Re: Cool future games
 

So I was around for 2009, hated the game, was a driver, thought I was going to die compared to '08, but was regolith really that bad? Or was it the trailers and style of game that made it bad?

So without further a-do I give you broomball... aka the closest thing to hockey I think possible for FRC IMHO.

Here is the catch, use regolith and the wheels from 2009, but you are also allowed to push off the the arena, but not grapple. The plexiglass would have to be replaced by something stronger though. You also can't "hold" the ball at all unless inside the goal box. Use the old herding rule for judging holding (taking a corner with a game piece etc.)

The balls are slick, insanely durable (except when frozen, Ive had a few crack off my arms before in 0 degree weather) and oddly weighted, they are light weight, but act like a heavier ball (its weird). For scale they are about the size of a CD in diameter.

Use the 2010 ball return system, except the balls have to touch the ground before they are considered "in play." If touched before they hit its a penalty. It acts more like a face-off which is the intent. The rail would be much steeper and end in a basket with no bottom, aka the balls would return faster and drop straight down. Delay of game penalties same as 2010 too. The supports for the rail return would be spaced far enough apart so that a robot could fit plus a few extra inches for mechanism actuation. But most of the field is open otherwise. There would be post that a robot could push off of on either side of the goal. (think how goalies move in hockey... or broomball:rolleyes: )

Goal Box:
There is also an area where teams can hold and throw balls to half field before they touch the ground. The ball would have to then touch an alliance member before being able to be scored. (cooperation among your alliance much?) This area would be a small box in front of the opposing teams goal. Teams must be in contact/inside the box to be able to hold the ball. There would be a size restriction inside this box to prevent someone blocking the entire goal. Balls can only be held for 5 seconds.

Auton
Two balls start on the center line in the middle, a "face-off." The alliance also have the option to have another ball start in the goal box. If teams choose not to place it there then it will start in the alliance station and may be put into play during auton. Teams may position themselves anywhere on their respective side of the field, except inside the goal box. All points are tripled in auton. (think about the time and placement of bots here)

Teleop
Exactly what you would think it would be... essentially hockey. However there would be NO pining of any kind due to how hard it is to move. High speed collision (checking) is allowed, but not from across the field. (think side boards not alliance walls for checking.)

End Game
A taped box, with only enough room for six bots to fit perfectly inside, is against the wall on the center line. Robots have to be completely inside the box to score. Finesse and control is key on the slippery surface. The alliance with the most teams in the box gets the total number of teams in the box times their opponents # of teams added to their score, the alliance with the least number of teams in the box (the out boxed alliance) gets their alliance's number of teams in the box added to their score. The Endgame score would be used as the first tie breaker in ranking, after QS. That way it matters come Saturday afternoon, but doesn't break the ranking system. There is incentive to participate, given the few number of matches, even if you are the "out boxed" opponent because of the tie breaking. It's the ultimate choice in coopertition. Do you help everyone at the risk of not getting all your bots in and likely losing the match, or do you keep scoring in the now undefended goal?

This game would definitely require some hefty built bots and the more bumpers the better, but would actuated bumpers to push off things be out of the question?

Re: Cool future games
 

I just realized that their is a subforum for this. :o

Re: Cool future games
 

Not a problem, we'll just chalk it up as a bunch of rumors about next years game that have absolutely no basis in reality whatsoever, and no evidence either.

Re: Cool future games
 

To all the teams going to nationals first Congratulation on making and to the teams that aren't Im so sad but lets work harder to make it next year. #Nexttime
Then to the teams going to nationals Print the Url on a Huge sheet of paper and if you see dean kamen hand him it and tell him to check it out.
To teams not going Find the email for him and SPAM him with the url to this.and telling him to check it out. Or find some way to let him know

Re: Cool future games
 

What are nationals? Sounds like a fun American party, can we Canadians come?

Please do not spam Dean Kamen, I don't think he would appreciate it.

Re: Cool future games
 

Yeah spamming one of the smartest and coolest people in the world is usually not a good idea. Also, that would probably make it a lot less likely for him to actually listen to these suggestions and ideas (which are all fantastic).

Re: Cool future games
 

Sorry Here let me rephrase that. "Lets persuade him to read this comments. cause I would love to see one of these ideas become real." And sory bout the nation thing I meant championship and Yes canada can come only if they bring me some smarties.:]

Re: Cool future games
 

I can assure you that FRC higher-ups DO read Chief Delphi. I've seen the evidence in several places. Whether Dean himself does is unknown (though there is suspicion that he has an account, or was/did at one time), but multiple members and former members of the Game Design Committee and of the HQ staff are members of CD.

If there is a thread about game design, someone has probably already spotted it and informed the appropriate parties. Be VERY careful what ideas you put out in said threads--they just might end up in a later game. (We've been asking for frisbees for years now. That may mean that traffic cones and/or footballs are next up.)