Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

I still think the name of the game will be 'Back on Track' because its the B side of Loco-Motion 45 rpm and the picture was mirrored.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

Hey, no problem Jane. I've been on a vacation from CD since about April, so I figured it was due time to get back in the game. ::safety::
Kinda surprised that wasn't mentioned before. I found that reference after only 10 minutes of online searching.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

Definitely and excellent find Elgin

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

That robot has been in the animations as far back as I've seen the game animations(2003). It's always is the off-beat cookie robot who has various things happening (the flip in 2010, it's human player constantly stopping it in 2003.)

I really think that it needs a name? Any suggestions

Ahh well thats for another thread, but then again whats there left to discuss about this hint??

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

So, we might have to have a flag holder on our robot this year instead of colored bumpers like last year?

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

So I know most people have decided that the hint from this picture is a train. I'm just going to throw another idea out there. Her name is Little EVA, when I first heard Eva and robots, WALL-E came to mind. First has been trying to go green, I wonder if it will be a green or recycling type thanks to WALL-E.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

It looks like an old picture, maybe around the 80's.. symbolizing an old game, dont forget this year is FIRST's 20th year

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

That's funny.
Yes, it is an old photo but, even in 1983, Eva would have been 40 years old.
:rolleyes:

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

I highly doubt it. That idea was put to rest after a few years of losing the flags on the field and them getting caught in other robots. Plus, another problem with the flags was that they had a minimum height mount requirement, which I believe was about 2 feet for visibility purposes. This meant that if you designed a low, sleek robot, you needed to have some kind of pole or something to hold the flag.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

I've been thinking about Ayers Rock. I've also been thinking about the Northern Territory. Today, I decided to do some reading about it and learned that the Stuart Highway is also called "The Track". There was also some interesting information on standard gauge railways and narrow gauge railways and the speed limits on public roads.

If nothing else, I would love to go visit. 40,000 years is a long time ago and the history of the area is very interesting. And, I've always wanted to see Ayers Rock.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

I haven't caught up completely to this thread, but one idea I had was that there may be a bunch of "train car" type things filled with tennis balls. Teams would need to manipulate the train cars in some way and get the balls into a scoring zone, either by lining them up or getting the balls out.



Example of what I mean as a car.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

Just a note about the profile pic robot.

That robot has been in every game video to date. In each one, it illustrates the safety principles of the game, ie, in 2010 it falls over the bump, in 2009 it crashes into a wall.

One thing it tells us is that that robot will be able to play this game: NO ROBOTS ON TRAIN TRACKS!


EDIT: Just realized, this has already been mentioned. Durp.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

This robot also tells us how the kit of parts bot can play the game. 2010 it pushes balls into the goal. 2009 it recycles balls to the human players. However there is a slight difference in the dozer on Dave's profile picture. The tail like thing, combine this with the idea of a train, I think its a hitch. I could be wrong but my guess would be there is the spot where a robot has the attach to something, probably a train cart type thing.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

I thought perhaps in the end game, these cars would need to be pulled or pushed by robots up a hill or something like that.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

i think that you guys are lookin at this too complex...look at how shes grabbin the column almost as if she were goin to lift it....and if you would like to defer to the era that the pic was taken in...the hairstyle, clothes, and characteristics point to 50's to early 60's more 50's than anything though...note the most likely red (or some variable of the color red) sweater and the hairstyle common to that era... the make up also suggests this being that she is wearing very little but just enough to keep her appearance up to social standards...

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

Yikes! So you think we're the ones reading too much into it? Reminds me of a few years ago when people were trying to read the backward text from the other side of the scanned moonfish page for clues. The GDC may be wily and clever, but they don't get that obscure with their clues.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

After an exhaustive Google search, an interesting find...











.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

Did anyone bring up the watch on her wrist or the number of buttons on her sweater? Maybe even the angle of her head from the pillar. Or that ring on her other hand.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

Here's information about what people have said about the buttons, to get you started.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

nice work there alan. ::rtm::

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

yea we figure the hint is something with trains prolly carts we hav to fill then trasport them also sounds like u either have to pull a flag down or hang like the recent events that i know about i say back to 2004

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

I'm not sure if this has already been stated, but it should be noted that in the spirit of locomotion and historical allusion in previous competitions, 2011 marks the 10th anniversary of Dean Kamens invention of the Sagway. Gyroscope? Narrow center of mass?

