2014 Game

[E Dawg]

One word: Lacrosse

[Dr.Bot]

I always vote for more complex autonomy. Maybe having to make the robots navigate through a tunnel were the operator can't see the robot. Oh I am so evil.:deadhorse:

[E Dawg]

I always vote for more complex autonomy. Maybe having to make the robots navigate through a tunnel were the operator can't see the robot. Oh I am so evil.:deadhorse:

As a programmer, my only response is this: NO NO NO PLEASE NO!!!! :(

[jwallace15]

Water game idea; Baseballs are game pieces. Human players sit in dunk tanks. You get points based on how many times you dunk the other alliance's human players! :rolleyes:

[Dr.Bot]

It is a little known fact that a water game was actually played unintentionally back in 2001. This was an outdoor scrimmage played at JPL in the Summer. Although it had not rained in Pasadena on that date for over 120 years, the heavens opened up and dumped about 1 inch of rain on the open air arena prior to the game start, saturating the carpet. I believe there was some standing water and puddles on the FOP.

The robots while moving fast threw up wonderful water rooster tails. While adding to the crowd appeal, the circuitry of most robots did not survive.
At least once during the finals at Epcot, a thunderstorm flooded the pits and all plug in electricity needed to be shut off to avoid electrocuting the teams.

So while interesting to speculate, logistics, prior experience and legal costs resulting from water damage to venues preclude the development of a 'water game.'

[Ryan Caldwell]

Tennis

I'm going to take a guess that there will be multiple zones that are hard to transverse steps tunnels etc along the center of the field. I'll also throw out that it will be a ball game and there will be hundreds in play (tennis balls). With a centralized goals/towers that we have to deposit tennis balls into. it would be kinda cool if you miss the goal it would feed your opponents scoring zone. Only one robot in the offensive zone at the time and it can't pick up off of the ground. this gives an edge to defense and spurs on teamwork (passing) or cycling of offensive robots. I think 3 hanging bars (2004 ish) at the top of the field divider would make a good end game. If a team from both teams hangs you get cooperation bonus points toward qualifying. End game will be different in the elimination rounds with hanging being amped up for multiple bots from the same team on the same bar. The outside/Team bars could even have a teeter totter element to them that makes for three places to easily grab but only with robots of similar weight. The hanging element along with the divider obstacles will lead to trade offs between tall and agile bots like in (2010). The human players will be able to feed balls back into play (feeder shoot like 2010 again, but maybe just a pipe) if they are swept into a ground level slot in the defensive zone. allowing for the mighty bull dozer bot to be an effective defender. There will be allot of things flying back and forth so tennis is my guess.

[Damiaen_Florian]

My random guess, and I apologize if someone has already mentioned/said something like this, would have to be croquet. Or at least some game where a robot would have to score through goals in the middle of the field. Kind of like Breakaway except modified a lot more

[BBray_T1296]

What about this: the minibot starts separate from the big robot. It has to navigate an obstacle course and retrieve a bonus item to give to the big bot. Or if the minibot boarding the big bot in the end is the endgame

[MinorStaccato]

I'd like to see something along the lines of (of course a more complex, with some twists or something) Tug of war? What if teams had to score... while tethered together????

[evanperryg]

Ex: adding a dodge ball element to overdrive, though I feel like that wouldn't exactly foster gracious professionalism :p .

My team got dodge ball figured out in 2010 (http://www.oswegofirst.org/images/robots/markeltron_640x480.jpg)

how about they bring back the lunacy trailers only they only have one peg in the center and during tele op you try to stack inner tubes in the opposing teams trailers.
That actually sounds like a solid game, except I highly doubt they will be using inner tubes soon. Sure, they make good game pieces, but they have been used in 2 recent games (2011, 2007).

I think it is going to involve goals on or near to the ground, and there will be some sort of terrain or major obstacle.

[team3245]

So I find it odd no one has mentioned the latest hint released in Franks blog on Friday, Sept 27. He wrote, "I was told what the changes were, but honestly didn’t understand all the terms being used. (What exactly is an ambiphasient lunar wane shaft?)", but the ambiphasient lunar wane shaft has nothing to do with event registration, so it must be a hint for the game. Anyone have any ideas as to what it could be?

[Christopher149]

So I find it odd no one has mentioned the latest hint released in Franks blog on Friday, Sept 27. He wrote, "I was told what the changes were, but honestly didn’t understand all the terms being used. (What exactly is an ambiphasient lunar wane shaft?)", but the ambiphasient lunar wane shaft has nothing to do with event registration, so it must be a hint for the game. Anyone have any ideas as to what it could be?

Looks to be a line related to the technobabbly Turboencabulator. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turboencabulator)

[Whippet]

So I find it odd no one has mentioned the latest hint released in Franks blog on Friday, Sept 27. He wrote, "I was told what the changes were, but honestly didn’t understand all the terms being used. (What exactly is an ambiphasient lunar wane shaft?)", but the ambiphasient lunar wane shaft has nothing to do with event registration, so it must be a hint for the game. Anyone have any ideas as to what it could be?

ambiphasient lunar wane shaft

lunar wane

lunar

Lunacy replay confirmed!

[magnets]

Personally, I think it's too early to start looking at blog posts for hints. They don't usually come out until december/late november!

[Calvin Hartley]

Personally, I think it's too early to start looking at blog posts for hints. They don't usually come out until december/late november!

I wouldn't consider FIRST to be "usual".... ;)

[BBray_T1296]

I would like to see a lopsided game: that is, the red team's objective is different than that of the blue team. For example: 1 flag CTF. The red team has to get the flag, being guarded in some clever way by the blue team. Red wins if they retrieve the flag and bring it back, blue wins if red fails.

Of course there would have to be a balancing of the QP to make sure a team who is scheduled more matches on red than blue is fairly seeded.

Also Eliminations would be tricky. Perhaps the lower seeded alliance captain picks what color they are for the first match(ie blue), swap second match (now red), then back for final match (blue again). Your higher seeded alliance would have to be good at both objectives to win, while the lower alliance could specialize in one color and concede match#2

[ErvinI]

I would like to see a lopsided game: that is, the red team's objective is different than that of the blue team. For example: 1 flag CTF. The red team has to get the flag, being guarded in some clever way by the blue team. Red wins if they retrieve the flag and bring it back, blue wins if red fails.

Of course there would have to be a balancing of the QP to make sure a team who is scheduled more matches on red than blue is fairly seeded.

Also Eliminations would be tricky. Perhaps the lower seeded alliance captain picks what color they are for the first match(ie blue), swap second match (now red), then back for final match (blue again). Your higher seeded alliance would have to be good at both objectives to win, while the lower alliance could specialize in one color and concede match#2

Or it could be played out like Aim High, where offense and defense switch at one point during the match, eliminating the need to balance offensive/defensive matches.

[BBray_T1296]

So I find it odd no one has mentioned the latest hint released in Franks blog on Friday, Sept 27. He wrote, "I was told what the changes were, but honestly didn’t understand all the terms being used. (What exactly is an ambiphasient lunar wane shaft?)", but the ambiphasient lunar wane shaft has nothing to do with event registration, so it must be a hint for the game. Anyone have any ideas as to what it could be?

I found it!!! ::rtm::

http://zactopia.wordpress.com/2010/04/29/know-your-ambifacient-lunar-wane-shaft/

[RB73]

I found it!!! ::rtm::

http://zactopia.wordpress.com/2010/04/29/know-your-ambifacient-lunar-wane-shaft/

You know... this could be the sign of the return of co-opertition, due to all the nonsensical words.

[CrazyHorse]

You know... this could be the sign of the return of co-opertition, due to all the nonsensical words.

So I find it odd no one has mentioned the latest hint released in Franks blog on Friday, Sept 27. He wrote, "I was told what the changes were, but honestly didn’t understand all the terms being used. (What exactly is an ambiphasient lunar wane shaft?)", but the ambiphasient lunar wane shaft has nothing to do with event registration, so it must be a hint for the game. Anyone have any ideas as to what it could be?

Could be a reference to this video. The "scientist" says ambiphasient lunar wane shaft At 1:16 ish http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9LXG7rPQfE

Once again, FIRST trolls people with "Game Hints"

[RB73]

Could be a reference to this video. The "scientist" says ambiphasient lunar wane shaft At 1:16 ish http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9LXG7rPQfE

Once again, FIRST trolls people with "Game Hints"

That was the video that he linked to, I was talking about how that video has a bunch of nonsensical words, and how co-opretition is a nonsensical word

[dellagd]

Seriously guys? He was making a joke. Isn't Frank allowed to be not boring sometimes without a hint being announced?

[FilthyArgonian]

Space Game. in Space. all regionals are held on ISS

[Calvin Hartley]

Space Game. in Space. all regionals are held on ISS

How are we going to get all the water up there?

[FilthyArgonian]

How are we going to get all the water up there?

Dean Kamen will find a way

[Peyton Yeung]

He's already on top of it.

[Taylor]

Seriously guys? He was making a joke. Isn't Frank allowed to be not boring sometimes without a hint being announced?

For years, Dave Lavery couldn't fart without people trying to interpret it as a game hint.
Frank knows what he's gotten himself into, and he knows what he's doing.

I'm sorely disappointed there haven't been a flurry of posts about anagrams of "ambiphasient lunar wane shaft"

[BBray_T1296]

Since no one on this thread has yet properly fed the GDC trolls, I guess I will :D

Ambiphasient Lunar Wane Shaft:
as the definitions appear on dictionary.com. most significant things bolded.

Ambiphasient:
No direct definition, so let's break it down:
/Ambi-/:
a prefix occurring in loanwords from Latin, meaning “both” ( ambiguous ) and “around” ( ambient ); used in the formation of compound words
/-Phasi- (root Phase)/:
1. any of the major appearances or aspects in which a thing of varying modes or conditions manifests itself to the eye or mind.
2. a stage in a process of change or development: Each phase of life brings its own joys.
3. a side, aspect, or point of view: This is only one phase of the question.
4. a state of synchronous operation: to put two mechanisms in phase.
5. Astronomy:
a. the particular appearance presented by the moon or a planet at a given time.
b. one of the recurring appearances or states of the moon or a planet in respect to the form, or the absence, of its illuminated disk: the phases of the moon. See diag. under moon.
/-ent/:
causing or performing an action or existing in a certain condition; the agent that performs an action
Lunar:
1. of or pertaining to the moon: the lunar orbit.
2. measured by the moon's revolutions: a lunar month.
3. resembling the moon; round or crescent-shaped.
4. of or pertaining to silver.
Wane:
verb (used without object)
1. to decrease in strength, intensity, etc.: Daylight waned, and night came on. Her enthusiasm for the cause is waning.
2. to decline in power, importance, prosperity, etc.: Colonialism began to wane after World War II.
3. to draw to a close; approach an end: Summer is waning.
4. (of the moon) to decrease periodically in the extent of its illuminated portion after the full moon. Compare wax2 ( def 2 ) .
noun
5. a gradual decrease or decline in strength, intensity, power, etc.
6. the drawing to a close of life, an era, a period, etc.
7. the waning of the moon.
8. a period of waning.
9. a defect in a plank or board characterized by bark or insufficient wood at a corner or along an edge, due to the curvature of the log.
Shaft:
1. a long pole forming the body of various weapons, as lances, halberds, or arrows.
2. something directed or barbed as in sharp attack: shafts of sarcasm.
3. a ray or beam: a shaft of sunlight.
4. a long, comparatively straight handle serving as an important or balancing part of an implement or device, as of a hammer, ax, golf club, or other implement.
5. Machinery . a rotating or oscillating round, straight bar for transmitting motion and torque, usually supported on bearings and carrying gears, wheels, or the like, as a propeller shaft on a ship, or a drive shaft of an engine.

