[ZZII 527]

Just wanted to get my official last-minute predictions on record so that if any of them play out, I can prove it later.

0. Straight 3v3. I don't forsee a change in the number of 'bots and I don't think the "backbot" concept will make a return.

1. Game pieces will be rings of some type. My original though was dive rings, but after the most recent email, they may be custom-made rings.

2. While there will be no actual water, there will be a water theme, such as fishing for dive rings. Maybe they will have magnets or metal attached to them.

3. The most interesting field elements will be five circular, diamond plate-covered "islands," large enough for one robot only and maybe one foot in height. (Basically going with a literal interpretation of the hint.) I think four will be mobile (on casters), with the intention of one robot riding the island as another one pushes or pulls it across a body of "water" to another raised platform where scoring will occur (nearly impossible to score from in the "water"). The fifth island will be special somehow. Ending the game on these islands will net an alliance extra points.

4. Rings will be scored on pegs (the hard way) or in bins (the easy way) located well "inland" on the scoring platform. They may be of varying heights/point values, and marked by different color lights. De-scoring will not be allowed, but stealing mobile islands to strand opponents on the scoring platform will be a valid defensive strategy.

Very strange, and many interesting problems (lots of flipping, for one). But, that is my final prediction and I am sticking to it. Now I can sleep in peace...