How difficult do you feel this competition is, this year?

[astephen68]

I find it that it's a bit to easy but is a bit hard too what about you?

[MTGdiablo]

In certain ways, it is easy.

Like simply programming a remote control to tell a robot to turn left(or whatever you want it to do).

There are several different ways you could score, which increase or decrease in difficulty level.

There's your rabbit, which is pretty much just a drive base with some protective armor on it.
There's your robot that pushes the ball.
You've got the robot that puts the ball and takes the ball off of the rack, and all of that jazz.

Each of those, depending on skill level, most likely would increase in difficulty.

But the game itself, in my opinion, is quite a bit easier than last year's game.

I like the game, and can't wait to start competing at the Boilermaker Regional!

[astephen68]

I like the game because it's good for rookies but Last Years game was a bit better more action and won't make your head hurt like this years, looking around the track, around, around and around there is no defense so no action.
IN MY poinion this game would be great if they had the DEFENSE!!!!!

[Rich Wong]

I like the game, it is like a (Chinese) buffet, there is something for everyone.

There are many different levels of challanges for scoring;
something for rookies that won't stress them out and something for veterans who want to build flying machines and score big.

[lukevanoort]

At first glance, this game seems really easy and rookie-friendly. I don't think it is. Consider this: one lap with just your robot nets 2pts, but one lap hurdling nets 10pts (2pts for the robot, 8pts for hurdling). So, if a robot hurdles only twice in a match, it gets 20pts. To beat that, the boxbot needs to do eleven laps, which is quite a challenge. Good boxbots may be able to contribute some points to an alliance, but even a mediocre hurdler can top them.

[astephen68]

But A rookie team is merely just trying to move their robot and at least this year they get points for moving around the track. Last year if they built a robot that could just drive they would get 0 points unless they had ramps. This Year i don't like but it's good for rookie teams

[lukevanoort]

Originally Posted by astephen68

But A rookie team is merely just trying to move their robot and at least this year they get points for moving around the track. Last year if they built a robot that could just drive they would get 0 points unless they had ramps. This Year i don't like but it's good for rookie teams

I disagree. Last year (and the year before), a rookie team could get a respectable (possibly match winning) number of points by climbing a ramp; a rookie could also build a boxbot and play defence for the whole match, which can be extremely valuable. This year, defence is much harder to play, there are no endgame "if you are at place x" bonuses, and scoring with the ball is a challenge. In my mind, this is the most rookie unfriendly game since 2001.

Originally Posted by Rich Wong

Rookies can "herd" the ball too for 2pt+2pt.

True, but keeping control of that ball will be a huge challenge for the inexperienced (and many of the experienced teams, too). Even herding, the rookie is still up against quite a challenge, they must get 6 laps to beat a mediocre hurdler. And, if it takes less than a minute, say, 30 seconds, for a hurdler to be able to score again, the boxbot can pretty much forget winning that match. (of course this all assumes the two alliances have equivalent partners)

[astephen68]

Originally Posted by lukevanoort

I disagree. Last year (and the year before), a rookie team could get a respectable (possibly match winning) number of points by climbing a ramp; a rookie could also build a boxbot and play defence for the whole match, which can be extremely valuable. This year, defence is much harder to play, there are no endgame "if you are at place x" bonuses, and scoring with the ball is a challenge. In my mind, this is the most rookie unfriendly game since 2001.

Last year it was competitive for the rookie teams, they had to just go on ramps haha thats very exciting and defense. Thats not really fun. This year rookies have a chance to compete and be competitive with the other teams, not just help or try to help with a weak squarebox. This year alows them to drive around and when the balls on the ground also pick it up and get more points. They can win without a strong team on their alliance.

[Billfred]

When I first saw this game, I thought it was a cakewalk. The more I stew on it, the less I'm sure.

[Enigma's puzzle]

This game is great because it gives everyon a chance but still has a way to be "elite" with a more complex design.

[Ian Curtis]

This game is weird. It's simultaneously the hardest game I've ever seen, AND the easiest. If you move (which, probably 99.9% of all FIRST robots have) you can score points. If you can write a few simple lines of code setting two motors to move forward, and have a reasonably true drivetrain, you can score important autonomous points. This is great! Games have never been so open. If you can stop in three foot target area and raise up a stick, you can score MAJOR autonomous points. This hasn't happened before.

But, lurking on the other side, is hurdling. Seriously. It's hard. Really hard. Once you get your field mockups up, try doing it by hand. It took me a little over 20 seconds as a human. FRC robots can't even touch our dexterity in dealing with large objects. Hurdling is darn near impossible.

I'm willing to bet that worldwide, no more than 20 robots will average 2 hurdles per match.

I think, this year the GDC over-succeeded (either that or they decided to get back at everyone who complains at how easy the games are) This game IS very, very accessable to small teams. It's also great for teams who have a lot of manpower to design, build and test. But I'm not convinced it's so great for the in between team. However, I could quite easily be proven wrong. We'll see if teams are up for the challenge.

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by iCurtis

This game is weird. It's simultaneously the hardest game I've ever seen, AND the easiest.

Yup, and who says you can't hold 2 opposing/conflicting thoughts (or more) in your head at the same time. Piece of cake!

[Tottanka]

Originally Posted by iCurtis

I'm willing to bet that worldwide, no more than 20 robots will average 2 hurdles per match.

I will take that bet any time.

This game is very rookie friendly. An all rookie alliance can easily be seen this year as a good one.

i love the game, it has many things to think about when designing your robot. I bet we will see a lot of good bots that break during matches as they werent buff enough.

[Illegalsocks]

at kickoff, i thought it was a little too easy, but now, making up the strategy book, it looks more complicated.

also, i think its a bit easier than Rack 'n Roll.

[JaneYoung]

I honestly had no idea that hurdle would be difficult to spell.
I've seen it spelled so many ways, I'm waiting for hurl/hurling.
--
The game is going to be exciting. I want a front row seat and a big box of buttered popcorn.