As you see, this phrase can be taken to mean a multitude of things. Take it as you wish...

[ErvinI]

I'm sorely disappointed there haven't been a flurry of posts about anagrams of "ambiphasient lunar wane shaft"
Now that you mention it, this is one of the options that "ambiphasient lunar wane shaft" unscrambles into:

A Unattainable Freshman Whips

Sounds like we have a new game piece.

[Whippet]

"Freshman Whip" can also unscramble to "Ramp Hewn Fish." An unattainable ramp which cuts up red herrings. Hmm. It also unscrambles to "Amp Ref Shh Win." Use less amps on your robot to break ties and don't ask the referees questions if you want to win the match. We need to draw less current because...



Wait for it...


The field has water in it, and we don't want to zap anyone.

[BBray_T1296]

"Amp Ref Shh Win." Use less amps on your robot to break ties and don't ask the referees questions if you want to win the match. We need to draw less current because...



Wait for it...


The field has water in it, and we don't want to zap anyone.

:ahh: We've come full circle!

[Calvin Hartley]

Ambiphasient Lunar Wane Shaft is also an anagram for...

A Maintainable Wharfs He Punts

Obviously, we will be kicking some kind of object by/into water. The endgame will be fixing [maintaining] some form of wharf. (dock, pier, etc.)

[magnets]

This doesn't have to do with FRC, but rather FTC; I started this (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=119058) thread about "FTC Block Party!" if anyone wishes to debate about/analyze that game. I think it's cool, and will be exciting to watch!

I'll bet it does have to do with FRC! Some FTC game elements have been copied into FRC before (bridges, hanging on a tower).

Maybe we'll be stacking bins again :yikes:!

Here's an anagram
Win punishable anathemas fart

[BBray_T1296]

The dismantling of these blog posts remind me of Episode 2 of Red vs Blue: Revelation

Sarge: Come in Valhalla Outpost Number One. Come in! Red Base, do you read me? Come in! Give me some more power, shotput.
Simmons comes in on the radio
Simmons: Uh, Sarge? Yeah, hi.
Sarge: Who is this, identify yourself.
Simmons: It's me, Simmons. Sorry Sir.
Sarge: How is everything going there, Simmons?
Simmons: Here? Uh, fine I guess. Everything's good. How 'bout you guys?
Sarge: Mission is complete. We're preparing to head out soon.
Simmons: What was that? Sorry, some static here. This radio's a little messed up. Been a bit rainier here.
Sarge: I said, we're comin' back soon.
Simmons: Oh, that's great. Hey, when do you think that'll be, exactly.
Sarge: Hard to say, Simmons. We'll let you know.
Cut to Simmons at the radio with a gun to his head
Simmons: Okay Sarge, sounds good.
Sarge: Over and out.
Doc: That was your Sergeant?
Simmons: Yeah.
Doc: You think he'll come help us?
Simmons: Noh, I couldn't say anything to him. If they come, they'll be walking straight into a trap.
Back to the desert
Grif: Simmons sounded good. I guess he's got everything under control.
Sarge: Donut and Lopez are dead and someone has taken Simmons prisoner.
Grif: What? Everything sounded fine to me.
Sarge: Think about it. How do you answer the radio at our base?
Grif: Thank you for calling Red Base, this is Private Grif, how may I assist you today.
Sarge: And we've drilled that since day one! Simmons answered 'Hi.' That was my first clue!
Grif: So maybe he's just ups-
Sarge: He also said the radio was in disrepair. When has Lopez ever let something go without the proper maintenance?
Grif: Never.
Sarge: And look at the time.
Grif: Can't, clock's broken.
Sarge: It's 17:30. And everybody knows that 17:30 is...
Grif: Donut's daily wine and cheese hour!
Sarge: I didn't hear any tinkling glasses. Did you?
Grif: You're right.
Sarge: He also mentioned that the weather was rainier. And as we all know, Mt. Rainier is the biggest landmass in the state of... Washington.
Grif: We do? Uh uh- I mean we do!
Sarge: How many Washingtons do we know?
Grif: Did he mean, Agent Washington?
Sarge: And who's the biggest mass we know, associated with Washington?
Grif: The Meta!
Sarge: So the Meta and Washington have teamed up to kill Donut and Lopez, and now they're holding Simmons and Doc prisoner.
Grif: We have to help 'em. Wait, Doc? Ha- how do you know he's there?
Sarge: Please, Grif, it's so obvious. I don't wanna insult your intelligence by explaining every little detail.
Grif: Oh, uh, wuh okay.

[CTbiker105]

The dismantling of these blog posts remind me of Episode 2 of Red vs Blue: Revelation

Literally impossible to not read in their voices.

[yash101]

robotics + water!!! Probably will be a different thing. Underwater submarines that fight!!!
:P

[Calvin Hartley]

Literally impossible to not read in their voices.

I beg to differ. I have no idea what their voices sound like, so I find it difficult to believe that that is how I am reading it. ;)

[BBray_T1296]

I beg to differ. I have no idea what their voices sound like, so I find it difficult to believe that that is how I am reading it. ;)

In case you want to hear what their voices "actually sound like (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3P5BgNOw4A&feature=player_detailpage#t=143)" skip to 2:22

[Derpancakes]

Laser Tag would be such a cool robotics game. :P

As soon as I saw 'glow-in-the-dark tape measures', my mind immediately jumped to this. I'm sure that would attract a ton of people to come see the competitions.. :D

[Derpancakes]

"2015 game will be played solely with cameras with operators behind a black curtain."

Sorry I can't attribute this, but I found this in the 2013 game thread. Further proof of a new game style...:ahh:

[LMD3130]

I'm sincerely hoping we end up with an end-game that involves monkey bars, like crossing a set of them 1 bar at a time. The difficulty provided would be so enjoyable, until you have to make something that works of course.

[Derpancakes]

I'm sincerely hoping we end up with an end-game that involves monkey bars, like crossing a set of them 1 bar at a time. The difficulty provided would be so enjoyable, until you have to make something that works of course.

Wait.. We're supposed to make something that can actually complete a task?

[themccannman]

Wait.. We're supposed to make something that can actually complete a task?

No, you're supposed to fail miserably for the entertainment of the crowd, didn't you know? No one was actually supposed to climb the pyramid this year, you were just supposed to dismount from the top bar, bonus points for sticking the landing.

[mdiradoorian]

No, you're supposed to fail miserably for the entertainment of the crowd, didn't you know? No one was actually supposed to climb the pyramid this year, you were just supposed to dismount from the top bar, bonus points for sticking the landing.

I did thoroughly enjoy seeing robots falling off the top pyramid, but I would feel sorry for them if the robot got heavily damaged.

[Derpancakes]

We actually did have a 30-point climber, but by the time we were actually able to get it that high (about the 4th or 5th match..) our mechanism had stretched a bit and we were under the 3rd region by maybe a half inch. Sucks to suck.

[yash101]

Similar to ours. We were using fiberglass for our arms because of their strength and flexibility. Whenever our climber failed and we were hanging from just one arm, that one stretched and caused the climber to always fail until we fixed it by replacing the arm or stretching the other arm to make sure they had the exact same lengths. Team 2403 climbed in a similar way to us, till the third rung, however, they used aluminum and hinges instead, making it more robust. Also, I was surprised how their climber utilized only two BAG motors, while we used and entire MiniCIM and got a similar or faster speed

[Derpancakes]

http://tinypic.com/r/29c1ggk/5 We had a 3-CIM driven Lunchbox (gray) raise/lower the crossbeams (black) with a custom-tapped rod (red). Once this grabbed the bar, it pulled the robot upwards and pushed the bar under the static claws (also gray). The arm could then lift up to the next bar. It was mounted on a platform that could pivot the robot forward or back to shift the weight. Yeah, it was a bit complex. :D

[E Dawg]

We designed a climber that was meant to go to level 1. Our driver attempted to use the mechanism to take it to level 2.

The outcome? Magic smoke.:rolleyes:

[Daryl Vogel]

I think that we probably won't have a shooter game. However I would not classify hockey as a shooter game. I really liked the idea of trying to get game pieces on your side of the field. Also dodge ball sounded fun, the only problem would be making it complicated enough for scouting to play in, but the GDC can probably come up with a solution to that. For the endgame my idea is that you have minibots that climb stairs.

[jman4747]

Full size bowling ball game piece.

[jwallace15]

Full size bowling ball game piece.

I have a sneaky suspicion that these would not be welcome on gymnasium floors.

[Boe]

How about this for a game
The field is cut in half by a large barrier say 5 to 6 feet high. Each alliance puts one robot on one side and two on the other. There are one or two tracks over the field with track balls on them. The tracks are arranged in such a way that the balls cant come off. On the field there are two types of balls, a smaller one (possibly a tennis ball) and a larger more dense ball. To score you have to get more balls onto the opposing teams side of the barrier. The small balls are worth less then the larger balls but are more abundant. There could possibly be large goals in the back corners to aim for, and can be scored in by the one robot you have on there side. Once in these goals they balls could not be removed. Teams also get points based on where the large overhead trackball is at the end of the match. The only way you are allowed to move the trackball along its track is by shooting it with other balls. The farther on the opponents side you get it the more points your alliance gets. In the beginning at least most balls shot at the track ball will bounce back onto your side making you have to choose between moving it or getting the balls on the other side.

Thoughts?

[mechanical_robot]

Rugby, all the way.

Wouldn't that just be battle bots basically with a ball in the arena?::ouch:: :yikes:

[Chadfrom308]

Water polo.

[Bryce2471]

Water polo.
Swerves with propellers instead of wheels.

[Chadfrom308]

Swerves with propellers instead of wheels.

And inflatable tubes instead of bumpers

[Derpancakes]

Don't give the game coordinators any ideas..

[Bryce2471]

How about this for a game
The field is cut in half by a large barrier say 5 to 6 feet high. Each alliance puts one robot on one side and two on the other. There are one or two tracks over the field with track balls on them. The tracks are arranged in such a way that the balls cant come off. On the field there are two types of balls, a smaller one (possibly a tennis ball) and a larger more dense ball. To score you have to get more balls onto the opposing teams side of the barrier. The small balls are worth less then the larger balls but are more abundant. There could possibly be large goals in the back corners to aim for, and can be scored in by the one robot you have on there side. Once in these goals they balls could not be removed. Teams also get points based on where the large overhead trackball is at the end of the match. The only way you are allowed to move the trackball along its track is by shooting it with other balls. The farther on the opponents side you get it the more points your alliance gets. In the beginning at least most balls shot at the track ball will bounce back onto your side making you have to choose between moving it or getting the balls on the other side.

