Competition.....or touchy feely happy bonding time?

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Posted by Kate T190 at 1/6/2001 3:27 PM EST


Engineer on team #190, Gompei, from Mass Academy of Math and Science and Worcester Polytechnic Institute.


In Reply to: Competition.....or touchy feely happy bonding time?
Posted by aTm on 1/6/2001 12:03 PM EST:



"I didn't lose, the other team just scored more points than I did, even though we're all working towards the same number of points."

No losers this year.. Yay.. Just emphasizes even more that everyone that participates in FIRST is already a winner..

So??

I'm just like a lot of other people.. I like a lot of physical matches where it comes down to the wire for who's going to win the match.. I absolutely loved watching nationals last year even though I was going to die from heat stroke.. But I'm not complaining..

So because of the previously stated, I'm not ABSOLUTELY in love with the game yet.. But I don't absolutely hate it either..

Right now I'm really intrigued by it.. Partially because I don't really have a clue what's going on yet.. (but that's besides the point) But it's really because it's all about STRATEGY and precision of a different sort this year..

I'll get back to you when I really know what's going on in my head.. I'm just waiting for the 3DS workshop to be done so I can bring my gang (Colleen, Robby, Nate) back to my home so we can do a combo of brainstorming for the competition and playing Nintendo64 (yay Lego Racers)..

T190 XO
Kate

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Posted by Nate Smith at 1/6/2001 3:43 PM EST


Other on team #66, GM Powertrain/Willow Run HS, from Eastern Michigan University and GM Powertrain.


In Reply to: sure there are NO losers.. is it REALLY that BAD??
Posted by Kate T190 on 1/6/2001 3:27 PM EST:



: "I didn't lose, the other team just scored more points than I did, even though we're all working towards the same number of points."

But if the other team got more points, then didn't you...? And didn't they...? Ahhh! Are you sure FIRST isn't being sponsored by Tylenol now, and needed a way for them to boost sales because of the competition??? =)

: No losers this year.. Yay.. Just emphasizes even more that everyone that participates in FIRST is already a winner..

Exactly...and while this isn't exactly a "made for tv" game...I can't think of one that really has been since I've started with this back in '98...

: So??

: I'm just like a lot of other people.. I like a lot of physical matches where it comes down to the wire for who's going to win the match.. I absolutely loved watching nationals last year even though I was going to die from heat stroke.. But I'm not complaining..

Like other people have said, this game is a whole new idea...just what FIRST is know for... =)

: So because of the previously stated, I'm not ABSOLUTELY in love with the game yet.. But I don't absolutely hate it either..

I'm still trying to figure it out...once i've done that, then i'll decide if i like it or not...

: Right now I'm really intrigued by it.. Partially because I don't really have a clue what's going on yet.. (but that's besides the point) But it's really because it's all about STRATEGY and precision of a different sort this year..

From someone who has spent time with reversi(othello) and chess...I'm all for the strategy aspect of this year's game...we'll see what happens...

: I'll get back to you when I really know what's going on in my head.. I'm just waiting for the 3DS workshop to be done so I can bring my gang (Colleen, Robby, Nate) back to my home so we can do a combo of brainstorming for the competition and playing Nintendo64 (yay Lego Racers)..

Now, if I had known...I could have brought some of my other games...things to know for next year...

Nate

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Posted by Peter VanWylen at 1/6/2001 3:44 PM EST


Student on team #107, Team ROBOTICS, from Holland Christian High School and Metal Flow Corp..


In Reply to: Competition.....or touchy feely happy bonding time?
Posted by aTm on 1/6/2001 12:03 PM EST:



I have to agree that the most exciting matches I have ever seen have been ones with fierce competition. Last year, in the elimination rounds, it was great to see teams unleashing on each other, and defense coming into play. How much fun is it going to be this year with everybody being a winner? In my opinion, if nobody loses, then nobody wins.

This year's game is like a swim meet -- except that the teams never swim at the same time. First team A sends 4 players out, and they swim. Then team B sends 4 players out and they swim. But, it never happens that you are swimming along and notice that the other team is way ahead and their swimmers are flying, and you try to pull ahead yourself. No, it would be bad for your self-esteem if somebody beat you. That wouldn't be any fun.

Personally, I love the game, the balls, the goals on wheels, and the rest of the game. But please, give me an opponent.

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Posted by Rich at 1/7/2001 1:01 AM EST


Other on team #111, WildStang, from high school.


In Reply to: Competition.....or touchy feely happy bonding time?
Posted by aTm on 1/6/2001 12:03 PM EST:



I have been a long time observer of this forum and was never really motivated to post a message. In light of the recent posting of rules by FIRST i believe that my opinions cannot go unheard for any longer. As a senior who has participated in my team all throughout highschool, i watched as the game has evolved from a fast-paced one where a team controls its own destiny in fiece competition to what it is now, a game where a teams fate is decided practically by luck of the draw in a simple showcase of ability. To see the rationalization and defense of these rules disturbs me. Frankly i feel such emense dissappoment that i fear it will be hard for me to even enjoy any of the "competitions". I understand that FIRST wants to glorify the idea of cooperation but i feel compititon is nessary to keep public intrest high and to ensure growth. If this pattern continues i feel that FIRST might possibly suffer from a decline in teams participating in the years to come. Just like aTm i hope that i am wrong and that this year will hold as much excitement as years past. I sure as heck don't wanna be in the pits after a match only to realize that there is nothing to be done because my robot has just retured from a lovefest rather than a battlefield.
okay now with that being said i am ready to embark upon another year. good luck everyone.

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Posted by bill whitley at 1/7/2001 2:21 PM EST


Student on team #70, Auto City Bandits, from Powers Catholic High School and Kettering University.


In Reply to: Total disappointment
Posted by Rich on 1/7/2001 1:01 AM EST:



It is going to be much harder to recruit students against this "game" than it was to recruit for a competition of robots. People get excited when you tell them about the pushing matches for the bar or trying to keep someone from getting to the trough to score. Now what can we say, we try to build a robot that can balance on a teetor totter. HOW EXCITING! (sarcasm)

Bill