Re: 2013 Game?
 

It could be kind of nasty from chain and transmission grease, and especially if someone's CIM started leaking Magic Smoke. And of course it would have that slightly sour hint of aluminium in it.
Hahaha. "He's trying to help us! Lemme at 'em!"

Re: 2013 Game?
 

If anyone on the GDC ever sees this thread, they will make sure that tetras aren't used for the next 15 years, just to annoy all of you.

I think a game with a very low number of scoring pieces (like 2008), very open game piece control/transportation rules, and goals which are diagonal from each other (like 2010, but with one goal for each alliance on each side) would be exciting because it would facilitate cooperative defense by multiple members of an alliance to get the game pieces back and score with them.

Re: 2013 Game?
 

This year was a small number of scoring pieces, so maybe the will decide to have a lot in 2013. I think large numbers of some kind of non-ball game pieces could be interesting (underwater, of course).

Re: 2013 Game?
 

Two words: Frisbee Golf

Re: 2013 Game?
 

Every year someone posts game piece trends to figure out what the next year's trend will be. If there is a common trend, it is this:

2012: Basketball (Sport)
2011: Scoring tubes (Nonsport)
2010: Soccer (Sport)
2009: Antigravity (Nonsport)
2008: Racing (Sport)
2007: Scoring tubes (Nonsport)
2006: Vauge Basketball (Sport)
2005: Tic Tac Toe (nonsport)
2004: Track&Field (Sport)
2003: Stack Attack (nonsport)

So if that rings true, then next year will be a non-sport, one of those abstract games with an abstract theme.


Truths:

1. Tubes will happen at least once every 4 year cycle. They are a great game piece that are easy to score and manipulate, easy to order a great deal of them and they ship deflated - so more space to hold them in shipping. Expect tubes to come again soon.

2. Zones, lanes, "areas" and "alliance specific goal locations" seem to be a common trend, however its been some time since alliances had to score in the same place (2007). This could be something that comes back.

3. The Name and Graphics of the challenge are becoming a very critical part of game design. Every part of the game, from what you call the game pieces to the name of the playing arena; from the logo to the volunteer shirts - everything is specifically detailed starting from the game design. You can not just formulate a simple problem for teams to solve anymore.

4. Rebound Rumble was designed a few years ago, however it was put on the back burner for a later date. This year's game is going to be totally new. This is speculation on my part, but I have a good feeling it is right based on the exit of Dave and Woodie from the GDC and the times the GDC started working.

5. Water Games, or games that include water-based (or water-filled) elements are always possible.

Re: 2013 Game?
 

By small i meant something like 4 or 6, because 18 was enough for every robot to the legal maximum, which didn't force any defense in order to acquire pieces.

Re: 2013 Game?
 

I'd like a game that doesn't involve scoring zones being right next to each driver station. Also, do away with Coopertition, as well as game pieces that lack durability.

Re: 2013 Game?
 

What about the games before these? This trend is alittle misleading without including all of the games.

Re: 2013 Game?
 

These games are really more applicable than previous ones, as they're in the more 'modern-era' of FRC. Games previous are irrelevant to this argument.

This year's game will have few, large scoring elements, with an emphasis on doing it fast. Maybe the return of large pilates balls, but probably not. Those things were dangerous.

-Nick

Re: 2013 Game?
 

I not saying you are wrong, but just in what ways was that year particularly MORE dangerous than any other year?
Interestingly enough, the only year where I have ever actually been damaged by a robot was while autonomous testing our 2011 robot. The robot took an unexpected turn and I had to swat the claw out of the way of an unsuspecting team member passing by.

Re: 2013 Game?
 

In my experience getting hit by that big of an object with any appreciable force while unaware for any reason is an easy way to lose your balance and fall on something (or even nothing assuming your build space has a hard floor).

Re: 2013 Game?
 

Have any of these truths been validated as true? :)

The 2013 game was completed a while ago. Preparations for the 2014 game have already started. To have an effect on future games, you will need to focus on what is going to happen in 2015.

-dave



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Re: 2013 Game?
 

Dave Lavery is from team 116. This is the 116th reply to the original post.
I don't know about the rest of you, but that's ALL the validation I need.

Re: 2013 Game?
 

I noticed the exact same thing.

Dave mentioned 3 years. That means 3 game pieces. He said focus. Cameras focus. 2015 game will be played solely with cameras with operators behind a black curtain.

Re: 2013 Game?
 

They should have another FIRST Frenzy. The would be cool.