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Micro Marching League

By Elizabeth Geli
Posted July 2009

Every marcher has imagined how he or she would design an ideal show. Now there’s a free online game—Micro Marching League (MML)—that allows anyone to take on the role of drill designer without buying expensive software. Users can create their own bands and shows with the easy-to-use editor and judge shows created by others.

“When you’re in drum corps or marching band, you’re taking everyone else’s orders and doing what other creative people are telling you to do,” says Joe Lesko, game developer and former member of the Milwaukee-based Pioneer Drum and Bugle Corps. “Maybe you have your own ideas, but there really is no other outlet to be doing that. As far as writing drill and designing shows, this is probably one of the fi rst outlets for that creative impulse.”

A free account allows you to create shows of 32 sets with 64 members. For a fee, you can upgrade your account to 108 marchers and 40 sets with more instruments and uniform designs. You can also save more shows at once and add more variation to the color guard flags.

“The coolest part is just seeing what everybody comes up with,” Lesko says. “When I first designed the site, I had no idea people would use it to create such interesting, realistic drill. Some of our members have started writing drill in real life because of the stuff they’ve done on the site.”

Lesko launched the site in 2007. Since then, it has grown to tens of thousands of users, more than 50,000 shows designed and a highly involved community. Lesko is working to add more guard equipment, more advanced animations and the ability to upload music.

To play MML, visit www.micromarching.com.

Comments

somebody says:
July 30th, 2009 at 09:24
YEAH!! MML finally gets some media coverage!!!
Chris Garcia says:
July 31st, 2009 at 04:02
YAH!!!!!!! I love the site..... it is real easy to use.... it is fun.... a few kids on tour are also on the site...... i have also gotten some of my classmates and my brother to start designing.......... I LOVE THIS SITE!!!!
to all the MMLers reading this....... This comment was brought to you by: BandGeekChristian.... :D
Kyle says:
July 31st, 2009 at 07:35
A simply amazing site, with a great bunch of design tools and a wonderful community, stop by and check it out.
(mellophone1)
Feliciano says:
July 31st, 2009 at 14:29
Yes its an awesome site to make your on shows/drills and do a lot of things for me this is one of the Sites I go on a lot, and if your going to join now, don't be scared all of us are friendly so you will be having some fun, kind of like Band camp when you meet new people, and talking about Band Camp I should be leaving now Bye.
~Feliciano
EJ Rowland says:
August 1st, 2009 at 04:21
Wow. It's good to know that MML is still growing, and getting in the public eye. Although I haven't been involved for a while, I still wish Mr. Lesko, and all other members best of luck, and just remember. The sky's the limit! I still love you all very much!
-EJ
Caleb English says:
September 13th, 2009 at 19:01
MML is an inspiration and a blessing! Its an amazing website, and an awesome outlet for all my creativity! :D
gary says:
October 23rd, 2009 at 03:54
there is a similar site called fieldArtistCentral.com
http://fieldartistcentral.com/DrillHomePage.aspx
it has some cool features and is free

Micro Marching League

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