Re: FIRST Frenzy Opinion Thread
 

2000 + 2001 + 2002 = 2004

Best of three worlds!!!

Re: FIRST Frenzy Opinion Thread
 

I didn't mean using old parts literly. I meant, for example, the teams that have built hanging arms before - they've built them, they've tested them before, they know what works and what doesn't... teams that haven't done them - we're starting from scratch.

I realize coming up with new games is difficult, but I really don't like how they just took challenges from old games and combined them into one new game - teams that have solved those challenges have an enormous advantage.

Re: FIRST Frenzy Opinion Thread
 

I see MUCH less interaction between opposing robots. Can anybody tell me, since I can't seem to easily find it, do the starting position of the blue robots start on the red side, like last year, or do the blue robots start in the blue side, the red in the red??

Re: FIRST Frenzy Opinion Thread
 

Also, see the new weight requirement. If you build a robot with one base with five different "tops" to do five different things based on your alliance partner, the 130 lb limit is for the base + all five parts together...at the same time...

Re: FIRST Frenzy Opinion Thread
 

I like that. It means that teams who don't have the resources or skills to be modular aren't at a weight disadvantage.

Re: FIRST Frenzy Opinion Thread
 

I think FIRST didn't concentrate on the game as much as they did on the kit of parts which from the robot side of it is a good thing. Looks like they're more interested in how the teams will use the additional sensors and new C programming capabilities.

Re: FIRST Frenzy Opinion Thread
 

vertical speeed limit, i understand it but its very annoing

Re: FIRST Frenzy Opinion Thread
 

Actually similarities of the 1999 game can be found with the climbing aspect and the puck (goal).
Eventhough it IS a new game... it does contain similar aspects of past years, and there isn't anyway of getting by that.

Re: FIRST Frenzy Opinion Thread
 

I'm scared. Hold me mommie.... :(

Re: FIRST Frenzy Opinion Thread
 

Just because there is a hanging bar doesn't make it similar to the 2000 bar. I'm not sure how high that bar was, but it looked like around 5 feet, and robots could reach it easily.

This one is 10 feet off the ground and requires completely different components to reach it.

Just because the goals are similar to 2002 doesn't make it similar to that either. Goal grabbers aren't going to help much and pushing the goals around will be sufficient. Being able to pick up small balls may be an option for dumping them to the human player, but it is also effective to just push them in.

The only design I see giving some teams an advantage is the big balls. Teams can use their grabbers from 2001.

Re: FIRST Frenzy Opinion Thread
 

Exactly my thoughs, Jay and Ashley.

Re: FIRST Frenzy Opinion Thread
 

I agree too. I like the game this year. Jay, you were correct, the 2000 bar was 5 feet tall, totally different than the 10 foot bar this year.

I like the game better than last year, because the robot actually need to be able to do things to win consistently. A box on wheels that is driven well may funnel balls to the human player, but needs to be able to do more than that to win.

I guess there is much less luck involved.

Re: FIRST Frenzy Opinion Thread
 

I'd have to agree with you there. Even though I became involved with FIRST starting with 2002, I've read about previous games.

Personally, I was not a fan of last years game. However, I really do love this years game.

I think it will open many new doors and throw so many different options onto the playing field. ;)

I also think that (with the exception of the two 10 pt balls) this year's game is fairly easy to explain. No more zones to have to deal with etc. Either your on the bar or off, either you have balls in the goals or you don't. Yes, the big 2x ball does make it a bit harder to explain, but it truly is needed to add the zest that we all desire.

Also, there are layers of the game that extend beond the end spectator. There are the white lines, the infered beacon - These add so many different elements to the tech. ppl, but are not required to understand the game.

Also, from a Dean / Woody point of view, having the robot & human interaction is a metaphor to how robotics help people in the real world. For spectators, the throwing of the ball reminds them of a game which is allready loved.

If I had three thumbs, i'd give it to this game. There are so many challanges: stairs, moving & non-moving goals, different size balls, hanging, new sensors, etc. While it does contain parts of past games, you now want a robot to do many of these new tasks, etc..

It will be a very intresting season, & I can't wait to see how it turns out!

Jack

Re: FIRST Frenzy Opinion Thread
 

Like others, my first reaction was that this game combined experience from 99-02. Sure, RAGE and others had great strategies then, but havn't many of their members graduated? I think this game will encourage alumni to regain interest and mentor their former teams. Also, those graduates who moved on to college teams will have the ability to strengthen their new teams with ideas from past seasons. Personally, as you mentioned, 173, 69, 177, 47, 71...(insert long list of experienced teams here) will have an advantage. Hopefully they'll share their knowledge and mentor rookie teams.

Good Luck.

Re: FIRST Frenzy Opinion Thread
 

moving the goals wont be of any significance this except to get them away from the opposing human players, but if ur team is looking to move them, note than u can only grab the goal by the metal edge on top of platform (<G24>)