Cool future games
 

Well I've been meaning to start this post for a long time but I've been so caught up in some really cool projects that might change FIRST forever but that will be announced soon once i get everything okay'd.
So what would be some cool games for FRC. Me and my teammate thought in the near future they might do American Flag Football. Where we have to run across the field to score touchdowns for a certain amount of points or you can go for field goals. But on the robot itself will be flags and when you lose all your flags the FMS system or some other system shuts the robot down wirelessly. So this can be used a strategic move or something else. What do you guys think. Do you guys have any cool game ideas?

Re: Cool future games
 

While that does sound pretty neat, you would also have to take into consideration the higher risk of damage to the robots.

Re: Cool future games
 

I was thinking something along those lines, but the endgame would be how far up you could get on a goal post. The GDC will probably not do football, because everyone is expecting a football game next year. My idea is that we will play a version of hockey on simulated ice (their water game).

Re: Cool future games
 

I know a future game that will be REALLY cool. Wait for it... Wait for it...




Water game. With ice(bergs) floating on the water. As well as robots. 6 CIMs on a marine screw ought to provide plenty of propulsion, don't you think?

Re: Cool future games
 

I was thinking more of an 6paddlewheel, 4CIM tank drive with the middle 2 paddlewheels dropped 1/8th inch.
I just makes more sense considering we'd like to save the other 2 CIMs for the lifebuoy thrower.
...
or maybe we can make paddlewheels with paddles at 45 degree angles such that they make an X from above, allowing you motion in all directions without a waterproof swerve module...

Re: Cool future games
 

I vote 4 submersible CIM propulsion pods, independently rotated. Now to find some inexpensive high traction props. Hrm, this might take more research than I'd anticipated.

Re: Cool future games
 

Hockey! Can be played with either one or multiple game pieces, and the robots whip a ball around the field (on the ground) and score them into goals, while one robot defends said goal.

No regolith though! :yikes: Nothing even remotely similar. Never again.:eek:

Re: Cool future games
 

I want a stacking game :(

Re: Cool future games
 

Wait, I got it!
We'll get an old ceiling fan, put a cage and some mesh around it, put it on the back of the robot, drive it with 4cims, and have a rudder on the back of the cage controlled by a banebots 775 and a potentiometer.

Re: Cool future games
 

Hockey, with carpet floor in the center and regolith hills on each end. part of the game is adding more game pieces by hitting a pressure plate at the top of each regolith hill, thus giving the Teams co-op points, and a chance to score so many more points

Re: Cool future games
 

I still want a hockey game! Return of the Regolith anybody?

But a non-shooting game would be nice too...

Re: Cool future games
 

NO. :eek: *Insert grumpy cat (but I'm too lazy to actually do so).

I'm game for the Hockey, as my post above stated. No regolith though! :P

Re: Cool future games
 

Here, I put together a really quick and sketchy video of my interpretation of an FRC Hockey Game. Comments and game design suggestions welcome, of course.

Re: Cool future games
 

With all due respect, you suck, sir. :( :p

Re: Cool future games
 

What do you mean by stacking? because back in 1997 they had a game where teams would stack tubes onto a scoring device and then place them onto the top of a swiveling tower. The game was either won or lost in 30 seconds which was pretty cool.

Re: Cool future games
 

Hey now, I know it'd not up to GDC standards, but I don't have a lot of practice at this yet. I only had half an hour to come up with that.

Re: Cool future games
 

I think he means more like 2003's bins or 2005's tetras, both of which were at some point stacked. 2003's stacks usually lasted all of 30 seconds before some robot knocked them down, hence the game name, Stack Attack. 2005's stacks grew ever higher throughout the match, as teams added more tetras of red and blue.

Re: Cool future games
 

My apologies. Should have been more considerate...

Re: Cool future games
 

Yeah. With the current existence of "protected zones" Id love to see a re imagining of 2003 with safe zones to stack. Tetras would be cool too.

