Official FIRST STEAMWORKS Teaser and DLC Pack 1!

[Hallry]

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/FIRSTOfficial/videos/1187941727895307/

YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37GBEBLfhWA

Website link: firstinspires.org/2017-frc-teaser

DLC Pack 1: https://firstinspiresst01.blob.core.windows.net/frc/DLCPack1.zip

DLC Pack 1 contains Wallpapers, Ringtones, Game Logos, and Team Recruitment Posters

Recording of the FRC GameSense aftershow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Yt7usJ8b2w

[Munchskull]

Really, flight? That is going to feed the rumor mill...

[dmorewood]

OMG it's a flying game. Drones here we come and several severe injuries from rotor blades.

[Poseidon5817]

Really, flight? That is going to feed the rumor mill...

Prepare to take flight... Steam is boiled water... Hydroplane game confirmed.

[Philip Arola]

WHY A FLYING GAME OUR NEURAL NET ISN'T EVEN WORKING ON THE GROUND.

[Bluman56]

The robot in the trailer that the kids were working on had Pneumatic wheels... Hmm.

*3 minutes later*

"Andymark is out of stock of 8" Pneumatic wheels."

I can see it already. :'(

[Billfred]

CyberTooth nails it. (https://twitter.com/3940CyberTooth/status/778368611601702912)

[bobbysq]

Valve sponsorship confirmed?

Edit: Does anyone know the trailer music so I can make a high quality rip of it?

[Koko Ed]

Break out the rakes!

[FarmerJohn]

Raised platforms, either for robots or scoring pieces. Otherwise that ramp to where the team is working on the robot wouldn't be necessary.

http://i.imgur.com/aT3M10l.png

Also why does their robot diagram (and robot) have only 5 wheels and an opening on the side?

[Francis-134]

Be sure to check out the Aftershow on GameSense at 7:30 ET. We've got Emma Dumont as well as Allen Gregory and some of his students from 3847 to hear what they think about the goodies coming our way!

Watch at twitch.tv/FRCGameSense or youtube.com/FRCGameSense

[EricH]

Well, it's obviously a steampunk game.

That means that instead of batteries, we'll need to have boilers aboard the robots. Not looking forward to inspecting THOSE for safety.

Oh, and no aluminum, gotta use iron.

[Ginger Power]

Building a drone during Ri3D is going to be a challenge...

[Caleb Sykes]

I predict that this game will have teamwork in it.

[Crew Cox]

And!!......................chief delphi finally comes out of summer hibernation.

[Maffalfa]

Going off of the four year cycle theory, maybe the unusual object is a gear?

[BotDesigner]

It feels like we are progressing through world history (Medieval times, industrial revolution)...

2018 FRC Great Depression Game Confirmed!

[Darkseer54]

Going off of the four year cycle theory, maybe the unusual object is a gear?

Looking at it, what really stands out to me is the blimps. I would guess a football game, just not a football theme.

[IndySam]

Well, it's obviously a steampunk game.

That means that instead of batteries, we'll need to have boilers aboard the robots. Not looking forward to inspecting THOSE for safety.

Oh, and no aluminum, gotta use iron.

Steam power would be awesome and you could use copper.

[seg9585]

Well, it's obviously a steampunk game.

That means that instead of batteries, we'll need to have boilers aboard the robots. Not looking forward to inspecting THOSE for safety.

Oh, and no aluminum, gotta use iron.

We're gonna need to scale the steam tower...

[Bob Steele]

Skunkworks...Steamworks.... This is our game....

[ATannahill]

And!!......................chief delphi finally comes out of summer hibernation.
But I never finished my bingo card...

[Electronica1]

Hey look, a minibot :P 21056

[Dinokaiz2]

AHHHHHH ITS FINALLY HERE :ahh:

[Josh Tatum]

What happens to steam when it cools?
It turns into water, water game confirmed.

[Ginger Power]

There's a paintbrush in the logo and the name is STEAMworks... FIRST is feeling the art vibe.

[Thad House]

Did they have to go with STEAM?? That is the biggest joke in engineering. Just keep it STEM...

[JayNico]

At long last, all my joke design sketches during reveal day will come in handy! I knew that propellers would be in the game some day :D
Now we just need a proper nanobot game and I'll have predicted everything

[bobbysq]

You guys know what steam is the gaseous version of...

[kristinweiss]

I'm already dreading all the cosplay that I know is bound to happen this year....

[seg9585]

What happens to steam when it cools?
It turns into water, water game confirmed.

Ahem, steam is still water in the gaseous form.

[Ginger Power]

Did they have to go with STEAM?? That is the biggest joke in engineering. Just keep it STEM...

+1

[FrisbeeFunTime]

When I first saw it I was kinda like "aww thats annoying at the steampunk theme" but thinking about it for a few minutes I'm starting to think that this game will be quite good. Also with flying could there be some sort of robot v robot game on the ground and a drone v drone game in a separate area.?

[mwmac]

The logos in the DLC sure hint strongly at a football sailing over the top hat.

[logank013]

If you look at the logo, the blimp in the top right looks like a football, just saying.

[JayNico]

All the flight elements are going to be chaos
I was worried about our robot falling off of the tower while scaling last year, imagine a mid air collision :ahh:

[IndySam]

Ahem, steam is still water in the gaseous form.

No steam is a vapor not a gas.

[Bkeeneykid]

Is the animated logo GIF in the DLC pack broken for anyone else? It shows up fine when shared in the F4 Slack, but when opened in preview, it says it's corrupted. All my browsers say the same thing. (Yes, I'm on a mac).

[Caleb Sykes]

See left side: https://youtu.be/37GBEBLfhWA?t=15

Robots must draw portraits of Dean and Woodie. Also, map on right side conveniently shows which areas will attend the North half-champ.

[ahartnet]

Haven't seen anyone mention it yet, but the DLC ringtone includes a "working-with-shovel" sound. Seems to me like that could be some sort of hint. Maybe digging out items in some way?

The train horn could be too. Maybe having to follow some sort of track, like a train?

Or maybe they're just digging a hole 6 feet deep for minibots, can grabbers - and maybe some 50 foot long graves for some of the go-pro poles.

[kaliken]

Inner tubes = gears? Are we building our airship and going up the platform when done to launch it?

[JayNico]

The logos in the DLC sure hint strongly at a football sailing over the top hat.

I think you're on to something ::rtm::

[wajirock]

The gears in the logo makes me think that game piece will be gears, and the robots will have to place said gears in a certain configuration in order to "activate" some sort of "device", possibly the blimp. Activation of the machine would be similar to capturing the tower. But the whole Steampunk concept is far from the futuristic theme everyone was buzzing about.

[cowanm18]

Anyone else notice this? Looks like a map of the Eastern United States

http://i.imgur.com/LaAKpwd.png

[Eric Scheuing]

Anyone else notice this? Looks like a map of the Eastern United States

http://i.imgur.com/LaAKpwd.png

The black dot is at FIRST HQ...

[NShep98]

*sigh* I guess we have to make another dragon this year.

[Sparky Jell-0]

Well considering that the robot the students were working on had bumpers so at least we can say bumpers confirmed...

[FrisbeeFunTime]

Also looks like there is a black dot on the location of FIRST headquarters.

[PigmouseTucker]

Idk if this is a coincidence but the new MTG set, Kaladesh is steampunk theme also. Or maybe this is just a coincidence?

[Schoolboy Q]

Did they have to go with STEAM?? That is the biggest joke in engineering. Just keep it STEM...

So are you saying anyone who's on a FIRST team for artistic purposes should just go ahead and quit? FIRST as an organization should only pay attention to those "who will actually make it"

[g_sawchuk]

Well considering that the robot the students were working on had bumpers so at least we can say bumpers confirmed...
Yes. (http://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/frc/blog/pool-noodles-2017)

[Vyrotek]

I thought the little robot on the left was interesting.

Also, the girl holding the cog-ball reminds me a lot of a past game piece. Also, why is she pointing to the robot on the chart? It's almost as if the bot will carry it.

As others have said too, the ramp/workstation are kind of awkward and definitely represent some game obstacle.

http://i.imgur.com/c7oNvI1.png

[Karibou]

I'm interested to know why the clock reads 1:08 (or 13:08, or 1:07/13:07). I can't imagine that's a random time.

[JayNico]

I'm interested to know why the clock reads 1:08 (or 13:08, or 1:07/13:07). I can't imagine that's a random time.

Apparently 1:08 in Mark goes
"I indeed have baptized you with water, but He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.”
Sooooooo that involves water, and steam can appear to be ghostlike :confused:? Checking around for references to the other numbers

[chandrew]

You guys know what steam is the gaseous version of...

True.

[JayNico]

Just saying the girl second from the left does not have regulation hair
That's dangerous yo::ouch::

[PigmouseTucker]

I notice that the clock seems very dominant in this picture. The time on it shows what we believe is 1:08. Does anyone know what significance this has? Also my friend points out that it's in Roman numerals.:confused:

[troy_dietz]

I'm interested to know why the clock reads 1:08 (or 13:08, or 1:07/13:07). I can't imagine that's a random time.