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

center of mass? lets cut to the chase then and hope we have to put our robot in a motorcycle dome of death like on the simpsons movie :) :rolleyes:

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

after thinking about this a little more i really dont think the game will involve trains. as some people pointed out earlier, robotic locomotion has nothing to do with trains. other than that im sticking with the idea that the game will be a rendition of an earlier game, specifically 1992. seeing that maize craze involved both tennis balls and pillars, along with it being the 1st FRC game i think it be a good game to remake.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

The boxcars are on a track (two outside color bars) and are actually sunk into the field. The center bar is just a large strip of colored tape or material to further identify the side the boxcars belong to. Yes, I gave the boxcars bumpers.

The boxcars would have a slick surface under them, like the regolith from Lunacy, so the boxcars will slide easily back and fourth when pushed by a robot.

Red alliance will take the closer right station in this image, as the smaller car is closest to them. Perhaps where the cars are positioned at the end of the game will determine bonus points.

I also just thought of a flat box car, where a single robot would climb on top of to score end-game points.

Once more hints come up I'll add/subtract to this, my theory.



Link to the image of the track: http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f2...cher/Track.png

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

Angling for a spot on the GDC, Evan? Just think, those cars could have aquarium tanks on them (water game anyone?) Or why limit to two tracks? Eight side-by-side sliding platforms on tracks with robots on top of them would provide some truly loco motions. OR perhaps the track would be an oval with alternating red and blue cars that need to be filled by robots which scoop tennis balls off the floor. The positions of the cars on the track would be subjected to alliance strategies and cooperation to aid or thwart those filling attempts.

Good thinking Evan. thanks for getting us back on track.;)

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

Actually, yes. haha. :D It's my FIRST dream.

But as for the game idea, I figure it has something to do with tracks. Even if it isn't boxcars, I feel that there is something that will play out as a track, even if it is vertical like a pole.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

I think this game will incorporate watch towers of some sort, possibly a ring of watch towers.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

Well, her name is Eva, so I'm thinking it has to do with EVA foam? The same foam that's used in padding for different sports.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

It would be farily easy to not use tracks while still getting the "track" feel by making the "train cars" mounted on something like the KoP chassis. It would use only four sticky wheels in a long orentation (or plaction if AM wanted too donate.) This set-up would result in the "train cars" being very difficult to turn so they would basically function as if they were on a track.

If they were actually used in the game they would also proabably have bumpers (for protection of the game pieces and alliance marking) and say 50-100 pounds of weights a couple inches from the ground to make them extreamly difficult to tip over or to move anything but forward and backward. (as if on a track)

I'll laugh if this is the case; it would be pretty cool.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

compared to the original album cover that the picture comes from she is reversed so possibly a reverse in autonomous order? another thing is that she is standing by a collumb so could play effect. lastly dont get stuck on locomotion she had plenty of other songs and locomotion is too obvious

column???
 

One of my students sent me this link....thinks it would be a good challenge!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBMUvAUPTGM

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

You guys are missing something important. The Banana. Bananas are plants, and they need water to grow. WATER GAME!
Or the column....hmmmm looks kinda Greek, and the greeks had bath houses and stuff right? Water Game!

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

HA! A front train car with a smokestack. Maybe put a giant ball on the top for a bonus multiplyer and the car is flat, so you can have a robot try and stand on it at the end of the game.

...I'm just having some fun with this haha.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

You know Tetraman, I'm kind of considering the actual real possibility that this could be the game. Like I am really looking at it and I could see the GDC making this as the game.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

Am I the only person thinking this is offensive?
Really? A banana?
And we're all ok with this?
:confused:

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

I do think its pretty offensive but was it intended that way...I don't know for sure. If anything it's just a joke to Eva and trying not to be insulting in any way possible. So I hope...:(

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

A few years ago, Dave Lavery was seen with a banana in his shirt pocket - an obvious game hint, and a recurring meme ever since.

I am 100% sure that is what IndySam was getting at.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

I could see the game, but I'm missing a lot of the aesthetics that many of the previous games have had. That's why I have that center color bat between the tracks - it has the aesthetic of previous games.

