is this another game hint?

[mrmummert]

Hello...

Just for the heck of it i looked at the "Team Updates" on the FRC page and
oddly found updates for 11-26-13 (twice) and 11-27-13. They all say the same thing "three" times. Here is the link

http://frc-manual.usfirst.org/Updates/0#term%20112

They all seem to reference this past seasons game, but its odd...three
updates all saying the same thing...and all referencing "Section 3"
Could this be yet another hint?

[Oblarg]

More threes?

At this point, if these hints mean anything, I'm going to wager on either a 3-minute game or a 3-alliance game (sort of leaning more towards the latter, simply because it'd be a bigger departure from previous tradition).

[Walter Deitzler]

A note on the three thing:

In almost any game, even after discounting 3 robots per alliance, there is something to do with 3. Examples:

2013: Three point goal, Three goals, three pyramid levels,
2012: 3 bridges, 3 point vales for hoops
2011: Three levels of racks, three shapes
2010: Drawing a blank
2009: 3 types of balls

Overall, it is VERY likely that the game will have to do with the number 3.

[AllenGregoryIV]

A note on the three thing:

In almost any game, even after discounting 3 robots per alliance, there is something to do with 3. Examples:

2013: Three point goal, Three goals, three pyramid levels,
2012: 3 bridges, 3 point vales for hoops
2011: Three levels of racks, three shapes
2010: Drawing a blank
2009: 3 types of balls

Overall, it is VERY likely that the game will have to do with the number 3.

2010: Three Zones (Front, Middle, Back)

[Oblarg]

A note on the three thing:

In almost any game, even after discounting 3 robots per alliance, there is something to do with 3. Examples:

2013: Three point goal, Three goals, three pyramid levels,
2012: 3 bridges, 3 point vales for hoops
2011: Three levels of racks, three shapes
2010: Drawing a blank
2009: 3 types of balls

Overall, it is VERY likely that the game will have to do with the number 3.

If "three" is actually a hint (which I doubt, as it seems way too close to something that would constitute useful information to be a FRC game hint), I think it'll be something really fundamental, like match length or number of alliances, for precisely this reason.

[dellagd]

Weird.

The link to 3.1.5.2 goes to the non-existent 2014 game manual, but rule 3.1.5.2 is what used to define the point values in 2013. Also the link goes to viewItem/180, which did used to be the game section (3) for the manual.
On top of that, it is the exact same wording as the real update of this that was issued in April.

My guess is someone messed up. Not a hint...

[Andrew Schreiber]

A note on the three thing:

In almost any game, even after discounting 3 robots per alliance, there is something to do with 3. Examples:

2013: Three point goal, Three goals, three pyramid levels,
2012: 3 bridges, 3 point vales for hoops
2011: Three levels of racks, three shapes
2010: Drawing a blank
2009: 3 types of balls

Overall, it is VERY likely that the game will have to do with the number 3.

2008: 3 ways to score (lap, hurdle, place)
2007: 3 levels of elevating partners (0,30,60) and 3 levels of rack
2006: 3 periods?
2005: 3x3 grid


I'll leave 2004 to 2001 to someone else. :rolleyes:

[rwkling1]

Well it is quite obvious that there is going to be 3 of something, it's just really hard to determine what.

[Jacob Bendicksen]

Not to break anyone's heart, but 3 is a great number for varying skill levels amongst teams. It just makes more sense than 2, and 4 is getting too complicated.

[Michael Hill]

Maybe it means THREE FEET OF WATER

[cadandcookies]

It could indicate that we'll have climbing (probably a different object) again for the same point values, which would be rather interesting.

[colin340]

definitely a game hint
Such a game hint
So many hints
Definitively a hint

[magnets]

Could this be yet another hint?

This implies that there was a previous hint. There are no hints in FRC. Just the GDC messing with people.

[geomapguy]

It could indicate that we'll have climbing (probably a different object) again for the same point values, which would be rather interesting.

One climbing game was enough for me

[Dragonking]

Maybe it means THREE FEET OF WATER

Or maybe the three states of water that will be on the field.

[dag0620]

Sorry to be that guy, but once again my answer to things like this is....

No.

I really am willing to bet it's just a glitch in the system, or a mistake as they edited the previous years manual.

[rwkling1]

I disagree, in many years previous, there has been something to do with the number 3, it is likely there will be something on the field having to do with the number 3

[MechEng83]

Not to break anyone's heart, but 3 is a great number for varying skill levels amongst teams. It just makes more sense than 2, and 4 is getting too complicated.

It's clearly a hint that the Holy Hand Grenade (http://youtu.be/xOrgLj9lOwk?t=1m29s) be the game piece...

[Domenic Rodriguez]

It's funny to see this whole thing with the number 3 again this year. I'm sure others remember last year's red herring (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=109112) and game hint (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=110159) and their focus on the number 3. I wouldn't read too much into errors like this.