Thoughts?

I would love to have a game where you score points by moving game pieces to your opponents' side of the field.
It would be cool to have the sides of the field separated by stairs. A little like the bumps from 2010, but taller and stairs. The end game could be like king of the hill.

[EricH]

I would love to have a game where you score points by moving game pieces to your opponents' side of the field.

2002 was such a game. As was 1999 (though I must admit, the 1999 one was a multiplier for your base score). Both involved moving large game pieces--goals in 2002, a "puck" that robots could climb on in 1999--to your opponents' side of the field or a specific zone therein to score points.

[yash101]

I like the high speed games, like last year. The game pieces exit the robot at bone-shattering speeds. That's my version of fun :D :D :D :D :D

[Chadfrom308]

I like the high speed games, like last year. The game pieces exit the robot at bone-shattering speeds. That's my version of fun :D :D :D :D :D

Okay, baseball it is!

WAIT, we have to follow the trend: Water baseball!

Theres a game for you

[J.Warsoff]

One word: Pong

[mdiradoorian]

I am going to guess it is going to be something in relation to the Olympics. Maybe Hockey?

[Caleb Sykes]

Luge racing.

[mdiradoorian]

Luge racing.

That would be interesting but very fun.

[BBray_T1296]

What if the entire field was a slope. Your alliance is all tethered together with a rope. You can only use some slippery tires (maybe the ones used in Lunacy [but on carpet, not Regolith]) you must prevent the other alliance from reaching the top, but not so much that you fail to reach the top yourself. Maybe you have a variety of differently weighted game pieces you have to haul up the "mountain", winner is the team who hauled the most weight. End game is if all your robots are at the top.

[Derpancakes]

What if the entire field was a slope. Your alliance is all tethered together with a rope. You can only use some slippery tires (maybe the ones used in Lunacy [but on carpet, not Regolith]) you must prevent the other alliance from reaching the top, but not so much that you fail to reach the top yourself. Maybe you have a variety of differently weighted game pieces you have to haul up the "mountain", winner is the team who hauled the most weight. End game is if all your robots are at the top.

SO MANY BURNED MOTORS

[brandon.cottrell]

What if everything was made of Regolith?

Like the floor, the walls, the objective, and the only material permitted for robots was just regolith.

I'm sure that'd cause some friction with a lot of teams. Or...would it? :rolleyes:

[Kevin Leonard]

What if everything was made of Regolith?

Like the floor, the walls, the objective, and the only material permitted for robots was just regolith.

I'm sure that'd cause some friction with a lot of teams. Or...would it? :rolleyes:

Lunacy puns are against R106.5 of the rules.
RED CARD THE WHOLE ALLIANCE.

[BBray_T1296]

What if everything was made of Regolith?

Like the floor, the walls, the objective, and the only material permitted for robots was just regolith.

What if they just said: "No aluminum"?

[Whippet]

What if they just said: "No aluminum"?

Everyone would quit.

[echin]

What if they just said: "No aluminum"?

Carbon fiber!
Wait... what else is made out of carbon?
Fishing rods...

Water Game!:)

[Whippet]

Since we all like patterns here, has anyone else noticed that the color of the carpet has a very repetitive pattern over the last few years?

2010: Green (Non-gray)
2011: Gray
2012: Brown (non-gray)
2013: Gray
2014: Blue, because water game (non-gray)

[Chadfrom308]

one rule: No moving

[Whippet]

one rule: No moving

Well, I guess that this means that BrickBot will be useful this year! :D

[brandon.cottrell]

one rule: No moving

I guarantee you some teams would still find ways to knock other robots over.

[BBray_T1296]

Robots operate attached to suspended monorails and can only travel along the rail. Maybe some clever game design putting some robots on the same rail.

[mdiradoorian]

The game is hockey and the floor is Regolith.

[Pratik Kunapuli]

The game is hockey and the floor is Regolith.

So you basically mean ice hockey? Sounds like a water game to me.

[astronomical]

Well, The Blue Alliance (www.thebluealliance.com) hints at a water game. There's even this proof-of-concept posted on YouTube:

http://i.imgur.com/iDzia5K.jpg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ve3HxackJeM)

[Chadfrom308]

Well, The Blue Alliance (www.thebluealliance.com) hints at a water game. There's even this proof-of-concept posted on YouTube:

http://i.imgur.com/iDzia5K.jpg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ve3HxackJeM)

Please note:

The robots dimensions have changed significantly

[Derpancakes]

Please note:

The robots dimensions have changed significantly

Oh boy. ::rtm::

[Libby K]

Since we all like patterns here, has anyone else noticed that the color of the carpet has a very repetitive pattern over the last few years?

2010: Green (Non-gray)
2011: Gray
2012: Brown (non-gray)
2013: Gray
2014: Blue, because water game (non-gray)

This had to do with the fact that 2010 was a soccer game and 2012 was basketball. They tried to make the carpet color look like a field & a court respectively.

Although, if the carpet's blue and the pieces are water-sport themed, can we finally be done with "OMG WATER GAME!!!" ?

[Roth Jamison]

We keep thinking something very light that requires accuracy and delicate dexterity, combined with something very heavy that requires force and power.

Some speculate that more accurate driving control may be required.

Feathers? Ping pong balls? Badminton birdies?

Hockey pucks have also been ruminated.

Javelins, ninja stars, crossbow bolts? (From the more aggresively inclined pundits)

...and footballs, of course! .... under water ....:eek:

[mdiradoorian]

What I don't understand is why everyone wants there to be a water game. If you really to build underwater robots join a MATE team not a FRC team

[BBray_T1296]

What I don't understand is why everyone wants there to be a water game. If you really to build underwater robots join a MATE team not a FRC team

We don't necessarily "want" a water game. we are all just endlessly and pointlessly continuing a running gag that has plagued Chief Delphi for years.

But hey, that's what tradition is anyways, right?

[patrickr41]

it has to be a game were you can not play defense and if you can its very hard to do.(they have been making it each year)
its also about time were they give us an irregular shape or some strange and unusual as part of the field field. more likely the irregular shaped object that we have to pick up or push.

[Caleb Sykes]

it has to be a game were you can not play defense and if you can its very hard to do.(they have been making it each year)
its also about time were they give us an irregular shape or some strange and unusual as part of the field field. more likely the irregular shaped object that we have to pick up or push.

Why don't you want there to be defense? I thought that the defense this year made the game more exciting and more like a sporting event. In addition, it was a somewhat reasonable fallback for the teams that could not make a robot as awesome as 3467's:)

[Whippet]

Why don't you want there to be defense? I thought that the defense this year made the game more exciting and more like a sporting event. In addition, it was a somewhat reasonable fallback for the teams that could not make a robot as awesome as 3467's:)

Seconded. The defense this year also made the game funny. Watching all the leaf blower bots (funny because it worked a lot better than we all thought it would) and the wacky wavy inflatable tube men (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/39187?) added a humorous flair to the game that an all-offense game would not have.

[Chadfrom308]

In all honesty, I predict that there will be a field obsticle (like that bump in 12 and 10)

There will probably not be anything thrown like balls or disks

Thats all I can predict

By the way, does anyone know when the hint comes out?

[Whippet]

In all honesty, I predict that there will be a field obsticle (like that bump in 12 and 10)

There will probably not be anything thrown like balls or disks

Thats all I can predict

By the way, does anyone know when the hint comes out?

No one knows until the hint is released. They may have released it already, but not labelled it as a hint. The hint may have been planted anonymously in this very thread by an undercover FIRST employee. In fact, this very thread might be the game hint, with the GDG patrolling it, looking for which game to use out of several choices in order to still surprise us all.

[Derpancakes]

Plot twist: I'm actually Dean Kamen, and I've seen so many water game suggestions that we're now considering it.
:deadhorse:

[brandon.cottrell]

Plot twist: I'm actually Dean Kamen, and I've seen so many water game suggestions that we're now considering it.
:deadhorse:

I had no idea M. Night Shyamalan was going to be the FIRST director this year.

[Damiaen_Florian]

The only thing that I think I can predict with some amount of accuracy this year is that it will not be a projectile based game, while they are very popular with the public I think the GDC would like to add in a variation of design and challenge to the game. Some of the components of the robots this year were similar to last year's game, such as the shooters as well as the code for vision targeting.

[BrendanB]

The only thing that I think I can predict with some amount of accuracy this year is that it will not be a projectile based game, while they are very popular with the public I think the GDC would like to add in a variation of design and challenge to the game. Some of the components of the robots this year were similar to last year's game, such as the shooters as well as the code for vision targeting.

Same. Ultimate Ascent was one of the best games I've played but right after kickoff I felt like the game style and point system was almost identical to 2012 and Rebound Rumble.

Take a break from shooting, let's lift some stuff!

[Abhishek R]

Yeah, I don't see a projectile game because three in a row would be slightly excessive.

I can see a football style game where you carry a ball from one side to the other side with some sort of endgame similar to a field goal.

If we're going along with the game-based-on-major-events theme, then the Winter Olympics could suggest Hockey (either on Regolith or not) or something.

What I really want though is an open field without barriers so the robots are still fast and maneuverable; I think those are slightly more exciting for audiences.

[patrickr41]

Why don't you want there to be defense? I thought that the defense this year made the game more exciting and more like a sporting event. In addition, it was a somewhat reasonable fallback for the teams that could not make a robot as awesome as 3467's:)

i have to agree with you that the defense this year made the game more exciting:). What i had meant to say was that FIRST might try to make it difficult for teams to play defense on each other. Instead they might try to bring back an aspect of Rebound Rumble with the cooperation bridge and the opposing teams working together.

[David8696]

I want a sailing game. Because that would be awesome, and as a sailor I'd immediately become the most important member on the team :D

[Kevin Thorp]

2014 is the 40th anniversary of the invention of the Rubik's Cube.

Maybe we'll have a giant Rubik's Cube in the center of each alliance zone?
that we have to solve.

[BrendanB]

Why don't you want there to be defense? I thought that the defense this year made the game more exciting and more like a sporting event. In addition, it was a somewhat reasonable fallback for the teams that could not make a robot as awesome as 3467's:)

Thanks for the kind words! :)

I think Pat was making a reference to the evolution of the rules. Defense is a big strategy every year. Many teams design strictly defensive robots and others defensive features like blockers most teams added them during the season but some had elegant systems from the beginning. On 3467 our number priority every year is that if our robot can't play offense it has to be able to play defense. All three years we have made two speed 6wd robots that are short to the ground and can play some solid defense. Its a design decision that always proves its worth. This year our robot wasn't what is is today and mainly played defense before evolving into a strong offensive robot at our second regional.

Back on topic, FRC has been evolving with rules limiting strong defensive play that was huge back in the earlier days of FRC. I remember games where there were defensive strategies that were extremely effective at shutting down opponents, but it doesn't lead to exciting matches.