I'm missing the main game element, if it's a ball or something.

I have thought about trailers, like how many trains carry trailers that go on tractor trailer trucks. Maybe if we had to stack PVC 'crates' on the boxcars, but I'm having trouble figuring how to fit the boxcars and multiple other objects I'm adding to the field into the wooden crates that are used for storage of the torn down FIRST field as it travels to regionals. Which is the big thing when thinking about making FIRST games - how much space these field elements take up when torn down for travel.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

It seems you have most of the aesthetics down. The real game piece could vary in so many ways that it seems easier to leave that to others to decide. I think that there would be enough space to have both of those "trains" travel as well. FIRST could also add another crate to the mix but I am not sure how much more money that would cost them to pay for the shipping between regionals. It's a really good concept overall and if this were to be the game for 2011 I say bring it on!

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

Really? A banana?
And we're all ok with this?
:confused:[/quote]

What is offensive about a woman holding a banana?



Bingo, it's a long standing traditional joke.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

Nothing, of course.

And now, for those of us who weren't aware of the joke, there is no reason to take offense.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

is this an autodesk file

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

How about loading varying lengths of PVC pipe into box cars? pipe could be located in dispensers around the field to be picked up by the robot, or taken from opponents cars.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

PVC batons are the FTC game piece this year, I doubt that they would make similar games for FRC and FTC in the same year.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

Google SketchUp is the program I use.

Hmm, I like. Short Green pieces for 1 point maybe 3 inch PVC in 2' 6" lengths and longer yellow 3 inch PVC in 4' lengths, each with a PVC cap. Maybe short pieces are given to robots via the human player and the longer pieces are in smaller and more specific supply.

OR What if the game pieces are on the trains to start, and the object is to take them out of the trans and put them into specific locations? Like lets say there are five scoring zones. Each game the "required building materials" for each scoring zone changes (Zone 1 needs 3 short pieces, 2 long pieces and 2 yellow balls.) Each object scores points based on if the order has been filled or not. - For instance in the Zone 1 example, alliances could give as many short pieces to the Zone 1, but only the first three will score for points. Once the order is filled, the alliance that gave the most to the Zone gets a small bonus, ties don't offer a bonus. Maybe the balls and short pieces are the only elements that are allowed to get sent back to the field, making them something for a robot to want to control.

So in this way, you can control where you place your trains on the track, making it less of a drive to gather parts and getting to the right zone, and getting more points! It's a game about getting product to locations in the quickest way possible. That would be a fast paced game! The best defense might not be pinning a robot, but instead moving a boxcar!

LOVE THIS I'm working on it!

I agree. They won't make similar games, but using similar elements is a possibility.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

Game pieces for trains? I know you guys have seen trains, even if in between PSP/Xbox/Nintentdo hibernations.

Ever hear/see intermodal transport containers? Cattle? Cars? Doubtful it would be bulk items like coal or grain. Lumber? There are even people on some trains. Maybe the game pieces are Barbie and Ken?

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

:D

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

You're really good with SketchUp, I could never get a hang of it. :<

But yeah, I kinda hope it isn't a competition like this because I think the more...competitive(?) competitions are more fun to watch and to build for. What I mean is that the last couple of years the games have been more like soccer or basketball as opposed to lets say, golf, where you're essentially trying to put up a high (or low, in this case) score.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

I really don't this game has anything to do with trains, I really think the game is more towards navigation. More Lunacy, maybe the surface of the playing field is a different material causing the robots to move crazy (this may have been mentioned before). Also, FIRST will most likely take elements from the first First game and other games.

As for the game play:
- Stacking game pieces might be a possibility, cubes, hoops, cylinders, etc.
- Possibility angled areas on the field.
- Short Movable goals, High movable goals or both.
- Large stationary goals on angled platforms

Loco-Motion and Back on track do sound like a Xcellent name for a game as mentioned early in the thread. Being this is the only hint we are going to get, trying to figure out up until kick off will not hurt.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

Instead of a large yellow ball, what IF it was a tennis ball that went into the smokestack?

Maybe add a train carload of tennis balls to go with the 'logs'.

