice shout-out in his Steel Battalion game review.