Every game as an effective defensive strategy, you just have to find it.

[Shifter]

Wild speculation...

Maybe the first clue is already out there. Looking closely at the picture included in Frank's blog of September 27 (http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/blog-Registration-Beta-Test-and-Frank-Answers-Fridays), on the left of the three monitors and partially obstructed by Frank's arm may be a teaser for this year's field set-up. Eight (or more) 3-sided cubicles lining the side wall of the field.

Even wilder speculation...

Assume the opposite wall of the field has eight (or more) similar cubicles. Each of the eight robots (four robots per alliance in qualification rounds) starts the match in a cubicle. To earn points during the autonomous period robots must vacate their starting cubicle and move across the field to enter a cubicle on the opposite side. Hence the reference in the blog to the "Morris dance (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZjLATAUwao)". During tele-op, robots then dart from one side of the field to the other trying to "cap" as many cubicles as possible.

End game is a tug of war between mini-bots.

[Dragonking]

24 pages and it is not even december yet.

[BBray_T1296]

24 pages and it is not even december yet.

only 4 if your posts per page is set to 100 :D

[Libby K]

Plot twist: I'm actually Dean Kamen, and I've seen so many water game suggestions that we're now considering it.
:deadhorse:

hmmmm.... I don't think so...

[eli2410]

I had a dream last night about the 2014 game (I know, it's weird). I think that this has less than a 0.000001% chance of being a game any year and will probably be laughed at, but I'll describe it anyway.

The game's theme is football. The kickoff video started with clips from Anchorman (don't know why but it did) and only hints once or twice at football, but some how I figured it out. The field was about 5 times bigger than the normal field and there was somewhere around 11 robots to two alliances (still blue and red). The game is a mix of Logomotion, Ultimate Ascent, and football. You shoot the frisbees like Ultimate Ascent, you have to hang the Logomotion tubes up on the pegs, but there are pegs around the entire field and some are behind a layer of netting. There is some sort of way for robots to tackle each other (don't know what it was, and I remember thinking in the dream "How does that work?"). Finally, some game piece (not sure what) gets feed onto the field via slots on angled corners of the field similar to Ultimate Ascent, but there is only one slot in the middle of wall instead of three. Past the feeding slot, it goes onto a platform where it waits (not sure what for) and then lowers down to the field. This is so that alliances can take the other alliance's game pieces (not sure how they do it but they can).

Like I said, this has less than a 0.000001% chance of being a game any year and will probably more laughed at, but I figured I might as well put it down somewhere and this seems like as good of a place as any.

[RedLeader342]

2014 is the 40th anniversary of the invention of the Rubik's Cube.

Maybe we'll have a giant Rubik's Cube in the center of each alliance zone?
that we have to solve.

still not sure where you come up with all these random facts kevin.. but sounds fun

[BBray_T1296]

History of Invention:
2014 is also:

10 Years- Translucent Concrete, Intel Express Chipsets, Ka-on Flower Sound Plants
20 years- HIV inhibitor
30 years- Apple, CD-ROM
40 years- Post-It Notes
50 years- Computer Mouse, BASIC, Acrylic Paint,
60 years- Fortran, Geodesic Dome, Pills, Nonstick Teflon Pans, Solar Cell, McDonald's(R)
70 years- Kidney Dialysis Machine, Synthetic Cortisone
80 years- Monopoly(R), Road Reflectors, Tape Recorder
90 years- Loudspeaker, Spiral Notebooks
100 years- Gas Mask
110 years- Tea Bag, Tractor
130 years - Fountain Pen, Mechanical Cash Register, Steam Turbine

EDIT
160 years- Principles of Fiber Optics
180 years- Corn Planter, Ether Ice Machine
190 years- Toy Balloon
200 years- Steam Locomotive, Spectroscope, First Photograph
210 years- Gas Lighting
220 years- Cotton Gin, Ball Bearings
230 years- Threshing Machine, Safety Lock
250 years- Spinning Jenny
290 years- Mercury Thermometer
390 years- Slide Rule
520 years- Whiskey

[E Dawg]

History of Invention:
520 years- Whiskey

The robots become progressively more difficult to control over the course of the match.
:p

[Jacob Bendicksen]

History of Invention:
2014 is also:

10 Years- Translucent Concrete, Intel Express Chipsets, Ka-on Flower Sound Plants
20 years- HIV inhibitor
30 years- Apple, CD-ROM
40 years- Post-It Notes
50 years- Computer Mouse, BASIC, Acrylic Paint,
60 years- Fortran, Geodesic Dome, Pills, Nonstick Teflon Pans, Solar Cell, McDonald's(R)
70 years- Kidney Dialysis Machine, Synthetic Cortisone
80 years- Monopoly(R), Road Reflectors, Tape Recorder
90 years- Loudspeaker, Spiral Notebooks
100 years- Gas Mask
110 years- Tea Bag, Tractor


Clearly, the game will be played on a smart translucent concrete field, announced by flowers, all the robots will have to find a vaccine for HIV (on an ancient computer, of course, powered by Post-Its). They will also be painting, cooking McDonald's in nonstick pans, undergoing dialysis, while also playing Monopoly on a retroreflective course. There will also be some very loud notebooks, and noxious teabags will require gas masks.

[magnets]

History of Invention:
2014 is also:

10 Years- Translucent Concrete, Intel Express Chipsets, Ka-on Flower Sound Plants
20 years- HIV inhibitor
30 years- Apple, CD-ROM
40 years- Post-It Notes
50 years- Computer Mouse, BASIC, Acrylic Paint,
60 years- Fortran, Geodesic Dome, Pills, Nonstick Teflon Pans, Solar Cell, McDonald's(R)
70 years- Kidney Dialysis Machine, Synthetic Cortisone
80 years- Monopoly(R), Road Reflectors, Tape Recorder
90 years- Loudspeaker, Spiral Notebooks
100 years- Gas Mask
110 years- Tea Bag, Tractor
130 years - Fountain Pen, Mechanical Cash Register, Steam Turbine

EDIT
160 years- Principles of Fiber Optics
180 years- Corn Planter, Ether Ice Machine
190 years- Toy Balloon
200 years- Steam Locomotive, Spectroscope, First Photograph
210 years- Gas Lighting
220 years- Cotton Gin, Ball Bearings
230 years- Threshing Machine, Safety Lock
250 years- Spinning Jenny
290 years- Mercury Thermometer
390 years- Slide Rule
520 years- Whiskey

I can't wait for the Fortran themed slide rule game, using mercury thermometers, corn planters, non-stick cookware, and a cotton gin end game.

On a more serious note, balloons would make a really cool game piece. Also, trains.

[Chadfrom308]

I can't wait for the Fortran themed slide rule game, using mercury thermometers, corn planters, non-stick cookware, and a cotton gin end game.

On a more serious note, balloons would make a really cool game piece. Also, trains.

Mercury? Seems like that might be fun and dangerous

[E Dawg]

Jaegers.

'Nuff said.

[BBray_T1296]

I can't wait for the Fortran themed slide rule game, using mercury thermometers, corn planters, non-stick cookware, and a cotton gin end game.

On a more serious note, balloons would make a really cool game piece. Also, trains.

I can't wait for the Fortran themed slide rule game, using mercury thermometers, corn planters, non-stick cookware, and a cotton gin end game.

On a more serious note, balloons would make a really cool game piece. Also, trains.


On a more serious note, balloons would make a really cool game piece. Also, trains.

Also, trains.

Also, trains.

Also, trains.

Also, trains.

OH MY GOD.

[Derpancakes]

OH MY GOD.

I like trains.

[mechanical_robot]

I could only wish trains were the theme this year, a steampunk first robotics competition. Pleas eoh pleas elet trains be the theme this year,. Trains helped develop the time zones. Which has helped civilization with alot of things. Also today in history is the day that trains made the time zones (glad I found this thread TODAY)

I mean look at this Big Boy Steam train(located below inthe attachments.

It would really make some good looking robots. Plus trains are one of the best inventions ever. They transport 40%of America's freight. Also they are way more fuel efficient than a airplane. Also it would make a great theme.

Train Conductors- Referees

Also trains created this modern world. And I bet you the parts on our robots somehow and in some way were transported by a train.

Just saying FIRST should really honor trains this year or at least by the year 2016 (my last year as a student :( )

Anyways anybody agree with me and magnets?

[mechanical_robot]

I could only wish trains were the theme this year, a steampunk first robotics competition. Pleas eoh pleas elet trains be the theme this year,. Trains helped develop the time zones. Which has helped civilization with alot of things. Also today in history is the day that trains made the time zones (glad I found this thread TODAY)

I mean look at this Big Boy Steam train(located below inthe attachments.

It would really make some good looking robots. Plus trains are one of the best inventions ever. They transport 40%of America's freight. Also they are way more fuel efficient than a airplane. Also it would make a great theme.

Train Conductors- Referees

Also trains created this modern world. And I bet you the parts on our robots somehow and in some way were transported by a train.

Just saying FIRST should really honor trains this year or at least by the year 2016 (my last year as a student :( )

Anyways anybody agree with me and magnets?

Posted some train pic for you guys to start getting ideas about the how to design your robot after a train.

Also one of the trains is the big boy train the other 2 are pictures of some of the last steam engines located in China.

[Brandon Zalinsky]

Anyways anybody agree with me

no

[mechanical_robot]

no
Why not?

[connor.worley]

I attended a workshop on drivetrains a few weeks ago but I didn't learn anything about driving trains :(

[coalhot]

I attended a workshop on drivetrains a few weeks ago but I didn't learn anything about driving trains :(

Is "driving" the correct term for operating trains?

[connor.worley]

Is "driving" the correct term for operating trains?

I don't know, but I'm sure the job takes a lot of training.

[Connerd]

While I love most (if not all) the ideas stated above, I know what the game will be: CTF! The field will be of similar shape and size to those from Rebound Rumble and Ultimate Ascent, with two team stations on either side. The floor will be some texturally interesting material, or possible combination of materials. There will be an assortment of weights in the middle of the field, with varying weights. The goal will be to, with some automatous mode, get the most weights on your side of the field. The interesting part is, "Do we push it in front of us, hoping another team doesn't take it, or do we pick it up, and carry it?" A balancing end-game finishes the round. What do you guys thin?

[Peyton Yeung]

I'm pretty sure FIRST slipped up and didn't make 2011 a train game :D

[Calvin Hartley]

An intiresting thought, Connerd. I doubt we would see a balancing endgame so soon after Rebound Rumble, but I do think a Capture The Flag style game would be intiresting.

46 Days!

Also, the award for best post in this thread goes to:
I don't know, but I'm sure the job takes a lot of training.

(I love puns, by the way)

[BBray_T1296]

46 Days!

I just got scared. wow that is soon

[Munchskull]

Jaegers.

'Nuff said.

Dibs on Gypsy Danger!

[E Dawg]

Dibs on Gypsy Danger!

And for the endgame the robot has to go through a wormhole and self-destruct.:D

[E Dawg]

Dibs on Gypsy Danger!