But I feel there's something missing. Two trains like that would be difficult to maneuver past, and I'd like to see a structure by which robots receive playing pieces somehow.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

Taking this idea and rolling with it:

I bet that if there were three carts for each alliance, and there were 9 possible obtainable crates (with two of each alliance's cart starts with a crate) and you have robots try and get the crates on...THEN you could have soccer balls or something similar that can be put into the carts. The more crates on your cart, the more soccer balls you can hold, the more points you can gain.

Tonight I'll come up with some more ideas on receiving game pieces and opening the space for robots, yet after last year I don't think having massive game elements on the floor to be that much of an issue.

Maybe after this season of FIRST, I should make a "let's design a FIRST game" game thread, having everyone input and vote on ideas, get Dave Lavery to tell us how well we did. haha.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

Yeah....... I love Google SketchUp :) .
Excellent drawings by the way.........
Just needed to say that........

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

One thing I think we need to consider in ideas for game possibilities is the use of cameras. In the last 2 years, FIRST has tried to implement camera use into each game, like the targets for the goals in Breakaway and the top of the cart things in Lunacy. That is probably one of the most essential things that need to be considered in ideas, as how cameras can be used with the game. Look at modern day robots that are used by militaries, police, etc., most of them have cameras, and I think that FIRST is trying to get them well implemented into the games. Just something I thought that might need to be considered.

-Tom H

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

Eva? :rolleyes:

I agree that Locomotion sounds like the hint, but I'd argue that it's more likely to be the name than a reveal about the actual gameplay.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

On the other hand, they also try to make it possible to play the game without any camera control whatsoever. I could see them somehow making the pieces hard to place in the train without a camera or something, but I'm not sure how vital that would be, the GDC will figure something out.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

Something i noticed as i was reading some of the older posts was that Dave Lavery's profile had a picture of a locomotive in it... has that always been there or is this important or is this him just messing with (my) our heads?

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

That has been there for a few days now. If you read the whole thread I believe someone brings it up. It is a CCR album cover or something like that. But nice try! :)

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

Changed a couple days after the hint came out. Might be important, but I think I'll take the default fallback:

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

Another big event this year - Kodak's Kodachrome film has come to an end after 75 years of the best color pictures ever taken.

Since this years clue is a picture.....

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

Cameras have been in use since at least 2005, but the importance and use varied by the game.

2005 - Vision Tetra (Don't really know the purpose of the vision tetra, auto bonus?)
2006 - Above the High Goal, most often used for auto targeting.
2007 - Above every other Column on the Rack - Used for autonomous scoring.
2008 - No specific Camera Objective, though some teams did attempt to differentiate blue and red trackballs from one another.
2009 - Targets above Trailers, used for auto targeting
2010 - Targets above Goals, used for auto targeting

Looking at past camera use, odds are that there will either be some sort of uniquely colored target or lit structure for the cameras to find and assist in scoring - Probably above, around, or inside of a goal or other scoring structure.

Seems like more often than not, Camera assist is usually written off as being unnecessary due to the amount of programming resources invested or because the task can be done just as easily with Dead Reckoning or a more simple sensor setup.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

Some further notes about camera use. There was in fact no camera use in 2008. This was the year they had the IR receivers/transmitters and had the RoboCoach that could aid in controlling the robot during Hybrid (that year's autonomous) Period. Also, 2009 is when they introduced the new Camera (Axis 206 Camera) that allowed for a little more complexity than the old camera (CMUcam). During the 2010 game, the primary purpose of the camera was to track the large targets over the corner goals, but teams were also able to get visual feedback at the DS and possibly could use it to help them navigate (e.g., through the tunnels). I think that we will see that continuation of multipurpose use of the camera during the game, not just for use in autonomous for tracking something.

