Re: 2011 FRC Game Hint #2
 

a piece that can hold other pieces will probably be a score multiplyer,

Re: 2011 FRC Game Hint #2
 

Has anyone considered shape of the field itself? or the fact that international is no longer in Atlanta?

Re: 2011 FRC Game Hint #2
 

I like the whole balls scored in movable round, triangle and square goals thing. With hanging or elevating of some sort.

Logo-Motion

Re: 2011 FRC Game Hint #2
 

As for the competition being in St. Louis, I don't see any big connection.

The shape of the field might not change, but there might be specific shapes that are formed on the field in the shape of a triangle or circle that would be different then just a simple splitting the field in half.

So...Zone Zeal meets Raising the Bar?

I would see something like that but feels a bit empty.

Re: 2011 FRC Game Hint #2
 

Search for "1999 FIRST Championship Finals" on YouTube if you want to see robots interact with the puck. Specifically, one robot that was known for keeping others off of it.

Re: 2011 FRC Game Hint #2
 

It's been a few years, but I remember one CA robot that went right over the puck at the start of the match, and a certain orange and black robot that curled onto the vertical poles on the sides much like many teams this year.

Re: 2011 FRC Game Hint #2
 

Feels like a flat version of Stack Attack. Lots of pushing and shoving and more about being able to bully around the field. FIRST fields changed very fast though, wow. I didn't know that the player stations were that arcane back then.

Maybe if the field had two steps. A 4" step in the shape of the Triangle and Square, and the circle was a 8" step.

Re: 2011 FRC Game Hint #2
 

When I saw this, I thought: Locomotion => Trains => Train Tracks => Trackballs. It's a possibility.

Re: 2011 FRC Game Hint #2
 

I noticed that one of the items available for teams to get from FIRST Choice, from AndyMark, is an FTC Mini Kit. Maybe there is an element from FTC that we could consider in this year's FRC game. Just a thought.

Re: 2011 FRC Game Hint #2
 

Here’s my final (and only) wild and crazy guess about the 2011 game:

Game Name: Logomotion (not an original guess – others have suggested this name – it sounds cool to me!)

Originally, I thought there could be three moveable goals, similar to those built in 2002. One will be triangular. One will be circular (likely octagonal for ease of construction). One will be square. They will start in the FIRST logo orientation. Robots would be able to grab and move these goals around. There would be some advantage for positioning these goals in specific areas of the field. Hence – “Logo”motion.

However, now, instead of PVC goals, I'm thinking the three shapes could manifest in the form of 3 1999 pucks. These were castered carpeted platforms robots could drive on top of. Maybe the puck platforms would be set at 2 or 3 different heights - I'm thinking the triangle and square would be easy enough for robots to get on, but the central circular/octagonal platform would be taller and more difficult for robots and human players to reach. Maybe game piece scoring containers would be fixed at the center of each puck.

Just for fun, perhaps each puck would be fixed in its center to a pivot point and freely rotate. In fact, I can see this being a very cool field to pay homage to the 20th anniversary of FRC, as it would not mess with the chi of the FIRST logo – the shapes would always be in the same spatial relationship – triangle, circle, square.

There will be 1 big ball (perhaps the 2008 trackball), but playground kickballs will be the most prevalent game pieces. Each alliance has X game pieces in their alliance color - red or blue.

The big ball will start the match on top of the central circular (and tallest) puck structure. Small balls can be scored in any of the 3 puck goals, but you get double points for scoring in the center goal.

Human players get to be jump shooters like in 2004. Both HP's and robots can score small balls in the goals.

Capping your goal with the big ball doubles that goal's ball score for your alliance. Capping the center goal with the big ball doubles the ball score for EACH alliance's balls contained within the center goal (which are already worth 2x points). Awwww coopertition. Warm fuzzies.

The big ball can be freely descored at any time during the match.

There could likely be some other field element - we need more to the endgame, right? A king of the hill platform like 2004 would be fun. In fact, the center puck will serve as a stepping stone to this highest platform (but remember - it rotates...evil). Heck - add a hanging bar on top. Double heck - add steep ramps as a direct path to the KOH platform. Robots also get a smaller endgame bonus for being on the center puck at match end.


So there you have it.

Finally, some have suggested there will be 3 distinctly-shaped game pieces – one of each logo shape – 2005 tetras, 20-whatever balls, 2003 bins, for example. I hope FIRST doesn't go this route, as any type of triangular or square game pieces sturdy enough to handle the rigors of an FRC competition are likely either custom-built or hard/pricey to obtain.

Re: 2011 FRC Game Hint #2
 

I, too, think chains may play a major role in this year's game. As it would be difficult to chain robots together and operate them in unison, perhaps points will be scored through creating a chain of some sort of specialized game piece. Another idea is similar to the bonus round of last year's game; using some sort of arm, this time horizontal rather than vertical, to latch on to other robots to form a chain. Of course, knowing our dear friends at FIRST, it's very unlikely that it will be that easy.

Re: 2011 FRC Game Hint #2
 

most logical answer ive seen yet

Re: 2011 FRC Game Hint #2
 

It's a work in progress, but if you are still in the thread, tell me what you think:

I added the idea of four of the PVC poles in the center goal be longer, thus if a robot gains hold and moves it to the right spot, it can block the opponent from scoring in that goal. The Triangle and Square platforms are 5" high and the circle is 1' high.

Re: 2011 FRC Game Hint #2
 

You mean like the stationary goals in 2004--If it's rotated right, it's a backstop, and if it's wrong, it's an obstacle, but not an insurmountable one. Very interesting--and the match starts with the low side aiming towards the audience.

Re: 2011 FRC Game Hint #2
 

correct! I figure that since the center goal is more important, giving a total of 2 free minutes to shoot at will would be too easy. Giving a robot something to do during that time. Would be fun I think, though very rough and tough and I kinda don't like high-struggle FIRST games.