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Opinion
Joe
I am so far into left field that my ideal robot tournament would be a single robot, doing a complex task against the clock. I loved the "Beat The Clock" matches at Rumble in 1999. I know I am totally alone out here, and I agree that it would be very boring for most spectators.
Traveling back from left field outer space, I thought that last year's game was the best FIRST game ever, and I congratulated FIRST within a few days after kickoff, before we even knew how we were going to go at it. I feel that last year's game contained so very many facets (some quite subtle and way too long of subject for this posting)
Joe, in our discussions over the past seven years (has it really been that long)? We agree on many points, but I don't totally agree with your points involving making the FIRST game attractive for the general viewing public and hence on prime time TV. I don't think the game itself or simple scoring really matters that much. If FIRST wants to compete with the popularity of the "Battlebots", Woodie should grow a beard, give him a blonde helper dressed in shiny leather paints and a tight T shirt and coach the crowd to jump up and clap their hands over their heads whenever the camera pans by. Adding some flames here and there would also be helpful. This large dose of hype and also the combat and violence is what I believe is what is attracting most viewers to these programs.
As for this years game, obviously, the further it moves from my left field, warm fuzzy harbor, the less attractive I find the game. I think the qualifying rounds will be exciting as well as frustrating and somewhat unpredictable, but I fear that the elimination's will be a tangled mess of pushing, shoving, hooking, and bordering on "Battlebots." I hope I am wrong, but we shall see. Whatever the game, be assured we will give it our best shot.
Looking forward to seeing all you folks again in the approaching weeks.
Regards.
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