Worst possible game

[Kartoffee]

Every year, the rules have included a rule against attaching to the carpet via hook and loop tape (velcro). What if, instead of that, the entire field was made out of velcro, and everyone had to drive with soft rubber wheels?

Or, the worst combination I would want to imagine is Aerial Assist, but robots need to be taller than the truss. I legitimately think that there would be a good strategy to go with that, otherwise I would say some ridiculous stuff.

My other option is following the upcoming Steamworks game. Imagine Recycle Rush, but instead of stacking boxes, just cranking a pump for 2 and a half minutes. Literally nothing to watch, no reason to play (just like 2015).

Beyond the normal stuff, how about a repeat of the 2003 game (I think '03 at least)? The game had movable goals, and any balls scored while the goal was in your zone was a point. There were a few exploits, where (mostly one team) managed to lock the goals in their zone in the first seconds of the game, and did a slow march into the proper zone. Nobody could move the robot, since it had wide traction feet, and no wheels. Anyway, what if we saw that game again, except on a lunacy field to stop any more BS? And, just to add insult to injury,you can't cross the midline? Instead there would be a great enormous wall (to keep the blue alliance out), and all the goals started on top. Whoever got both goals first wins. 10 second matches. Makes the MSC 200 qualifiers in 2 days look easy.

[mastachyra]

How about a game where the robots launch the bins from Recycle Rush into the goals from Aerial Assist.

Imagine the mayhem

[Cothron Theiss]

Hmm... imagine a game where wheels contacting the carpet were illegal. All your drive components would have to be some sort of walking or marching mechanisms. I know there have been some walking robots in the past, but I'd say that most teams would spend a LOT of time sitting dead on a field.

[GeeTwo]

Originally Posted by Cothron Theiss

Hmm... imagine a game where wheels contacting the carpet were illegal. All your drive components would have to be some sort of walking or marching mechanisms. I know there have been some walking robots in the past, but I'd say that most teams would spend a LOT of time sitting dead on a field.

I'd expect to see some Pedrails.

[TedG]

Originally Posted by Kartoffee

My other option is following the upcoming Steamworks game. Imagine Recycle Rush, but instead of stacking boxes, just cranking a pump for 2 and a half minutes. Literally nothing to watch, no reason to play (just like 2015).

LOL, my son mentioned how Recycle Rush was not a very exciting game to watch, basically when done well, both teams just look like a well run stacking factory... the only exciting part was the "can grabbers" so the best games were decided by how many cans were grabbed the first 20 seconds.

[Gravity]

2003...

[elysium]

Originally Posted by mastachyra

How about a game where the robots launch the bins from Recycle Rush into the goals from Aerial Assist.

Imagine the mayhem

The bins are also filled with water.

[Ringo5tarr]

Originally Posted by elysium

The bins are also filled with water.

nah, only some of them will be filled with water, that way you have to build a bot to handle both weights.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Kartoffee

Beyond the normal stuff, how about a repeat of the 2003 game (I think '03 at least)? The game had movable goals, and any balls scored while the goal was in your zone was a point. There were a few exploits, where (mostly one team) managed to lock the goals in their zone in the first seconds of the game, and did a slow march into the proper zone. Nobody could move the robot, since it had wide traction feet, and no wheels. Anyway, what if we saw that game again, except on a lunacy field to stop any more BS? And, just to add insult to injury,you can't cross the midline? Instead there would be a great enormous wall (to keep the blue alliance out), and all the goals started on top. Whoever got both goals first wins. 10 second matches. Makes the MSC 200 qualifiers in 2 days look easy.

'02. I see you've heard of the Beatty Beast (71), so I'll just point out that your description is quite incorrect--they had wheels all right, and were very, very fast to get to the middle of the field (where the goals were located) on said wheels. Once they hit the goals, they engaged the file cards. Yes, file cards. Normally used to clean out files that have been used to remove sharp edges from the robot. In this case, used to dig into the carpet.

It was a race to the goals that year, and many many many robots built for speed and immovability. But the balls could tip the match.


'03 was like Recycle Rush, if all the totes started on the step and you could go over the step--and if you could knock down any stack you cared to. Stacks were very definitely attacked.

[ctt956]

Originally Posted by Kartoffee

Every year, the rules have included a rule against attaching to the carpet via hook and loop tape (velcro). What if, instead of that, the entire field was made out of velcro, and everyone had to drive with soft rubber wheels?

[snip]

Beyond the normal stuff, how about a repeat of the 2003 game (I think '03 at least)? The game had movable goals, and any balls scored while the goal was in your zone was a point. There were a few exploits, where (mostly one team) managed to lock the goals in their zone in the first seconds of the game, and did a slow march into the proper zone. Nobody could move the robot, since it had wide traction feet, and no wheels. Anyway, what if we saw that game again, except on a lunacy field to stop any more BS? And, just to add insult to injury,you can't cross the midline? Instead there would be a great enormous wall (to keep the blue alliance out), and all the goals started on top. Whoever got both goals first wins. 10 second matches. Makes the MSC 200 qualifiers in 2 days look easy.

I think attaching to the carpet was legal until 2003, after 71 used file cards.

Originally Posted by EricH

'02. I see you've heard of the Beatty Beast (71), so I'll just point out that your description is quite incorrect--they had wheels all right, and were very, very fast to get to the middle of the field (where the goals were located) on said wheels. Once they hit the goals, they engaged the file cards. Yes, file cards. Normally used to clean out files that have been used to remove sharp edges from the robot. In this case, used to dig into the carpet.

It was a race to the goals that year, and many many many robots built for speed and immovability. But the balls could tip the match.

Here's a good video of 71's 2002 robot in action, uploaded by none other than Andy Baker! There are also a few more on TBA.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by ctt956

I think attaching to the carpet was legal until 2003, after 71 used file cards.

Legal until after 2002 would be a better way to say it.

Actually, it was FAR worse than it sounds. Probably half the teams out there in '02 had some sort of metal "dig into the carpet for more traction" device, either on their wheels or on planting plates, and most of the rest used treads on their wheels (or just used treads). So, for '03, the ruling was that no metal could contact the carpet (in general terms--it's been a while). Specifically, to be used for robot traction. Rule's still there--though a lot of teams were wondering about the screws used to attach their rubber treads for a few years. Wasn't just 71, they just get the credit for that rule.

[Isonine]

Battlebots

[Jackflef]

Originally Posted by Isonine

Battlebots

Well, it would shorten competitions.

[pilleya]

Originally Posted by Isonine

Battlebots

Worst game for rookies/ teams with limited resources. Maybe not so bad for veterans.

[euhlmann]

Another Overdrive