2008 Game- Overdrive

[skrew-ball]

well, where is the complex challenge that forces you to lose sleep and pop a bottle of Advil? This is a race. Build a fast robot, with an arm to grab the end pole of the divider and that's it. Once you grab the pole you are flung around the corner and race some laps. I like the racing concept, but this is FIRST. What is challenging you? I don't get it.

srry: there is no room for this "arm" to grab the wall. But you can still just race some 'bots.

[Ragnarokae]

Originally Posted by skrew-ball

well, where is the complex challenge that forces you to lose sleep and pop a bottle of Advil? This is a race. Build a fast robot, with an arm to grab the end pole of the divider and that's it. Once you grab the pole you are flung around the corner and race some laps. I like the racing concept, but this is FIRST. What is challenging you? I don't get it.

<G34> Arena Interaction - ROBOTS may push or react against any elements of the arena, provided there is no damage or disruption of the arena elements. ROBOTS may not grab, grasp, grapple, or attach to any arena structure.

It's more about turning ability, because it isn't allowed to slingshot around the pole.

[skrew-ball]

yeah i just read that.

But I still don't understand the "challenging" factors of this game. As others posted, this is a race. FIRST is supposed to be a challenge, not a display of simple skills.

[Petey]

Originally Posted by skrew-ball

yeah i just read that.

But I still don't understand the "challenging" factors of this game. As others posted, this is a race. FIRST is supposed to be a challenge, not a display of simple skills.

Mastering simple skills can be a complex challenge.

Ohm.

[Ragnarokae]

One thing is that if everyone just runs around, the scores will be very equal. So trackball use is essential (at least to my perspective) in order to win.

So you must have some bots with good racing skills, and others that can get the balls down, and then get them back up again to get the extra points.

Now, if someone were to be able to build a bot that was very good at racing AND could manipulate the ball...

[pacoliketaco]

first impression: in my opinion this game is just too simple. it will be nice for the rookie teams because all they need to do is drive, but what about the veteran/experienced teams? After inflating our trackball and moving it around, i think it will be VERY hard to pick it up at least 7 or 8 feet off the ground because of its size and weight. i am just not sure how a robot can manage to pick up the ball and lift it, considering i have a hard time myself trying to pick it up. I really dont like the fact that almost all defensive "plays" are now illegal and all that will happen during regionals is that you will see robots going in a circle, and not much beyond that. during the game video, i was almost expecting there to be more game pieces thrown onto the field to make this more interesting. i dont think that only 4 massive game pieces is enough to make an interesting game. in past years it was fun to see the robots either shooting balls into goals or getting a complete wrap-around on the rack, but what is the fun in going around in circles?

[LordTalps]

Originally Posted by pacoliketaco

first impression: in my opinion this game is just too simple. it will be nice for the rookie teams because all they need to do is drive, but what about the veteran/experienced teams? After inflating our trackball and moving it around, i think it will be VERY hard to pick it up at least 7 or 8 feet off the ground because of its size and weight. i am just not sure how a robot can manage to pick up the ball and lift it, considering i have a hard time myself trying to pick it up. I really dont like the fact that almost all defensive "plays" are now illegal and all that will happen during regionals is that you will see robots going in a circle, and not much beyond that. during the game video, i was almost expecting there to be more game pieces thrown onto the field to make this more interesting. i dont think that only 4 massive game pieces is enough to make an interesting game. in past years it was fun to see the robots either shooting balls into goals or getting a complete wrap-around on the rack, but what is the fun in going around in circles?

It's a simpler game as far as scoring and such, but a harder game for how to do it. Getting a ball over that overpass is going to be very interesting. How to get the second trackball over the opponents home stretch without incurring a penalty -- frustratingly difficult. I was happier with the previous game though.

[Billfred]

The more I look at the game, the more I enjoy it. The task is easy to understand (get your ball, get it over the overpass, swing around and do it again), and even someone who doesn't get the subtleties of the game can get the jist in about thirty seconds. Flying bricks can score for the alliance, but the ones you'll see on Saturday afternoon will do more faster.

Still, we'll see how it plays out on the field.