Also, it's Gipsy Danger.

[Derpancakes]

Half-Life 3 will be the game theme. This I know for sure.

[Anthony Galea]

Half-Life 3 will be the game theme. This I know for sure.

I am positing this at 6:36 EST.
6+3+6=15.
15/5=3
EST has 3 letters
Half Life 3 has 3 words.

Half Life 3 Confirmed.

[BBray_T1296]

I am positing this at 6:36 EST.
6+3+6=15.
15/5=3
EST has 3 letters
Half Life 3 has 3 words.

Half Life 3 Confirmed.

You know it is true because:

student17's post was the 380th on this thread.
Half life 2 came out on November 16th, 2004
Today's date is 11/19/13

380 is also 11000010 in binary. Converted to ASCII you get char(196)
6 looks like a second nine, so ignore the second nine. the first 9, minus 1 is 8.
the eighth letter of the alphabet is 'H'
Today is the 19th, on a 'QWERTY' keyboard, the 19th letter is 'L'
Back to that second nine from above. take today's date and subtract 9 years, you get 11/19/04. That date is what? exactly '3' days after Half Life 2 came out.

What do we get? HL3.


boom.

[brandon.cottrell]

My team and I came up with a really good idea for a water game this year called "Shockwave". It mostly involves having your robot be thrown into a pool of water and gradulally being more and more destroyed. You get more points for each piece of your robot that is no longer useable after the match, so you have to put a lot on there. If you can, your alliance also will get points for the destruction of other robots, and at the end of the match the drive team can jump into the pool, and each drive team member sent to the hospital gets you an extra 3 points.

Good luck and we'll see you at the competition.

[Damiaen_Florian]

Half-Life 3 will be the game theme. This I know for sure.

Oh no, if this is true then I guess the FRC game won't ever come out!:p

[mcchev]

A lot of the recent games have been sports, I think FIRST is going to do something different. But as the driver and the electrician, I do NOT want a water game...

[mcchev]

I always vote for more complex autonomy. Maybe having to make the robots navigate through a tunnel were the operator can't see the robot. Oh I am so evil.:deadhorse:

As I driver, I have done this before at outreach events. I was working with a group of boyscouts, and I had just gotten the camera to work for the first time since the season. They immediately told me to go down this hallway that I could not see, and it would come to a door not 10 feet from our computer setup. It was a lot of fun, but since our camera wasn't centered, it was kind of hard.

[BBray_T1296]

We bridged our robot through our school wide wifi, and put the camera on the projector in our lab. We drove around the school, and even got someone (without mic/speakers) to operate the elevator for us! all from the safety of our lab.

*EDIT*

Now that I think about it, we have DISTRICT wide wifi. We could control the robot from any school to any other school with zero more effort. The internet feeds to our admin building and then feeds to the schools. I can drive by any school in town and my phone will automatically sync and log into my account, and you can file transfer between schools. You can ping a different school's computers using a local ip

[Marc S.]

I see many recent posts have gone off topic.... but here is a an actual game idea that some friends and I thought of.

What if the endgame was for the robot to go to the corners of the field, and the teams would get points for every corner they are touching?

Assuming FIRST outlaws tethers, the way to do this would be that the robots separate into smaller robots. A teams big robot could consist of 4 robots put together.

Of course this means FIRST might have to change the bumper rules :eek:, and put in a rule making it so each sub robot has to start in a center zone and be self powered (or something in that manner). I think it would both be very cool and and interested curve-ball challenge for elite level teams. Any thoughts?

Also, 2014 ARM GAME! :p

[MikeReilly]

We bridged our robot through our school wide wifi, and put the camera on the projector in our lab. We drove around the school, and even got someone (without mic/speakers) to operate the elevator for us! all from the safety of our lab.

*EDIT*

Now that I think about it, we have DISTRICT wide wifi. We could control the robot from any school to any other school with zero more effort. The internet feeds to our admin building and then feeds to the schools. I can drive by any school in town and my phone will automatically sync and log into my account, and you can file transfer between schools. You can ping a different school's computers using a local ip

That sounds very cool, and if you could share the steps you took I would greatly appreciate it!

[MichelB]

Seems like the FRC Challenges mimic the previous years' FTC Challenges...just an observation.

[SilentStryk09]

Seems like the FRC Challenges mimic the previous years' FTC Challenges...just an observation.

So we can basically look forward to another Tube game.

Which kinda bums me out, I've always loved the projectile games.

[Whippet]

So we can basically look forward to another Tube game.

Which kinda bums me out, I've always loved the projectile games.

Not quite. According to the trends in game design, the tube game is every four years and will have to wait until next year.

[jman4747]

So we can basically look forward to another Tube game.

Which kinda bums me out, I've always loved the projectile games.

Could be something where both shooting and using a manipulator are viable options.

[HumblePie]

A few things I think we're due for:

1) Balls. The every other year pattern holds?
2) Bulk loading. Haven't seen since Lunacy. Rebound Rumble game
pieces maxed out at 3.
3) Manipulator arms. Not popular since Logomotion. Time to break out some
4-bar linkages!

I also wouldn't be surprised to see an upper limit on output RPM of robot elements to ensure we don't have a 3rd consecutive "shooter" year.

[mwmac]

A few things I think we're due for:

1) Balls. The every other year pattern holds?
2) Bulk loading. Haven't seen since Lunacy. Rebound Rumble game
pieces maxed out at 3.
3) Manipulator arms. Not popular since Logomotion. Time to break out some
4-bar linkages!

I also wouldn't be surprised to see an upper limit on output RPM of robot elements to ensure we don't have a 3rd consecutive "shooter" year.

All good points...
FWIW, 2013 marks the 100th anniversary of the International Tennis Federation. Factors in favor of tennis balls include: high visibility; cheap, readily available game piece; satisfy points 1&2 above.

[rwkling1]

Interesting concept... Tennis, how would it be played? I'm just asking questions

[Zuelu562]

Interesting concept... Tennis, how would it be played? I'm just asking questions

It wouldn't be exclusively "Robot Tennis"; the very first year of FIRST, the game piece was Tennis Balls. We could have a zone scoring type game with herding Tennis Balls.

[Akash Shah]

Does anybody know if FIRST has released this year's game hint? Usually the game hint is released around December.

[cgmv123]

Does anybody know if FIRST has released this year's game hint? Usually the game hint is released around December.

It usually comes out later in December. Calm down, everyone.

[Akash Shah]

It usually comes out later in December. Calm down, everyone.
Thanks. I was just wondering.

[mhos1997]

It wouldn't be exclusively "Robot Tennis"; the very first year of FIRST, the game piece was Tennis Balls. We could have a zone scoring type game with herding Tennis Balls.

Well this years "hints" or what we believe to be hints do point back to something in the past.

[Boe]

Does anybody know if FIRST has released this year's game hint? Usually the game hint is released around December.

Depending on who you ask the first game hint(s) have already been released

[Libby K]

Depending on who you ask the first game hint(s) have already been released

If you ask FIRST, the answer is no.... Hints, when released, are pretty clearly labeled.

As mentioned above, calm down everyone.

[tickspe15]

After andymarks release of the stealth wheels I think that the field will have a different surface that smooth wheels would have an advantage on over treaded wheels. if those wheels truly are the KOP wheels the only reason I can think of for their existance is that some or all of the field will be a smooth non-carpet surface similar to regolith but with no wheel restrictions.

[themccannman]

After andymarks release of the stealth wheels I think that the field will have a different surface that smooth wheels would have an advantage on over treaded wheels. if those wheels truly are the KOP wheels the only reason I can think of for their existance is that some or all of the field will be a smooth non-carpet surface similar to regolith but with no wheel restrictions.

Regolith and other hard plastic floors will probably never happen again. The plastic dust that gets created is carcinogenic and generally very bad for your health.

[DampRobot]

Regolith and other hard plastic floors will probably never happen again. The plastic dust that gets created is carcinogenic and generally very bad for your health.

So Lunacy was literally so bad, it would give you cancer?

[themccannman]

So Lunacy was literally so bad, it would give you cancer?

It literally was that bad.

[bhumudar]

Could it be that this years game will have greater human player interaction? I'm thinking something similar to lunacy minus the regolith...

[Whippet]

Could it be that this years game will have greater human player interaction? I'm thinking something similar to lunacy minus the regolith...

Or maybe a game where the roles are reversed, and the robot has to feed the human countless stacks of frisbees!

[Kevin Thorp]

Or maybe a game where the roles are reversed, and the robot has to feed the human countless stacks of frisbees!

Does that mean the 'bots will be repairing defective humans in the Pits?

[themccannman]

Or maybe a game where the roles are reversed, and the robot has to feed the human countless stacks of frisbees!

I would actually like to see a humans vs robots match of ultimate ascent. Could end badly though::ouch::

[DampRobot]

I would actually like to see a humans vs robots match of ultimate ascent. Could end badly though::ouch::

As opposed to almost any other game, I could actually see the robots beating the humans!

[Navid Shafa]

I would actually like to see a humans vs robots match of ultimate ascent. Could end badly though::ouch::

We don't have sports teams at our highschool, so the robotics team gets the pep rallies. Every year we do some sort of students vs. the robot match at the assembly. It's always a big hit with the school, gets them excited to go on a field trip to see us compete.

[Chadfrom308]

As opposed to almost any other game, I could actually see the robots beating the humans!

I could actually see that happening too... but the humans would be able to climb better:) well at least I could...

I bet I could play better defense as well

"oops was that the power button?"

[Kimmeh]

"oops was that the power button?"

Powering off the robot totally counts as a hit "below the belt". Even if the robot lacks a belt.

[Caleb Sykes]

I could actually see that happening too... but the humans would be able to climb better:) well at least I could...


Really, you think climbing would be easy. I think that you forget all of the nuanced rules relating to climbing. How are you going to get on the first level without touching the second? If you manage to get to the first level, how will you be able to reach the second without touching the ground. If you are going for 30, how are you going to get your entire body above the 2nd bar and hold yourself there? Even with the opened up G23, you would have to be constantly wary of not breaking the 54" cylinder.

I have doubts that any person without extensive gymnastics experience could perform a legal 30 point climb in less than 20 seconds. The 20 point climb would also be extremely difficult. Also, the buzzer-beater 10 point hangs achieved by many robots would be all but impossible for humans.

[BigJ]

Really, you think climbing would be easy. I think that you forget all of the nuanced rules relating to climbing. How are you going to get on the first level without touching the second? If you manage to get to the first level, how will you be able to reach the second without touching the ground. If you are going for 30, how are you going to get your entire body above the 2nd bar and hold yourself there? Even with the opened up G23, you would have to be constantly wary of not breaking the 54" cylinder. I have doubts that any person without extensive gymnastics experience could perform a legal 30 point climb in less than 20 seconds. The 20 point climb would also be extremely difficult.

Use the corner bar and brace/shimmy up?

Also, the buzzer-beater 10 point hangs achieved by many robots would be all but impossible for humans.

All you have to do is straddle the first level bar and lift your feet.

[Whippet]

All you have to do is straddle the first level bar and lift your feet.

