Themes for FRC games

[Hitchhiker 42]

I think that the theme was useful in ways other than for us (the students and mentors). While most of us didn't really care about the theme and got down to business building and making a robot work, the theme was useful in the spreading of FIRST to others. The theme let outside spectators (those not actively involved with FIRST) to get more acquainted with the game and enjoy it more. In that sense, the theme definetly did a good job.

Beyond that, it was fun seeing entire hockey arenas filled up medieval-dressed people, pits, fields, and robots. I loved it!

[GeeTwo]

I liked the theme from day one (teaser). As Billfred noted, it worked naturally with the game mechanics. Kickoff was a bit over the top, but it's supposed to be. (Though this is the first time I can recall that I knew this much of the kickoff dialog before it was shown.) Even after kickoff, the theme was still used in the art design, such as with the scoreboards, and status and selection screens, and some of the communications (baguette and leg of mutton, anyone?). The standards were a great idea, and I hope they can incorporate team emblems into future themes. 3946 also used it as inspiration for our pit design (a castle), various costumes and swag, and the "arts and crafts" table at Bayou (decorating paper crowns). If you look at any crowd footage from Saturday at Bayou, you'll see those crowns everywhere.

Having a good game is key, of course - great theming won't redeem a stinker of a game. A good theme is good gravy.

[SenorZ]

As a very pragmatic person, I chose to not participate in the theme.

We read the rules, spent six weeks freaking out, and had a robot at the end. I think the theme was for the audience.