Thank you for this game!

[DougHogg]

I am amazed by the quality of the game for 2004. Every aspect is incredibly well thought out. We are finding it to be extremely challenging with lots of latitude for different strategies. Judging from some of the pictures on Chief Delphi, there is going to be an amazing variety of robots which in turn will result in many fascinating matches.

To me, every robot is a moving mechanical art form, a sculpture made of aluminum, motors and gears, and I think that soon we will be seeing those art forms involved in some of the most fantastic robotic "dances" that any of us have ever seen, as they swoop around the field interacting in this year's game. I forsee that there will be many, many matches where the outcome will be impossible to predict and therefore very interesting and exciting. I can't wait.

So even though we haven't competed yet, I would like to extend my thanks and admiration to all those involved in designing the game for 2004 (including those teams that submitted ideas and feedback last year). Because of your efforts, our team is incredibly energized and having the time of our lives designing and building our robot. In fact, this game is a work of art. After all, when people look at a painting or watch a movie, the artist attempts to cause an effect on the audience. In FIRST, we are also affected by the artists who created the game, but it is even better because we are allowed to actively participate as opposed to just being the passive effect. So in many ways, FIRST itself is a far superior form of art. And to me, this year's game has achieved the highest levels of this fascinating art form. So to Dean, Woody, Dave Lavery and everyone who contributed to the FIRST Robotics Competition for 2004, congratulations and thank you again for this gift that you have given us. You have given us a real adventure, and one where everybody wins!!!!!