Hockey Game Confirmed?

[Kingland093]

As much as I want a hockey game, I think it's really too early to be jumping to any conclusions. Best to wait until the game hint is released

[Kel2498]

Could the 3in x 3in x 60in package be some rolled up flooring perhaps?

[Lil' Lavery]

Originally Posted by Kingland093

As much as I want a hockey game, I think it's really too early to be jumping to any conclusions

Wow, what a sensible resp...

Originally Posted by Kingland093

Best to wait until the game hint is released

[alephzer0]

I think a hockey game would be interesting. Honestly, however, I can't see FIRST using hockey pucks. Even if you could set a maximum output speed, it would have to be so low that it would make the game dramatically less interesting. I am more inclined to believe that it is a roll-up of some sort of material.
Also, I would love to see the looks on the faces of the people in the GDC when they read these posts discussing what the game could be. They're probably like, "They are so far off it's not even funny..." But who knows? I can't read minds of people I know, much less those I don't. Heck, I don't even know what people are thinking even if they tell me.

[Shrub]

I still doubt it being rolled-up material. KOP page says that the 3"x3"x60" item is a set. Unless they cut up said rolled-up material.

[Chirag]

I still doubt it being rolled-up material. KOP page says that the 3"x3"x60" item is a set. Unless they cut up said rolled-up material.

What if it's rolled up material with game pieces (smaller hockey pucks or some alternative game piece)? That could possibly fit in that volume and still be a "set" of items.

[ArthurA]

Could be golf, as even the longest package seems pretty short for a hockey stick.

[DanielPlotas]

Originally Posted by Shrub

I still doubt it being rolled-up material. KOP page says that the 3"x3"x60" item is a set. Unless they cut up said rolled-up material.

What if it's multiple field surfaces?

[Shrub]

Originally Posted by Chirag

What if it's rolled up material with game pieces (smaller hockey pucks or some alternative game piece)? That could possibly fit in that volume and still be a "set" of items.

That's pretty plausible, although its been pointed out before that its much more efficient to just fold surfaces and not stack things in a tube. But if its delicate field material that needs to be rolled, I could see how that could work.

Same goes for a set of multiple field surfaces that must be rolled for some reason. Did teams get a Regolith sample during Lunacy?

[wajirock]

FIRST did use an ice like field in Lunacy. So if it is a hockey game, we may see the same field as in 2009. Also, the long packages could contain an arrow like game piece.

[dtengineering]

Originally Posted by alephzer0

I think a hockey game would be interesting. Honestly, however, I can't see FIRST using hockey pucks.

In 2006 I remember thinking "This is GREAT! I never thought FIRST would let us SHOOT things." and they cautiously introduced flying nerf balls with a maximum velocity limit.

Then we got to shoot ten pound earth balls. Then more nerf balls, but without a velocity limit. Then... hard flying discs!!! Then big, heavy, inflatable balls that humans actually had to catch!

FIRST would have no problem with high speed hockey pucks... all they'd have to do is put a requirement that teams not shoot the pucks outside the playing field. First infraction is a warning, second is DQ.

But there is also no reason that NHL hockey pucks are required to play hockey. As has already been pointed out, street hockey balls, tennis balls, foam pucks, old balls of tape, crumpled up paper and hackey sacks have all been used as hockey pucks.

In fact, I believe red and blue hockey pucks played a role in the FIRST VEX Challenge in 2007?

Jason

[Thad House]

Originally Posted by dtengineering

In 2006 I remember thinking "This is GREAT! I never thought FIRST would let us SHOOT things." and they cautiously introduced flying nerf balls with a maximum velocity limit.

Then we got to shoot ten pound earth balls. Then more nerf balls, but without a velocity limit. Then... hard flying discs!!! Then big, heavy, inflatable balls that humans actually had to catch!

FIRST would have no problem with high speed hockey pucks... all they'd have to do is put a requirement that teams not shoot the pucks outside the playing field. First infraction is a warning, second is DQ.

But there is also no reason that NHL hockey pucks are required to play hockey. As has already been pointed out, street hockey balls, tennis balls, foam pucks, old balls of tape, crumpled up paper and hackey sacks have all been used as hockey pucks.

In fact, I believe red and blue hockey pucks played a role in the FIRST VEX Challenge in 2007?

Jason

The nerf balls and the 2014 balls were not super dangerous. Even at full speed one of those balls shot wouldn't hurt a person too bad. The Frisbees were alot more dangerous, which required the nets. If an frisbee had gone into the crowd at an event, it would have been a MAJOR safety issue. I fell like the same thing would happen with any type of small balls, or especially pucks. The first time an object like that hits someone in the stands, even if accidentally, that would most likely lead to some major legal issues I know FIRST doesn't want to get involved in. So I don't think FIRST will do a small game object because of this, unless the nets can GUARANTEE nothing will go flying into the crowd.

[cgmv123]

Originally Posted by dtengineering

FIRST would have no problem with high speed hockey pucks... all they'd have to do is put a requirement that teams not shoot the pucks outside the playing field. First infraction is a warning, second is DQ.

Or just fully enclose the arena like an actual hockey rink.

[Abhishek R]

It doesn't make sense for FIRST to give us a hockey stick or golf club. Teams are supposed to engineer the way they manipulate the game piece. Yes, they've given us mandatory wheels before, but to say you HAVE to use this object to move the game piece around is a bit too much.

[Pretzel]

Originally Posted by Thad House

The nerf balls and the 2014 balls were not super dangerous. Even at full speed one of those balls shot wouldn't hurt a person too bad.

I would tend to disagree that the 2014 exercise balls would not hurt anyone. I know that our robot shot those exercise balls with enough force that it took ~125 lbs of force at the end of a ~30 in level arm to disarm the catapult. They also had to put up the hockey glass in the arena at the Utah Regional because some teams were shooting the balls through the goals and out into the stands where spectators were sitting.

As to the hockey topic, would it be reasonable to expect a hockey stick to fit inside a 3x3x60in. package? Wouldn't the angled blade at the end of the stick (the part you hit the puck with) make it impossible to fit into a package with that small of dimensions? A typical hockey stick (according to Wikipedia) has a blade that is ~12.5 inches long, and the stick itself is typically 64 inches long without including the blade.

I think it's much more reasonable to assume that, if there were to be a hockey game, the package contains a net and goal frame than a hockey stick. It would make sense since a goal is 4 feet tall (the vertical posts would fit easily within the package) and 6 feet wide (the crossbar would have to be assembled in two pieces to fit within the package) and the netting could fill up the extra space and also double as packaging material to prevent damage. I do not, however, know how much a full goal would weigh though to see if it would fit within the 6 pounds allotted.