With everything that has been mentioned and discussed, I think that it will be interesting this year to see how the GDC has integrated the use of the camera into the game. I truly can't wait.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

I think we are all reading into this a little too far... I really think the hint has more to do with the fact that the image was REVERSED

Anyone with me on this??:confused: :confused:

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

Perhaps. I really don't think it has anything to do with a train. The name of the song Loco-Motion really means crazy motion. (like when I try to drive our bot!) I do think, however, that the 'B' side of Loco-Motion (Back on Track) may have something to do with it. It is the 'flip side' (mirror side) of the main record. But, as memory serves me, this picture isn't even from the cover of Loco-Motion, but rather from a 'Best of' album by Little Eva. I could be wrong, though.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

Her name is Little EVA.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

Dave Lavery is probably laughing at me...but here goes:


ON TRACK

Game Field:


Other Views of the Game Field:
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f2...her/Field1.png
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f2...her/Field3.png

View of the Game Field with Robots in place:
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ieldRobots.png

These are the Boxcars:
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f2.../Elements1.png
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f2.../Elements4.png

A Look at the "Crates" and the "Ore":
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f2.../Elements2.png
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f2.../Elements3.png

The object of the game is to collect Ore and put them onto the Boxcars. Using Crates, the alliance will be able to fill the Boxcars with more Ore.
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f2...r/Scoring1.png

Game:
Each Alliance has one free Crate they are allowed to place on any of their three Boxcars at the beginning of the game.

Each alliance starts with the control of 8 Ore. They are allowed to give each of their alliance robots two of them. (During the rest of the game, Robots are allowed to control/handle any number of Ore. (Ore are made of 16" diameter balls.)

During Automous Mode, robots are allowed to attempt to score Ore on their boxcars.

For the first minute and a half of the game, robots are allowed to remove Crates from opposing alliance's Boxcars. In the last 30 seconds of the game, no Crates may be removed. All though the game, Human Players may toss the remaining Ore the alliance is given to enter the Ore into the Field.

Points:
Alliances gain 1 point for each Ore scored inside on ontop of a Boxcar. (If a Boxcar has no crates on it, any Ore that happens to balance on the boxcar will count.)

Any Ore scored during Automous mode are worth 2 points.

Alliances gain no points from the crates they stack on their boxcars.

At the end of the game, Alliances should attempt to combine together their Boxcars. If after the end of the game, the three Boxcars are touching each other (anywhere on the track) the Alliance gains 6 points. Thats the same as 6 scored Ore.
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f2...r/Scoring4.png

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

Not exactly true, a few teams used the camera to show the robot where the random ball was instead of using the IR.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

Tetraman I really like the concept of that game. I think it has alot of the elements FIRST looks for in game design. Quick question should the ore be able to leave the field via a shoot for human players after the fact or just for the beginning ore given?

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

Tetraman i wouldnt be surprised if you are mostly correct.

And you did this all in google sketchup?

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

@tetraman, like the concept but idk, i just dont see that being a WOW game. And it doesnt look to have a good auto or end game.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

I had help. The main outside of the field was already created by someone else. I found Breakaway on the 3D warehouse, so I took the outside player stations and reformatted it. Everything else I made, but if I didn't have a player station to work with I would have made it myself.

Not sure. Good thing to think about.

True. The auto's power comes from the bonus of getting 2 points for 1 score, and the ending would be a terrible thing to miss, especially if an opponent's robot ends up in the middle or a ball of Ore is between the mine carts.

But I'm done designing this one. I'll work on a different angle of locomotion, hopefully if/when a second hint comes out. Another thing I was thinking of is that if the CD was her "Greatest hits" and she is hugging a pole, maybe the object of the game is to "hit" a "pole" or something like that.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

As far as I can tell, 'Back on Track' was an album name, not a song name.
See here -- http://www.spectropop.com/remembers/LEobit.htm

It seems the B side of Eva's original single was entitled "He is the boy".
Citing this -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Loco-Motion

I do find the fact that Grand Funk Railroad also covered Loco-motion interesting...

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

Little Eva -- LocoMotion. That's who it is.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...:3&tx=79&ty=68

If the link up top doesnt work, then just go to Google and type in Little Eva Locomotion.

The picture looks very similar, just flipped or "mirrored" from the hint picture. Also, the Google picture has her name and record company on it.

The hint picture was probably edited.

Locomotion - game name for 2011? It is also a type of propulsion.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

I don't think this conjecture is any more of a stretch than any others I've read. :)
But I'm not clicking with it myself.
Unless, maybe, has anybody tried playing Loco-Motion backwards?
Might be something there.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

Your kidding me right?






No.