The number 108 is considered sacred in several eastern religions for a wide variety of reasons.

[LittleRed]

My guess is that it's 1:07 since the game is released on January 7th

[SharonO]

I'm interested to know why the clock reads 1:08 (or 13:08, or 1:07/13:07). I can't imagine that's a random time.

Isn't kick-off January 7 this year? 1/07

[SpoonMechanic]

They teased this at worlds in the after party with the drummers.

[Karibou]

My guess is that it's 1:07 since the game is released on January 7th

Isn't kick-off January 7 this year? 1/07

Well would you look at that, it is. I read it as 1:08 but 1:07 would make way more sense then. That's one mystery solved.

[Michael Hill]

Anything worth analyzing is worth over-analyzing. And anything worth over-analyzing is worth hyper-analyzing. Ready, go!

[Lireal]

Idk if this is a coincidence but the new MTG set, Kaladesh is steampunk theme also. Or maybe this is just a coincidence?

This is what I immediately thought of as well XD

[ChelseV3.14]

1:07 from the clock 1-07 is when the game comes out:ahh:

[FrisbeeFunTime]

My guess is that it's 1:07 since the game is released on January 7th
Hey, that's pretty good.

[Lireal]

In the third recruitment poster, there is another picture of the clock, but this time it is at 1:30. Coincidence?https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7o5wFdZJParTkNydkVVU0c5VXc/view?usp=sharing

[BotDesigner]

Recruitment poster #3 shows a a clock at 1:30, hmm...

edit- Lireal beat me to it

[cowanm18]

this may be a harmless coincidence but at Worlds, there was a band that came out and played before Don Bossi came out and spoke. The band had goggles on their outfits that look steampunky (I cant tell my video quality isnt great). Found it interesting

[cowanm18]

this may be a harmless coincidence but at Worlds, there was a band that came out and played before Don Bossi came out and spoke. The band had goggles on their outfits that look steampunky (I cant tell my video quality isnt great). Found it interesting

I could be totally out of the ballpark on this one but thought i would share anyways

[jakebacker44]

The game is supposed to be released on January 9th but it wont be released until January 30th

[logank013]

The bumper is team number 6. According to the blue alliance team 6 (https://www.thebluealliance.com/team/6) is the CogSquad. A cog is a wheel or bar with a series of projections on its edge that transfers motion by engaging with projections on another wheel or bar.

[EricH]

Anything worth analyzing is worth over-analyzing. And anything worth over-analyzing is worth hyper-analyzing. Ready, go!
You're a little late to the party...



Personally, I think I've got a prediction as to who's going to win the Championship.
1577, 1761, 3204, and 4057 had better form an alliance this year, somewhere, somehow. (That's two steampunks and two steampunk animals.) Finalists will include 3966 and 4531 (both STEMpunk).

[Breakaway3937]

Raised platforms, either for robots or scoring pieces. Otherwise that ramp to where the team is working on the robot wouldn't be necessary.

http://i.imgur.com/aT3M10l.png

Also why does their robot diagram (and robot) have only 5 wheels and an opening on the side?

Does anyone else notice the minibot in this photo???

[Lireal]

What do you guys think about the working-with-shovel ringtone? Maybe part of the game will be manipulating coal to create steam?

[youngace89]

Anyone else wondering what this thing is? It doesn't look like anything I've seen on a robot before...
21060

[troy_dietz]

Personally, I think I've got a prediction as to who's going to win the Championship.
1577, 1761, 3204, and 4057 had better form an alliance this year, somewhere, somehow. (That's two steampunks and two steampunk animals.) Finalists will include 3966 and 4531 (both STEMpunk).

4515 is Calvert STEAM Works

[Darkseer54]

My guess is FLL minibots that "mine coal." That's why they had the shoveling soundbite.

Football game (blimps) where there are two large circular targets (the goggles in the logo).

[jlbimson]

Maybe it will be launching footballs into a boiler goal, with a minibot endgame of sorts?

[JayNico]

I'm interested to know why the clock reads 1:08 (or 13:08, or 1:07/13:07). I can't imagine that's a random time.

So steampunk is typically in London right
So
13:08 would be August 13th in their date system right
So

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August_13
Tying back into London and UK, on that day "1913 – First production in the UK of stainless steel by Harry Brearley."
Going back to water speculation, "1895 – István Barta, Hungarian water polo player (d. 1948)" was born. Coincidence? :cool:
The alliances are going to be three robots each, "29 BC – Octavian holds the first of three consecutive triumphs in Rome to celebrate the victory over the Dalmatian tribes."

Now that's all very interesting, but what exactly happened during the year 1308?
Well, "approx. date – Dante Alighieri begins to write the Divine Comedy." In that book, there are 9 circles of Hell, which indicates that there will be three alliances on the field at once, but they will each be three teams as usual if you recall the August 13 in 29 BC.

But! There are 4 circles on the wall in the workshop (clock, 2 gears, and some smooth one). The fourth circle of Hell is Greed. Teams are going to have to steal game objects from other teams. This ties in with the ninth circle of Hell, which is Treachery. In the end game period, that's when this element will come into play. The game length will be divisible by nine. HOOOOOLD UP though. As my friend just pointed out, 9 is also 1 plus 8, or the clock time.

Not done yet though. As someone in the thread pointed out, the clock is in Roman Numerals. Let's take it back to good ol August 13th, this time in 582. "582 – Maurice becomes Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire." After our good friend Maurice became Emperor, he fought against the Sassanid Persians. When he succeeded, he abolished the extensive taxes that the Romans had been required to the Persians in order for peace. Remember the fourth circle of Hell?

You thought I was done with Maurice, didn't you. "In 602, a dissatisfied general named Phocas usurped the throne, having Maurice and his six sons executed." That's a whooole bunch of treachery, innit?

Well, that's all I got for now. :cool: Watch the skies.

[euhlmann]

Apparently 1:08 in Mark goes
"I indeed have baptized you with water, but He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.”
Sooooooo that involves water, and steam can appear to be ghostlike :confused:? Checking around for references to the other numbers

^^ that's exactly why the clock was set to that. It's a red herring for a "water game" ;)

[Kingland093]

My prediction is:

Object of the game is to launch some sort of device that is on the alliance wall (blimp thing?) Game pieces are the cogs. Cogs are placed at different heights on the blimp. Once all the cogs are in place, the blimp launches.

Guessing it's a hybrid of logomotion and Stronghold. Maybe drone mini-bots?

[FrisbeeFunTime]

Anyone else wondering what this thing is? It doesn't look like anything I've seen on a robot before...
21060
It's a new radio. :)

[Maplecat21]

I did some searching on The Blue Alliance about 1330, and through a string of years got to the team "Robots of the Round Table" (Team 2007, from Thunderducks (2004) from 1330's rookie year), which may be a reference to last year's game.

[Zealii]

I don't know if this has already been said, but the band at Opening Ceremonies this year was steampunk. Coincidence? I think not.
Sincerely your 2016 DL Winners

[Maffalfa]

The gears in the logo makes me think that game piece will be gears, and the robots will have to place said gears in a certain configuration in order to "activate" some sort of "device", possibly the blimp. Activation of the machine would be similar to capturing the tower. But the whole Steampunk concept is far from the futuristic theme everyone was buzzing about.

I agree with your theory, would be really interesting.

[ArthurA]

So are you saying anyone who's on a FIRST team for artistic purposes should just go ahead and quit? FIRST as an organization should only pay attention to those "who will actually make it"

Of course not, but the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics are very closely linked in both subject matter and the issues that they face (but are still very diverse (https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-economic-guide-to-picking-a-college-major/)). Including Art, a field that is completely unrelated, and important for reasons that are entirely separate from the reasons that STEM subjects are seems disingenuous to me. STEAM is an acronym that loses its way for the want of including too many fields - it becomes a platitude that loses all meaning.

[bchina]

I noticed that there a few references to goggles, specifically in the Recruitment Poster #2. Maybe they are going beyond safety glasses and potentially introduce VR in some way? Maybe to simulate flying?

[natejo99]

I don't know if this has already been said, but the band at Opening Ceremonies this year was steampunk. Coincidence? I think not.
Sincerely your 2016 DL Winners

One of our mentors pointed out the same thing, I hadn't even thought about it. A little preliminary hint, I guess

[Philip Arola]

Of course not, but the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics are very closely linked in both subject matter and the issues that they face (but are still very diverse (https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-economic-guide-to-picking-a-college-major/)). Including Art, a field that is completely unrelated, and important for reasons that are entirely separate from the reasons that STEM subjects are seems disingenuous to me. STEAM is an acronym that loses its way for the want of including too many fields - it becomes a platitude that loses all meaning.
Precisely how I feel. Art is an important craft that has many technical aspects, but it is a totally separate field from STEM. There is a very good way to put this.

STEM is objective, art is subjective.

Shoehorning art into STEM essentially turns STEAM into a banner which covers practically all subjects.