Re: Cool future games
 

I think it would be really cool to see more changes that affect how the drivetrain works, for example, floor materials that are much more gripping or textured to give it more of an "off-road" style of play.

Re: Cool future games
 

Wait no, it's not a hoax! It's the ACTUAL GAME HINT!

Re: Cool future games
 

I really want a game with a uneven and changing playing surface (like maize craze). Just think the whole field covered in golfballs (in first colors of course) This would make a really interesting game and there are lots of things you could do with the game objective.

Re: Cool future games
 

I can certainly think of lots of things I could do with golfballs covering the entire playing field. Of course most of them at the moment would involve throwing them at whoever came up with that bright idea...

Because nothing says safety like carrying a 150lb robot across a field covered in golf balls.

Re: Cool future games
 

A game played on leopard skin rugs would be a nice change ;)

Re: Cool future games
 

I won't dignify that with a response.



Wait...

Re: Cool future games
 

Day=made! :D Maybe it's just the late night...

Re: Cool future games
 

Lol! That was pretty funny. Just showed my mom and she cracked up!!

Re: Cool future games
 

I have a great idea! Surround the field with a 12" high barrier, then pour in about five hundred bushels of corn and rake it smooth .... :rolleyes:

Re: Cool future games
 

I would love to see the return of holding as many game pieces as you are dumb enough to try. Prior to 2007 this was the norm, but in recent years you've only been allowed to hold unlimited game pieces in 2009. If I think I can score 3 tubes simultaneously, magazine up 45 frisbees, or carry a bunch of foam basketballs, why not let me try?

There was no limit on how many tetras you could carry in 2005, and some teams did multiple (85's was super cool), but the game was open to both kinds of robot. I guess you just have to have some kind of built in weight (tetra) or volume (ball) limit, but I would love to see some of the huge ball collector nets from 2004 make a comeback.

I get that with some games you've really got to have the limit to make them work well, but I still think it'd be fun to build mechanisms that do a whole bunch at once.

Re: Cool future games
 

I'm waiting for volleyball.

Re: Cool future games
 

I kind of want to make a 45 Frisbee magazine for our robot now (to be used in off season demos).
Or at least a couple of hot-swappable 12-20 Frisbee magazines. :D

Re: Cool future games
 

I think there should be something more along the lines of coopertition. I.e alliances have to work together to do a task, not just one robot doing it. However, this would be a significant change, and a scoring system would have to be reviewed. It would be a lot better to bond teams though. Something as simple as, (in this year's case) two robots from the same alliance have to touch a disc before it can be considered scored. Would be very hard to keep track of, but just an example.

Re: Cool future games
 

Flying minibots?

I WANT TO BELIEVE

Re: Cool future games
 

What about a "pin the tail on the donkey" type game.

Robots have to pick up very small items covered in velcro and place them onto a velcro wall. the target would be boxes or circles of varying sizes. The smaller and higher the target, the higher the point value. They can even mix it into a tic tac toe and try to make a given pattern for bonus points.

So it isn't power or speed but delicate accuracy that counts.

Re: Cool future games
 

And the primary defensive strategy is just to rub along the wall.

Re: Cool future games
 

Yes bring back Stack Attack xD That looks like the craziest game ever when the tall stacks of boxes are just toppled down.

But realistically, I think FIRST will definitely stick with a fast-paced sports game. They want these matches to be exciting and understandable by spectators who have never seen an FRC match before.

But I doubt it will be any shooting event since they've done that for two years now. I think some sort of hockey thing on the slick Lunacy floor and a new unique endgame challenge.

