[archiver]

Posted by Michael Betts, Engineer on team #177, Bobcat Robotics, from South Windsor High School and International Fuel Cells.

Posted on 5/4/99 4:31 PM MST


In Reply to: Re: Some easy to understand games posted by Thomas A. Frank on 5/4/99 2:11 PM MST:



Ahhh, I remember it well.... It was five years ago and the first time IFC/SWHS competed in FIRST. In my humble opinion, ours was the “best implementation of a losing strategy” there. Our catapult could score with the small balls from the speed bump!

I agree with Tom that it was one of the simplest games for a spectator to understand. It was also one of the most entertaining. However, FIRST got a lot of flack from the teams concerning the difficulty of building and transporting the field. It was also difficult to find places large enough to set up the field.

My main objection, back then, was that the game, year to year, was always about balls, balls and balls. My personal favorite was Torriod Terror. Handling the tubes put newbie teams on a more level playing field with the more established pros. It was also visually stimulating for the crowd.

I would like to applaud FIRST for being innovative and taking chances. I know many people, including Dean, were not happy with the way this year turned out from a spectator standpoint. However, there can be little doubt that floppies and pucks made for a great engineering challenge.

The problem FIRST has is the same one we all face in January: trying to figure out, a priori, how the game will unfold and play out given the incredible depth and diversity of imagination the teams bring to bear.

Every year they try and make the game different and better than the year before. Often, these criteria are at odds with one another. That’s just the way it is.

Mike

Post Script: Be happy that Woodie designs these games and not me... I’d have you guys dealing with incandescent (cold, chemical light) hula hoops on a tilted stage! {;-)