My game design (loosely based on hockey)

[bduddy]

Thank you! I wasn't thinking of any rules against attacking robots in the crease or retrieval zone, no. The retrieval zone rules are definitely the hardest part of this, IMO... cycling and monopolization may be possible no matter what I do. Ultimately I do want the alliances competing over the same goals (i.e. pucks), because I believe that that, unlike the entirely separated nature of this year's game, makes for much more interesting viewing...

[Jared Russell]

There are aspects of this game that I absolutely love (the idea of the pit, even if I think some safety and implementation issues need to be very carefully considered - and I'm a huge ice hockey fan).

My primary concern is that the game will lend itself to "scrums" and scoring will be very low. Without allowing robots to possess the puck, it will be hard for an attacker to maneuver the puck past up to three defenders at once.

My secondary concern is the abundance of penalties (especially given the probably low-scoring nature of this game). Nobody gets inspired when you lose a match because your robot's bumper's shadow crosses a line on the floor. And on a slick surface, you need to be even more forgiving of momentary transgressions.

Keep working on it - you have a good start!

[Morality]

how bout a minibot(s) as goalie? That would be very interesting to watch and build. And it would get programmers involved with the design and build process, something that they were not able to to this year for the minibot.

[bduddy]

As many spambots as actual replies... ;(

Minibots as goalies? I'm not a huge fan of minibots in general, but that could be a good use for them. They'd definitely have to be bigger and more robust... a decently fast shot, even if it was just an ordinary field hockey puck, would plow right through a minibot built like in this year's game!

[bduddy]

I've been thinking about how to improve this game a little bit, and considering this isn't exactly a fast-moving forum, I hope this bump isn't breaking any rules... I've actually seen a few other people mention hockey games, so hopefully they'll be interested!

Anyway, rule changes...

- The two additional pucks will not begin in the possession of human players, but on the center line. The first puck will still always start in the center, but the other two pucks will be started in semi-randomized positions (see 2005, 2008).

- Instead of a full stretcher, an alliance may (with the consent of all teams on the alliance) elect to replace a robot with a small, freely rolling "placebo". The placebo must still be on the field and "enabled" for at least two minutes.

- All penalties are only 1 point. I am unsure if perhaps they should be added to the other score, like this year... any thoughts?

- Defending robots can enter the "Retrieval Zone" at any time. However, they may not extend any appendage through the plane of the goal from that side. Violation: Penalty

I know it seems like there are a lot of penalties, but several of them are related and really shouldn't happen (i.e. the protected zone rules) and some of them are needed to keep the game "open". Any more feedback?

[Jenn Feathers]

this sounds pretty cool!! is the field carpeted or is it something more slick and what is the outer material on the puck?

[bduddy]

Originally Posted by Jenn Feathers

this sounds pretty cool!! is the field carpeted or is it something more slick and what is the outer material on the puck?

The field is Regolith or something else hard for the puck to slide on (see the beginning of the post). As for the material of the puck, I'm not really sure... probably just plastic...

[LV_Matterhorn]

Nice work! I'd love a hockey-based game for FRC (and I suppose playing ice hockey would somewhat appease the demand for a water game).

I'm concerned about the 4-minute teleop period. I understand that a longer period will be needed due to the low-scoring nature of hockey (though Breakaway was based on soccer, which is an even lower scoring game than hockey). How would scheduling accommodate the longer teleop period? Will teams have to play fewer qualification matches? A good team that has a couple of unlucky games would really be hurt by that, especially in a game that can be decided by a lucky bounce.

[bduddy]

Originally Posted by LV_Matterhorn

Nice work! I'd love a hockey-based game for FRC (and I suppose playing ice hockey would somewhat appease the demand for a water game).

I'm concerned about the 4-minute teleop period. I understand that a longer period will be needed due to the low-scoring nature of hockey (though Breakaway was based on soccer, which is an even lower scoring game than hockey). How would scheduling accommodate the longer teleop period? Will teams have to play fewer qualification matches? A good team that has a couple of unlucky games would really be hurt by that, especially in a game that can be decided by a lucky bounce.

That's why there are four robots per alliance! The original idea here was "how do I increase the length of matches without decreasing the number?"

Current: 2 min matches + 4 min reset = 6 minutes = 1 min/robot
This game: 4 min matches + 4 min reset = 8 minutes = 1 min/robot