The 2015 game is... Recycle Rush!

[EricH]

This is a very INTERESTING game. There is a lot that isn't apparent, both in strategy and in design, and the non-interaction aspect makes life very interesting.

[aztecprincess98]

My thoughts on Recycle Rush are that you have to build a very versatile and functional robot. You have to be able to carry totes, stack recycling bins, and be able to truck around a skinny pool noodle that is "litter." The interesting element though, is that we really have to cooperate with our alliance members which will be really cool. I can't wait to see competition!!!

[aztecprincess98]

I don't think that competition should be about points, it is how well you work with your alliances in and out of the arena, a creative approach to the build and playing the game itself.

[Christopher149]

For those who think this game will be boring: I just spent some time watching some elims and IRI footage from 2003 Stack Attack. I think the lack of robot interaction will make Recycle Rush a more interesting game in that stacks will actually be built instead of simply knocked over. The difference in play is so striking that I think it will be hard to find informative designs from that year.

[Zaque]

Originally Posted by stryker0603

Also, has anyone tried throwing the pool noodles the 40+ feet required to get the 4 points per noodle? From watching people try today, I feel that if a human player can score more than 1 or 2 a competition, they deserve the points. Since you can't throw them during the last 20 seconds of the macth, you can them push them into the landfill.

We have two members on our team that are able to throw the noodle at least far enough to get it to the other alliance's auto zone.

[KevinG]

Originally Posted by Zaque

We have two members on our team that are able to throw the noodle at least far enough to get it to the other alliance's auto zone.

Reliably? How many crates will it cover going over the closest scoring pad?

[Ian Chin]

This game will be very difficult for any new teams without any experience.

[Tyler Olds]

Originally Posted by Christopher149

For those who think this game will be boring: I just spent some time watching some elims and IRI footage from 2003 Stack Attack. I think the lack of robot interaction will make Recycle Rush a more interesting game in that stacks will actually be built instead of simply knocked over. The difference in play is so striking that I think it will be hard to find informative designs from that year.

I believe this constitutes 90% of why there is a divider and limited interaction between alliances. Defense made 2003 a game of just who can push totes around the best and stay on the pyramid platform.

While in the 15 seasons I have been around I like to say not a whole lot has changed when it comes to the robots, I believe that teams will perform much better with totes than they did in 2003.

My rookie year was 2001 and in my 4 years as a student I could not stand 2001 and 2003. Strangely I do not feel all that bad about this years game and am optimistic that stacking will look pretty cool and a decent amount of teams will be able to interact.

[KineticCougar]

Question about stacking. Can the grey totes be stacked upside down?

[cgmv123]

Originally Posted by KineticCougar

Question about stacking. Can the grey totes be stacked upside down?

Originally Posted by Manual Section 3.1.2.3

A Gray TOTE is scored if it is fully supported by a SCORING PLATFORM and no portion of the TOTE extends above the top of the BACKSTOP.

Is there a mention of TOTE orientation?

[Harveythellama]

Is there a rule against how many totes a human player can bring to the human player station? I didn't see one but I could be mistaken.

[Bmarshall645]

Originally Posted by KineticCougar

Question about stacking. Can the grey totes be stacked upside down?

I would put that up on the Q&A when it opens. Some totes already located on the field will be upside down. I am not sure if you can stack them that way though.

[Drakxii]

Interesting game, looks fun to play and the noodle field use will be fun to watch, but... 2 things.

Other then team set, auto mode will only be for elite teams. The point values and work required to score just don't seem worth it for mid level teams.

Bumpers are not "optional" they are actively discouraged. Why should my team be penalized for wanting to protect the team robot for unintentional damage from an ally team?

That being said I believe that mecanum may just see the Einstein fields this year.

[IronicDeadBird]

Man you guys don't like PvE...
Like a lot.
Yeah I understand that it might be boring to watch COMPARED to last year at a glance but I find the the real fun in this robotics is having metal through the arts of necromancy/sorcery/caffeine shape itself into a robot that performs in a competitive environment. If you want to have fun in FRC you can have a ton of it from being a participant instead of being a spectator (nothing against those who come to support) but I figure most of you on here are active participants in the build and not just like cheer leaders. I dunno I could be wrong.
You can compare this game to Aerial Assist but I find that insanely unfair due to the fact that it is not a PvP game it is now PvE. There is a video online of a cat playing Jenga on youtube (that I won't link cause TOS and you all can google) Now I dunno if you have ever just watched someone play Jenga but it is kinda boring until you have difficulty spikes then you have fun based around the tension in it. This game will seem low key to spectators but the feelings that the participants have will differ vastly. Fun doesn't have to be fast paced. This kind of fun is designed to be tense. It is designed to be a crowd watching a a robot attempt to put that recycling bin on the max stack in a hushed tone punctuated the roaring applause that accompanies success or the sting of "ohhhhhhh's" that signal you dun goof'd.
Give it a chance, of fun was determined by fast paced billion piece puzzles wouldn't exist.

[CTbiker105]

I've always thought it was interesting how each season's game causes you to begin using a somewhat uncommon word a lot more frequently than you've ever had to before.

In 2013, I used the words "Frisbee" and "pyramid" more than ever.

In 2014, I think I said "truss" more times in one day than I've ever done so prior.

This year, the somewhat uncommon words "tote," "litter," and "noodle," come to mind.

Completely irrelevant to the game itself, but something I found interesting nonetheless.