Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

Hi CD,
I searched the numbers in google earth:
The second numer refers to a sign "Security FIRST" and there is a US post office in front of it.
The third number refers to the "FIRST Baptist church"
The first number is very interesting, there is a sign: "WEIGHT LIMITS REDUCED 25% EFFECTIVE 1 JAN TO 1 MAY" which is the FIRST season
The photo of the sign can be found in the link below.
To find it on google earth:
1. Type 8234/57 in the search bar
2. pick the first option (ohio)
3. go to the main street
4. you will see the sign
https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.94281%2C-81.311998&cbp=%2C32.62%2C%2C3%2C15.080002&layer=c& panoid=VNSRfLx4QNO3teEqfg3kxg&spn=0.18000000000000 152%2C0.30000000000000676&output=classic&cbll=40.9 4281%2C-81.311998

Have a great season!

Thanks to my friends from the FIRST Israel community for helping

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

Let's keep all the hint discussion in the original thread, it makes for a far cleaner forum. Thanks. :) Could someone with magical forum powers merge these threads? :rolleyes:

That being said, I sure hope the weigh limits aren't lessened. That would be very annoying.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

That's pretty good work. The reduced weight limits could be the real deal, especially with the rise of and emphasis on 3D printing, and last year's reduced size. I believe a 120lb robot with 14 lb battery and ~16lb bumpers is over the recommended weight that two high school students should be lifting, so this makes sense.

Can you explain how you found the 3rd number to relate to the church?

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

Keep all of this stuff in the hint thread please...

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

I kind of prefer this thread to be separate...saved me a lot of time not having to read the whole other thread....

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

Keep this thread separate, because this is the most legitimate analysis I've seen.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

I just don't think people should start making a separate thread every time they think they hit something good. The forum would explode. While I agree its a good analysis, having it all in one thread I've always thought was nice. :rolleyes: But, oh well...

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

I don't wanna read 200 inane posts about a few dozen topics to talk about how to build a 90 pound robot. I frankly am struggling to figure out how to shave 15 pounds off the 2013 robot, 25 pounds off the 2012 robot, 10 pounds off the 2011 - and my team builds light, minimalist robots. 90 pounds terrifies me.

Anyone got any ideas? The control system is a relatively large chunk of that weight. Colsons are a no-go since they weigh much more than other off the shelf wheels. Steel gears? No way. If the weight limit really is 90 pounds, the game could be as simple as Lunacy and this would still be a very significant challenge for every team.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

I'm intrigued. I think this is for real, or else a very well camouflaged red herring.

Like Chris said, getting under 90 would be really hard... We could have done it with our offseason bot, but it still would have been very difficult. Perhaps the weight limit refers to the game piece or something else?

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

Kinda depends on the game, eh? I know of at least one robot in 2008 that was very light, yet very successful.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

Could be a tiered challenge like 2007. 6' tall robots can only be 90 lbs, 5' tall robots can be 105 lbs, 4' tall robots can be 120 lbs, or some similar scale.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

Im just throwing this out there, but its just saying a 25% reduce. Who says that the reduce is off of last years weight? it could be off of the older weights making not such a huge decrease.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

This is (effectively) the highest weight limit we've ever had. It used to be 130, but with battery, which was 14 lbs, for a max usable weight of 116 lbs.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

This was my immediate thought upon reading speculation about the reduced weight. Maybe Andymark has all those options for modifications on the kit because maybe the weight tiers won't just be based off height, but overall frame perimeter instead.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

Very interesting! I like the tiered idea... Makes for a more interesting design challenge.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

My best bet is that the 25% weight reduction refers to the 30 lbs of spare parts that each team is allowed to bring to each event.
Since FIRST is trying to get all areas into the district format, more and more teams are going to atend multiple events, it means that more teams will be able to make big changes/upgrades between each event and they probably want to prevent it from being too big of a factor.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

Hmm. It also gives you a dead end sign in Statesville, NC. Apropos.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

This is false.

Think about how they come up with these game hints. In all the encoded ones, they started from plaintext and worked backwards to get the clue. In the ones without a code, they came up with an idea for how something fit, like the Locomotion album cover and the logo.

If they wanted to say the weight was smaller, what makes you think they would find a random streetsign saying weight is smaller and find a random number string that happens to search that up?

