Kudos GDC
 

For giving us a game that challenges our assumptions, and that doesn't point to any clearly overpowering option on some of the choices we need to make. Drive bases, for instance; the field as it is set up sure looks like there will be a lot of challenges for almost any drive base to overcome. Options that have looked bad in the past now look promising, and ones that have dominated before now look ok, but not clearly better. Nice work.

Re: Kudos GDC
 

I like the idea of this game. It's too open for me (those frame perimeter rules) but I love the idea behind it. Plus, it's quite practical; such lifting robots could be used for demos for a long time and in the real world too.

Re: Kudos GDC
 

Also, every team will have so much more storage next year!

On a serious note, I think people have given this game an unfairly poor review so far, calling it boring and uninteresting. Flashback: the same people said EXACTLY that last year, which turned out far from boring.

Re: Kudos GDC
 

After playing a few practice "matches" with the GreenHorns Ri3D team, I seriously doubt this will be a boring year to watch. Even with our incomplete half field the constant tension of trying to stack made for a rather thrilling experience.

Re: Kudos GDC
 

I'd echo this completely. It was actually a very fun game to play and watch from my perspective.we even had a moment with 15 seconds left in the "match" where 'Snow Problem's robot had to quickly maneuver from one side of the field to the other, going faster than they should while balancing a tote and recycling bin. They quickly lined up and placed the tote with w seconds to spare. It was very intense even in out laid back, easy going setting.I think the well played matches of this game will be very exciting to watch.

Re: Kudos GDC
 

Thing is with how this game is scored is that they didn't necessarily NEED to score those last second totes. Scoring last second points can't win you the game anymore, and in situations like the one you described, trying for those last second points might hurt you. Rushing to balance totes might end up with more totes on the floor than you intended. Previous years you had nothing to lose by going for a double balance over a single or an extra cycle of disks before hanging if you were down by enough points. Now you have to think about the risks you are taking by pushing you robots capabilities in the final seconds of the game. I suppose this isn't necessarily bad but I wouldn't be surprised if teams play it safe at the end rather than risk dropping in rank.

Re: Kudos GDC
 

But we did and it was really, really fun to watch (and entirely within our capabilities-- Peter is great driver who won 2 regionals driving for 2175, he knew what he was doing).

Re: Kudos GDC
 

While I think some teams will play it safe I also think every point will count. As it gets closer and closer to alliance selection time teams will take more risks to get that extra point. The matches will get more intense throughout the day.

Re: Kudos GDC
 

Similar to in 2012 when teams attempted a triple balance when a double would have won the match, alliances will have to know when to take the chance to place that last second bin and when their stack(s) are good enough. I'd have a scout run the numbers and tell my field coach before the 2nd quarterfinal and 3rd semifinal match how many points we need to move on.

Re: Kudos GDC
 

It seems likely that the teams that do well in this game will be the ones who know their capabilities the best and have the most self discipline.