Re: 2010 Game Hint #2
 

I think the field looks a "little different" because I think it's the Delta Field(Or a more complete variation) that was tested at River Rage. They were confirmed as being wider.

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/34329

The main thing about this hint that I gather is that if this is indeed showing a loading gate in the middle of the field, which you can't be certain of, but if it is, then the only reason to put it in the middle would be if there's something in the way of having the loading gates in their normal places. Maybe large scoring structures in the far ends?

Luckily we only have to wait 3 more days...

Edit: two above me have said almost the exact same thing.... therefore we must be right :)

Re: 2010 Game Hint #2
 

If the gate is in the center of the field, does that mean we go from four gates to two? How is that going to affect traffic flow? Especially when the scoring table and a lot of the electronics run to the middle of the field?

So maybe they are not in the center, but just offset more from the driver stations, maybe at the next side rail segment (I think there are 7 per side)

Re: 2010 Game Hint #2
 

I would not be so quick to assume there is one large gate in the middle. FIRST wants to get more matches for each team during a Regional event. One way is to reduce the amount of time between matches for removing robots and placing new ones.

If there are only two gates at the middle of the long edges of a rectangular field, how can this be quicker than the previous field with four gates? Reducing the number of robots playing in a match also reduces the number of matches per team, so any entrances and exits to the field must allow a similar or faster flow of teams on and off the field.

Re: 2010 Game Hint #2
 

The last few posts have basically covered my thoughts on the new hint, but here's my take on them:

• Gate appears to be offset more than in years past toward the center of the field. If my memory is correct, this same picture in previous years would have shown the driver station wall.
• Nothing on the field similar to the regolith from last year. The "floor" in this picture looks like the standard carpet texture used in the game animations.
• My guess on the position change for the gate is due to some sort of structure at the ends of the field.
• The center of the field appears to be somewhat open, as there are no "hints" of any structures in the immediate area surrounding the gate.

Re: 2010 Game Hint #2
 

I hope so, with some sort of structure or variation of the playing field (ramps, platforms, etc.) the games just seem to have a different type of challenge. And with all the years of flat playing fields lately it would be nice for a change.

Re: 2010 Game Hint #2
 

I highly doubt the max robot dimensions will become larger. Standard door sizes dictate robot dimensions, at least in one direction. (28 inches)

Re: 2010 Game Hint #2
 

This is a model of the existing fields, not the delta field.

Re: 2010 Game Hint #2
 

Maybe the field is no longer a rectangle? Most venues would allow for changes in the shape of the field. If they changed to 2 alliances of 4 robots or 4 alliances of 2 robots, eight sides would allow for 4 drivers stations and four gated sides. Yellow and green alliances along side red and blue alliances?

Re: 2010 Game Hint #2
 

My first thought was the starting spots for the robots. Since there is only two yellow spots, this might confirm some peoples thoughts of a 2v2v2 game. However, there might also be another spot further along the edge of the field.

Re: 2010 Game Hint #2
 

The standard field perimeter is modular. Side wall sections can be assembled in a way that puts the gates closer to the center.

Based on the angle of the shadows, I think that the shadow from the 6 foot high end wall would be seen if the gate were in the "traditional" location.

Obviously, they needed extra room at the ends of the field for the wading pools...

Re: 2010 Game Hint #2
 

All I am getting out of the two hints are the shadows. idk, but maybe this is a big hint to the game, suggesting that lighting will be a major factor. I'm just guessing off of this, and well it does appear to be carpet flooring to me too but i don't know what to gather from that other then we will actually have traction this year :D

Re: 2010 Game Hint #2
 

Considering that this is a CAD model, there is the possibility that this is "incomplete," and they just took parts of the field out.

-Nick

Re: 2010 Game Hint #2
 

Based on the normal closed position of the gate in previous years, in which the inside portion of the ramp is the one that is folded up, the yellow spots are outside the fence. This would seem to rule them out as robot starting positions.

Re: 2010 Game Hint #2
 

We were thinking the same thing here... but then realized that this doesn't have to be at the centre of the field... it could be on the ends of the field and the driver stations could be on the side of the field where the field control set up has been in past years.


After all, kickoff is going to look different this year.... (wasn't that one of the posts on Bill's blog?)

Or the driver stations could be somewhat further away. With cameras and IP networking, technically the driver station could be on the moon. Well... maybe low earth orbit... the moon would have a bit of time lag. Darn speed of light!


Jason

Re: 2010 Game Hint #2
 

I never thought a picture of the loading gate could be so significant :) Although it doesn't tell us the main scoring elements, we can take away many things mentioned already:

We are back on good old carpet again (so those offseason drivetrains from two years ago may be good again!).

If there are human players they are unlikely to be scoring or loading anything from the sides of the field, since the gate placement there leaves a relatively small carpeting strip on the sides. So we can assume human players will be behind the driver's station again (or at center field).

A substantial portion near the sides of the field is wide open, meaning any field elements are likely to be near the center or drivers stations.

If the gate is indeed wider (which it appears to be), we may see a dimension change (perhaps teams will be REQUIRED to build robot wider than they are long)? They could have also widened the gates just so the increasingly common wide robots fit easier through them.

The game appears to be on a field, and will likely have robots (pure speculation of course).