Game Hint #2

[manyquestions]

Notice that the use of cities, roads, and states, regardless of which specific cities etc. they were, prompted an incredible number of Google Maps (and other map-sites) searches for a pattern in the cities. Perhaps the clue is simply the fact that they are cities, and that so many people's first reaction is to look for map patterns. Couple that with this logic from hint number one: "moonfish>moon>outer space," and you get something to due with satellites. Maybe it's a far more strategic game than many other people have suggested, involving some kind of coordination with a satellite object to direct attacks on key points of the field, possibly with a RISK-like "global domination" theme.

It's a bit of a stretch, I guess, but it'd be pretty cool in my opinion.

[Mark Holschuh]

The fish looks like something round and flat, much like a hockey puck. Perhaps the reference to the Zamboni is that the robot will have to pick up the hockey pucks off of an uneven surface, as represented by the waves of Lake Minnetonka. The robot will need to climb a ramp or some steps to get to a flat surface, as noted by the reference to Dover. In the autononomous mode, the robots will be given instructions wirelessly on what to do, which is the reference to Microsoft.

I hate it when I stay awake all night trying to figure these hints out...

[jerry w]

I am still waiting for nevereverregret to publish her summary of the game hints. ;) ;)
While waiting, I thought that readers might be interested in a brief description of how I see the 2009 game.

1. The starting zone will be covered with a slick plastic sheet. To get out of the starting zone, your robot will need traction. A team might design similar traction as found on a zamboni from the shop on
15714 Colorado Ave.,
Paramount, CA.

2. Then the robot will need to get connected to a trailer such as one might find at the;
U Haul Company
2727 N Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85004

3. Our next task is to fill the trailer with biopolymer plastic bottles such as one might find at NatureWorks LLC
15305 Minnetonka Boulevard
Minnetonka, MN55345

4. Finally, to get the bonus points, we need to haul this trailer load into one of the scoring craters on the field. These craters are similar to moon(fish) craters or similar to the Dover Tornadoes high school Stadium

It sounds like an easy game, unless there is a shortage of bottles, or limited number of trailers.

Jerry

[XXShadowXX]

I think anythings that is posted as an idea will be able to have support...

[Dbruce1792]

As a former resident of suburban LA, Phoenix, and Colorado, but never Delaware I see that there are Air Force bases in near the end of Central in Phoenix, in Colorado including the academy, and Dover air base at the end of Evergreen in Dover. Possible connection?

[manyquestions]

More support for my theory. ;)

[Mrashes]

Alright, my father figured it out!

Can you say ROBO-golf!

[synth3tk]

Alright, my father figured it out!

Can you say ROBO-golf!
I believe I speak on behalf of everyone else, when I ask: Elaborate, please? :rolleyes:

[Mrashes]

i think its related to what all of the clues show when you look at them in google maps, and then if you win golf, you are the "big fish"

[11diesej]

I think I found out what the first part was talking about;
Take your machine out of the shop on Colorado in Paramount:
The zamboni was invented in Paramount, CA by Frank J. Zamboni, now, the US HQ for that company is at 15714 Colorado Avenue, Paramount, CA.

Coincidence, I think not.

[EricH]

I would like to take this opportunity to remind all new users that reading the entire thread is a good idea. Usually, any idea you have has already been put forth. (Zamboni was on page 1 or thereabouts, for instance, and multiple times since.)

[billbo911]

Take your machine out of the shop on Colorado in Paramount;
stop by and get connected on Central in Phoenix;
drive by and make a pickup on Minnetonka in Minnetonka;
then head to the field on Evergreen in Dover.

The more I think about it, the more I think that less is more.


I believe these are nothing more than "driving directions". Other than that, they really give us nothing (well, except something to speculate over and consume vast amounts of wasted time). Based on this, and my absolute conviction for the need to be able to navigate via the camera during autonomous mode this year, I think we will see something akin to Traffic Lights in this years game.