[runneals]

Found some random pieces in the High Res wallpaper that appear multiple times and seem out of place... Also noticed that some of the stuff appears in a "blueprint" and actual behind it...

http://i.imgur.com/11hxnvq.jpg

[Cothron Theiss]

I'm thinking the game will be themed about running a factory or operating a boiler. Many small round-ish game pieces (the coal) to be scored in goals and a few gear or cog shaped pieces (the repair parts) with high point values to be scored or placed in alternate scoring zones.

End game will be to burn out the drive motors, causing the magic smoke (or steam, in this game) to be released.

[Trevor1523]

I've been wanting to see moving field elements on the fiel for the longest time! Maybe this will be my year!

The huge focus on the word "cog", the number 6 on the bumper as Logan pointed out, the various cogs in the picture. I think there may be something that the robots may need to do to activate something on the field, or realease the game pieces (maybe footballs ;))

My thought for this is is the complexity of the past few FTC games (2015 and 2016 in particular) I've been wanting something like these past games to come to FRC and this may be my year.

I'm very excited for 2017.

[watrgaemconfrmd]

FLYING WATER GAME CONFIRMED

[Lireal]

The gears in the logo makes me think that game piece will be gears, and the robots will have to place said gears in a certain configuration in order to "activate" some sort of "device", possibly the blimp. Activation of the machine would be similar to capturing the tower. But the whole Steampunk concept is far from the futuristic theme everyone was buzzing about.

There is also the shoveling ringtone. Perhaps coal is also being added to this device to make the steam.

[Schoolboy Q]

Of course not, but the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics are very closely linked in both subject matter and the issues that they face (but are still very diverse (https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-economic-guide-to-picking-a-college-major/)). Including Art, a field that is completely unrelated, and important for reasons that are entirely separate from the reasons that STEM subjects are seems disingenuous to me. STEAM is an acronym that loses its way for the want of including too many fields - it becomes a platitude that loses all meaning.

It just seemed like you were getting angry at FIRST for a reason that doesn't even exist. The name of the game is Steamworks because it has a Steampunk theme, why does that have to mean that they meant for it to be S.T.E.A.M.?

[JayNico]

Found some random pieces in the High Res wallpaper that appear multiple times and seem out of place... Also noticed that some of the stuff appears in a "blueprint" and actual behind it...

http://i.imgur.com/11hxnvq.jpg

Wrenches? :confused:

[maxnz]

The bumper is team number 6. According to the blue alliance team 6 (https://www.thebluealliance.com/team/6) is the CogSquad. A cog is a wheel or bar with a series of projections on its edge that transfers motion by engaging with projections on another wheel or bar.

Team 6 was from Minnesota. Maybe they predict that a MN team will finally win Einstein at one of the champs?

[ArthurA]

It just seemed like you were getting angry at FIRST for a reason that doesn't even exist. The name of the game is Steamworks because it has a Steampunk theme, why does that have to mean that they meant for it to be S.T.E.A.M.?

I dont mind that its called steamworks if that name works, was just giving my 2 cents against the steam acronym (not the same person you initially replied to).

[bobbysq]

Team 6 was from Minnesota. Maybe they predict that a MN team will finally win Einstein at one of the champs?

DISTRICTS CONFIRMED 2018

[Maplecat21]

Wrenches? :confused:

They look like calipers to me.

[Hitchhiker 42]

The huge focus on the word "cog", the number 6 on the bumper as Logan pointed out, the various cogs in the picture.

The number six may imply that there will still be 6 robots on the field at a time.

[BotDesigner]

The number six may imply that there will still be 6 robots on the field at a time.

No, there are going to be 6 alliances on the field at a time.:D

[runneals]

Also this looks like a major game piece since it's in the logo and in the highres with the FIRST logo on it... But where would someone source a game piece like this?!?! :P When I saw it in the logo, I thought it looked like this probably will move... Maybe in the air?? http://i.imgur.com/QIGdQ5P.jpg

[Lireal]

Also this looks like a major game piece since it's in the logo and in the highres with the FIRST logo on it... But where would someone source a game piece like this?!?! :P When I saw it in the logo, I thought it looked like this probably will move... Maybe in the air?? http://i.imgur.com/QIGdQ5P.jpg

I personally think that that looks very much like a submarine.... and you know what that means.............

[JoJoKov08]

Mini bots like 2011?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Type]

I'm interested to know why the clock reads 1:08 (or 13:08, or 1:07/13:07). I can't imagine that's a random time.

That's just a hint to say when we will be able to go home every night since this game will be so hard :yikes:

[AndrewPospeshil]

Of course not, but the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics are very closely linked in both subject matter and the issues that they face (but are still very diverse (https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-economic-guide-to-picking-a-college-major/)). Including Art, a field that is completely unrelated, and important for reasons that are entirely separate from the reasons that STEM subjects are seems disingenuous to me. STEAM is an acronym that loses its way for the want of including too many fields - it becomes a platitude that loses all meaning.

I agree with ArthurA. Promoting art is very important, and as FIRST teams/STEM advocates we have to be careful to not disparage artists and those interested in pursuing it. STEAM is a useful acronym because it spells out a longer word than STEM there are plenty of cases where Art + STEM are in the spotlight together. Just not all the time.

Regarding the theme, I'm... not a big fan. I wish FIRST would return to classic sports themed games. Western culture has such an innate knowledge of sports ingrained in us that when someone says "basketball but with robots" there's plenty that can be extrapolated and assumed right away. Even Aerial Assist can be explained as "kinda like football, but with yoga balls and robots," which is fairly accurate. Recycle Rush was a complete 180 in this regard. You can't really just say "recycling but with robots." And it was a fairly simple game, so you could possibly excuse this one because it isn't too difficult to explain with just a sentence. Stronghold was more difficult to explain to complete newcomers. "It's a castle siege" doesn't tell you much about the game at all. I guess that with a game video they're all pretty easy, but that's just a small nitpick I have.

My real beef with themed games is the cultural aspect, if you can call it that. FIRST's mission is to inspire kids to pursue STEM careers. I think we get too caught up a certain group of kids - the kids that already like STEM. When you say "hey, it's robots, but Monty Python/Steampunk!" I'd wager you're not going to be getting a larger group of interested kids. You might get more interest from certain kids, sure. But if you're trying to make robotics appealing to a crowd that is skeptical of anything uncool, adding a medieval or steampunk label on top of that is not going to help you one bit. This is especially relevant in more underprivileged areas* - robotics isn't doing you any social favors in the first place. If a school has a graduation rate in the 50's or 60's, I don't think the culture is super encouraging of kids who wanna be nerdy steampunk kids. It's difficult enough to recruit kids for soccer with robots, I'm not a fan of making that more difficult by recruiting them to renaissance fair with robots.

*disclaimer: i come from a pretty privileged suburban background, so feel free to completely disregard my attempt at empathy

[FrisbeeFunTime]

So along with the theme there was a so called dlc pack released. With many developers today moving twords a dlc model to obtain more money it makes sense for first to do the same. Now its just to determine where these dlc's will come into play within first. For team registration it could be that when you register now you only get labeled as an fr team and you have to get the c as a dlc. First could also very well include playoffs at events as a dlc, one you have to pay on spot. (This is a joke if you couldn't tell :))

[Sir_Fenwick]

So i watched the teaser on youtube and after it had finished, a second video started. It was the 2016 FIRST Championship Welcome Ceremony clip. And all of the performers in the video are wearing steampunk-esque clothing. They literally told us the theme at nationals.:ahh: :ahh: :ahh:

[Karibou]

Does anyone else feel like this house looks out of place? (bottom right corner of the high res wallpaper). Almost looks like it was cut and pasted it on top of the rest of the image, or is supposed to show an "overall" view and the rest of the image is a "close-up" or "inside" of sorts.

http://i.imgur.com/DnkLyz1.png

[Trevor1523]

The number six may imply that there will still be 6 robots on the field at a time.

Could very well mean that. This whole thread is full of speculation. ;)

[Hadi379]

Break out the rakes!

My words exactly!!

[arc25565]

Interesting fact, there is actually a board game that is called steamworks. Maybe it is a clue.
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/143176/steam-works

[runneals]

Interesting fact, there is actually a board game that is called steamworks. Maybe it is a clue.
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/143176/steam-works

Kinda like this past year and StrongHold (http://store.steampowered.com/app/40950/)?? :)

[D.Allred]

The Spectrum students did a great job with the teaser breakdown. Loved a lot of their ideas.

I think they may have predicted part of the game years ago.

https://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=116599

I see pipes in our future. Or footballs. Or insert your favorite odd shaped game piece here _____.

David

[Karibou]

Also this looks like a major game piece since it's in the logo and in the highres with the FIRST logo on it... But where would someone source a game piece like this?!?! :P When I saw it in the logo, I thought it looked like this probably will move... Maybe in the air??
<image removed from quote>

There's already one in the air. Look to the right of the large building in the center of the image.

[GeeTwo]

Not so fast on the drones -- note that the image of "prepare to take flight" showed an airship*, not a drone, not an aircraft, not a copter. 'nuff said.