Re: Cool future games
 

I would love to see a game that would allow for radically different strategies that could win the game, therefore allowing for a huge diversity of robots and ways to achieve the goal. Also I would like to see a game where building by building a totally defensive bot a team could be a top alliance pick allowing for more strategy at the competitions. Finally I just want mini-bots back

Re: Cool future games
 

Those first two things are MUCH easier said than done. I think this year was actually pretty successful at providing a wide range of winning strategies. You have short fast cycle shooters versus full court shooters versus 50-point climb+dump, with good strategic defense in the mix. If you compare that to recent years, that's a pretty good mix of strategies to pick from.

Re: Cool future games
 

I have put a good deal of thought into this and I would like to see medicine balls as a game piece.

A. Easily available
B. Although they are balls they are very different.
C. I really like the concept of real time scoring using weight sensors but Frisbees are not the right game piece for it.
D. They could use mostly 10lb but also have bonus balls weighing 20lbs

now imagine 10 Tubes in the center of the field. medicine balls could be stacked in tubes The two center tubes fit 5 each and all other tubes fit 3.

Tetras were challenging because of their size and weight. Lifting heavier objects can shift a robots CG and are quite the design challenge.

End Game: Climbing other robots like in 07 was really cool. I think there should be 2 raised platforms one red one blue 12 inches off the ground and big enough for only one robot. any robots off the non raised playing surface at the end of the match get X points

Re: Cool future games
 

I would like to see an active field. my most recent idea is to have a bar or a net that moves up and down that goes across the middle of the field, so that tall robots can only go across the field at certain times, but if you are really short, you can go across at all times. Then there is also some advantage to being tall, I have no idea what this incentive is, but it is there. Finally, the end game is you hang on said bar, but for reasons I have not come up with, it is hard to hang on said bar if you are a tall robot. I am not sure how much I would like that particular game, but I still think it would be really cool to have a moving field.

Re: Cool future games
 

Descoring=DQing. Problem mostly solved (there will probably be a few robots who try it anyway).

Re: Cool future games
 

The last raising and lower bar the GDC came up with was for "Raising the Bar" and was a total fiasco. And it only had to work after some of the matches. So I'm not holding my breath on the GDC mechanizing any parts on the field.

Re: Cool future games
 

869 was able to play shutdown defense on team 11, who is 17 of FRCTop25 (Just say'n). When a team skirted around them, they literally "blew" the frisbees away.

They were 4th pick at Bridgewater-Raritan District event. Indecently, by team 11.

Re: Cool future games
 

I would love to see a multi terrain field with rocks, sand, and rumble strip zones.
And have to score footballs in there goals in each terrain zone for different points.
And as a defence they have to try stack boxes to block the opposite teams from scoring.
It be played like the 2004 game were they switch who plays offence and defence each round.
It not likely to be a practical game but I'd love to see multi terrain field.

Re: Cool future games
 

I thought this year was going to be multi terrain, because of all the rover talk they gave at champs. I would love a multi terrain game too.

Re: Cool future games
 

This being my team's rookie year we all speculated as to the crazy things FIRST could come up with. I think the two that stood out the most were the idea of a completely underwater game with robots swimming around trying to accomplish something or smaller helicopter-like robots flying through the air to score points. Personally I think we should set everything up Hunger Games style with multiple terrains and an expanded the field. Then use a suspended platform above the field for driver stations to make it easier to see everything and then let robots have at each other. (not actually have at each other, we want to be able to reuse robots) Hmmm.... maybe paintball. Paintball could be fun...

Re: Cool future games
 

You right! A mixture of carpet and slick regolith would make for a super interesting and unpredictable field surface. Maybe with bumps made out of regolith even!

*Ducks and runs*

Re: Cool future games
 

Guys, I've got it! You will love this idea.

Add a purple alliance.*runs away giggling*

Re: Cool future games
 

The canonical color for the third team/alliance on the field is White, you know.

Other than that, it's a perfectly fine idea. I mean, the elimination structure gets a little complicated. *twitch* But once you stare at it for a few hours it totally makes sense. *twitch* Don't worry, the side effects aren't nearly as bad as everyone says. *giggle* ReAllY.

