Battlebots Update

[David Kelly]

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM BATTLEBOTS INC.

BattleBots would like to take this opportunity to touch base with
members of the Bot Building community. First, please be informed that BattleBots is still flourishing and working hard to promote the sport of robotic combat. Whether it involves a new television deal or a live event circuit,we are tirelessly working on ways to gain exposure for our sport.

BATTLEBOTS ON TV:
Rest assured that we are working hard so that the next incarnation of BattleBots on television will be loyal to the true nature of our sport. That means less reliance on campy, "sitcom-style" glitz. In the future, we will concentrate on the essential elements of robot combat - the sport, the builders and the technology of robot building. We hope to celebrate the builders as sporting heroes and the competition as a thrilling test of creativity and ingenuity.

BATTLEBOTS REGIONAL TOUR:
Until that time, we are still aggressively pursuing plans for the
BattleBots Summer 2003 Regional Tour. The plan would involve a series of local qualifying tournaments, which would then culminate in the Grand Nationals of BattleBots! This tour is crucial because it does NOT rely on the existence of a television deal. It would also enable more flexibility on licensing, sponsorship, and franchising issues. Details are still in the works, but we envision the tour to follow a Double Elimination format. There will most likely be a new Seeding System. The previous slate will be wiped clean, giving all competitors an equal opportunity to advance. We at BattleBots are working hard to make this a reality. Stay tuned for more details later.

ROYALTIES:
Royalties are currently being calculated. We anticipate that we will start paying them out by the end of this month. Your patience and cooperation are greatly appreciated.

NEWS ON OTHER FRONTS:
We are pleased to see that the sport of robotic combat is still very much a part of our popular culture. People want to see robots battling. In fact, BattleBots was featured in a recent episode of "Judging Amy" on CBS. In addition, the sport of robot combat will be spoofed on an upcoming episode of "The Simpsons" on Fox later this month. We are determined to capitalize on this continued visibility.

UPDATE TO THE "MEET THE ROBOTS" SECTION:
We are currently renovating our web site at http://www.battlebots.com to expand the "Meet the Robots" section. Our goal is to provide more timely and relevant Bot and Builder information and to allow more community feedback. Stay tuned for a first quarter of 2003 launch.

MATCH FOOTAGE ON DVD:
We are also planning to offer to competitors the opportunity to purchase their match footage on DVD/VHS for a reasonable "custom one-off, burn on demand" fee. More details will be forth coming. We hope to offer this in time for the Christmas season.

As we approach the end of the year, we look forward to continued
consultation with you. Please do not hesitate to contact us with your questions and/or concerns. Your input matters greatly and helps us to plot our course for the future. In the meantime, please accept our best wishes for the holidays. Continued Good Luck and Safe Building!

Yours Truly,

Trey and Greg

[Joe Matt]

We are determined to capitalize on this continued visibility.

Now people know why I don't like Battlebots.

[BSMFIRST]

<<Now people know why I don't like Battlebots.>>
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Don't think that Dean wouldn't do the same in their situation.

And don't think when they say "capitalize" that they're speaking about money. The owners of BattleBots are also long time competitors and that is reflected in how they run the competition. In the first paragraph you can see what they want:

"....we are tirelessly working on ways to gain exposure for our sport"

Is this not exactly what Dean does for FIRST during every interview he has? I for one, do not know why that email illustrates your dislike of BattleBots.

Dan

[Joe Matt]

Originally posted by BSMFIRST
<<Now people know why I don't like Battlebots.>>
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Don't think that Dean wouldn't do the same in their situation.

And don't think when they say "capitalize" that they're speaking about money. The owners of BattleBots are also long time competitors and that is reflected in how they run the competition. In the first paragraph you can see what they want:

"....we are tirelessly working on ways to gain exposure for our sport"

Is this not exactly what Dean does for FIRST during every interview he has? I for one, do not know why that email illustrates your dislike of BattleBots.

Dan

Simple. They didn't mean that they would go to schools and show the great ideas behind science and technology. It's money. Capitilizing, sure it can mean not using money, but bad news. It dosn't mean that. I read the whole letter and see this, "BB is cool now. We have coverage comming out and we plan on using it to get more sponsors, a new TV show (wich sounds better that the old one), and get more rolayties for teams for more MONEY. Screw science and technology, we have money.

And, oh yeah, we like to teach kids things."

That's how I read it. You, differntly, but that's my sight.

[David Kelly]

Originally posted by JosephM

...and get more rolayties for teams for more MONEY. Screw science and technology, we have money.

And, oh yeah, we like to teach kids things."

That's how I read it. You, differntly, but that's my sight.

actually, BB is a LOT cheaper to compete in than is FIRST. in the past, their enrty fees were along the lines of $300-$700 instead of the $5000 that we pay. The teams even get paid for being on TV, that make it to the actual finals for tv. FIRST also tries hard to get sponsorship to cover expenses. im sure they like helping the kids more than you think. there's nothing wrong with a competing robotics competition.

[Joe Matt]

Originally posted by David Kelly



actually, BB is a LOT cheaper to compete in than is FIRST. in the past, their enrty fees were along the lines of $300-$700 instead of the $5000 that we pay. The teams even get paid for being on TV, that make it to the actual finals for tv. FIRST also tries hard to get sponsorship to cover expenses. im sure they like helping the kids more than you think. there's nothing wrong with a competing robotics competition.

Yes you are right, but I'm in reference to BB the main competition and it teaches (not BBIQ) science and technology.

[Mike Schroeder]

I dont under stand the difference between Battle Bots and First


consider them Intelectual(sp?) sports like football and baseball are really sports so what if some one whats to compete in battle bots does that make them stupid - look at it this way battle bots is ussually garage built, that is amazinly difficult, unlike some FIRST teams who let the lowest bider build there robot i think you can learn ALOT be competing in both sports

Life isnt always gonna be: OK let Cooperate and be friends like FIRST suggest

[Katie Reynolds]

FIRST v. Battlebots - Why does it always come down to this?

It doesn't matter which program you are in. Whether you are designing a robot to tear apart another robot, or to pick up 30 balls in ten seconds - you're still learning something. That's what it's all about. I'm sure the kids in Battlebots are learning and thriving from the same things that we, in FIRST, are. The main difference between FIRST and Battlebots is what the robots are designed to do, the costs of the programs and the fact that Battlebots is a TV show. I think it's great that Battlebots is trying to get more people involved. I don't see anything wrong what they said.

My $0.02

- Katie