And stay there for five seconds without tipping over?

[BigJ]

And stay there for five seconds without tipping over?

With 2 hands on the bar I think I could handle that :p

[4404 PCH Colts]

One of my students made a clever guess that based on FIRST's history, they would again try to do some sort of game based on the major sporting event of this year. They suggested it may be related to the Winter Olympics. Thoughts?

[rwkling1]

Hockey is a possibility

[Zuelu562]

I'm starting to lean along the line of something like curling. I've been feeling a zone scoring game coming for the last few days for some reason. Unless the pieces are larger, real-time scoring will be a nightmare, but it's been a while since we have had a game without a manipulator (2010). 2010 had shooters if you want to be really technical, but I think it's time for a game without shooting.

A manipulator game (read Innertube game) could also be in the cards. Wild speculation! 30 days to go!

[mdiradoorian]

I have a feeling that it is going to be similar to 2010, however on a slick terrain and hockey themed.

[rwkling1]

Agreed, I think it will be hockey themed

[hiyou102]

Agreed, I think it will be hockey themed

I don't think it'll include a slipper playing surface. I think they got enough complaints about the Regolith during lunacy and don't want to make that mistake again.

I think the most likely choice will be a game that uses arms since they've had two shooter games in a row now. I personally would like to try something other than shooting this year since that is all I have done so far.

[themccannman]

I don't think it'll include a slipper playing surface. I think they got enough complaints about the Regolith during lunacy and don't want to make that mistake again.

I mentioned this on the previous page, but regolith, or a similar hard plastic field surface will probably never happen again due to health concerns from plastic dust.

[wilhitern1]

Use the corner bar and brace/shimmy up?



All you have to do is straddle the first level bar and lift your feet.

Heck, It was long enough that I could just lay along it like a bed. pretty trivial...

Neal

[Damiaen_Florian]

This was an idea I had thought of a few nights ago, this isn't a full game just a small concept:

So imagine a disc (not a frisbee!!) with one side being colored red and the other blue, the object of the game would be to simply flip the discs over to your colored side and score points that way.

I doubt this would actually be implemented but I think it's an interesting concept that the GDC could modify and make way more entertaining.

Also another idea: Capture the Flag!!

[sarah_storer]

Capture the flag would be a great game idea! :)
However, I think that there will be an arm game as others have said. I hope it will be hockey themed...maybe air hockey?

[jman4747]

Capture the flag would be a great game idea! :)
However, I think that there will be an arm game as others have said. I hope it will be hockey themed...maybe air hockey?

Could use an arm to pick up the "flag" or "flags" then score it.

They could do something where you can get a game piece from one side of the field but cant cross a certain line with it in your robot and have to relay it.

[raptaconehs]

Everyone says hockey on a slippery surface. Due to the lack of success of Lunancy I think there is another way to use hockey. How about floor hockey, it can be played on carpet.

[raptaconehs]

Could use an arm to pick up the "flag" or "flags" then score it.

They could do something where you can get a game piece from one side of the field but cant cross a certain line with it in your robot and have to relay it.

If it does become a capturing the flag game. I will be very pleased. For our offseason competition we did a capture the flag style game and would be able to have a head start. I highly doubt that it would be capture the flag just due to the fact that is a very common idea and it is likely many teams may have tried such a thing during one of their offseason.

[Kevin Thorp]

Last year we (like many teams) used a cut down 5 gallon bucket for our Frisbee hopper. I was thinking it would be fun to stack buckets in a pyramid. Points awarded for # of buckets stacked and overall height.

Of course your alliance would also try to knock down the opponent's stack. If that's too easy, maybe restrict robots from crossing into the "Pyramid Safe Zone". They'd have to knock the stack down with a long arm, or perhaps roll a game element into the stack?

Here is an interesting video (http://recordsetter.com/world-record/tallest-five-gallon-bucket-triangle-an-outdoor-basketball-court/18042) of the First Presbyterian Youth Ministry (Oostburg, Wisconsin) setting a bucket stacking record.

http://media.recordsetter.com/ef749965-6705-4db4-bb5b-181fd11fa680_Recordsetter_-_Pyramid.m4v_lg16x9.jpg

[xXTHEGUARDIANxX]

wait a minute glow in the dark braclets im sorry to possibly spoil but i think its laser tag! i talked to a few officials about it at my regional there probally might be a twist but laser tag would be epic :D

[Calvin Hartley]

Last year we (like many teams) used a cut down 5 gallon bucket for our Frisbee hopper. I was thinking it would be fun to stack buckets in a pyramid. Points awarded for # of buckets stacked and overall height....

Sounds a lot like 2003 to me.

[magnets]

2003 + a giant staircase in the middle instead of a ramp. That would be cool.

[2348humanplayer]

Joke's on you, I love this song!

[Kevin Thorp]

Sounds a lot like 2003 to me.

Yup. But with some type of playing element to knock the bucket stack over. Maybe a bowling ball, like the 2012 FTC game?

[rich2202]

Anyone know when they typically post the encrypted game manual?

[Whippet]

Anyone know when they typically post the encrypted game manual?

Usually a week or so before kickoff.

[Kevin Thorp]

Instead of a rectangular carpeted playing field, this year it will be a large circular track, ringed with magnets to accelerate the robots to very high velocities in opposite directions, until they collide.

The impacts should produce new types of mini-bots, but they will be very unstable & only exist for an instant.

[Pratik Kunapuli]

Instead of a rectangular carpeted playing field, this year it will be a large circular track, ringed with magnets to accelerate the robots to very high velocities in opposite directions, until they collide.

The impacts should produce new types of mini-bots, but they will be very unstable & only exist for an instant.

Welcome to the 2014 FIRST Robotics Competition and this year's game...FIRST Collision!

[mrnoble]

Had some of my veteran students research the history of all FIRST games and write their predictions for 2014. They all predicted a manipulator (or non-shooter, at least), and all felt that it would be a sport. In order from most common prediction to least, here is what they think.

1) Capture the flag.
2) Roller hockey.
3) Laser tag.
4) Bowling.

Any way we can look up shortages (due to above normal purchasing) of items like pucks at sporting goods stores? Maybe a helpful indicator.

Just my 2. Very excited to see what happens next month!

[SgtMartian]

Instead of a rectangular carpeted playing field, this year it will be a large circular track, ringed with magnets to accelerate the robots to very high velocities in opposite directions, until they collide.

The impacts should produce new types of mini-bots, but they will be very unstable & only exist for an instant.

The 2014 FRC challenge... Work in progress names:

Proton Paraphernealia
Ecstatic Elements
Between a Rock and a Hadron Place
UnunFIRSTium
Quantum Quarrel

and I'm done with the puns for today. Time to sleep.

[Whippet]

Instead of a rectangular carpeted playing field, this year it will be a large circular track, ringed with magnets to accelerate the robots to very high velocities in opposite directions, until they collide.

The impacts should produce new types of mini-bots, but they will be very unstable & only exist for an instant.

They thought the Higgs Boson was hard to find? Wait 'till we get our hand on the Lavery Boson!

[Abhishek R]

Had some of my veteran students research the history of all FIRST games and write their predictions for 2014. They all predicted a manipulator (or non-shooter, at least), and all felt that it would be a sport. In order from most common prediction to least, here is what they think.

1) Capture the flag.
2) Roller hockey.
3) Laser tag.
4) Bowling.

Any way we can look up shortages (due to above normal purchasing) of items like pucks at sporting goods stores? Maybe a helpful indicator.

Just my 2. Very excited to see what happens next month!

Yeah, the first two especially seem plausible.

Laser Tag might be a bit strange to have robots do, there wouldn't be too much visible interaction for spectators unless the lasers have a consequential action, and bowling, hmm, haven't though too much about that though I feel that seems more suited for FTC.

[jman4747]

Yeah, the first two especially seem plausible.

Laser Tag might be a bit strange to have robots do, there wouldn't be too much visible interaction for spectators unless the lasers have a consequential action, and bowling, hmm, haven't though too much about that though I feel that seems more suited for FTC.

True, but then when was the last time we had a single game piece that was particularly heavy?

[EricH]

True, but then when was the last time we had a single game piece that was particularly heavy?
2008, Trackballs.

2005, Tetras.

2002, mobile goals that weighed more than the robots--empty!

[jman4747]

2008, Trackballs.

2005, Tetras.

2002, mobile goals that weighed more than the robots--empty!


Exactly we're overdue.

[ChrisH]

Don't forget 2007, when robots became game pieces


2008, Trackballs.

2005, Tetras.

2002, mobile goals that weighed more than the robots--empty!

[DampRobot]

Don't forget 2007, when robots became game pieces

How do you mean? With the ramps?

[wilhitern1]

I know thateveryone else3 is going to hate this,but I'd love to see a mini bot again...

Neal

[jman4747]

I know thateveryone else3 is going to hate this,but I'd love to see a mini bot again...

Neal

In a better iteration the concept can work I think. On top of that when I first started FIRST my training was to build a minibot witch was a pretty good intro to basic robotics for me.

[BBray_T1296]

How about this for hockey: All robots must use mecanum wheels (like the rules for lunacy) on carpet, and the drive motors MUST be set to coast instead of brake (also no other braking mechanisms)

[Whippet]

How about this for hockey: All robots must use mecanum wheels (like the rules for lunacy) on carpet, and the drive motors MUST be set to coast instead of brake (also no other braking mechanisms)

Oh my goodness, no. The team I was on in 2012 didn't have a competitive robot that year specifically because they couldn't get the mecanum wheels to work correctly. Mecanums should only be used by those teams who are experienced enough in frame building and programming to make them work correctly.

[Invictus3593]

How about this for hockey: All robots must use mecanum wheels (like the rules for lunacy) on carpet, and the drive motors MUST be set to coast instead of brake (also no other braking mechanisms)

Mecanum wheels are 1) hard to use correctly and 2) very expensive. Not every team has the budget to buy an up-to-$500 set of wheels (http://www.andymark.com/8in-Mecanum-HD-Set-p/am-2118.htm).

[Calvin Hartley]

Mecanum wheels are 1) hard to use correctly and 2) very expensive. Not every team has the budget to buy an up-to-$500 set of wheels (http://www.andymark.com/8in-Mecanum-HD-Set-p/am-2118.htm).

Remember, Vex's wheels are a bit less expensive: http://www.vexrobotics.com/vexpro/wheels-and-hubs/mecanum-wheels.html

$40 for a 6" wheel and $60 for an 8". We used the 6" ones this year and were very satisfied, though our rollers started to break post-season. I'm not sure if this was due to normal wear-and-tear or if they were driven on a poor surface.

[xXTHEGUARDIANxX]

i didn't know mecs required extra programming i thought you just slapped them on like normal wheels what specifically do you have to do to your robot to use them?

btw we are slightly off topic but topic is still interesting

[Calvin Hartley]

i didn't know mecs required extra programming i thought you just slapped them on like normal wheels what specifically do you have to do to your robot to use them?

btw we are slightly off topic but topic is still interesting

I am no programming guru - in fact I am no programmer at all. However, I do know that strafing involves turning the wheels towards each other. When looking down on the wheels from the top, the rollers should form a sort of "X-pattern." Keep this in mind and try to imagine what happens when you turn the wheels different ways. I know this isn't much, but it helps me understand how they work.

