Quote:
A) The only difference is that we are not attempting to list exactly what is
and is not allowed during robot interaction because it is too problematic. As
always, per Rule DQ3, if the referees decide that an action taken by an
alliance is malicious, then the alliance will be disqualified. As always, per
Rule GM17, we expect teams to design robots to withstand impacts and tugging on
major structural components by other robots.
It would thus be wise to protect fragile elements, such as the robot
controller, under protective (but transparent - see Rule C24) covers.
Similarly, it would be wise to run wires and tubing inside protective channels
such as EMT or ENT (listed in the Additional Hardware List), under protective
covers, or closely against the surface as with cable ties and cable tie
mounting bases (which count as fasteners per the Additional Hardware List).
Obvious risks of entanglement, such as hook-like features on arms, large
dangling loops of wire or tubing, etc. will be disallowed. This should help
eliminate "easy" opportunities for inadvertent "gutting" of robots.
In summary, think of something like American football as our model of allowed
interaction, not a knife fight. Plan accordingly.
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I am sorry if I am ranting a bit here, I don't often flame about things (though perhaps others disagree). But, this is a very big deal to me and I think to a lot of folks.
In message #725, quoted above, Eric at FIRST tries to argue that nothing much has changed because the rules are not much different from prior years.
BUT... HERE IS THE THING:
In the past, OUR robot has never been a legitimate game piece for THEM.
In past years, if I was trying to score somehow, they could try to stop me but I had a bit of control with that process. If I didn't try to score they had no real reason to come after me. So it was (relatively) easy to have a ref say that it was malicious to go attack a robot away from the scoring area.
Not so in Zone Zeal. In this case, my robot is never safe from attack. IT IS A LEGITIMATE GAME PIECE FOR THE OTHER SIDE! Grabbing, towing, hoisting, lifting, pushing, etc. are built into the game.
I am willing to accept that fact. What I am ranting about is the fact that now I am forced to build a machine that is so robust that it can be expected to have no significant damage during this rough and tumble interaction, because if it does, our team is effectively sidelined for the Championships.
This on top of the fact that a number of aspects of the game are tilted toward brute force pushing has made me re-name the game.
From now on, unless something chances, my new name for the game is "The End of Elegance"
Joe J.