Seriously.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

You only get one first post. ;)

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

Lots of weird noises. That's all I hear.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

Now now, Indy - you know as well as I do that we can beat a game hint to death without reading the first 45 pages of the thread that have already beaten it to death a few times. I kid you not. Although, I do take the time to read the pages, thinking they might have involved people trying to set thoughts in motion regarding the game.

I'm not big on begging for the 2nd game hint but I'm about to get big on asking folks to at least read the first 3 pages of this thread and discover what we have.

Jane

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

But your request will be lost in about 3 or 4 more pages of ideas. You'll have to keep posting it each page.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

I had an idea for a really fun game, but I don't have time to draw it up in sketchup, this is just a very rough paint sketch. Perhaps someone else could. It combines.. well I'll let you see for yourself.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

nah - I'll make a post in another 45 pages and it will be a demand by then: RTWTP.

But thank you for encouraging me to post - Lord knows, I don't post enough in CD. :)

Good work on your game design ideas, Evan.

Jane

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

I've only read a few of the 40+ pages, but it seems like we keep sticking with the idea of traincars and "Locomotion".

What about the column? Perhaps we have to climb it? Or place something on top of it like a pedestal?

Or the fact that Little Eva is hugging it? Does something wrap around it? Something like a game of horseshoes?

Then again, we're probably all going to be amazed at how incorrect our guesses are when kickoff arrives...

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

I see three possible reasons for the image being reversed:
1. The reversal has something to do with the game
2. The GDC wanted us to work a LITTLE (no pun intended) harder to figure out who is in the image.
3. All of the above.

Even if the game does have to do with the reversal, there still has to be some significance of the image. They could have pulled a random image off of google, reversed it, and said "here's your clue," but I doubt that the full picture of Little Eva (not the cropped one that appeared on the record (a what?) cover) would be the result of a random search. She has something to do with the game. They chose this specific image for a reason.



Oooo, does the 'P' stand for 'please'? :D I like this.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

Why yes - thank you for noticing, if I may be so bold.:D

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

idk if this is a big thing, but everyone already knows that the picture is reversed... and so i looked up the backwords verson of EVA and its AVE which is a train in spain... maby this backs up the locomotion idea?

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

Ah. Took me a sec but I see what you've got. Give me a while and I'll be happy to sketchup your idea.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

its really weird.. whether true or not.. all of these thoughts with the words little eva point us all over the place with trains..

we're gonna find out for sure in ---> 9 DAYS <--- but maybe they're gonna stop messing with us about trains and really do it (:

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

Or we keep looking for connections with trains which is not what they were hinting at!!!:ahh:

I think that this may have nothing to do with trains, but because people kept looking into it, the more things happened to line up which is not what the GDC had in mind for the hint.

And Dlavery might just be being 'evil' and put the train picture up to tease us.. after all, think about who it it...::rtm::

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

I'm not sure how much this concept is still preached, but what I've learned from reading medieval war books is that you often only see what you want to see, and if there's something that you think that you should see, you will see it. If you're looking for the enemy soldier in the forest, you may miss the mountain lion that's about to attack you from behind. By just looking for connections to trains because that was our initial reaction, we may not see other clues because we are not looking for them.

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

i agree with both of you.

just at the same time.. its even the little things that point to it.. (: we may be looking for train stuff.. but at the same time it really could be.. that darn GDC and darn dave aha

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

it could be that slightly grayer pixel in the upper right hand corner that we didnt notice :P

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

This got me thinking, just like last year, how they only showed one piece of the game which was a piece of the twoer where the ball woudl fall from, maybe they are doign the same this year? Only this year they are talking about the camera uses in the game this the picture being reversed and in black and white. Maybe it means there is a target with similar properties?

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

or maybe the clue has no relevance and we are just being screwed with

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

it ALWAYS has some type of relevance.. even small things sometimes

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

The relevance could be that there is no relevance: We know the game isnt going to be about 60s singers...

Right?

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

i dont even think we can be sure that it wont be about 60's singers all that we can really be sure about is there will be a game

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

The 2011 pix is Little Eva - famous song "Loco-motion" - does that hint a railroad activity or simply "Loco" or crazy motion?

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

:o

Re: 2011 Game Hint #1
 

^ that should be added to the list of available smilies