Also, this video from Team 1902 is feeling more relevant than ever these days, particularly the ending: http://youtu.be/uQ_mdx8_6A4.

[DampRobot]

I think it could be an actual hint. There's been a lot of this kind of stuff on the FIRST website. I'd believe a certain number of typos, but this is really a lot. Especially if they haven't been fixed (have they?).

Of course, just because something is a hint doesn't mean it tells us anything.

[EricH]

I think it could be an actual hint. There's been a lot of this kind of stuff on the FIRST website. I'd believe a certain number of typos, but this is really a lot. Especially if they haven't been fixed (have they?).

Of course, just because something is a hint doesn't mean it tells us anything.
The last time the number 3 was significant in a game hint, we had Triple Play. After that year, a proposal was made on Chief Delphi for a game called Triple Replay, due to Dean's homework not getting done.

Got bad news for ya veterans, you're gonna have to really support the rookies this year.





*http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37726

**Note that anything between the first sentence and the first asterisk is not in any way, shape, or form either serious or related to any actual released FRC game. The posted link is for reference only.

[Andrew Lawrence]

The last time the number 3 was significant in a game hint, we had Triple Play. After that year, a proposal was made on Chief Delphi for a game called Triple Replay, due to Dean's homework not getting done.

Got bad news for ya veterans, you're gonna have to really support the rookies this year.





*http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37726

**Note that anything between the first sentence and the first asterisk is not in any way, shape, or form either serious or related to any actual released FRC game. The posted link is for reference only.

"Introducing the 2014 FIRST Robotics Competition, and this year's game, 'Ultimatest Ascent".

[Oblarg]

"Introducing the 2014 FIRST Robotics Competition, and this year's game, 'Ultimatest Ascent".

There should be a pyramid made of pyramids.

[FIRST_Parent]

Game hint?

[geomapguy]

I do have to say that the number 3 is a game hint. I recently got an email from Woodie and he used three exclamation marks!!!

hehe

[Dominick Ferone]

One climbing game was enough for me
actually climbing was also used in 2004 and 2010

[geomapguy]

actually climbing was also used in 2004 and 2010

Well you see, I didn't even know what FIRST was in those years.

[toastnbacon]

Half Life 3 confirmed? Wait, that's not what we do here....

I don't know if there's anything to be read into it, except that "There will be no change to the value of CLIMBING at the FIRST Championship, as mentioned in Section 3.1.5.2."

Although it does seem like there will be some climbing aspect...

[Gemmendorfer]

A note on the three thing:

In almost any game, even after discounting 3 robots per alliance, there is something to do with 3. Examples:

2013: Three point goal, Three goals, three pyramid levels,
2012: 3 bridges, 3 point vales for hoops
2011: Three levels of racks, three shapes
2010: Drawing a blank
2009: 3 types of balls

Overall, it is VERY likely that the game will have to do with the number 3.
1992: three different valued tennis balls
1994-1998: three robots per match and the amount of sides fields had were multiples of three
1996: three ways to score
1997: Triangular pyramid goal with three pegs extending from three edges
1999: Floppies 8 or more ft. high are 3 points and robot on the puck multiplies their end score by three
2002: Three zones and three goals
2004: Beginning of three team alliances

I'm pretty sure it's safe to say there is an overwhelmingly high chance all future games will have some sort of three involved, whether it alliances or scoring...

[Chris is me]

Also worth noting is the contents of the section being "edited" three times. This edit concerns the value of climb points at the FIRST Championship, which did not change. This 3-tiered challenge, with 3 edits indicating a lack of change to this challenge at the Championship, leads one to believe that a three tiered endgame will be returning in 2014, worth 10, 20, or 30 points. Perhaps it will even be a form of climbing again.

Also worth thinking about is the presentation of these "3"s in the form of errors. The 3 in the year of an earlier blog post was a typo. These three edits concern a section of the manual that doesn't exist yet in the 2014 manual (the entire Game section is empty until Kickoff). Perhaps this has some significance.

The number 3 alone means nothing (indeed, I've made the same argument you're all making in the last thread), but this potential clue does seem to give more context. Or we are all obsessing over coincidental glitches.

[efoote868]

I'm pretty sure it's safe to say there is an overwhelmingly high chance all future games will have some sort of three involved, whether it alliances or scoring...

Three atoms in a molecule of water... WATER GAME!

:rolleyes:

[E Dawg]

A note on the three thing:

In almost any game, even after discounting 3 robots per alliance, there is something to do with 3. Examples:

2013: Three point goal, Three goals, three pyramid levels,
2012: 3 bridges, 3 point vales for hoops
2011: Three levels of racks, three shapes
2010: Drawing a blank
2009: 3 types of balls

Overall, it is VERY likely that the game will have to do with the number 3.