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

I agree that this probably is not the solution and should be merged with the other game hint thread, where the rest of the (incorrect) "solutions" have been posted.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

it is unlikely, but it is the GDC, they do some crazy stuff. who knows that they thought up this year.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

a) These street signs are fairly common in the Midwest, I wouldn't be surprised if one of the GDC members said "hey, let's find one of these signs and give the coordinates as a game hint".

b) The GDC has given Google Maps coordinates as a game hint before - 2008, Boston's Copley Square as a reference to a race (Boston Marathon) and large balls (Globe Cafe)

c) I think the chances that they gave us random numbers which are NOT coordinates and all three of them just happen to point to very specific things in Google Maps which either mention FIRST or are directly related (eg. weight limits between January and May) is much much lower than the chances that they were able to find such signs/locations and give the coordinates.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

But the weight reduction sign is so... perfect

Weight allowance has changed over the years in FRC and it just happens to outline the FRC season quite well? Seems pretty intentional... If its a red herring, its a darn good one.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

That is my point: regardless of how the GDC got there, it's too hard for that sequence of numbers to point to that sign and NOT have that be the intended hint. I don't think it's a red herring. The signs are usually 25% for hard paved roads and 35% for flexible paved roads.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

Okay, I like the lead on the first numbers but...

Okay, great....but how is this 'solved'? Anybody could have said this. What does it mean? :rolleyes:

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

This is by far the most plausible solution to the game hint. Even though it's supposed to be in the original thread, I'm kind of glad I didn't have to wade through pages of crap to find this.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

Could you provide a little bit better instructions for getting to the security FIRST sign and FIRST Baptist Church? I found the post office but i couldn't find anything by putting in the third number.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

I don't think the entire robot would be under 90 lbs, but maybe the base portion.

Think about it. They're giving us a different KOP base so it is easier to attach superstructures. What if part of the game is attaching and detaching different structures (maybe by the human player) to do different things?

Then the 90 lbs would actually be plausible if it didn't include your main appendages or whatever.

I think that sign really is a good clue.

But what does the Baptist Church and post office represent?? :ahh:

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

Delivery of an object to a post/steeple?

Also, several years ago (might've been 2008?) there was a lot of discussion about a mailbox as part of the game hint. I don't recall if it was an official part of the hint, or something someone dug up from one of the hint clues.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

Maybe your 90-lb base has to deliver something standard that attaches to it!! Like how each team in Lunacy had a standard trailer, maybe there is something standard to deliver.

Also, maybe someone should look up that specific church and post office? There could be some historical significance in some way.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

62326 is the area code for argyle lake state park in IL. Confirmed water game.



/sarcasm

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

I realize that this is unlikely, but I just want to throw it out there:

The sign says weight *limits* reduced 25% -- Could this not be interpreted to mean relaxing the limits, rather than tightening them?

(That was just the first thing that popped into my head upon reading the sign -- English is a strange, strange language, since it's the opposite of the sign's intended meaning....)

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

I couldn't imagine heavier robots

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

As far as weight goes, my team designed a fully functional robot last year that weighed in around 100 pounds. In fact, it was so light (and to help out with our CG for our hanging strategy) that we had to add a 10 pound weight to the back, in addition to adding 5 pounds of steel to our bumpers. So achieving less weight is possible.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

Definitely. My team's robot for 2008 was very light and excessively fast. We were told by Woodie Flowers at the Boston Regional that it was one of the fastest he had ever seen. We later discovered that due to an error (forgot if it was wiring or programming), only 2 of our 4 CIMs were actually doing anything.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

For those wondering about the church. It is specifically a Baptist church. Generally Baptists (of which there are many flavors) practice full-immersion baptism. That is, the person being baptized goes fully under water. So to be fully in the game the robot must go under water.

Obviously, this is the long awaited Water Game.;)

Sorry, I couldn't resist

ChrisH

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

In 2012 we put weights on our robot and still were underweight. So it can happen. However, that year we basically only had one mechanism. Contrast that with 2013, where we shot and climbed, and we were 120.0 by the end of the season.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

Too bad it wasn't a Presbyterian church. Then we'd be able to confirm a hockey game. (Presbyterians are sometimes called the "Frozen Chosen.")

Has anyone had any luck correlating the stairs photo in the main thread to this (likely) hint solution?

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

For what it's worth, 1662 weighed in at 88 pounds without battery or bumper in 2013. Seems feasible.

-Mike

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

This year team 2471 competed on an off-season event called Bunny Bots. One of our robots was 38" by 28", had a fully independent swerve drive, had three fully functional game-specific manipulators, and weighed 88 lbs. Not including battery, but including about 8 lbs of non first legal bumpers. also, it competed yesterday, and won the event.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

We were 75 lbs without the 14 lb steel weight that we added or our FCS blocker. It's feasible but still would be a major challenge for a majority of FRC teams much less rookies.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

Maybe we are going to have 3 challenges which we are required to choose from, the first of which is a 90lb robot and the other 2 have to do with "Security FIRST" and "FIRST Baptist Church." By the way, I am seriously disappointed that there aren't 200 guesses about what those 2 phrases could mean.

