S.L.A.I. Oboete Imasu ka?

I have been trying to get back in to playing S.L.A.I., or Steel Lancer Arena International. It is the sequel to an Xbox game I have never played (due to lack of Xbox) called Phantom Crash. It features (according to my N.Amer instruction booklet) "Mech paint design" by none other than Kow Yokoyama , of Maschinen Krieger/SF3D fame. This is not the first game to feature Yokoyama designs, there was the PS1 launch title Kileak: The DNA Imperative, its follow-up Epidemic, and of course the wonderful Carnage Heart series, among others. Due to the vague translation of his role in the production of this game, and based on his involvement in the previous games mentioned, I believe he did pre-production design art of the various 'Scoot Vehicles' in the game. There are seperate non-Yokoyama credits for 'Mech model' (in-game 3D poly models?) and '3D Model & Paint Texture Design' which may refer to background objects and settings.

S.L.A.I. is a good game, but the dearth of equipment FAQS was causing confusion as to which parts I should equip. Luckily, I was able to locate a copy of the Official Strategy Guide. The guide is 144 pages long, and is divided in to 4 Chapters. Chap 1 (pg 1-38) is basic game overview and control intro/construction tips. Chap 2 (pg 40-78) covers each Rumbling Arena in detail, including small screenshots, but more importantly overhead-view maps, as well as the rumbling schedule for each arena. Chap 4 (pg 84-138) is page after page of glorious charts. Detailing availability in-game of each part, in addition to stats for each. this is the main reason I sought out this book. Chap 4 (pg 140-143) is a brief section with anecdotes from the game staff.

I have described S.L.A.I. as a bit like Cyber Sled, (the arena battlefields, overheating weapons, etc.) and the custom mecha aspect of the Armored Core series. If you are interested in either, I suggest you find it and give it a try. I look forward to trying out many new combinations of equipment soon.

Today I have found a method of 'gaming' the in-game Stock Market to reap large financial rewards:

Use the following trick to start story mode with 1,616,320 credits. Start a story mode game and choose Las Vegas as the city you wish to begin at. Note: This trick might work in other cities as well, but is untested. Pass the FIRA exam. Use the "Next Day" option in Hard-Wired to move forward in time and use the following actions to rake in the credits.
Day 004: Go to The Mechanist and buy as much Ventuno Stock (in Option Mods) as you can. It should cost 4,664 credits each.
Day 011: Sell your Ventuno Stock. You now have 269,604 credits.
Day 012: Buy Solid State Stock. It should cost 8,805 credits.
Day 032: Sell Solid State Stock. You now have 468,924.
Day 037: Buy Ventuno Stock. It should cost 6,045 credits.
Day 041: Sell Ventuno Stock. You now have 541,304 credits.
Day 047: Buy Solid State Stock. It should cost 11,932 credits.
Day 058: Sell Solid State Stock. You should have 646,424 credits. Buy Ventuno Stock. It should cost 3,527 credits.
Day 067: Sell Ventuno Stock. You should have 1,135,400 credits. Buy Solid State Stock. It should cost 12,793 credits.
Day 076: Sell Solid State Stock. You should have 1,616,320 credits.
The actual Day you start doing battle in the arena does not seem to affect the game at all. Note: This process can be continued to create as many starting credits as desired.