Doing some sleuthing with the search here on CD will probably yield far better information than I can offer. ::rtm::

[Christopher149]

With mecanum, if you have a 3-axis joy stick, there's like a whole ~16 lines of code to write.

Something like (in pseudocode):


motor arrangement:
A------D
| |
| |
| |
B------C

Joystick axes
Y
|
+--X
/
T


double y = joy.y;
double x = joy.x;
double t = joy.t;

double a = x + y + t;
double b = -x + y + t;
double c = -x + -y + t;
double d = x + -y + t;

double factor = max(a,b,c,d);

if (factor > 1){
a /= factor;
b /= factor;
c /= factor;
d /= factor;
}

motorA.set(a);
motorB.set(c);
motorC.set(b);
motorD.set(d);

Note: I make no warranty that this is entirely correct, or that the signs are actually correct. It's more the pattern of the signs that matters. This is what 857 has used last two times we've done mecanum.

[Shifter]

My guess at the 2014 game:

clue1: Frank's September 27 blog refers to the "Morris dance". This obscure traditional dance is referenced in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series.

clue2: picture included in Frank's blog of September 27 (http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/blog-Registration-Beta-Test-and-Frank-Answers-Fridays), on the leftmost of three display screens and partially obstructed by Frank's arm may be this year's field set-up. Later referred to in Frank's December 10 blog (http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/blog-District-Award-Allocations-and-Kickoff-Taping) "we had a chance to take a look at a fully assembled 2014 season field in person rather than on a display screen or on paper"

clue3: "Tom Baker makes an appearance as the museum curator" in Frank's November 26 blog (http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/2014-Administrative-Manual-Sections-1-5-and-Something-New) is a reference to TIME-travelling Doctor Who.

game name: "TIME CRUNCH" or, more likely "CRUNCH TIME". TIME comes from clue3, CRUNCH comes from the end game.

playing field: from clue2, eight (or more) 3-sided cubicles line the side walls of the field. In the middle of the field at each end are four robot-width ramps arranged in a spoke pattern reaching heights at the hub of 20", 40", and 60"
autonomous: each of the eight robots (four robots per alliance in qualification rounds) starts the match in a cubicle. To earn points during the autonomous period robots must vacate their starting cubicle and move across the field (Morris dance (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jL6jR0JbRA&noredirect=1)) to enter a cubicle on the opposite side and activate a pivoting hourglass. If at least one robot executes this task in the first 5 seconds then an additional 5 seconds of autonomous is allowed for both alliances. This repeats for a maximum of 20 seconds of autonomous.
tele-op: robots dart from one side of the field to the other trying to "cap" as many cubicles as possible by pivoting the hourglass to their alliance color
end game: allied robots drive up the ramps and stack themselves one on top of another (ie. the big CRUNCH), the higher the stack the more end game points. Idea comes from clue1 where the fictional flat Discworld is said to rest atop elephants atop turtles (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:SkyOneDiscworld.png).

[jlmcmchl]

My guess at the 2014 game:

clue1: Frank's September 27 blog refers to the "Morris dance". This obscure traditional dance is referenced in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series.

clue2: picture included in Frank's blog of September 27 (http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/blog-Registration-Beta-Test-and-Frank-Answers-Fridays), on the leftmost of three display screens and partially obstructed by Frank's arm may be this year's field set-up. Later referred to in Frank's December 10 blog (http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/blog-District-Award-Allocations-and-Kickoff-Taping) "we had a chance to take a look at a fully assembled 2014 season field in person rather than on a display screen or on paper"

clue3: "Tom Baker makes an appearance as the museum curator" in Frank's November 26 blog (http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/2014-Administrative-Manual-Sections-1-5-and-Something-New) is a reference to TIME-travelling Doctor Who.

game name: "TIME CRUNCH" or, more likely "CRUNCH TIME". TIME comes from clue3, CRUNCH comes from the end game.

playing field: from clue2, eight (or more) 3-sided cubicles line the side walls of the field. In the middle of the field at each end are four robot-width ramps arranged in a spoke pattern reaching heights at the hub of 20", 40", and 60"
autonomous: each of the eight robots (four robots per alliance in qualification rounds) starts the match in a cubicle. To earn points during the autonomous period robots must vacate their starting cubicle and move across the field (Morris dance (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jL6jR0JbRA&noredirect=1)) to enter a cubicle on the opposite side and activate a pivoting hourglass. If at least one robot executes this task in the first 5 seconds then an additional 5 seconds of autonomous is allowed for both alliances. This repeats for a maximum of 20 seconds of autonomous.
tele-op: robots dart from one side of the field to the other trying to "cap" as many cubicles as possible by pivoting the hourglass to their alliance color
end game: allied robots drive up the ramps and stack themselves one on top of another (ie. the big CRUNCH), the higher the stack the more end game points. Idea comes from clue1 where the fictional flat Discworld is said to rest atop elephants atop turtles (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:SkyOneDiscworld.png).

I like this concept, except with yesterday's blog, there has to be something impressive on the field, without robots.

[xXTHEGUARDIANxX]

My guess at the 2014 game:

clue1: Frank's September 27 blog refers to the "Morris dance". This obscure traditional dance is referenced in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series.

clue2: picture included in Frank's blog of September 27 (http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/blog-Registration-Beta-Test-and-Frank-Answers-Fridays), on the leftmost of three display screens and partially obstructed by Frank's arm may be this year's field set-up. Later referred to in Frank's December 10 blog (http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/blog-District-Award-Allocations-and-Kickoff-Taping) "we had a chance to take a look at a fully assembled 2014 season field in person rather than on a display screen or on paper"

clue3: "Tom Baker makes an appearance as the museum curator" in Frank's November 26 blog (http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/2014-Administrative-Manual-Sections-1-5-and-Something-New) is a reference to TIME-travelling Doctor Who.

game name: "TIME CRUNCH" or, more likely "CRUNCH TIME". TIME comes from clue3, CRUNCH comes from the end game.

playing field: from clue2, eight (or more) 3-sided cubicles line the side walls of the field. In the middle of the field at each end are four robot-width ramps arranged in a spoke pattern reaching heights at the hub of 20", 40", and 60"
autonomous: each of the eight robots (four robots per alliance in qualification rounds) starts the match in a cubicle. To earn points during the autonomous period robots must vacate their starting cubicle and move across the field (Morris dance (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jL6jR0JbRA&noredirect=1)) to enter a cubicle on the opposite side and activate a pivoting hourglass. If at least one robot executes this task in the first 5 seconds then an additional 5 seconds of autonomous is allowed for both alliances. This repeats for a maximum of 20 seconds of autonomous.
tele-op: robots dart from one side of the field to the other trying to "cap" as many cubicles as possible by pivoting the hourglass to their alliance color
end game: allied robots drive up the ramps and stack themselves one on top of another (ie. the big CRUNCH), the higher the stack the more end game points. Idea comes from clue1 where the fictional flat Discworld is said to rest atop elephants atop turtles (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:SkyOneDiscworld.png).

this idea sounds valid but its sounds very difficult and is confusing for my self to interpret (still trying to interpret it) you seem to have strong evidence

[Lil' Lavery]

this idea sounds valid but its sounds very difficult and is confusing for my self to interpret (still trying to interpret it) you seem to have strong evidence

You and I apparently have very different definitions of "strong evidence." :rolleyes:

[rsegrest]

I like this concept, except with yesterday's blog, there has to be something impressive on the field, without robots.

Impressive item on the field...Idea comes from clue1 where the fictional flat Discworld is said to rest atop elephants atop turtles.

isn't that impressive enough? I mean who else can say they stacked their robots on top of their alliance partners who are on top of an elephant on a turtle? ;)

Seriously though...this one broke my brain...

[Kevin Thorp]

On the right side of that Sept. 27 blog photo (http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/blog-Registration-Beta-Test-and-Frank-Answers-Fridays) is the old style FIRST logo. That hasn't been used since "FIRST Frenzy" (http://www.usfirst.org/uploadedFiles/Community/FRC/Team_Resources/Archived_Game_Docs/2004%20-%20The%20Game.pdf) in 2004.

http://www.team358.org/history/2004/first_frenzyfield.jpg

[Christopher149]

On the right side of that Sept. 27 blog photo (http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/blog-Registration-Beta-Test-and-Frank-Answers-Fridays) is the old style FIRST logo. That hasn't been used since "FIRST Frenzy" (http://www.usfirst.org/uploadedFiles/Community/FRC/Team_Resources/Archived_Game_Docs/2004%20-%20The%20Game.pdf) in 2004.

http://www.team358.org/history/2004/first_frenzyfield.jpg

Oooh, 2014 will be ten years after 2004, and Tom Baker was the fourth doctor, so it's clearly a replay of '04. The 3's are just red herrings. Also, there is certainly something impressive on that field, and it wouldn't be another shooting game.</wild guesses>

[Anthony4004]

Ok, so I’ve spent like 3 hours on chief Delphi looking through possibilities for the 2014 game (don't you go judging me), and here are my final proposals:

Hockey-based game due to the winter Olympics, FIRST seems to make a game over a year that has a sporting event

Tennis-based, 100th anniversary of tennis is 2014

Frank had quoted saying about Tom baker, the fourth doctor, in a post. and in the September 27th post, there was obvious the field on a comupter screen that is being covered up, as well as the old FIRST logo last used in 2004, which was 10 years ago. So possibly something in relation to picking up objects. We’ve had two years in a row of a shooting game, no way that will be the case again, its time for another game where you have to be able to pick or move objects.

The glow in the dark based game. There was a student who made his way into the Dean's List room at worlds, and one of the FIRST officials had stated that next year it will be a good idea to get a glow in the dark measuring tape. Also, Andymark just released a LED drive base kit to make your robots GLOW!

I would see how making a dark field would make it no fun for the audience, so what about a game where the robots are "in the dark" so-to-speak where they have no camera? or vision processing? or maybe the drivers will have to make their way through some tricky obstacle without seeing? IDK.

[HumblePie]

Ok, so I’ve spent like 3 hours on chief Delphi looking through possibilities for the 2014 game (don't you go judging me), and here are my final proposals:
.

We don't judge here, and 3 hours browsing the rumor mill is what many of us would call a "Great Start".

Welcome to the board! :)

[xXTHEGUARDIANxX]

i am seeing a great amount of ideas which is great but i think we should start pulling evidence and focusing on a smaller amount of ideas and see which shoe fits :)

[Libby K]

On the right side of that Sept. 27 blog photo (http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/blog-Registration-Beta-Test-and-Frank-Answers-Fridays) is the old style FIRST logo. That hasn't been used since "FIRST Frenzy"in 2004.

Speculate all you want, because -why not-?!

But just so you know, that's more than likely just desk decoration. FIRST is full of old artifacts from old seasons & games that frequently make their way into people's offices/cubes to help jazz up the place.

