So what all do you think might be in the 2012 game / season?
Since it won't be about three months until Ken start posting hints about the new game, there's not much to go off with but any wild ideas?
Here's what I think for now:
Somehow the IR beacon will be reintroduced since it was very successful (Hot Shot! and Get Over It!) for the past games. Especially during autonomous.
As for the magnetic, it makes sense for them to utilize it next year since last year's new sensor (IR) was used this year but I don't see it being as huge part of the game since the HT magnetic sensor is not really sensitive.
Autonomous probably will stay the same since the GDC are trying to promote more offensive autonomous and even though not many teams utilized the full forty seconds of autonomous this year, many teams did and they definitely had an advantage.
But the problem with the longer autonomous this year is after one alliance has a significant lead, the game itself is very easily to be able to defend against (guard both rolling goals in the opposite color corner that's made up of the two dispensers and the bridge) and there's not much the other team can do other than balance but usually that will only even the score at best.
What I'm hoping to see in next game / season:
More balanced game periods, as in even if alliances have a significant lead after autonomous, they still have to score so the Tele-Op period doesn't just consist of defense. Possibly somehow change the ranking system a bit so that the winning alliance score is a factor? (Not very likely...)
Possibly a more offensive game?
And isolation zones in autonomous? (Kind of like the new VEX game)
And definitely a bonus (doubler) element since it appeared for two seasons and it definitely affects the game a lot. (last year by doubling score, this year by the POSSIBILITY of doubling the score)
Utilizing the power of Tetrix motors more (VEX motors are way less powerful but they can hang up to 30'' in the air...). Just a thought. And that would help with the game going towards more offensive side since less robots will put six motors on the drivetrain and push robots around... (If there's enough traction
)
New parts?
Pneumatics... Probably not. It'd be awesome, awesome though.
Motor replacement gears maybe? (for the broken gears INSIDE the motor gearbox)
Same thing goes for servos (maybe change to METAL?)
New sensors? (I know there're plenty already... But they did developed the IR and Magnetic...)
Tensioner for chains (our team uses standoffs but it'd be nice to have official ones)
Better motor plugs (most teams at world's either solder the leads on or have to utilize some zipties and nonslip pad to make sure it doesn't fall off; problem with 1st solution is teams can't utilize the new fuse wires and 2nd solution is too bulky)
Oh and a patch to the Samantha... According to the volunteers, judges and many people I talked to at World's, there's no three consecutive matches in qualifying rounds that all robots actually moved in auto and tele...
That's it for now...
Any crazy ideas / comments / questions are welcome!