IRI - 2013 Rule Changes

[Chris Fultz]

We have had several discussions with the IRI “Rules” group, and have agreed on just one rule change for the 2013 IRI. Last year we waited until closer to the event to post the rule changes, and some teams were upset with that, so we are announcing the changes now so that teams can evaluate the impact on their strategy and game play before they apply to attend.

(PS - We will begin the IRI application activity in early May, after the CHP.)

Rule Change 1:

We will add a “Co-Opertition Pyramid” in the middle of the field. In qualification matches, each alliance will receive 2 (two) Qualification Points (QS) if both have a robot on the first level (or higher) of this Pyramid. Each alliance will also receive climb points consistent with what they would have received on their alliance pyramid (10, 20 or 30).

If only one alliance climbs the Co-Opertition Pyramid, NO Qualification points are given and NO climb points are awarded.

We believe this change will add a unique "IRI Dynamic" to the game and really drive match strategies between alliances.

We are trying to get approval from FIRST to paint the pyramid white to be consistent with previous games and hope to have the OK this week (they may allow it since the IRI is after all official events).

At this time, no other rule changes are planned – we think the game is playing out very well and just wanted to add a new strategy element.

[2789_B_Garcia]

OOOOH! Nice change! I hope the TRR group considers this!

[IndySam]

Please note the day!, Nice try Chris.

[bardd]

I like the concept behind this (I'm a big fan of co-op ever since the co-op bridge in 2012, I think it's a nice way to incorporate the values of FIRST in gameplay), though I am worried this might make the field too crowded.
What will be the distance between this pyramid and the colored pyramids (between the closest floor connections)?

Please note the day!, Nice try Chris.

Ooo please say it ain't so!

[EricDrost]

ITT: People so inebriated on FIRST and Coopertition that they think this is a good idea.

[cpeister]

I chuckled. Very nice.

[Anupam Goli]

I'd love to see what would happen if this was the actual change.

[PayneTrain]

Finally, a change I think we can all agree on. This was sorely missed in the competition this year.

[Alpha Beta]

Please note the day!, Nice try Chris.

Ha Ha. :o

Imagine how the tall robots would feel with even more of the field out of reach for them. :rolleyes:

[Jaxom]

We will add a “Co-Opertition Pyramid” in the middle of the field. In qualification matches, each alliance will receive 2 (two) Qualification Points (QS) if both have a robot on the first level (or higher) of this Pyramid. Each alliance will also receive climb points consistent with what they would have received on their alliance pyramid (10, 20 or 30).

Did you consider making the co-op pyramid with a circular base? And if you do that, might as well go all the way & change the red pyramid over to a triangular base.

[rick.oliver]

Please note the day!, Nice try Chris.

Yeah, my initial reaction was, "you must be kidding".

I think a less unbelievable scenario would be to replace the two alliance pyramids with a common "white" pyramid in the center of the field and have everybody start from their auto line side of the pyramid.

[Akash Rastogi]

ITT: People so inebriated on FIRST and Coopertition that they think this is a good idea.

GP man, you need more GP!

Great rule change! This will definitely enhance the experience for teams at IRI!

[Peyton Yeung]

With the lack of field space one might think they wanted us to make our robots smaller again :)

[Steven Donow]

I like it but I think the field will be too crow–


Ohhhhhhhh I get it now::rtm::

[Hallry]

I like it but I think the field will be too crow–


Ohhhhhhhh I get it now::rtm::

It took me an hour to realize what day it is....

[dlavery]

Is it really a prank if the idea becomes real? :)

[chmconkling]

I think you will have to buy or create your own pyramid to have a CoOp pyramid.

[Gary Dillard]

I'd like to see a Co-opertition zipline where you get bonus points for climbing to the top of your pyramid and then ziplining to the other pyramid to tag your opponent's robot.

[jdunston94]

that is just a quick rough mock of what the field would look like. It would make it very difficult for robots that cannot travel under the pyramids.

[Chris is me]

This change is outrageous!! We're going to have to boycott this competition now. You won't see 2791 at IRI this year!!!!

Actually, the entire team wanted to apply and attend this year but I'm the only mentor who isn't busy that weekend. :(

[JosephC]

I wish you had posted this yesterday; it would of made an actual interesting change. :(

[Travis Hoffman]

that is just a quick rough mock of what the field would look like. It would make it very difficult for robots that cannot travel under the pyramids.

As a member of a Shortbot team, I wholeheartedly approve of this fake change! Sorry Tallbots!

(so this is what it felt like to be a Widebot team last year :) )

[jvriezen]

I think the floor should be regolith as well.

[Thad House]

Also, for that middle pyramid instead of the top goal there is a minibot pole straight up the middle. Deploy a 2011 Legal Minibot on that pole in auton to get to 20 extra points. :eek:

[Travis Hoffman]

You got an oval-shaped field - might as well add some trackballs and hurdling.

[tim-tim]

You got an oval-shaped field - might as well add some trackballs and hurdling.

And some trailers for orbit balls...

[JohnSchneider]

I want large foot-high bumps between the pyramids.

[2789_B_Garcia]

As a defensive team, this would be great!

My only suggestion is that you mount the pyramid on the bridges from last year's game and make teams balance with each other and the pyramid on top!

Or maybe put the bridge on top...or wait...one bridge on top and one on bottom... #mindblown...

[Lil' Lavery]

Please note the day!, Nice try Chris.

Spoilsport.

[ghostmachine360]

From 2009, additional Feeder Stations on the sides.

And.......