Earlier this year I swore that I would not post in a game hint thread, because nothing useful ever comes out of game hints. But these signs just seem to be too obvious to ignore.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

Is there any possibility we see some new parts introduced? If FIRST introduces some new parts that are significantly lighter, this lower weight limit could make a lot of sense and might not reflect a severe difference in game style.

Also: To me, this seems to be the most legitimate interpretation of the hint(granted, I haven't read all 478 posts in the main thread) however, the relative forward-ness of it is still bugging me. I still feel like there is something we are missing even deeper in the hint.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

Yea last year I was on 4055 and that bot was 63lb with out bumpers and battery. Light weight is easy enough to achieve.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

I've been advocating that our teams integrate the plywood bumpers into the robot chassis structure. With good quality plywood (
plywood article ) and good joinery, the plywood could contribute much more to the chassis structure than hanging on a metal frame. The arguments against have been:

• Would require skirts for quick change of colors and skirts don't work
• The attachment to the chassis would require much work to remove and reinstal for weigh-in
• Would look amateur
• "Nobody else does that" (not necessarily a bad thing IMO)
• "Judges won't like it"

I could certainty be missing something but if passes rules, could have the following benefits:

• Approx 5 lbs of structure is free and save weight in chassis
• Jointed corners would provide excellent racking strength
• Wood takes impacts well; particularly high quality grades
• Wood is relatively easy to work
• There are more skilled carpenters around than machinists

Think glued, dovetailed rigid perimeter that slips over and fastens to interior chassis.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

Did you maybe post in the wrong thread? This thread is about a possible interpretation of the game hint.

Though your post did get me thinking. Maybe the weight limit reduction is to bumpers. Last year gave teams some options for heavy bumpers, so maybe the GDC just made the bumpers a more standard and lighter weight. Teams make heavy bumpers to get more friction, and maybe the GDC didn't intend this to be a pushing game.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

So there's potential for a low-friction field? :eek:

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

Hockey or baseball seems pretty reasonable and I have some information to back this.

61126/1963. This took us to a UPS with a FIRST security. This ups was in Rockford Illinois. Now little known fact that Rockford Illinois has a professional Hockey team, the "Rockford Icehogs". Also rockford has a baseball team called "Rockford Aviators".

I've spent too much time on these threads. :yikes:

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

anyone think that maybe weight limits reduced means they are allowing an extra 25% weight? instead of 90 pounds, 150?

just my 2 cents :D

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

There is a safety factor that plays into the rules. The current robot weight is based off of what OSHA deems as safe for two people to lift.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

I posted this in the Game Hint thread, but to carry this forward:
Your robot weight for competition on the field will be reduced to encourage modularity.

Your withholding allowance will be increased, to encourage modularity.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

Ice rink? Cool!

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

I think a challenge of extra size or some other game advantage for being 90lbs would be more like it.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

Under previous rules, modularity didn't work this way. You had 120 pounds for *all* of your mechanisms, together, not just each individual configuration of the robot. So a modular 90 pound robot would need to weigh 90 pounds with *all* of its modules together.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

I'm just sayin', this may be a change to this year's rules.

The robot on the field (electronic scales in the queue) should weigh 90 or 120 pounds, but you are allowed an additional withholding allowance of 60, 90, even 120 pounds.

This would allow us to polish our modular mechanisms before and between regionals or districts.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

What if the limit is referring to the game pieces? Like the games pieces can equal up to 25% of the weight of the robot and we'll have to design robots to move them?

Just my thought after reading through the thread.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

Remember that in 2011 minibots could weight 15 pounds in extra to the 120 pound robot

2014 FRC Game Hint Roundup - I read all 500+ posts so you didn't have to.
 

I went ahead and read every single 2014 game hint post throughout the rumor mill so you don't have to, and created a blog post summarizing most of the main points many of you were discussing.

Read it here: http://lablayers.deviantart.com/jour...ndup-421735515

(In addition, if you have a deviantART, be sure to join the group at http://usfirst.deviantart.com/ and tell us what team you're on.)

Please let me know what you think, and if I missed something feel free to post a reply! :)

Re: 2014 FRC Game Hint Roundup - I read all 500+ posts so you didn't have to.
 

But which theory is right?

Re: 2014 FRC Game Hint Roundup - I read all 500+ posts so you didn't have to.
 

None of them...

Re: 2014 FRC Game Hint Roundup - I read all 500+ posts so you didn't have to.
 

We'll never know... :cool:

However, I do think that the field size theory seems to be the most probable.

Re: 2014 FRC Game Hint Roundup - I read all 500+ posts so you didn't have to.
 

Please, no more game hint threads. This is the fifteenth (I counted). We only need one.