* that is, a lighter-than-air vessel

Edits:

I'm already dreading looking forward to all the cosplay that I know is bound to happen this year....
FTFY.

No steam is a vapor not a gas.
And the distinction is? Really?

Also this looks like a major game piece since it's in the logo and in the highres with the FIRST logo on it... But where would someone source a game piece like this?!?! :P When I saw it in the logo, I thought it looked like this probably will move... Maybe in the air?? http://i.imgur.com/QIGdQ5P.jpg That looks to me like a submarine with jet nacelles.

The front end is a WWII-era submarine with oversize dive planes, the middle has a post-WWII body (cylindrical), the jet nacelles and a slightly undersize conning tower, and the rear has a shrouded propeller and a horizontal stabilizer rather like an aeroplane (but shorter and longer). The porthole midway between the dive planes and the conning tower and the windows in the conning tower are rather amusing.

[hectorcastillo]

Raised platforms, either for robots or scoring pieces. Otherwise that ramp to where the team is working on the robot wouldn't be necessary.

http://i.imgur.com/aT3M10l.png

Also why does their robot diagram (and robot) have only 5 wheels and an opening on the side?

Anyone notice the 5-wheel drive schematic on the wall?

[runneals]

http://i.imgur.com/Lh7XKEx.jpg
What's the significance of 1989 and like 38ish PSI?

[Bkeeneykid]

http://i.imgur.com/Lh7XKEx.jpg
What's the significance of 1989 and like 38ish PSI?

1989 was the year FIRST was established. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For_Inspiration_and_Recognition_of_Science_and_Tec hnology

[fresh_prince]

Be sure to check out the Aftershow on GameSense at 7:30 ET. We've got Emma Dumont as well as Allen Gregory and some of his students from 3847 to hear what they think about the goodies coming our way!

Watch at twitch.tv/FRCGameSense or youtube.com/FRCGameSense

Huge thanks to the crew at GameSense for inviting us to join them tonight! We had a blast sharing all our speculation with y'all and the folks in the Twitch chat.

[maddog175]

Not at all sure why folks are worked up about STEM --> STEAM. There is a strong art element to engineering.

And I like the use of themes. Makes things new and refreshing. Kind of artsy, too, isn't it?

[Jarren Harkema]

It just seemed like you were getting angry at FIRST for a reason that doesn't even exist. The name of the game is Steamworks because it has a Steampunk theme, why does that have to mean that they meant for it to be S.T.E.A.M.?

One thing to note on the logo: Based upon the sizing and capitalization, its clearly meant to look like "STEAMworks". To me it definitely hints at having the double meaning to fit the theme and the acronym. Now I'm just interested in the chicken and egg scenario here with the name selection.

[ctt956]

One thing to note on the logo: Based upon the sizing and capitalization, its clearly meant to look like "STEAMworks". To me it definitely hints at having the double meaning to fit the theme and the acronym. Now I'm just interested in the chicken and egg scenario here with the name selection.

+1. There's also a paintbrush at the start of the word "STEAMworks".

[BenjiSG]

Any idea what Woodie's saying in WoodieFlowers_FIRSTPriority.mp3? The only words I can discern are "FIRST Priority."

[AllenGregoryIV]

Game Piece Idea

Airship = Inflatable Oval Yoga Balls (https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Anti-burst-PVC-Oval-Yoga-gym_60375445080.html?spm=a2700.7724857.0.0.JpAQkT)

[maxnz]

Anyone notice the 5-wheel drive schematic on the wall?

If you look at the robot itself, you see that there is some pile of blocks or something above the middle wheel on one side. Because the diagrams show the final product, you only see 5 of the 6 wheels.

[Jarren Harkema]

Any idea what Woodie's saying in WoodieFlowers_FIRSTPriority.mp3? The only words I can discern are "FIRST Priority."

The two quotes are:

"Woody say's this is FIRST Priority!"

"This is important stuff! Answer your phone!"

I love Dr. Flowers and all, but what in the world are these doing in this promotion pack and why were they created? They seem very out of place, and I couldn't ever see myself or anyone I know in FIRST using these.

[Bob Steele]

No steam is a vapor not a gas.

Sorry, that isn't right... Steam is water in its gaseous form.

All vapors are gas, they just happen to be a gas that is below the critical temperature which means they can be condensed by pressure without lowering the temperature. This also means they can coexist with liquid water. (this depends on pressure)

Steam is always a gas.... it could also be a vapor in certain situations but not always.

:)

[FrisbeeFunTime]

Game Piece Idea

Airship = Inflatable Oval Yoga Balls (https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Anti-burst-PVC-Oval-Yoga-gym_60375445080.html?spm=a2700.7724857.0.0.JpAQkT)

Those look like so much fun. I want you to be right about this. :)

[Hitchhiker 42]

Sorry, that isn't right... Steam is water in its gaseous form.

All vapors are gas, they just happen to be a gas that is below the critical temperature which means they can be condensed by pressure without lowering the temperature. This also means they can coexist with liquid water. (this depends on pressure)

Steam is always a gas.... it could also be a vapor in certain situations but not always.

:)

Water vapor is actually invisible (you can't see it). We don't typically refer to water vapor as steam. Steam is the same as clouds: they are little water droplets condensed in the air. Steam is a liquid dispersed in little drops in the air.

[Zebra_Fact_Man]

Steampunk game confirmed.
Flying minibots confirmed.
Water game NOT confirmed.

Oh boy this is gunna be interesting.

[TJP123]

Game Piece Idea

Airship = Inflatable Oval Yoga Balls (https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Anti-burst-PVC-Oval-Yoga-gym_60375445080.html?spm=a2700.7724857.0.0.JpAQkT)

There's no way those are the game piece. Not nearly expensive enough.

[ctt956]

Game Piece Idea

Airship = Inflatable Oval Yoga Balls (https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Anti-burst-PVC-Oval-Yoga-gym_60375445080.html?spm=a2700.7724857.0.0.JpAQkT)

Those look like so much fun. I want you to be right about this. :)

+10000. That would be awesome. :D What if they were filled with helium though, or at least part helium? Maybe nitrogen?

[AndrewPospeshil]

The two quotes are:

"Woody say's this is FIRST Priority!"

"This is important stuff! Answer your phone!"

I love Dr. Flowers and all, but what in the world are these doing in this promotion pack and why were they created? They seem very out of place, and I couldn't ever see myself or anyone I know in FIRST using these.

A DLC pack with ringtones is like, ten or fifteen years too late. Couldn't tell you more than two people I know who use a non-default ringtone, certainly neither of them high schoolers. Oh well. Decent Woodie soundbites could be used for something else I'm sure.

[roddonfire]

Also this looks like a major game piece since it's in the logo and in the highres with the FIRST logo on it... But where would someone source a game piece like this?!?! :P When I saw it in the logo, I thought it looked like this probably will move... Maybe in the air?? http://i.imgur.com/QIGdQ5P.jpg

Looks like an airplane... Either a flying game OR ... the paper airplanes from Einstein are coming back!!

[GeeTwo]

Anyone notice the 5-wheel drive schematic on the wall?
Not until now, but it occurs to me that a 5 wheel drive like that would be absolutely perfect for... NOTHING! ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! (with apologies to VHF (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GB7mHxdHlRY)).

[Bmarshall645]

It's a pretty cool teaser and I can't wait for it! I hope we see an alternative to the Standards idea from last year. Maybe this years "standard" could be a big gear (like plastic or styrofoam) and each event gives you a mini gear patch similar to the history patches from stronghold.

[Jardanium]

After hearing the shovel ringtone, I had this idea I proposed:

What if the game pieces are coal, and the whole idea is to bring coal to your machine, power the steam engine, and cause a blimp to "fly". The defense would come from fighting over the limited supply of coal.

This could tie in the flying idea without any actual flying.

I dunno, just a thought.

[TheBoulderite]

It's a pretty cool teaser and I can't wait for it! I hope we see an alternative to the Standards idea from last year. Maybe this years "standard" could be a big gear (like plastic or styrofoam) and each event gives you a mini gear patch similar to the history patches from stronghold.

Either that, or the pits and competitions will be in GIANT BLIMPS.

[maxnz]

Looks like an airplane... Either a flying game OR ... the paper airplanes from Einstein are coming back!!

Maybe you activate a part of the field that throws paper airplanes?

[Munchskull]

I just hope that the theme does not cause the quality of the game to diminish. I for one was hoping that there would be no theme this year and instead have a good game with fewer distractions. Just my two cents.

[Bob Steele]

Water vapor is actually invisible (you can't see it). We don't typically refer to water vapor as steam. Steam is the same as clouds: they are little water droplets condensed in the air. Steam is a liquid dispersed in little drops in the air.

I am sorry again but I am not sure who you are referring to as "we" but I have worked at Electric Power Generation facilities and WE refer to all of it as steam. In fact it is a major problem because we have had steam line breaks and it is impossible to see the "steam" and it can cause major problems. and injuries.

The term vapor is how I defined it above. It has to do with being lower than the critical temperature. It is still in the gas phase.