This was the third post. It also has the highest frequency of 3's per post in this thread.

Further indication that 3 will be radically important.:D

[The_ShamWOW88]

I feel like there's so much to do with 3 in FIRST as others have pointed out to believe there's much to find in it being a "hint". I wouldn't waste too much time reading to far into it.

[rwkling1]

Yeah, I agree, there are so many possibilities that the number 3 could be, it's been different every year and unless someone sees someone see something that goes with the number 3, it won't really mean anything until kickoff.

[cadandcookies]

Or we are all obsessing over coincidental glitches.

If we weren't, this wouldn't be CD!

Also, noticing that the official FIRST twitter has been posting pictures of previous years' games. That could compound on the "climbing... again!" theory.

[Andrew Schreiber]

1992: three different valued tennis balls
1994-1998: three robots per match and the amount of sides fields had were multiples of three
1996: three ways to score
1997: Triangular pyramid goal with three pegs extending from three edges
1999: Floppies 8 or more ft. high are 3 points and robot on the puck multiplies their end score by three
2002: Three zones and three goals
2004: Beginning of three team alliances

I'm pretty sure it's safe to say there is an overwhelmingly high chance all future games will have some sort of three involved, whether it alliances or scoring...



You forgot 2003 ooh, nvm found it.

Ok, now I'm just being silly.

[EricH]

2004: Beginning of three team alliances


Sorry, gotta call you on that one. 3-team alliances were in play in 2002 for sure, maybe in 2000 (2001 was a 5-team alliance). But only in eliminations (play 2, sit 1).

3-team alliances in regular play wasn't until Triple Play in 2005.

[Joe Ross]

Sorry, gotta call you on that one. 3-team alliances were in play in 2002 for sure, maybe in 2000 (2001 was a 5-team alliance). But only in eliminations (play 2, sit 1)

1999 was the first year of 3 team alliances in eliminations, but only after 2*3 regionals had been completed. At the Great Lakes regional (last regional of the year), teams voted to allow a 3rd alliance member for eliminations, and that was carried through to championships.

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showpost.php?p=64968&postcount=1

[DampRobot]

1999 was the first year of 3 team alliances in eliminations, but only after 2*3 regionals had been completed. At the Great Lakes regional (last regional of the year), teams voted to allow a 3rd alliance member for eliminations, and that was carried through to championships.

It's pretty cool that FIRST let teams decide something like this by voting.

Imagine, reducing the minibot points or changing the climbing rules by popular vote...

[MichaelBick]

It's pretty cool that FIRST let teams decide something like this by voting.

Imagine, reducing the minibot points or changing the climbing rules by popular vote...

I would not enjoy this because engineering should not be based on voting. Imagine if 469's 2010 robot was outlawed by popular vote? Furthermore, teams strategize based on these constraints. For example, many teams did not pursue a climbing mechanism this year because they felt that climbing was too hard for the point benefit. If all these rules could be changed on a dime late in season these teams would be burned really badly.

[GaryVoshol]

The last time the number 3 was significant in a game hint, we had Triple Play.
I always liked Triple Play.

Imagine if 469's 2010 robot was outlawed by popular vote?
I resemble that remark. ;)

[Mike Schreiber]

If three is a huge hint to something fundamental to the game I doubt it is 3 minutes or three teams.

Large foam cutouts in the shape of the number 3.

Or three sided robots.

Or third place, as in the teams who lose in the semifinals play each other for a bronze medal.

Ok fine, I doubt it is any of these...

[SingerandDancer]

A note on the three thing:

In almost any game, even after discounting 3 robots per alliance, there is something to do with 3. Examples:

2013: Three point goal, Three goals, three pyramid levels,
2012: 3 bridges, 3 point vales for hoops
2011: Three levels of racks, three shapes
2010: Drawing a blank
2009: 3 types of balls

Overall, it is VERY likely that the game will have to do with the number 3.

Well, ofc they like the number 3

[Woolly]

It's clearly a hint that the Holy Hand Grenade (http://youtu.be/xOrgLj9lOwk?t=1m29s) be the game piece...

Well, I guess that means that team 1939 is a lock for 2014 FRC World Champions.

[holygrail]

Well, I guess that means that team 1939 is a lock for 2014 FRC World Champions.

Or if we build another Killer Rabbit, it could mean we will be blown up near the entrance to a cave by a guy that has a hard time counting to three.

Whoa. There's another three!

I like your idea better! World Champions sounds good.

[Calvin Hartley]

Or if we build another Killer Rabbit, it could mean we will be blown up near the entrance to a cave by a guy that has a hard time counting to three.

Whoa. There's another three!

I like your idea better! World Champions sounds good.

You might be better off naming your robot....... Tim.