**FIRST EMAIL**/FRC Game Hint #3

[1086VEX]

on the note of tetra... did anyone ever try putting casters on to the tall goal??thats right triple plays gone mobile!! oooh the possibilities

[Jake177]

Originally Posted by garyk

The autonomous mode comprised finding the green panel with the camera and placing the tetra on a goal tower, along with some easier but less lucrative functions. The camera/plywood combination was a complete flop, and most teams didn't bother mounting the camera on their 'bot.

I think the clue means that the GDC has revisited this "flop" of an autonomous mode. The game will have randomly positioned pieces for robots to locate and score during autonomous mode, like the vision tetras from Triple Play. This will give the veteran teams another chance to overcome (hurdle) what they couldn't do in 2005 (score the visions tetra)

[Bill Moore]

Originally Posted by Bcliff358

i don't know if someone already stated this but "vet" could mean Veterans stadium in Philadelphia which is completely circular.

Actually, Veterans Stadium no longer exists. It was demolished a couple years ago.

[organman42]

Originally Posted by Jake177

I think the clue means that the GDC has revisited this "flop" of an autonomous mode. The game will have randomly positioned pieces for robots to locate and score during autonomous mode, like the vision tetras from Triple Play. This will give the veteran teams another chance to overcome (hurdle) what they couldn't do in 2005 (score the visions tetra)

How often has the GDC reused games, or major game elements, like the tetra?

[Jonathan Norris]

Originally Posted by organman42

How often has the GDC reused games, or major game elements, like the tetra?

Well last year's tubes were very similar (almost the same) to torroids used back in the late 90's. Balls have been used numerous times.

[Taylor]

Originally Posted by whlspacedude

too EASY!!!!!!!!!

Vet Refers to Veteran

Veteran HP's Get to Throw Tetras!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

While Will was being a bit flippant, I think it does deserve some scrutiny - could this hint in fact be regarding the human players? We've been techno-athletes for a while; this game may bring about a more physically athletic aspect of the HP.

Thoughts on an end-game autonomous: While a great challenge, I think it would be too much of a hazard for teams. With a game featuring an autonomous at the start, if a team wishes not to compete, the robot can stay stationary and (relatively) out of harm's way. With the random (and sometimes intertwined) configurations, positions, and orientations robots have when they come to rest, I would think damage to the bots could be a large issue.

Perhaps the field could be split in two parts - a teleoperated area and an autonomous area, divided by an obstacle. Once robots cross the threshold, their radios are disabled and they must navigate on their own until they exit.

One more thought considering 4v4 or 2v2v2v2 and space requirements: There's no rule in FIRST that says the dimensions must be 38" X 28" X 72" - we learned this in 07 with the height/weight requirements. Smaller robots would yield more per game without too much in the way of traffic hazards (especially with traffic cones ), assuming the field is largely uncluttered with elements a la Rack n Roll.

[Jake177]

Originally Posted by organman42

How often has the GDC reused games, or major game elements, like the tetra?

The GDC has never reused an entire game. 2004 was a mash up of elements from several past games:
Mobile goals: Similar to those used in 2002
Stationary goals: Similar to the mobile goals used in 2001
Hang Bar: An end-game element from 2000

[geeknerd99]

What if FIRST was not capitalized as an acronym, but instead was used as emphasis?

So that means Vet (whatever that is) has to get around the leading tetra-thing-whatever as opposed to slamming into it or something?

[Scott L.]

TETRA = TErrestrial TRunked RAdio
FIRST = Flexible Infrared Search & Track

[Jonathan Ryan]

Check out the ANAGRAM possibilities???

Farsighted Tilt Turn Rev

Divergent Raft Rush Tilt

Arthritis Drug Left Vent


Who knows????????

[lukevanoort]

Originally Posted by 1086VEX

on the note of tetra... did anyone ever try putting casters on to the tall goal??thats right triple plays gone mobile!! oooh the possibilities

That actually sounds like a lot of fun. Unfortunately, you couldn't stack very high unless you either held the goal very securely stationary, held the stack securely (like the good stackers in 2003), or you could put a detachable 'cap' on top (like in 97). Maybe zones to push the goals into too? Triple Play + Toroid Terror + Stack Attack + Zone Zeal = pretty neat in my opinion.

[1086VEX]

thats what im saying!! it would be sweet!!! mybe add a se-saw in there some where and we got ourselves a game!!!

[organman42]

Originally Posted by 1086VEX

thats what im saying!! it would be sweet!!! mybe add a se-saw in there some where and we got ourselves a game!!!

And then a pool of water or an ice sheet, just to make it even more fun!

[1086VEX]

haha^ how about just play in a pool, put the goal on an inner tube, and make some boat bots!

[MiniNerd24]

Okay, let me know if this has been thought of already. (haven't read all the posts) What if 'Vet' was in another language (actually I don't think they'd do that so close to the Kickoff) or maybe the whole army meaning of 'Vet' means war...war means guns...Robotic Nerd gun anyone? (Reminds me of Aim High)