If you are referring to common usage I can't speak to that.

Little water droplets are not steam or vapor... they are liquid water.

When a substance in lower than the critical temperature it can exist in several states.

The term steam is probably ill-defined in common usage. But when we discuss it in my Thermo section we use the definitions I have outlined above.

thanks

[Chief Hedgehog]

All I know is that 4531 (http://www.thebluealliance.com/team/4531) and 3966 (http://www.thebluealliance.com/team/3966) (along with a couple of others) better live it up like it's 1999! Have fun with this year's theme!

[guniv]

All I know is that 4531 (http://www.thebluealliance.com/team/4531) and 3966 (http://www.thebluealliance.com/team/3966) (along with a couple of others) better live it up like it's 1999! Have fun with this year's theme!

You're a little late to the party...



Personally, I think I've got a prediction as to who's going to win the Championship.
1577, 1761, 3204, and 4057 had better form an alliance this year, somewhere, somehow. (That's two steampunks and two steampunk animals.) Finalists will include 3966 and 4531 (both STEMpunk).

Our team freaked out when we saw it. We couldn't hear it the first time (with our speakers at full volume), because everyone in the room was so excited. Our products team (shirts, costumes, pit) is already having a field day thinking of things to do this year. It's gonna be super important that we stand out from the scores of other teams that will get dressed up this year, too.

Seriously. Our team is pumped.

[RoboChair]

Oh, and no aluminum, gotta use iron.

You mean brass, copper, and leather?

[Justin Montois]

After hearing the shovel ringtone, I had this idea I proposed:

What if the game pieces are coal, and the whole idea is to bring coal to your machine, power the steam engine, and cause a blimp to "fly". The defense would come from fighting over the limited supply of coal.

This could tie in the flying idea without any actual flying.

I dunno, just a thought.

Our team came up with the same thing!

We were thinking Hockey Pucks could be the "Coal" and you score them in a "Hopper"

I think this is on the right track. Someone mentioned Pipes too, Steam Pipes might play as well. Maybe a year of 2 truly different game pieces.

[Spencer Metz]

Raised platforms, either for robots or scoring pieces. Otherwise that ramp to where the team is working on the robot wouldn't be necessary.

http://i.imgur.com/aT3M10l.png

Also why does their robot diagram (and robot) have only 5 wheels and an opening on the side?

I would also like to add that the wheels on the bot are gears... Curious might I say.

[Chief Hedgehog]

Our team freaked out when we saw it. We couldn't hear it the first time (with our speakers at full volume), because everyone in the room was so excited. Our products team (shirts, costumes, pit) is already having a field day thinking of things to do this year. It's gonna be super important that we stand out from the scores of other teams that will get dressed up this year, too.

Seriously. Our team is pumped.

What an opportunity for your team - I am a slight bit jealous (I was really hoping for a Star Wars theme - we would make hay!). Good luck this season and please keep CD posted on how your team markets itself! Really, I am excited for you and 4531 - even though we may not be going to Duluth this season, I may have to go just to see what STEMPunk is going to do! Can't wait to play this game in the land of 10000 Lakes :) !

[bobbysq]

The two quotes are:

"Woody say's this is FIRST Priority!"

"This is important stuff! Answer your phone!"

I love Dr. Flowers and all, but what in the world are these doing in this promotion pack and why were they created? They seem very out of place, and I couldn't ever see myself or anyone I know in FIRST using these.

I honestly thought they were just cheesy enough to use. I need to set these up eventually.

[Spencer Metz]

Isn't kick-off January 7 this year? 1/07
Yes, kick off is 1/07 so the clock may be indicating the kick off date.

[Spencer Metz]

So steampunk is typically in London right
So
13:08 would be August 13th in their date system right
So

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August_13
Tying back into London and UK, on that day "1913 – First production in the UK of stainless steel by Harry Brearley."
Going back to water speculation, "1895 – István Barta, Hungarian water polo player (d. 1948)" was born. Coincidence? :cool:
The alliances are going to be three robots each, "29 BC – Octavian holds the first of three consecutive triumphs in Rome to celebrate the victory over the Dalmatian tribes."

Now that's all very interesting, but what exactly happened during the year 1308?
Well, "approx. date – Dante Alighieri begins to write the Divine Comedy." In that book, there are 9 circles of Hell, which indicates that there will be three alliances on the field at once, but they will each be three teams as usual if you recall the August 13 in 29 BC.

But! There are 4 circles on the wall in the workshop (clock, 2 gears, and some smooth one). The fourth circle of Hell is Greed. Teams are going to have to steal game objects from other teams. This ties in with the ninth circle of Hell, which is Treachery. In the end game period, that's when this element will come into play. The game length will be divisible by nine. HOOOOOLD UP though. As my friend just pointed out, 9 is also 1 plus 8, or the clock time.

Not done yet though. As someone in the thread pointed out, the clock is in Roman Numerals. Let's take it back to good ol August 13th, this time in 582. "582 – Maurice becomes Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire." After our good friend Maurice became Emperor, he fought against the Sassanid Persians. When he succeeded, he abolished the extensive taxes that the Romans had been required to the Persians in order for peace. Remember the fourth circle of Hell?

You thought I was done with Maurice, didn't you. "In 602, a dissatisfied general named Phocas usurped the throne, having Maurice and his six sons executed." That's a whooole bunch of treachery, innit?

Well, that's all I got for now. :cool: Watch the skies.
I think you on to something here...

[mypie4050]

May I be the first to guess that the whole flying thing they keep trying to drop is a little too obvious...

[MrPenguin28]

ITS ALL A COVER UP!! STEAM=WATER!! WATER GAME CONFIRMED!!

[bobbysq]

Did anyone notice that the narration was mostly a ripoff of the narration in the Stronghold teaser? Could this game just be Stronghold 2?

[euhlmann]

Did anyone notice that the narration was mostly a ripoff of the narration in the Stronghold teaser? Could this game just be Stronghold 2?

I think we all noticed. It is a ripoff of Stronghold

[R2D2DOC]

So many responses, I may be repeating stuff. From the main wallpaper (FIRST STEAMWORKS Scene 1 (High Res).jpg):

(1) The only human in the scene has a telescope/viewer. The line of site is just below the horizontal vent, and can be viewing the two towers beyond. Human player guides robot around an obstruction?
(2) There is the Escher-esque floating walkway with stairways leading nowhere.
(3) The four smokestacks at the top center remind me of the now demolished "seven sisters" smoke stacks at a Detroit Edison power plant. Although there are banks of anywhere from one to five smokestacks/steam vents.
(4) the pressure gauge is shown twice and each says "single arm". Need two robots, each with a single manipulator" to complete a task?
(5) Nestled below the blimp in the upper left is a citadel that appears incomplete. Some assembly to go with the arm requirement?
(6) There are several repeated images that appear in the main illustration as well as in the margins and below the main floor.
(7) Several images could be derived from scenes in museums such as the Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan and other locales.

And from the workshop scene. . . . . RAMPS !

[TheBoulderite]

There may be an endgame involving minidrones.

[nightmarekuda]

Or minibots

[Schoolboy Q]

After hearing the shovel ringtone, I had this idea I proposed:

What if the game pieces are coal, and the whole idea is to bring coal to your machine, power the steam engine, and cause a blimp to "fly". The defense would come from fighting over the limited supply of coal.

This could tie in the flying idea without any actual flying.

I dunno, just a thought.

Let's go further and say that in order to keep your robot powered you must keep placing coal in the furnace. This could promote power management (turn off nonessential things when running low on coal.) The power doesn't actually run out the FMS just terminates the connection between the DS and the robot. A team member can help another robot by placing coal in their furnace for them.

[EmileH]

There may be an endgame involving minidrones.

If we are preparing to take flight, unless there are blimps or hot air balloons, I think this is the only feasible way to incorporate flying robots into the game.

[ATannahill]

Let's go further and say that in order to keep your robot powered you must keep placing coal in the furnace. This could promote power management (turn off nonessential things when running low on coal.) The power doesn't actually run out the FMS just terminates the connection between the DS and the robot. A team member can help another robot by placing coal in their furnace for them.
I hope this doesn't happen, there are few things as disappointing as watching a robot or an entire alliance not move or preform poorly, why combine them?

[bobbysq]

I hope this doesn't happen, there are few things as disappointing as watching a robot or an entire alliance not move or preform poorly, why combine them?

Also, it seems like a HUGE distraction from the main gameplay, unless it was a human player thing.

[Ringo5tarr]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cs4mmmBWEAEV8Kd.jpg

This is only the beginning, and chances are that none of these will come true, but I will continue to hope!

[gblake]

Stirring the pot:

Remember how scarce large(ish), soft(ish) wheel became last season.

Good luck to everyone who needs (Steam) Railroad-style wheels for their mini-bot this season. ;) ;) ;)

[K-Dawg157]

Our team came up with the same thing!

We were thinking Hockey Pucks could be the "Coal" and you score them in a "Hopper"

I think this is on the right track. Someone mentioned Pipes too, Steam Pipes might play as well. Maybe a year of 2 truly different game pieces.