For the two summers I was in the office as a Marketing intern I had quite a few game pieces, old event posters, and photos around my desk. I even got a denim jacket with an old logo to drape over my chair (took that one with me).

Lots of old logos around HQ - the original, as drawn by Jack Kamen. A wonderful tribute to the almost-25-years of history FIRST has. :)

[E Dawg]

There have been lots of things pointing towards something to do with the number "3". On the surface, we could consider this to be a confirmation of Half-Life 3. However, this is far to superficial.

1. Half-Life = Black Mesa
2. Aperture Science > Black Mesa
3. Something to do with Aperture Science

Portal guns are attached to the robots.

P.S. The game involves running away from a homicidal AI.

[Kevin Thorp]

P.S. The game involves running away from a homicidal AI.

Sounds like our 2013 robot testing...

[Team3266Spencer]

I actually wouldn't be surprised with another shooting game. The publicity and excitement towards spectators has been beneficial to FIRST. Both 2012 and 2013 produced some of the best games of all time as well (in my opinion).

I would also not be surprised to see multiple game objects on the field. We've done soccer, and Frisbee, and basketball, and racing, but what about a combo?

And of course, I would not be surprised to see a football.

[Chadfrom308]

Sounds like our 2013 robot testing...

Sounds like our robot all the time

[Chadfrom308]

Oh my goodness, no. The team I was on in 2012 didn't have a competitive robot that year specifically because they couldn't get the mecanum wheels to work correctly. Mecanums should only be used by those teams who are experienced enough in frame building and programming to make them work correctly.

That's why we did the mecanum/regular drivetrain

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ygB1cC8BadU/UoqoPJvoL2I/AAAAAAAAAiY/PbzFP8HJxaw/w958-h641-no/Build120211+%252855%2529.JPG

It wasn't too hard to program mecanum... especially in labview, you can tie in a gyro and you are good to go! (if you have a decent gyro)

[wilhitern1]

I keep coming back to someone's post... What if there were 3 alliances on the field at once. It just seems so intriguing! Perhaps a trigional field design. 3 ways of playing the game.

I know there's a lot of money invested in the current field design. So it will never happen. SAD!

Neal

[Whippet]

I keep coming back to someone's post... What if there were 3 alliances on the field at once. It just seems so intriguing! Perhaps a trigional field design. 3 ways of playing the game.

I know there's a lot of money invested in the current field design. So it will never happen. SAD!

Neal

Every time someone says that something will never happen, the GDC adds it as a possible game.

[Chadfrom308]

Impressive item on the field...

isn't that impressive enough? I mean who else can say they stacked their robots on top of their alliance partners who are on top of an elephant on a turtle? ;)

Seriously though...this one broke my brain...


Check this out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvmyemana30&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1

I thought it was so cool, I had no idea that that was even possible

Bravo.

[Oblarg]

Oooh, 2014 will be ten years after 2004, and Tom Baker was the fourth doctor, so it's clearly a replay of '04. The 3's are just red herrings. Also, there is certainly something impressive on that field, and it wouldn't be another shooting game.</wild guesses>

It would also use balls, which is in line with the strict ball/not ball alternating pattern we've seen over the past decade or so (assuming you don't count 2009's orbit "balls" as balls, which they arguably weren't).

[Martian86]

so what about a game where the robots are "in the dark" so-to-speak where they have no camera? or vision processing?

That sounds a lot like my team's robots already. I guess we get an advantage!

[EricH]

I keep coming back to someone's post... What if there were 3 alliances on the field at once. It just seems so intriguing! Perhaps a trigional field design.

I know there's a lot of money invested in the current field design. So it will never happen. SAD!

Every time someone says that something will never happen, the GDC adds it as a possible game.

Awright, you young whippersnappers. It's time for your history lesson. So sit on down (but NOT on the lawn!) and clean out your ears...

The money invested in the current field design is not the reason 3 alliances will never happen. The REAL reason is that it ALREADY happened--and FIRST did not like what was happening.

Let's go back to 1998. I was hanging around a team, but not on it yet (my dad was, though, and most of this comes through his stories). The game that year was played 1v1v1--that is, 3 alliances of one team each, red, white, blue--but they changed that to 1v1 for the very finals. Look up Andy Grady's post on the Bracket of DOOM! for the gory details.

Anyways, FIRST was looking through data of match results after the season that year, and noticed something weird. No very highly ranked team--I forget how high--won their first match of the day. It became obvious fairly quickly on looking at the matches in question that the other two teams in each match were playing defense on the top team. Now, FIRST couldn't prove any collusion. But, they did sense a problem--and one they'd continue to have under the "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" principle.

Their solution was introduced the following year at Kickoff. "Since collusion cannot be prevented, it will now be required." -- Woodie Flowers, Kickoff 1999. 2-team alliances were introduced. Initially, you were only told to be there for a match, where you'd find out who your partner was of the other 3 teams. Within a couple years, that announcement came when the match schedules did; various tweaks to the elimination setup also came around that time.

Long story short, FIRST will not go back to XvXvX because it will quickly become 2XvX.

[wilhitern1]

... The money invested in the current field design is not the reason 3 alliances will never happen. The REAL reason is that it ALREADY happened--and FIRST did not like what was happening...

Thanks! That's a very helpful diagnosis. A lot to be learned there.

Neal

[glennword]

Hey guys, thought I would share this with you. Kind of in the spirit of Twas the Night Before Kickoff. I worked harder on it than I care to admit. Imagine it to the tune of Silver Bells

New VEX PROducts, busy forums
AndyMark and FIRST Choice
In the air
There's a feeling
of Kickoff
Dean is laughing
at people joking
‘bout a water game this year
and on every Delphi thread post you'll hear

Game ideas, Game ideas
It's Kickoff time on Chief Delphi
Nope that’s wrong, they’re all wrong
Soon it will be Kickoff day

Strings of LEDs
Even E-stop lights
Blink a bright red and blue
as the FIRSTers rush
for free FIRST Choice treasures

Read the game hints
See the numerologists squint
This is Kamen's big scene
Above all the decrypting
You'll hear

Game ideas, Game ideas
It's Kickoff time on Chief Delphi
Nope that’s wrong, they’re all wrong
Soon it will be Kickoff day

[Bryce Paputa]

Game ideas, Game ideas
...
Nope that’s wrong, they’re all wrong


Yep.

[Anthony4004]

That sounds a lot like my team's robots already. I guess we get an advantage!

Same here! That's why I think it would be great for us! Lol.

[mrmummert]

Hello...

I've been reading a lot of posts in this thread and other related ones.
One thing i've noticed coming out of First are some vague references to
the past and some weird date typos which go into the future. (which First
shortly takes back down and corrects ) Now don't
go off on another thread on this...but what if in some weird way the 2014
game has something to do with the "Back to the future" movie? or is a hint that maybe we are going back to the past (as in a past game) to play it again in the future? (The number 3 hints might mean we are playing a old game but with 3V3 instead of 2V2?)Granted the movie came out in 1985 (and I and II came out in 1989 and 1990) Perhaps i shouldn't post this as its probably gonna open up a new can of worms. Well get your Flux Capacitors and Delorians ready.

[Kai Williams]

The glow in the dark based game. There was a student who made his way into the Dean's List room at worlds, and one of the FIRST officials had stated that next year it will be a good idea to get a glow in the dark measuring tape. Also, Andymark just released a LED drive base kit to make your robots GLOW! .

In addition, they gave all of the Dean's List Finalists/Winners bright yellow tape measures with LED Lights. Dean implied that they were hints for next year's game, and as a result, the Dean's List kids were all atwitter for about two weeks about a glow in the dark game, or IR tracking or a dark maze (a box that robots have to drive into to get across the field) or something.

However, after examining my tape measure, I've come to think that the LED light has more to do with tracking the retro-reflective tape they try to get us to use every year - a dark game would be just too terrible for spectators. It would completely contradict everything that was said at worlds about "Making it Loud," since no one would be able to see a dark field. Can you imagine scouting?

I've attached a picture of my tape measure, if anyone's curious...

[Libby K]

Dean implied that they were hints for next year's game...

Nope! That was said by Blair, the master of ceremonies for the Dean's List ceremony. As has been discussed in other threads, this was more than likely just a joke.

[Kai Williams]

I stand corrected!

[jar24]

Because of the blog post about two strikes and hitting a home run, I think the game is going to be related to baseball in some way or form

[Anthony4004]

Because of the blog post about two strikes and hitting a home run, I think the game is going to be related to baseball in some way or form

Which blog posting was this? I don't believe I've seen it.

[jar24]

Which blog posting was this? I don't believe I've seen it.

it was this one
http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/blog-FIRST-Choice-Opening-Postponed-Part-2

[jar24]

is anyone else curious about why only woodie has his water bottle next to him and Dean and Don have there water bottles so far away?
http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/Photo-From-Kickoff-Filming

[dipmeinaluminum]

This years 2014 game hint has been in our faces for the past few months!!!

Am I the only one who can see it!?

It's painfully obvious that its movie themed!
All of this years hottest 2014 movies!!!

click here meow to see the full movie in HD!
We are all sitting on directors chairs and we can stop the game clock by yelling "CUT!!!"

[ChairmanRao]

Look at the latest blog post about FIRST Choice..."Our apologies for the two strikes this weekend, we promise our next swing will be a home run." Coincidence? I think not.

[Navid Shafa]

This years 2014 game hint has been in our faces for the past few months!!!

Am I the only one who can see it!?

It's painfully obvious that its movie themed!
All of this years hottest 2014 movies!!!

click here meow to see the full movie in HD!
We are all sitting on directors chairs and we can stop the game clock by yelling "CUT!!!"

If that's the case, it looks like it'll be another Einstein year for 180! ;)

[Anthony4004]

Because of the blog post about two strikes and hitting a home run, I think the game is going to be related to baseball in some way or form

See this would make a lot of sense for a few reasons. Everyone has been saying that this year will be a ball game via the ball game intervals. Also, my team has been thinking that a small game piece such as a small tennis ball or baseball due to the other ball games the past few years. So due to the tennis game in 1992, a baseball themed game is due. We've done soccer, baseketball, discus, lets see some baseball!

[Whippet]

I'm still rooting for a lifting game. People who started in 2011 will have only seen one arm game by the time they graduate if we had another shooting game, and I think we're all tired of trying to launch stuff. :)

[Phyrxes]

I'm indifferent towards the game object, but this year's senior class has had three games with limitations to the number of game objects a robot can manipulate. Maybe its time for a "Max" capacity game to make a return appearance.

[rwkling1]

I'm still rooting for a lifting game. People who started in 2011 will have only seen one arm game by the time they graduate if we had another shooting game, and I think we're all tired of trying to launch stuff. :)

I sort of disagree, I started in 2011 and I've enjoyed the past 2 years a lot more than my first year. Part of the reason is that the spectators know what's going on. If you walk into competition without any prior knowledge of robotics, you can understand that they're playing basketball, or trying to get frisbees into goals, but when you see robots hanging tubes on racks, it's not as entertaining in my opinion.