Re: Cool future games
 

I'm still waiting on a game with Caution Cone game pieces. Cool game piece, interesting shape to make it a little tricky to pick up, and they're readily available.

Re: Cool future games
 

Game: Construction Zone

Game Pieces: Large and small orange construction cones

Field: Separated into 5 zones, the center free zone, a cross shape, and then the 4 corners are alliance construction zones, 2 per alliance.

Autonomous: Teams may begin to stack cones in their alliance stations, there will be comes randomly placed on the field available to pick up during autonomous mode but you must not enter your opponents alliance construction zone.

Teleoperated: Cones may be entered by human players by placing them in special pickup zones at either end of the field (not in an alliance zone, like where the center human player stations were in '09) or teams may use any of the discs in the arena, however if a cone is stacked in your opponents alliance zone it may not be taken (unstacked are fair game) by an opposing robot. Cones may also be scored on a cart locked in place at the center of the field, however the points are not given to either alliance until the end game.

End game: There are two major aspects to the end game, first the cart in the center is unlocked and if any wheel of the cart is in contact with an alliance construction zone, all points on the cart count as multipliers for that alliance. The other end game part is that larger cones (3 per alliance) are given to the teams human players and may be entered onto the field. Any stack that is created on top of one of these cones will be given bonus points according to the stack's height (In traditional FIRST style, smart teams will build robots capable of moving stacks onto the larger cones instead of needing to create new ones).

Scoring: Each cone is counted at one point per level: A stack of 2 would count for 3 points (1+2), a stack of 3 is counted at 6 points (1+2+3), and so on. If a stack is on top of a large cone it gains 50 points for every 12 inches between the top of the stack and the floor. For the cart, if it is contacting an alliance zone at the end of the match, that alliance's points are multiplied by the number of highest stacked cones on the cart.

Re: Cool future games
 

They didn't have their bumpers on? 11 insulted the team members' mothers? ;)

Re: Cool future games
 

In addition, at all Michigan events, there will be a few supplemental rules.

1. The field will have potholes scattered in the highest trafficked areas with a carpet-pothole ratio of 1:2

2. Portions of the field will be closed off intermittently (and seemingly randomly) for construction.

3. Snow, ice or rain may or may not be spread on the field at random points during gameplay with no advance warning, regardless of weather or season.

Re: Cool future games
 

I thought (around December) this year was going to be a frisbee game similar to 2006 with 2007's endgame, because it's about time.

I then spent kickoff day shouting about how right I was. I was so right.

Re: Cool future games
 

How about a bowling game? Robots knock down the other team's pins, try to keep their own pins from being knocked down, and place the pins back upright if they do get knocked down.

Re: Cool future games
 

As the driver who was almost entirely shutdown by 869 and their intense defence, I can certainly attest to defence being a viable strategy to build a robot for.

What they really exemplify though, is that no matter what game you build a robot for, it is only going to be really effective if you commit to being the best at that one strategy rather than waffling and being just OK at multiple game tasks. Karthik's golden rules.

On that note, a game where you can actually score using defence would be neat. Not just pushing, but something where you actually get points for keeping an opposing robot from a certain zone.

Re: Cool future games
 

I agree with the people who suggested a combo field. My dream game (Which I will never get to play) would be a section of slick material like a fake ice, a regolith if you will. The other section would be water, making the water game come true without forcing people to go into water. I think this field combo would be fun. Game pieces? who needs game pieces when you just want to drive around all day. but someone can suggest a fun one (ping pong balls maybe?)

Re: Cool future games
 

Tetras on mars!!!

Re: Cool future games
 

As a follow-up to Maize Craze:

Mashed potatoes. Everywhere. :ahh:

Re: Cool future games
 

I'm holding out for a baseball game next year. Here's what I have been thinking about.