[DMetalKong]

Just browsing wikipedia for some facts that stood out to me about Phoenix, Arizona:

It is also the state capital and the largest state capital in the United States in terms of population. Phoenix is the only state capital with a population of more than a million people.

It is also major national transportation hub. Phoenix is located on the banks of what is now the normally dry Salt River (with the exception of Tempe Town Lake). The city was incorporated on February 25, 1881. The city's metropolitan area is also known by its nickname, "The Valley of the Sun" or the shortened "The Valley," because the city is surrounded by mountains on all sides. Residents of the city are known as Phoenicians.

During World War II, Phoenix's economy shifted to that of a distribution center, rapidly turning into an embryonic industrial city with mass production of military supplies. Luke Field, Williams Field, and Falcon Field, coupled with the giant ground-training center at Hyder, west of Phoenix, brought thousands of new people into Phoenix.[17]

As with most of Arizona, Phoenix does not observe daylight saving time.

Phoenix is currently home to seven major Fortune 1000 companies: waste management company Allied Waste, electronics corporation Avnet, Apollo Group (which operates the University of Phoenix), mining company Freeport-McMoRan (recently merged with Phoenix based Phelps Dodge), retailer PetSmart, energy supplier Pinnacle West and retailer CSK Auto. Honeywell's Aerospace division is headquartered in Phoenix, and the valley hosts many of their avionics and mechanical facilities. Intel has one of their largest sites here, employing about 10,000 employees and 3 chip manufacturing fabs, including the $3 billion state-of-the-art 300 mm and 45nm Fab 32. American Express hosts their financial transactions, customer information, and their entire website in Phoenix. The area is also home to US Airways Group, a Fortune 500 company located in Tempe also home to Insight Enterprises (also listed on the Fortune 500). Phoenix is also home to the headquarters of U-HAUL International, a rental company and moving supply store, as well Best Western, a hotel chain, is also headquartered in the city.

In recent years many Internet companies have found a home in Phoenix. Internet companies like eBay,Google, AOL, GoDaddy.com, IPowerWeb and Easynews all have major offices located in Phoenix.

The military has a significant presence in Phoenix with Luke Air Force Base located in the western suburbs. At its height, in the 1940s, the Phoenix area had 3 military bases: Luke Field (still in use), Falcon Field, and Williams Air Force Base (now Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport), with numerous auxiliary air fields located throughout the region.

Phoenix has been the largest U.S. city devoid of a rail transit system.

The street system in Phoenix is laid out in a traditional grid system, with most roads oriented either North-South or East-West. The zero point is the intersection of Central Avenue and Washington Street. Numbered Avenues run north–south west of Central; numbered Streets run north–south east of Central. Major arterial streets are spaced one mile (1.6 km) apart. The one-mile (1.6 km) blocks are divided into approximately 800 house numbers, although this varies. Scottsdale Road, being 7200 East, is approximately 7200 / 800 = 9 miles (14 km) east of Central. The Valley Metro bus numbers are also based on this numbering system, with the Central Avenue bus being Route Zero, and Scottsdale Road being Route 72.

(edit) More from wikipedia, this time about Minnetonka.

"Minnetonka" comes from the Dakota Indian mni tanka meaning "great water".

Since the mid-1800s Minnetonka has evolved from heavily wooded wilderness through extensive farming and thriving industrialization to its present primarily residential suburban character.

[Ian M]

One could argue that we need traction for this event, zamboni and ice fishing, traction might be a good idea

[takeegan]

No ones going to like this, but i think Dean Kamen has been getting annoyed by just how competitive this programs gotten. I think this next game is going to be co-op like the "cooperation FIRST" game. Just my feeling from listening to his yearly speeches.

[alectronic]

The fish looks like something round and flat, much like a hockey puck. Perhaps the reference to the Zamboni is that the robot will have to pick up the hockey pucks off of an uneven surface, as represented by the waves of Lake Minnetonka. The robot will need to climb a ramp or some steps to get to a flat surface, as noted by the reference to Dover. In the autononomous mode, the robots will be given instructions wirelessly on what to do, which is the reference to Microsoft.