So, to incorporate the pipes, there's a wall with a machine in the bottom that the "coal" goes into to produce power, you need a certain amount of coal to get it to work. Then, there are pipes you have to line up/ place on the wall to connect the machine to a blimp that needs power. Longer pipes more points etc. If you connect the pieces, the blimp floats and you get extra points.

This would allow rookies to be successful in pushing the "coal" (not too difficult just have to drive) and the teams obviously would work together. This also incorporates "taking flight" without having drones.

***EDIT***
Maybe the coal is pushed up a ramp incorporating ramps? (I forgot about the ramps when writing this)

[Tsukunea]

YES!! I might finally get to use the 1/8 scale train wheels that I designed in SolidWorks! I really do hope something in this years game has rails.

[g_sawchuk]

Items from the FRC STRONGHOLD Trailer that were irrelevant to the game itself:
-Tents - only pits, which weren't a part of the game play
-Handing off a wrench - game did not relate to co-opertition
-Schematics/sketches: Really, they were random scribbles. Just relates to robot plans, once again not relating to game play.
-Sword in tower: Not relevant object.
-Dragon and hex pattern on field: Could argue standards, but not a field element.

The only really relevant pieces related to the THEME, and the nature of possible game elements aesthetics - not GAME PLAY.
Many of the phrases like "rally your kingdom" related to the general idea of FIRST - working together, alliances - nothing game specific. Some took phrases like "face the challenge ahead together" as larger alliances facing some sort of AI item - it simply was relating to alliances, once again, nothing game specific.

One can over analyze as much as you'd like, but in reality, the teasers are likely just to show case the theme of the game - thus, a teaser, not a hint. Sure, some parts of the teaser are related to the game, but they aren't necessarily game specific.

For FIRST STEAMworks:
Numbers are easy elements to over manipulate - you can find lots of them: clocks, number of items, fingers - you can really warp them however you like. Similar to politics, it's easy for politicians to warp the statistics into something that supports their cause, just like an individual may warp them to devise a theoretical game.

Over-analyze all you want, but with all these ideas it's highly unlikely that:
A. The teaser reflects game elements.
B. You will all agree on a theory - even if one person gets SOMETHING right, it will likely get buried along the other obtuse guesses.

The safest take away is that this game is related to a steam punk nature - the top hat, googles, hairdo, airships.

What would be useful discussion would be to discuss how this theme effects FIRST goals - it would be purposeful, helpful to FIRST for feedback, and be used to still make this game attractive to incoming high school students, regardless of its apparent cheesy and childish nature.

[346CADmen]

Wasn't going to get into this thread but...
"prepare to take flight"!
I see people taking off shoes and waiting in long lines.

[mrail]

Wow. Let's not let our imagination run away. Steam is hot, water is a conductor, coal is hot and dirty, drones may be unsafe, minibot would have to be hardwired as they would be controlled by the RoboRio.

Based on the safety inspections in the previous years, FRC would not ask us to play with fire, steam, coal or anything that could cause physical harm to anyone.

I like the idea of gathering enough fake coal in a boiler like target and when enough coal is gathered, the balloon takes flight.

Maybe the football shape is important. Throwing a spherical ball is somewhat easy. Throwing a football straight requires a spin on it's long axis that is perpendicular to the direction thrown. That would be a nice challenge... ;)

[mwmac]

Maybe the football shape is important. Throwing a spherical ball is somewhat easy. Throwing a football straight requires a spin on it's long axis that is perpendicular to the direction thrown. That would be a nice challenge... ;)

https://www.amazon.com/First-Pitch-Quarterback-Football-Machine/dp/B00Y59ZBQ0

[Type]

Most teams can't even have a robot that drives half the time, having something in the area that could lose control and cause damage to people probably won't happen. That's just my opinion but I just think a flying game won't happen for another couple years maybe, I could be wrong though. And what if this year you have to almost dig for coal, like there is a big area and you have to scoop it out and the more power. The endgame could be to reach a certain amount to be able to get your blimp going. Ramps could be included for the coal to sit, so 2 ramps, low part facing each other to keep the coal in place. Just an idea :D

[SpaceBiz]

I personally doubt the blimp will be a game piece because of the trouble FIRST went through last year to remove game elements from the logo. Coal is the most likely of any prediction so far to be a game piece.

[JR0405]

Is there anything at Disney that relates to this? I thought I read an old blog post that said the GDC goes to Disney early on for inspiration.

[Rangel(kf7fdb)]

I think it will be about collecting coal and water(game pieces) and depositing them into an engine(Coal below and water way up above). Though it's a wild guess, I think it would be neat if there were two piles of water and coal along with buckets filled with game pieces with a rule saying you can only move and score game pieces using the buckets. Thinking the endgame has something to do with minibots and a blimp.

[CurlyFries]

Here is my thought on the teaser: the Stronghold teaser last year was pretty vague (as was this year's), and the biggest thing that carried over from the teaser to the game was the image of the flag on top of the tower and that flag changing. In the game this was manifested as a simple, visual scorekeeping device mostly for the audience's benefit. FIRST is trying to reach out to the general public with these teasers, so they are going to use the most visual element of the game in the teaser so people recognize it when they go to events.

What was the most visual and central part of the teaser? The blimp. My best theory right now for the blimp is that it will play a similar role as the flag did last year: a visual representation of a goal completed (aka a field element and not a gamepiece or robot). This representation might be a blimp on the field "flying" after being fueled or something like that.

With that said, I do have another theory about the blimp for you conspiring guessmakers out there. I noticed in the image attached below that the main blimp wasn't the only flying machine. In fact, there are five: two different blimps, a Da Vinci looking plane, and two of the same sub-looking plane (yellow circles). I therefore determined that the flying machines must be, yes, minibots. And no, minibots will not be flying around crashing into stuff. I imagine it would be more of "attach your minibot to this zipline" or something that would IMITATE flying.

I still mostly think that the blimp will be a field element used to mark an accomplished goal, but there is still the minibot possibility. The only thing wrong with "flying"/zipline minibots is that the assumed minibot in the workshop scene clearly has tank tracks meant for the ground. Also I just thought it was kind of interesting that FIRST used the same exact image twice in the picture, except flipped (purple circles).

This was a lot longer than I thought it would be, I apologize for my spewing of fanatical guessmaking.

[Ringo5tarr]

I have made statements in the past that I expect this year's game to be similar to logomotion or rack and roll and I still stand by that statement, I also agree with CurlyFries on how the Blimp will act like the flag from last year, however the idea currently bouncing around seems to be that you will "power" the blimp by playing "coal" in a scoring area, I disagree, while the teaser is most likely still missing some crucial information (e.g. the tower and boulders from last year) I think gears will be the game pieces, large foam ones, scoring would be done by putting them on pegs, and those would either A. act as the counterweight to raise the blimp, or B. robots would have to precisely place them so that gears could interact with each other and a robot could turn one gear to turn another on the opposite end and raise the blimp. But these are just my thoughts, Like I said, the teaser is probably missing something

[ahartnet]

The tower was actually pretty prominent in last years teaser. It's just that it was overshadowed by the flag.

If the FRC community had queued in better to the tower (rather than say the flag or phrase about "kingdom"), I think boulders could have become a reasonable game piece, as that is a common visual for tower defending.

It makes me wonder which thing that isn't so prominent that we're missing. What could the blimp be intended to distract us from?

[Ringo5tarr]

The tower was actually pretty prominent in last years teaser. It's just that it was overshadowed by the flag.

If the FRC community had queued in better to the tower (rather than say the flag or phrase about "kingdom"), I think boulders could have become a reasonable game piece, as that is a common visual for tower defending.

It makes me wonder which thing that isn't so prominent that we're missing. What could the blimp be intended to distract us from?

Gears, sorry if this sounds like I'm beating a dead horse

[K-Dawg157]

I have made statements in the past that I expect this year's game to be similar to logomotion or rack and roll and I still stand by that statement, I also agree with CurlyFries on how the Blimp will act like the flag from last year, however the idea currently bouncing around seems to be that you will "power" the blimp by playing "coal" in a scoring area, I disagree, while the teaser is most likely still missing some crucial information (e.g. the tower and boulders from last year) I think gears will be the game pieces, large foam ones, scoring would be done by putting them on pegs, and those would either A. act as the counterweight to raise the blimp, or B. robots would have to precisely place them so that gears could interact with each other and a robot could turn one gear to turn another on the opposite end and raise the blimp. But these are just my thoughts, Like I said, the teaser is probably missing something

We have the same idea, but mine has pipes instead. I like the idea of gears, but putting them on properly so that they mesh well seems to be too precise for a FIRST game. And just using them as a counterweight would make me question why use gears at all? Just for the symbolism? That doesn't make very much sense...