Game- First baseball

Pieces- small foam nerf balls (baseballs) (ideally a lot of them on the field at a time >100) and large colored cubes (players)

Field- there would be a high wall on either end acting like a fence on either side of the court which robots will have to shoot or dump the small nerf balls behind in order to score points. The bottom of the goal behind the fence can be sloped so the balls will run off the side and be counted easily like 2010. Also, in the middle of the field, there will be 4 boxes that are something like 4-6'' (that's supposed to be inches) tall with one for each alliance and 2 neutral ones all arranged in a baseball diamond shape.

Goal of game- to score the little balls into the goal over the fence and also get points by getting your robot onto your alliance box (the bases) at the end of the game or putting the large cubes on top, or both for with increasing points for the level of difficulty.

Gameplay- since baseball does operate in turns with teams alternating playing offense and defence, there could be an element of strategy like Aim High with maybe only one scoring zone along the long width of the field where teams each can score during a 50 second period and then the final 20 seconds the score will go to both teams (co-operation points :) )

This is just an idea I have been thinking of and I think it would be a pretty cool game to play with. I also like the idea of lots of scoring pieces and also big scoring pieces, both of which this game would have.

EDIT: Thought of a better edition to the game. Instead of using just balls (again) for primary scoring, the scoring could somehow involve pool noodles or plastic bats which would be pretty cool. Also, instead of nerf balls, the game could just also use something likewhiffle balls which would be cool for an extremely irregular object to shoot accurately (trust me, it's hard)

Re: Cool future games
 

FIRST has actually already tried a hellicopter based game. In 2011 at the world championships they had a FIRST collegiate game that featured an entirely netted field and teams had to design and fly quadcopters as their robots. It was not a successful venture as most robots were unable to get off the ground.

Re: Cool future games
 

I think it would be awesome next year if once during the game there would a moment where the robots have to stop scoring and have a dance competition against the other alliance and the best dancing alliance gets points for it.

Re: Cool future games
 

Stack Attack in 2003 was kind of like that. Robots had to stack empty Sterlite Bins to score points, and opposing robots could knock them down.

Re: Cool future games
 

Hi i like you

Re: Cool future games
 

I say a game of volley ball or 'flying' ball as it is called in Arabic should be played.

Re: Cool future games
 

I feel like Volleyball is too much like Overdrive (2008).

I'd love to see a redux of Coopertition FIRST (2000) with several hundred small balls instead of a few large ones. This year proves that a game with a crazy number of game pieces is possible, why not step it up a notch?

On a less ridiculous note, I too think we're way over-due for a new stacking game. Two in a row (to make up for it) perhaps?

Re: Cool future games
 

Thank you. I bet you the guys at first are watching us throw out ideas and noting some of their favorite ideas to use in the future.

Re: Cool future games
 

I think that next year will have to have one or more of the following: stacking, lots of game pieces (no holding limit), or large game pieces. Also, the game pieces in 3 of the last 4 years have all been simple shapes, balls and frisbees not something like the moon craters 09 or tubes 11 or tetras 05

Re: Cool future games
 

4. Deer will be released randomly onto the field. Design and build your robots to withstand potential impacts.

5. There will be no left turns allowed. To go left, robots must make a "Michigan Left."

Re: Cool future games
 

I am going to put this out there I do not believe FIRST will have a water game anytime soon. Also next year I believe the game could possibly have an arm as a mechanism like 2011. I would love if GDC created a hockey based game.

Re: Cool future games
 

I have competed and mentored in an underwater ROV competition called MATE. Don't even get me going on how much life would suck

Re: Cool future games
 

6. Due to the success of the Robot in Three Days project, build season will be cut down to three days. Competitions will now last six weeks.

7. This year's "flying discs" will be substituted with "flying ceramic discs" i.e. dinner plates.

Re: Cool future games
 

8. Dance off will decide the winners of the robot games

Re: Cool future games
 

NEVER!!!!!!:eek:

Re: Cool future games
 

exactly thank you for seeing it my way last year I competed in mate as well and hated it. If any of you want a water game compete in MATE but we warn you its no comparison to FRC.