I hate it when I stay awake all night trying to figure these hints out...

A hockey puck could actually be the game piece, as long as they were not being thrown high or anything. It would be a bit odd, but it would be kind of fun to have such a small game piece.!

[EricH]

I believe these are nothing more than "driving directions". Other than that, they really give us nothing (well, except something to speculate over and consume vast amounts of wasted time). Based on this, and my absolute conviction for the need to be able to navigate via the camera during autonomous mode this year, I think we will see something akin to Traffic Lights in this years game.

Is there any construction on any of those streets? If so, traffic cones are my guess.

[R.C.]

Is there any construction on any of those streets? If so, traffic cones are my guess.

That is the game piece i have been waiting for!

[GGCO]

No ones going to like this, but i think Dean Kamen has been getting annoyed by just how competitive this programs gotten. I think this next game is going to be co-op like the "cooperation FIRST" game. Just my feeling from listening to his yearly speeches.

What if the teams compete against a computer or something like that? That way all of the robots on the field would have to be united against one common enemy.....just a thought, I think it would be a blast.

[synth3tk]

Cooperation is fine and all, and no offense to the big-wigs at FIRST, I'd get tired of this program if there were no competitive edge at all. I realize that previous games probably didn't, but if year after year was some cooperative game, then it would lose my attention pretty quick.

[jnoor]

Seems like if we add up hint # 1: the fish and hint # 2 the answer is magnets because, if were going to be fishing with out water and moving around as symbolized in hint #2 we'll be using magnets to attract. (I guess)

Sounds like to me that were going to be swimming for this year's competition.

Good Luck Everyone... See you during kickoff!!!!

[Himsk8er67]

don't look at the fish, look at what the fish does or stuff they want us to look just at the fish itself

[R.C.]

don't look at the fish, look at what the fish does or stuff they want us to look just at the fish itself

Can you explain more?

[Zach Purser]

Cooperation is fine and all, and no offense to the big-wigs at FIRST, I'd get tired of this program if there were no competitive edge at all. I realize that previous games probably didn't, but if year after year was some cooperative game, then it would lose my attention pretty quick.

Quite a few people felt that way about the game the year that it was only cooperation. The cooperation games don't work for two reasons: 1) as stated, they're just not that interesting, and 2) it takes twice as long to go through qualifying matches or each team would only get half as many rounds

[Ambrielle]

I think that, as stated before, the game will be a "delivery" of some sort, or involve a lot of movement. The Opah fish is also famous for specific traits: it is nimble and quick, and lives in deep water, specifically, areas sloping upward.

*Final analysis from me* - A game involving a lot of movement, which will require the use of ramps or platforms.

Can't wait until kick-off. :)

[JaneYoung]

No ones going to like this, but i think Dean Kamen has been getting annoyed by just how competitive this programs gotten. I think this next game is going to be co-op like the "cooperation FIRST" game. Just my feeling from listening to his yearly speeches.

The discussion that this comment introduced could merit its own thread, it is an interesting one. It might involve reading what is in the FIRST website mission, goals, history, etc., but that's never a bad thing. It could also invite some awesome and illuminating input from mentors, alumni, and students who have been around the FIRST block a few times and have varied perspectives that they could bring to the discussion.

Just a thought.

Carry on...game hint #2 -

[DonRotolo]

lives in deep water, specifically, areas sloping upward.
If you look in the opposite direction, doesn't it slope downwards?

[Brian C]

Originally Posted by takeegan
No ones going to like this, but i think Dean Kamen has been getting annoyed by just how competitive this programs gotten. I think this next game is going to be co-op like the "cooperation FIRST" game. Just my feeling from listening to his yearly speeches.
The discussion that this comment introduced could merit its own thread, it is an interesting one. It might involve reading what is in the FIRST website mission, goals, history, etc., but that's never a bad thing. It could also invite some awesome and illuminating input from mentors, alumni, and students who have been around the FIRST block a few times and have varied perspectives that they could bring to the discussion.

