2015 HINT DISCUSSION

[JB987]

If we indeed are recycling maybe this will be part of the game...https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v...907614&fref=nf

[K-Dawg157]

Usually, the hint is something about the name. It almost never (if ever) has been about the game itself.

I believe the name has to do something with change. Delta sounds cool, and change would be obvious. It's usually Alliterative, (Aerial Assist, Toroid Terror, Diabolical Dynamics) or at least sounds it (Ultimate Ascent) so maybe something that starts with Ch- or sh- for change or starts with "D" for Delta?

I don't think recycling the manual has to do a lot with the game, more about getting rid of last year and starting a new one (like we do every year). The bin maybe significant, but everyone is promoting recycling lately, FIRST will probably start this year as well.

The only thing I can't think of a reason for is skipping 1997 and showing 1999 twice in the clip...

We won't know for 10 days, 23 hours, and 55 minutes... make that 54.

[loyal]

I think that the time to control the robot manually will change. That's why we saw the manual go in the trash. Also the long box with the kop could be a beacon or light that changes blue or red to indicate a robot on each alliance will change sides for end game.

[Kingland093]

Originally Posted by MrForbes

I tend to agree....although I don't think it's the game, as much as it is the rules. The old rule book is getting tossed into the bin, so we get to start with a completely different (hopefully much thinner) rulebook in 2015.

That makes sense because wasn't there some blog post about having much simpler and intuitive rules being the goal for the 2015 game?

[rich2202]

Until wifi technology improves, I don't think you are going to get more than 6 robots on the field.

I think "change" might be a reference to what the robots do. To keep with the recycling motif, I was thinking the robot changed the game piece from "trash" to a usable product. However, that would appear to create a lost of waste (one-time use game pieces).

Another "change" from prior years might be the alliance robots working together to assemble the game pieces into something.

[loyal]

Originally Posted by Kingland093

That makes sense because wasn't there some blog post about having much simpler and intuitive rules being the goal for the 2015 game?

The blog was about making it easier for the refs.

[audietron]

My thought is that change is a prominent point being made. I agree with the idea that they are just showing that there is a major change from the previous years but I like the idea of possibly having the alliances switch goals, bridges or something about a minute in.

[mandrews281]

Originally Posted by loyal

I think that the time to control the robot manually will change. That's why we saw the manual go in the trash. Also the long box with the kop could be a beacon or light that changes blue or red to indicate a robot on each alliance will change sides for end game.

I like this thought. It explains the long box in the kit of parts since it's something EVERY robot must have. Prediction: the the word "Change" will be in game name, so perhaps one or more robots change sides during the match.

The other thought that went through my mind is that FIRST is trying to figure out how to manage growth. How I could see this happening:
1. 4v4. In Breakaway, one of the driver stations was at the field end and was smaller than the other two, so the current field can accomodate 4 per side.

2. Not only are the robots getting smaller (and lighter); but perhaps the PIT SIZE will decrease from 10'x10' to 8'x8' to accomodate more teams at a venue. The Palmetto regional had to do this several years ago when they were at Clemson. Made things a bit cramped; but it was workable. This is another of those "unchanging rules" that everyone assumes is a given.

OK there's my 2cents (with "change" to spare).

[notmattlythgoe]

Originally Posted by mandrews281

I like this thought. It explains the long box in the kit of parts since it's something EVERY robot must have. Prediction: the the word "Change" will be in game name, so perhaps one or more robots change sides during the match.

The other thought that went through my mind is that FIRST is trying to figure out how to manage growth. How I could see this happening:
1. 4v4. In Breakaway, one of the driver stations was at the field end and was smaller than the other two, so the current field can accomodate 4 per side.

2. Not only are the robots getting smaller (and lighter); but perhaps the PIT SIZE will decrease from 10'x10' to 8'x8' to accomodate more teams at a venue. The Palmetto regional had to do this several years ago when they were at Clemson. Made things a bit cramped; but it was workable. This is another of those "unchanging rules" that everyone assumes is a given.

OK there's my 2cents (with "change" to spare).

I don't think we'll see more than 6 teams on the field at once, adding 2 more robots to the field gets really cramped really fast and makes the game much less enjoyable to watch. Nobody wants to see clusters of robots sitting there because there is no room to move.

[Oblarg]

Originally Posted by notmattlythgoe

I don't think we'll see more than 6 teams on the field at once, adding 2 more robots to the field gets really cramped really fast and makes the game much less enjoyable to watch. Nobody wants to see clusters of robots sitting there because there is no room to move.

Moreover, if people thought Aerial Assist was rough on robots, I'm pretty sure a 4-robot-per-alliance game would be even worse. That many more collisions per match, etc.

[thatnameistaken]

Originally Posted by mandrews281

Prediction: the the word "Change" will be in game name, so perhaps one or more robots change sides during the match.

I can't decide whether this sounds more amazing or terrifying. Probably both. How would that work seeding wise, though?

[E Dawg]

Could we be seeing the return of coopertition points?

[aldaeron]

Originally Posted by K-Dawg157

Usually, the hint is something about the name. It almost never (if ever) has been about the game itself.

While I love the wild and crazy theories thus far, from my fuzzy recollection the game hints have given the name of the game and nothing about how it is played. The most vivid example I recall is Logomotion.

I agree with many that these items will stay the same
- There will still be 6 teams on the field
- There will be two alliances
- The field will still be a rectangle with drivers at each end wall

Originally Posted by The_ShamWOW88

two different gamepieces....

If it is time for a change of a similar magnitude to what was shown in the hint video I think having two game pieces makes a lot of sense.

A more difficult non-spherical object (like a football) worth more points with a limited number on the field to keep veterans from running away with the game. The second piece would be an easier to manipulate piece worth less points.

Perhaps one piece is a shootable piece and one is a heavy stackable piece is the other.

In the 5 years I have been doing FRC there has been one piece (yes logomotion had different shaped tubes, but all were manipulatable with a single mechanism). I believe there will be a move to offer more scoring choices such that you cannot do them all (yes, a few teams will be able to). This was a concept debuted in 2013 with the pyramid vs shooting. I loved the pyramid because it was not really an endgame gimmick - you could start climbing at the first second if you wanted to. The issue was that there was no huge advantage to doing the pyramid, especially given the risk of falling.

Now imagine a shooting game and stacking game going on simultaneously. Both have equal points possibility. To get max points on stacking you get bonuses for stack height, some kind of pattern or the top colored game piece. Shooting has a few goal levels and perhaps some kind of bonus if you score a lot of game pieces. This does not have a cooperative element which I think we will see, but I think two simultaneous mini-games is an interesting idea. Overall it would be interesting to make the game so that you can't do it all and have to make strategic choices in your design and at the competition to win.

I also wouldn't mind seeing some reasonable field obstacles or the multi-level/multi-surface ideas others have thrown out. The biggest thing this does in my mind is reduce full speed collisions.

In any case - I can't wait for the 3rd!!!!!

Please continue nuancing the video. It is entertaining. Perhaps you can look for a message in the pixels somewhere =P

-matto-

[Purplesparkleez]

Originally Posted by Henrique Schmit

]

That, together with the discussion about the items that teams will recieve on the KOP, makes me believe something about the bumpers is going to change.

If they are messing with the bumpers I might go insane. I had a hard enough time doing them the old way last year.

[Ryan Barnhart]

Certain game changes weren't mentioned, such as changes in field shape. What makes a change important (or not important) enough to be mentioned in the video?