[Drakxii]

Most teams can't even have a robot that drives half the time, having something in the area that could lose control and cause damage to people probably won't happen. That's just my opinion but I just think a flying game won't happen for another couple years maybe, I could be wrong though. And what if this year you have to almost dig for coal, like there is a big area and you have to scoop it out and the more power. The endgame could be to reach a certain amount to be able to get your blimp going. Ramps could be included for the coal to sit, so 2 ramps, low part facing each other to keep the coal in place. Just an idea :D

Like a giant ball pit but instead of colorful balls, there are brown(dirt/rocks), black(coal)? The teams would sort through the balls and then deliver the black ones?

[Type]

Like a giant ball pit but instead of colorful balls, there are brown(dirt/rocks), black(coal)? The teams would sort through the balls and then deliver the black ones?

It's possible to see something like that, however can get the most resources wins, maybe some items are worth more but then that just seems too easy. Some teams would just make a very tall robot and get all the coal in one trip

[Combustinglemon]

I am speculating as to if there will be water involved. Maybe transportation of water?

[MxMarkov]

Break out the rakes!

Get Hyped
Get Shocked

[Pooja Anil]

I am speculating as to if there will be water involved.

My team has been wondering a whole lot about this. We had a member come up with an idea that there was water on the ground, and minibots had to "fly" above it. Seems kind of unlikely due to electronics and water not mixing too well, but it's fun to think about it. :p

[mateoland]

Precisely how I feel. Art is an important craft that has many technical aspects, but it is a totally separate field from STEM. There is a very good way to put this.

STEM is objective, art is subjective.

Shoehorning art into STEM essentially turns STEAM into a banner which covers practically all subjects.


I would have to disagree, simply because there is usually some level of imagination and creativity involved in discovery. You use the objective to verify and validate the subjective. They do go hand in hand.

No one can tell me that the works of da Vinci were nothing less then a near-perfect marriage of the subjective and objective. I would gather any and every Disney Imagineer would scoff at the idea there is no art in STEM.

Most great inventions start out as rough subjective ideas and thoughts and to realize it you go through the process of objectifying the idea.

Funny story: A high school teacher I know wanted to discuss STREAM (R = reading) on facebook. I told her adding the "R" was going too far and reduced the push for science and engineering into simply the three "R's (Reading, wRiting, aRythmetics). I told her why not complete the scholastic experience and add Physical Education. Then you get:

PeSTREAM

Matt

[BotDesigner]

Some teams would just make a very tall robot and get all the coal in one trip
FIRST could prevent this with a low-bar or a tunnel, but I sure hope that that is not the plan.

[Bob Steele]

I would have to disagree, simply because there is usually some level of imagination and creativity involved in discovery. You use the objective to verify and validate the subjective. They do go hand in hand.

No one can tell me that the works of da Vinci were nothing less then a near-perfect marriage of the subjective and objective. I would gather any and every Disney Imagineer would scoff at the idea there is no art in STEM.

Most great inventions start out as rough subjective ideas and thoughts and to realize it you go through the process of objectifying the idea.

Funny story: A high school teacher I know wanted to discuss STREAM (R = reading) on facebook. I told her adding the "R" was going too far and reduced the push for science and engineering into simply the three "R's (Reading, wRiting, aRythmetics). I told her why not complete the scholastic experience and add Physical Education. Then you get:

PeSTREAM

Matt

I like this....
or perhaps Math Engineering Art Technology History Economics Dance and Science......?

[Ringo5tarr]

I like this....
or perhaps Math Engineering Art Technology History Economics Dance and Science......?

Sounds like... Education?

[Trey178]

...the teaser is probably missing something

One of the coaches I know had a thought. Looking back on the Stronghold teaser now that we all know the challenge, she pointed out key words that helped describe the rules of the game. Students and adults are going to fry their brains hypothesizing what 'take flight' means for our upcoming competition.

[Hitchhiker 42]

One of the coaches I know had a thought. Looking back on the Stronghold teaser now that we all know the challenge, she pointed out key words that helped describe the rules of the game. Students and adults are going to fry their brains hypothesizing what 'take flight' means for our upcoming competition.

...and prepare for the challenge ahead.
The challenge turned out to be a crucial part of gameplay, being an actual action on the field, not just the game challenge. "Prepare to take flight" may be a similar thing where it's not just rising above and tackling the challenge, but also a part of gameplay, such as an endgame thing.

[Rev_TX_Torque]

This year's 2017 FIRST Steamworks has a similar look to last years 2016 Stronghold. There is a lot to look forward to for this year's game. I wanted to list a few of these things that we can look forward to, and speculate possible game elements that might appear for 2017. As we have already been informed, this year's game will have bumpers which tells us that there will defensive play. The fact that there will be defensive play tells us two things : 1 that there will be some form of precise scoring such as shooting into a target of some sort ( 2012,13,14,16 ), and 2 that the field will be undivided unlike 2015. Also something that the teaser has given us is a suspiciously detailed robot surrounded by a group of robotics students. While this robot may not be a reliable source for my future claims , I think that it can tell us a lot about what this years game will have because in comparison to last years game teaser (which I remind you was a very cartoon like, unrealistic depiction of a robot) this example of a robot or at least the drive base and frame are considerably realistic. One of the conclusions we can make from this is that the robots will have the option to be fed by a human player station ( Like 2013 Ultimate Ascent, and 2015 Recycle rush). The reason why I conclude this is because there is no section on the bumper that gives room for a for a floor intake. Of course there are teams that have proven their ability to have an intake without having a section of the bumpers cut off, however this is not typical. In this situation I believe that if this model depicted in the teaser is what we might see for 2017 then there will at least be a manual method of feeding the robot such as passing (2014 Aerial Assist) or feeding ( 2013, 2015 ). Also the fact that the drive train on the model depicted in the teaser is a west coast drive can signify that this year's game will not be an open field (2008,2009,2014) because if it were then the robots would most likely have a butterfly drive or swerve drive because in open field these drivetrains are optimal for maximum maneuverability (An Exception could be 2008 but these drivetrains were still present). On the topic of an open field in relation to 2008 and 2014, this year's game object will most likely not be a FIRST yoga ball as some may believe because the frame perimeter for the previous FRC games with the Yoga balls have had a square frame perimeter ( where in the depiction of the teaser there is a more rectangular frame). As for the game object goes, this year should be a new one. In reference to the 4 year cycle ( For example 2007 rack and roll, 2011 Logomotion, 2015 Recycle Rush all had to do with stacking/adding something) this next year's game should have the "strange" game object as reflected by the sequence: 2009 Lunacy ( MOON ROCKS ) to 2013 (FRISBEE DISKS), the next year up for the strange object is 2017 - this year. Because it is supposed to be the strange object this year it is hard to predict what the object will be. However, it should be known that this object most likely will be launched into a target or something around these lines. One last thing I would like to mention is that the teaser had a heavy emphasis on how we should "prepare to take flight". The question of what will be taking flight arises and after understanding that the model in the teaser has wheels it is evident that the robot itself will not be the object of flight ( As if the 120 pound robots could fly easily in the first place ). I believe I have the answer: the object of flight for the 2017 FIRST Steamworks will be an endgame with a minibot that will be required to fly to accomplish a task ( Much like 2011 Logomotion's endgame but with flight ). People have joked about an airgame for years now, however the focus has previously on the robot itself : people have not considered the possibility of a minibot that flies.

I would love to hear everyone's opinions and thoughts about my speculations , and would love to hear yours!

Best of luck to everyone this year for the 2017 FIRST Steamworks!

-Rev

[Type]

FIRST could prevent this with a low-bar or a tunnel, but I sure hope that that is not the plan.

They could, make a similar field to BreakAway I think it was, make it almost impossible to carry over, and then have a short passage to go under also.

[Type]

I was thinking about it and what if take flight was metaphorical? What did something like 2012 and have you balance, or lift up? Take flight could be a metaphor for like lift. This would also be able to include the possible ramps I've heard people talk about.

[346CADmen]

Hmmm? A tie in from Disney?
The Disney Gallery Presents Mechanical Kingdoms-look it up.

[4490Fabricator]

Steampunks.....this theme nails it (from my perspective)!!!

And now for the challenge to Team 4490 - TechRaiders....Dive in folks, learn it, feel it, investigate it, and become it::rtm::

This is cool!!!:cool:

[WSiggs]

Has anyone found an explanation for the weird mention of the pickle chips and pizza and wings? I feel like I haven't seen any mention of that since the teaser was released considering the blog posts seemed to emphasize them.

[marshall]

IBM started sponsoring FIRST at a larger level last year:

http://www.firstchampionship.org/ibm-0

IBM predicted Steampunk would be a big fashion trend using Watson in 2013:

https://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/40120.wss
https://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/photo/40122.wss

Coincidence? I THINK NOT!

Source: Used to work for Big Blue and find their corporate antics amusing. I do love that they are sponsoring FIRST now though!

[mateoland]

I like this....
or perhaps Math Engineering Art Technology History Economics Dance and Science......?

Nice!

[Mark.Durand]

I'll throw in my two cents :)

It would seem logical that there would be some sort of coal to collect and a furnace to deposit.

Also logical would be a physical element that represented water, and one that represented steam.

Turning gears and pipes should be included and a airship/blimp/dirigible would not be too much of a surprise.

