Pittsburgh's Infinity community gathered once again this spring for the second official Battle of the Bridges, a growing Satellite event organized by Ray "Three TAG Ray" Posluszny and supported by the dedicated local community that has helped make western Pennsylvania a thriving Infinity hub. A four-year Infinity veteran and member of the Pittsburgh Area Infinity Gamers (PAIG), Ray has watched both the local scene and the event itself steadily grow. The community currently boasts around 15-20 active players and continues to attract visitors from across the region.
While Battle of the Bridges is officially in its second year, its roots stretch back to 2024 when the event was originally run as Yinzerplanetario during the year Interplanetario was not held. Since then, it has developed its own identity and become a fixture on the Pittsburgh Infinity calendar.
"It has been special to me to see the event grow over the years and it is always special to see so many gamers having a good time," -Ray Posluszny
Like many successful community events, Battle of the Bridges is built on more than just the efforts of the organizer. When asked who deserved special recognition, Ray didn't hesitate.
"My wife, Lizz. One hundred percent. Without her support and letting me bounce ideas off her, this event likely wouldn't happen, or at least wouldn't be as well fed and supported with prize support."
Well fed indeed! The buffet on Saturday was pulled pork, sides and cookies…
“Can’t forget the cookies!”- Cobra Prime
This year's mission lineup offered players a diverse range of challenges:
- Hardlock
- Crossing Lines
- Akial Interference
- Provisioning
- Zone of Interest
Ray intentionally selected missions that rewarded flexibility and adaptation. Crossing Lines and Zone of Interest were particular favorites thanks to their unique deployment mechanics, while objective room missions remain notably absent from the event—though Ray hints that may change in future years. What keeps players returning, however, isn't just the missions.
"I think it has to be the community that surrounds the event and Infinity as a whole. We have a great group of players both locally and that travel that make the event fun and welcoming to all skill levels."
That welcoming atmosphere was on full display throughout the weekend and helped set the stage for a competitive final table featuring an unusual matchup: Bakunin versus Bakunin.
Taking home first place was Rob Paul, known throughout the Infinity community as Cobraprime. A veteran player who has been active since the middle of N3, Rob considers Infinity his primary game and is a familiar face across the North American community.
We already know he was a fan of the cookies, but reflecting on the event Rob recalled several memorable moments from his tournament run. A tense encounter with Savant's Agamemnon in round three created several nerve-wracking situations, while a series of clutch revival rolls in round four allowed key pieces to return to the fight against Kittenmarines. One particularly important play saw a recently revived Chimera lock down the central objective and deny opponents access at a critical moment.
The championship match itself proved especially memorable. Facing another Bakunin player with remarkably similar lists and tactics, the final became a fascinating mirror match that was streamed for viewers following along at home.
"It was a fun matchup. The streaming was pretty awesome. Some Go-Pod on Go-Pod action there. Our lists were very similar and our tactics sort of similar as well, I just got lucky."
Rob was equally complimentary about the event experience itself.
"It was a great event. Awesome location, wonderful event runner, very well organized. Great food!”
The convenient location, strong organization, and welcoming atmosphere left a lasting impression, and Rob is already looking forward to returning next year.
Battle of the Bridges is just one part of Pittsburgh's active Infinity calendar. The community regularly hosts events throughout the year, including the charity-focused narrative event Frosty the Nomad in December, Ides of Morat in late winter, and other seasonal gatherings that continue to bring players together.
As Battle of the Bridges continues to grow, it serves as a reminder of what makes the Infinity community special: welcoming players and a shared passion for creating memorable experiences both on and off the table. Congratulations to Cobraprime on his victory, and thank you to Ray, Liz, and the entire Pittsburgh community for another outstanding event.