45 seconds of blizzard play. From all 6 feeder stations.

[PayneTrain]

Where are the return racks going?

[Anupam Goli]

Don't forget the pressure pads and vision tetras to stack ontop of the pyramids!

[JohnSchneider]

While were trolling: How about we use a system of weight sensors to help keep track of real time scoring?

Wait...

[AdamHeard]

While were trolling: How about we use a system of weight sensors to help keep track of real time scoring?

Wait...

The sad thing is weight can be a really good way to score the frisbees.... the goals are just poorly designed for this. Weight is good, implementation bad.

[kmusa]

(so this is what it felt like to be a Widebot team last year :) )

Feels good, doesn't it? :D

[Chris Fultz]

You people are acting like this is a joke?

I don't understand.

[connor.worley]

Too much slacking here. When are we getting 4v4???

[Sam390250]

I think the floor should be regolith as well.

I shudder at the mention of regolith...

[coalhot]

I shudder at the mention of regolith...

Lunacy year was best year...

[bardd]

I shudder at the mention of regolith...

I shudder at the mention of regolith and my first year was 2011 :p

[Mark Sheridan]

well played sir.

I was thinking of two giant walls of containers in between the pyramids. I think it would look even more beautiful after the disc blizzard.

[Racer26]

Actually: I wouldn't be surprised if THIS is the real IRI change. Return of the disc blizzard. put up nets around the ends of the field as well, and let the blizzard happen as it was originally in the rules.

[EricDrost]

Actually: I wouldn't be surprised if THIS is the real IRI change. Return of the disc blizzard. put up nets around the ends of the field as well, and let the blizzard happen as it was originally in the rules.

And 2056 wins. GG.

[JohnSchneider]

There wont be any disks left for that to hapen at IRI ;)

[hiyou102]

I think this system would be truely effective if you removed that ability to gain QS by winning a match entirely. This would showcase a truely GP game variant that exemplifies FIRST.

[Tom Bottiglieri]

ha. ha. ha.

[tr6scott]

Oh, he forgot to mention that the center pyramid, would be built inverted. This will truly bring the balancing back into the game that is sorely missing, along with true coopertition.

This change greatly favors teams that decided that waiting for humans to belay the robot down was a waste of time, and just programmed the robot to climb down too.

crap diem.

[JosephC]

You people are acting like this is a joke?

I don't understand.

Come back tomorrow and say that :rolleyes:

[sanddrag]

No, see, the pyramids will all start at the center of the field, and they'll be on casters, and you'll have to race to get them, then tow them back to your home zones. Although, some teams will climb the pyramids in mid-court, then shoot a tape measure back to their home zones.

[JohnFogarty]

I think we should have mini-bots climb the co-op pyramid.
254 wins.
GG.

[Travis Hoffman]

You must fill the pyramids with kickballs, balance them on the invisible teeter totter in the center of the field, and then get your four alliance bots to the far side of the field in the shortest amount of time possible before e-stopping. Balancing the trackballs mentioned in my previous post on top of the pyramid goals yields double points for each ball balanced. A 10% score bonus is achieved by placing your robot light lens color's trackball (yellow or green for the win!) on the goal.

At this point, the field explodes and this game is never heard from again.

[FrankJ]

I totally missed the part about since shooter wheels cannot ever be safe, that they will not be allowed on the robot.

[IndySam]

I am sorry if I ruined the joke for every one but that's still no excuse for using that word *inibo*!

[karomata]

I really like the idea, it really adds a new level of strategy to the game! Hopefully my team will be able to make it there for our first time ever!

[waialua359]

Given that we have a short robot that fits under the 1st level of the pyramid, I'm all for it.:)

[IKE]

I am struggling with the "White" tower. Shouldn't purple be the color of Coopertition?

[cmrnpizzo14]

I think this system would be truely effective if you removed that ability to gain QS by winning a match entirely. This would showcase a truely GP game variant that exemplifies FIRST.

I agree, let's do it based off of points like in 2010! I loved the 6v0 matches :rolleyes:

On a sidenote, hiyou, I would actually enjoy seeing something like that as long as it still kept the competitive gameplay.

[dodar]

I am struggling with the "White" tower. Shouldn't purple be the color of Coopertition?

You mean Yellow.

[Andy Baker]

Rule update:

Upon the surface of the carpet, there will be a 3 inch deep layer of shelled, dried corn kernels.

Andy B.

[Gregor]

Rule update:

Upon the surface of the carpet, there will be a 3 inch deep layer of shelled, dried corn kernels.

Andy B.

Regolith didn't make the final cut?

[PayneTrain]

Regolith didn't make the final cut?

It's going on top of the corn.

[Bill_B]

How about shredded regolith?

All this speculation is going to make the eventual rules discussion seem very tame. IRI = I Ruined Indiana ? It's Really Impossible? Idiots Rarely Invent?

[JohnSchneider]

How about shredded regolith?

All this speculation is going to make the eventual rules discussion seem very tame. IRI = I Ruined Indiana ? It's Really Impossible? Idiots Rarely Invent?

Irrational rule intervention

[efoote868]

Rule update:

Upon the surface of the carpet, there will be a 3 inch deep layer of shelled, dried corn kernels.

Andy B.

It is the Indiana Robotics Invitational after all. Corn is always interesting.

[JohnFogarty]

Corn makes people happy.

[FrankJ]

Y'all are just getting corny now.

[Calvin Hartley]

It didn't help me at all that the first time I read this was today, on April 3. However, I quickly came to realize the true manner of posting... well done.