So here is a concept that also incorporates Archimedes 3 shapes that the FIRST Logo is based on.

Game pieces
"Red hot" coal =red cones
Steam particles = white spheres like whiffle balls
Water particles = blue cylinders.

Teams would have to collect and then figure out how to sort the objects...which would be rather difficult since they all have at some level a circle with the same radius.

Coal/red cones go in your alliance furnace,
Steam/white spheres go in your alliance boiler
Cold water/blue cylinder goes in the other alliance's boiler to "cool them down"

End game is a dirigible that has to turn a gear or reach a goal.

There are dirigibles for sale on Amazon that can pair with a cell phone. It doesn't seem to unrealistic to think that you could pair them with your robot.

Dirigibles are way way easier to fly and control than drones.

The motors, battery and pairing connector would come in the KOP to level the playing field. Teams would choose the inflated lifting device.

Dirigibles would be stationed on the field and only come into play at the endgame.

Coach of Team 3023

[Yuval2212]

My speculation (without reading previous comments): there will be a game object called coal, which teams will need to move around and place in some area called the boiler. Another game object will be a cogwheel / cogwheels system which the robots will need to rotate.

Also, the game will use water covered in denim in space.

[Pomwonderful]

Maybe VALVE is going to be apart of this game and we have to navigate the old 2003 Steam browser.

[AllenGregoryIV]

Possibilities for Coal


Bean Bags
Hockey Pucks
Hacky Sacks
Racket Balls
Tennis Balls
Softballs
Wiffle Balls
Golf Balls

[roboruler]

Possibilities for Coal


Bean Bags
Hacky Sacks


RIP vacuum cleaner....

[XtremeFate]

Possibilities for Coal


Bean Bags
Hockey Pucks
Hacky Sacks
Racket Balls
Tennis Balls
Softballs
Wiffle Balls
Golf Balls


Feeling more like these objects are less likely (with the most likely of these being the hackey sack) because FIRST has shown an interest in making all objects that teams are possibly allowed to shoot or throw as soft as possible (in case of a malfunction where the object is shot over the walls, possibly risking injury to a human). Another likely option would be small, about 1" diameter dense foam balls that are easily compressable.

[kylemikableh]

IBM started sponsoring FIRST at a larger level last year:

http://www.firstchampionship.org/ibm-0

IBM predicted Steampunk would be a big fashion trend using Watson in 2013:

https://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/40120.wss
https://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/photo/40122.wss

Coincidence? I THINK NOT!

Source: Used to work for Big Blue and find their corporate antics amusing. I do love that they are sponsoring FIRST now though!

Huh, maybe using Watson we can then predict the entire game! :p

[Cothron Theiss]

Feeling more like these objects are less likely (with the most likely of these being the hackey sack) because FIRST has shown an interest in making all objects that teams are possibly allowed to shoot or throw as soft as possible (in case of a malfunction where the object is shot over the walls, possibly risking injury to a human). Another likely option would be small, about 1" diameter dense foam balls that are easily compressable.

Except for Ultimate Ascent. Those Frisbees could do some damage.

[XtremeFate]

Except for Ultimate Ascent. Those Frisbees could do some damage.

Yea, that is true. After Stronghold's soft projectiles though, FIRST is probably not going to lower their safety standards by allowing robots to shoot hard projectiles. I could possibly see the tennis ball, golf balls are a 100% no (although golf ball sized foam projectiles are possible).

[Swiftflight]

First off, I am pretty stoked for this... Second... I do hope that this isn't as insanely complicated as Stronghold. I wonder what the theory-crafters on the team will have to say. I'm thinking the robot will need to have at least one item made out of copper.

[roboruler]

I'm thinking the robot will need to have at least one item made out of copper.

I'll think you'll find that every single robot in FIRST history, no wait every single robot in history has had items made out of copper...

[AllenGregoryIV]

Yea, that is true. After Stronghold's soft projectiles though, FIRST is probably not going to lower their safety standards by allowing robots to shoot hard projectiles. I could possibly see the tennis ball, golf balls are a 100% no (although golf ball sized foam projectiles are possible).

Before 2006, no one thought FIRST would let us shoot anything at high speeds. After 2006 no one thought we would shoot a hard object like a frisbee. It's easy enough to put in rules that don't allow objects to be ejected from robots at high speeds, the game could be built to have teams picking up and dumping objects. The VEX Game Sack Attack comes to mind. They used bean bags and teams weren't throwing them very much at all because it wasn't useful for game play. Saying 100% no to anything when it comes to game design (other than water game) is normally a bad idea, things are unlikely but we've seen unlikely plenty of times (2015, 2009, ....).

[ctt956]

Here's what we have so far:
Steampunk Theme
Aircraft in the teaser and DLC
Game is called STEAMworks and there is a paintbrush, a hat, and an airship in the logo
Vex game has a fence, "stars", and cubes
Unusual game object likely
FTC Velocity Vortex has a rack-like object, whiffle balls, and small versions of exercise balls. There are also ramps in the corners.
AndyMark now has new USB adapters, "Tunnel Tape", Peanut Extrusion, 10" mecanum wheels, and a Peanut Chassis with two omni wheels.
The conveyor end is mysteriously scattered around the high-res STEAMworks wallpaper. It looks suspiciously like the Vex Starstruck fence.

I think there will be cubes, possibly as coal. At lest one tunnel and/or some other tight space seems likely. The field will probably be mostly open with few obstacles. There may be a fence or ladder like structure that game pieces could be placed on(minibot ladder climbing?) Maybe some mobile/rotating structure. What if the field elements themselves are robotic?

As for the pizza/wings/fried pickles thing, I think it was probably a hint at the theme. When you get a hot pizza, what do you see coming off of it? What about wings? Fried pickles? What is produced during the frying process? Steam! But what is used for frying? Oil...Maybe there will be oil in the game?

Possibilities for Coal


Bean Bags
Hockey Pucks
Hacky Sacks
Racket Balls
Tennis Balls
Softballs
Wiffle Balls
Golf Balls


Balls were used in Stronghold, so I don't think we'll see them in STEAMworks, at least not as the primary game piece. Bean bags would be interesting though...

RIP vacuum cleaner....

Who says there won't be a new vacuum cleaner (http://elgee.com/product/detail/power-vacuum/power-vacuum-electric-powered/)? :D This (https://www.shopvac.com/product/shop-vac-heavy-duty-wet-dry-vac-w-svx2-motor-technology-catnum:9752611) may be a bit more practical...

[Robosparks2926]

Prepare to take flight... Steam is boiled water... Hydroplane game confirmed.

Or steam could be science, technology, engineering, art, math

[Poorva.Halbe]

It would be really awesome if robots had to do a series of objective and then some kind of steam train whistle would be active. Or you know, fog machines ftw :p

[g_sawchuk]

some kind of steam train whistle would be active.
Not exactly my train of thought, but you may be on the right track.

Sorry, hope these puns don't derail the conversation.

[ctt956]

Stronghold teaser dialogue:

"Build your champion
Rally your kingdom
And face the challenge ahead…together!"

STEAMworks teaser dialogue:

"In a world powered by steam, a quest awaits teams of adventurers...
Unite your crew!
Ready your contraptions!
And prepare to take flight!"

Breakdown of Stronghold teaser dialogue:

"Build your champion" = refers to building a robot. "Champion" can also refer to a single knight; maybe a hint at the one "spy bot"/defense robot.
"Rally your kingdom" = probably saying that there would be alliances. Generic phrase for a medieval theme.
"And face the challenge ahead...together!" = "Challenge" refers to part of the game, just in a way that has a hidden meaning. "Together" implies alliances(which did exist) and that challenging should be done with your allies.

Only things it told were that there would be robots, alliances, and something called "challenging" that would be most effective if all teams on an alliances coopertated to challenge. (Is "coopertated" a word? :p)

Breakdown of STEAMworks teaser dialogue(accuracy not guaranteed):

"In a world powered by steam, a quest awaits teams of adventurers..." = "Steam" likely also refers to Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics. "A quest" refers to the game, and "teams of adventurers" refers to FRC teams and maybe alliances. Nothing special here.
"Unite your crew!" = Again refers to FRC teams and alliances.
"Ready your contraptions!" = Refers to building robots. "Contraption" is, according to the New Oxford American Dictionary, "a machine or device that appears strange or unnecessarily complicated, and often badly made or unsafe." Make what you will of that.
"And prepare to take flight!" = Flying game. If "...face the challenge ahead" hinted at a game element, "...prepare to take flight" means something will fly. No two ways about it. :D :cool: Unless..."flight" refers to escaping, stairs, or the end of a dart...wait...what was that possible game piece?

[Awesomegamer235]

I predict that this game will have teamwork in it.

So your saying it has co op points like in recycle rush? I'm with you there if that's what your saying:) also I think they will be incorporating ideas from arial assist and the frizbee one

[MisterCrane]

Looking at it, what really stands out to me is the blimps. I would guess a football game, just not a football theme.

Totally agree!! Looking back, I don't think footballs have been used, it's about time!!