Re: 2014 FRC Game Hint Roundup - I read all 500+ posts so you didn't have to.
 

thanks for summarizing for us... appreciate your work.

Re: 2014 FRC Game Hint Roundup - I read all 500+ posts so you didn't have to.
 

The one that led to a "weight reduction" sign is by far the least convoluted theory with the clearest payoff, so that's the only one I would point to as being likely to be correct.

Game Hint Thread Thread
 

Since there are sooo many game hint threads, I thought it would be a good idea to make ANOTHER thread, to keep track of all the threads (linked below, for your convenience of course). No need to thank me.

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...highlight=Hint

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...highlight=Hint

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...highlight=Hint

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...highlight=Hint

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...highlight=Hint

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...highlight=Hint

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...highlight=Hint

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...highlight=Hint

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...highlight=Hint

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...highlight=Hint

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...highlight=Hint

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...highlight=Hint

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...highlight=Hint

Re: Game Hint Thread Thread
 

The number of game hint threads is too darn high!

I think I will have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and watch the game reveal at kickoff.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

In 2013 robots were only allowed to hold 4 game pieces as a max limit. 25% reduction would be 3.

3 game pieces at a time. Oh dear, another "3".... :deadhorse:

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

Actually now that I think about it...
2013 - 4 scoring levels (or main scoring targets)
2012 - 4 hoops
2011 - 4 minibot towers
2010 - 4 goals
2008 - 4 scoring balls, zones
Etc....

Reduced by 25%. ;)
(could also be interpreted as going to 5, reducing the limit positively)

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

Out of curiosity, what is the area of the triangle with vertices at the three google maps locations?

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

http://i.imgur.com/YjtI0ND.png

the fact of the sign saying that the weight limit is reduced tells us that we will have to create, or be in, a certain equilibrium with the game environment. it just might be a water game where we all have to float our robots ( we'll have to see how that works out). another idea going around is that it might be a lunar/moon based theme. I was thinking that the reduced weight would be required if we were being hanged from something, as if trying to simulate zero gravity. or the theme could be an underwater astronaut training facility (just throwing that out there).

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

So probably not now? I guess this isn't it based on the new info. Which is great because I really didn't want to try to reduce that much weight...

It was a sign that fit really well though...

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

This would make a lot of sense. 3D printing would be Key in this game, and it makes even more sense with one of the FIRST Choice options being a lottery for a 3D printer.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

To those who originally went through the work of locating the church, "safety first" sign, and "weight reduced" sign, I say bravo. In spite of the variety of off-topic and wacky ideas, you did a great job of looking at the evidence. Even though it now seems very clear that "assist" is the clue, I still want to say that your idea was state-of-the-art, for its time. Thank you.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

I would prefer not to have another Lunacy. Not my favorite game :eek:

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

Having a 3D printer does not help reduce your robot's weight. I would hate to have a 25% weight reduction.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

The hint has had a good break through. If you look at the new thread you'll see.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

Even if they do reduce the pounds, I think there is a bigger purpose. It could be that the game can't take heavier robots, and it will be easier for us to do a light weight robot either way. I have never seen a hint that was completely about the robot, they are called game hints for a reason. So it must refer back to the game.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

Sometimes they only even hint about the name of the game...which gives away nothing. Looking at you Logomotion.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

Just as a wild guess only because of the {{{text}}} in the redo clue reminds me of the song,
1,2,3 oclock rock.

So the time might be a longer game of 3 minutes and then collecting rocks.

Just simple out look following Frank's suggestion.


Of course if all easy fails the game hint is a red herring which means a fishing game on the water of course. Sorry just had too.

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

just did some research....

61474:135 - serial number for a triple tachymetric indicator (device which generates target position, speed, direction, and rate of target range change)

12661:1963 - (not sure about this one) nominal pipe size in 200 mm and 250 mm respectively with the capacity in kg/hour fir 4 bars of pressure

32662:15806 - (couldn't find anything with the numbers together, so I divided them by 2 and got 16331:7903; any higher divider would yield a decimal)
7903 - it is an helicopter serial number (most relevant result) and also the name of the 7903 Albioni asteroid belt
16331 - nada

I then divided 16331:7903 by 7 and got 2333:1129
2333 - serial number for greatwall motor (most relevant result)
1129 - nada
however, both numbers' results' had pictures of buses?????

hope this helped!

Re: Game Hint Solution [probably]
 

Hey Mechanica! I see that you're pretty new to the forum, so just as a rule of thumb you probably shouldn't post the same thing on multiple threads. I couldn't find a verbatim rule, so someone correct me if that's acceptable.

On top of that, this thread was about a specific solution too, so that's not relevant here.