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However, I seriously doubt that they would do 3 shooting games in a row and the ball/no ball pattern predicts that the next main game piece will be a ball.
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Unfortunately, I'd have to disagree. Personally, as someone obsessed with FIRST, I am sick and tired or the shooting thing. I want something new, something complicated, and something with optional cooperation (note thats note coopertition). Just as a side note, I doubt FIRST limits themselves to a set pattern. These are people, not programs. They just like to mix it up every year, as would I. If they had some stellar idea for a non ball item for 2014, I think they'd use it...
2012 was alright, shooting was quite difficult, the cooperation on the bridges was nice, but the coopertition bridge? That threw a wrench into a lot of strategy (and scouting for that matter). It was SO important, and the way simply balancing with an opponent, which was not that hard, could double your take from the match was way to much credit for a tiny act. Regardless, I think it forced teams into a hostile position, where you could easily just screw another team on purpose to take a win, or if you honestly couldnt do it the opponent would suspect you of mal-intent...
But it was
exciting, and I think FIRST liked that for once non robotics people could easily understand the game, follow it, and watch a obvious showdown between opponents on the edge of their seat. Face it, flying projectiles and buzzer shots from across the field is more
exciting than hanging pool inner-tubes on a peg.
Fast Forward to 2013. The game is a shooting game again. Teleop and Auton are pretty much refurbished game modes from 2012. Hoops are vertical, large, and rectangular. Basketballs are now Frisbees. In Auton, have the robots start somewhere and give them more points if they make the shots. There are more game pieces somewhere accessible on the field, but you must drive to get them. Its the
same. But it is much easier. In 2012, Teleop was hard and End Game was easy. Now, Teleop is easy (much easier than I think most of us initially thought) and the End Game was hard. Shooting discs? Still exciting and a crowd pleaser. End Game? Now even more exciting with robots ascending a large metal structure, so high and dangerously that they must be repelled down. But now direct cooperation is gone. People dont climb together or pass the game piece. Its a very
separable game, and robots can pretty much go about their business on the field (of course there are exceptions, like how to handle a FCS...). I liked
having to actually work out a team plan that didn't take place in que.
Now what will we see in 2014? Well, following the excitement trend, it has to be spectacular. And shooting is really cool. If they kept it twice now, they obviously dont mind repeating tactics year to year. Why would they stop at 2?
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I don't know what the actual game will be like, but since FIRST handed out the glow-in-the-dark merchandise I have had a very strong feeling that drivers will be driving with the visual help of an on-board camera. Perhaps the game will be made to work well with relying on sensor and other feedback from your robot.
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Now that would be cool. This wont happen, but it would be awesome if they instituted some kind of LPS (L for Local, instead of G for Global) . Get your coords on the field at anytime... Programmer heaven.