Just a thought.

Carry on...game hint #2 -

Well you can count me in as one who likes the thought of having a "coopertition" as in 2001. When the game was originally announced that year I was skeptical.

My opinion changed quickly once we attended our first regional that year. I think there are many teams that have been started since then who would benefit from the different perspective this gives you.

[Ambrielle]

If you look in the opposite direction, doesn't it slope downwards?

Of course, interesting comment. But either way, I stand by my prediction for ramps or platforms.

[DonRotolo]

Of course, interesting comment. But either way, I stand by my prediction for ramps or platforms...and I buy into that prediction. I just have this funny feeling that it will be a platform and not a ramp.

A platform will present challenges in climbing that your typical chassis cannot surmount. The GDC tends to be evil mischievous creative in finding ways to force teams to go outside their comfort zones. Think of all the teams with mature drivetrains that might have to develop something completely different to climb, for example, a 12 inch tall platform (no ramps)...:ahh:

.

[ATannahill]

This hint was not found in the encryption test file, It might not be real.

[EricVicenti]

It was on Bill's Blog, which we know is real, right?

It wasn't in the file, but I don't think that strips the clue's legitimacy.

[Cactus_Robotics]

Is there any construction on any of those streets? If so, traffic cones are my guess.

In Phoenix they just finished construction on the light rail which runs a long portion down central ave.

[viperred396]

There is a paramount theater in coloado

http://www.paramountdenver.com/

[Zach226-PRLead]

i think we still need to concentrate on what this could mean with the fish from the first clue.

[SCROSSLEY-GCEC]

I am still waiting for nevereverregret to publish her summary of the game hints. ;) ;)
While waiting, I thought that readers might be interested in a brief description of how I see the 2009 game.

1. The starting zone will be covered with a slick plastic sheet. To get out of the starting zone, your robot will need traction. A team might design similar traction as found on a zamboni from the shop on
15714 Colorado Ave.,
Paramount, CA.

2. Then the robot will need to get connected to a trailer such as one might find at the;
U Haul Company
2727 N Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85004

3. Our next task is to fill the trailer with biopolymer plastic bottles such as one might find at NatureWorks LLC
15305 Minnetonka Boulevard
Minnetonka, MN55345

4. Finally, to get the bonus points, we need to haul this trailer load into one of the scoring craters on the field. These craters are similar to moon(fish) craters or similar to the Dover Tornadoes high school Stadium

It sounds like an easy game, unless there is a shortage of bottles, or limited number of trailers.

Jerry

well that seemed pretty close to me...

[Justin Montois]

well that seemed pretty close to me...

Yeah, that was really well done! lol

[ATannahill]

Today Jerry told me he was depressed that he didn't figure out the clue. Ha.

[germanystudent]

I am still waiting for nevereverregret to publish her summary of the game hints. ;) ;)
While waiting, I thought that readers might be interested in a brief description of how I see the 2009 game.

1. The starting zone will be covered with a slick plastic sheet. To get out of the starting zone, your robot will need traction. A team might design similar traction as found on a zamboni from the shop on
15714 Colorado Ave.,
Paramount, CA.

2. Then the robot will need to get connected to a trailer such as one might find at the;
U Haul Company
2727 N Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85004

3. Our next task is to fill the trailer with biopolymer plastic bottles such as one might find at NatureWorks LLC
15305 Minnetonka Boulevard
Minnetonka, MN55345

4. Finally, to get the bonus points, we need to haul this trailer load into one of the scoring craters on the field. These craters are similar to moon(fish) craters or similar to the Dover Tornadoes high school Stadium

It sounds like an easy game, unless there is a shortage of bottles, or limited number of trailers.

Jerry

amazingly close!

[Elgin Clock]

Where does the Evergreen/Dover line come into play?

I saw the analysis by jerry w but can't see any connection of the last line of the clue there, especially without a picture of the field he is referring to in Dover.