Re: Cool future games
 

I want to see a game that is a true tribute to FIRST, that utilizes aspects of multiple games from multiple years. Maybe having bridges to balance, pyramids to climb on, orbit balls and tetras. Something crazy, and I'd love to see the robots for a game like that. It would also be cool if it was nearly impossible to design a robot that cannot achieve all aspects of the game, so there are no god bots.

Re: Cool future games
 

So..... 2004?

Re: Cool future games
 

There were robots that did everything in 2004, and while the game was probably one of the busy-est games FIRST has had, it does not reflect elements from multiple years, it almost has the reverse. Years following 2004 had one or 2 aspects of the 2004 game. Like the 2009 "mobile" goals, hanging was recycled in 2010, raised platforms were also used in 2010 and 2012, with the bumps and barriers, and there are probably more examples as well.

Re: Cool future games
 

2004 did reflect elements from multiple years, there's a reason it was called "FIRST Frenzy: Raising the Bar." Look backwards, not forwards.

Mobile goals were used in 2001 and 2002.
Hanging was used in 2000 (and over a central barrier, no less).
Capping goals with large balls was used in 2001.
Different colored, higher value balls were used in 2000.
Human players throwing balls into goals were used in 1996 and 2002.

Re: Cool future games
 

I would really like to see a game aspect like 2007 where they had different classes of robots. This would make teams have to balance what they want the robot to do over some form of restriction.

This could really go a number of ways, like choosing to have the bot be taller at the cost of making it weigh less or having only certain classes of robots being able to accomplish different tasks. That would allow for a wider range of bots to be made and also would make alliance selections more interesting because teams would need to have robots that can accomplish the other task that they can not do on their alliance. :cool:

Re: Cool future games
 

Reboot the 99 game.......=P

Re: Cool future games
 

99 game + 6CIM drivetrains.... :yikes:

Re: Cool future games
 

Can't. Nobody has a floppy drive anymore. :p


Besides, the floppies would need a redesign, as I recall, something about foam peanuts breaking down when robots ran them over... maybe use traffic cones?

Re: Cool future games
 

the build season is alot less stressful but the ROV ahhhhhhhh the rov now that is some tricky junk oh ya and did i mention
1) everything has to be water tight/sealed
2)the tether oh god the tether

Re: Cool future games
 

If you guys couldn't tell, the water game suggestion was a joke. Always has been--don't ask how long it's been around.

Also note that though the water game suggestion was a joke, the first time it was brought up in this thread did use just about the only way it would ever happen, with floating robots (not submerged). There is a large difference in playability and waterproofing between submarine and surface--surface is more playable (to the audience) and needs somewhat less waterproofing, though better planning for splashes and water getting past the proofing.

Re: Cool future games
 

How about an "Extreme billiards" type game where large bouncy balls (like the air-filled ones you see in those Wal-Mart hoppers) are used to knock other balls into goals.
Teams are only allowed to handle white "cue" balls and must use them to hit other colored balls on the field into targets at different locations. There are only a limited number of white balls (say, 3) so alliances will be positioning themselves around the field to receive and pass them -- and avoiding the other alliance from taking control.

The best robots would be able to capture the ball from any angle and velocity, direct it to hit the colored balls at a specific angle to score.

And then, a crazy, unrelated endgame!

Re: Cool future games
 

Maybe balancing your robot on top of the ball, like the Cat in the Hat? :) :)

Re: Cool future games
 

boooo...... funny I found some old team floppies the other day....
Ok fine I'll take the 2002 death drag game back at a faster rate

Re: Cool future games
 

HOw about stacking yoga blocks. they are lightweight and easily tip. a light touch will be needed.

Re: Cool future games
 

Like this one? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8jxGsg3p0Y

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.)