[BB] 2010 Game Hint #1

[Nate Smith]

Originally Posted by Beta Version

And.. why isnt this is the rumour mill like it usually is? Its hard to find here

As far as where it was in years past, I don't remember, and I'm not awake enough yet to want to go look, but my answer to your question would be that it's technically not a rumor...the hint picture is an officially released document from FIRST. Much like the "what do they mean by rule X?" discussions that will be starting in a few short weeks, what is being discussed is not a rumor, but rather an interpretation of official documentation.

[MikePres]

Finally a game hint! So excited!
Can't believe i read all the 14 pages 'till now...
So i'm gonna say something obvious that wasn't mentioned so far (i like the track idea, btw):

It's the letter "H".

[Nin_estarSaerah]

Originally Posted by MikePres

So i'm gonna say something obvious that wasn't mentioned so far (i like the track idea, btw):

It's the letter "H".

I thought of that, and it is a possibility, if a bit of a stretch. That would certainly go with the idea of it's not what it seems. Things that start with H? Ham? Holes? Hijacking? Humbug.

If it is a track, the "bracket" probably would attach to something to hold it up, like a pole, which would make it difficult for the robot to manipulate the balls from directly underneath. It seems more likely that it needs to be manipulated from the side, thus, it probably won't be mounted high, but more waist height. That's my two cents.

[sNeff]

Originally Posted by MikePres

Finally a game hint! So excited!
Can't believe i read all the 14 pages 'till now...
So i'm gonna say something obvious that wasn't mentioned so far (i like the track idea, btw):

It's the letter "H".

H is for hydro.

Break out the propellers!

((In all seriousness, I really like the ball track idea. As a personal opinion, I really don't want to attach something to the robot. I also want to be back on carpet. That's the extent of my serious thoughts so far; I've had a long day.))

[steelerborn]

Well your assuming that the game is using "balls"
there have been loads of other shapes in the past

For instance the balls would be knocked off a lot.
But if it was an object of any shape with a hook to latch on to the rail,
well then a track would make more sense.
You would have teams fighting over placing certain objects
in one area and others in another. Different areas with different objects
would score different amounts of points. With the most hard to reach area scoring the most points.
This could tie in to recycling.

Just an idea, we have no idea what to expect.
Its going to be a fun year

[keehun]

Was that banana image a prank by a mentor earlier? I just had to ask and get it out of my system...

[Chris is me]

Originally Posted by keehun

Was that banana image a prank by a mentor earlier? I just had to ask and get it out of my system...

Check your Reputation comments.

[Trent B]

Lots of good ideas similar to what I came up with already so I don't feel the need to repeat.

I must say I am intrigued if this is a permanent field element how well it could stand up to some of the hits robots make on field elements assuming it is 1/4" lexan.

Regardless of whether or not it is fake the Banana thing made me think of Have A Banana productions ending to the animation if memory serves me right.

Edit: That Knex kit is in my basement and was built many times.

[gallo26]

I find it very hard to believe that if in fact that part is a junction for a track, that balls would be placed there as to be scored or for robots to get. In some way, the balls should roll along that track. If it were to just sit there, there would be no reason to waste time cutting out an arc in the lexan. But because there IS a cut, it makes me think its something AFTER the goal. In 2006 all of the balls would be shot into that upper goal, and there was a channel that ran those balls into a feeder box for human players.

My belief is, And I will try to CAD it up as best as I can, That there will be soccer sized balls on the playing field. I doubt that they would be colored for each alliance, But they could be colored for different point values. There is a goal in the middle of the field, suspended up high, 10'-12' in a triangle shape. Similar to the opening in 2006, but there are 3 sides to score. It also rotates, so if hit hard enough, it'll move and you'll have to realign your shot.

That track is just a way to maybe carefully count the balls, but mostly to take the balls from the upper goal, and channel then downward where they either sit on rails to be picked up by a robot, or channeled to human players to redistribute them.

Just a thought that hit me 5:30am

Thoughts or comments??

[Tetraman]

Consider this: One of the new members of the GDC is from Cirque du Soleil.

If this isn't a Marble track, I don't know what is.

[GGCO]

Does anyone think that if it really is a marble track, then this clue is WAY too obvious???

[Tetraman]

Originally Posted by GGCO

Does anyone think that if it really is a marble track, then this clue is WAY too obvious???

The clues are way too obvious EVERY year. The problem is, we usually always miss the obviousness.

And if it's not a marble track, its at least a place where balls are set, like they may be placed on this "track" as a kind of "platform loading station".

I also have a feeling that this has something to do with Pipes. Like that game where you have to move the parts of the pipes to get the water flowing in the right direction. What if there is a continuous stream of "water balls" that are sent out a single "pipe" and then roll their way down pipes to "goals". We may need to form robots that can complete sections of these "pipe-ways" to get the "water balls" to "flow" into our goals, and avoid opponent's goals. Or move sections of "pipe-ways" from one place on the field to another. There may be a way for us to funnel "water-balls" to the human player, and they have better and more direct access to the goals, so maybe letting the "water-balls" drip to the floor is an option.

EDIT: And to be more grandeous with this idea, there may be some device above the player stations that is where the balls "drip" from, and they can end up going either to the left or right. So you have to do some good timing and figure out where and when the water will fall, and make good calculations to when you can make the score. I'm sure there will also be "bonus balls" scattered in the "water-balls" that will be released at a variable time.

EDIT 2: I call this game - Pipeworkx - and the X is shaped like two pipes, which is a central field element to the game.

EDIT 3: If I get this right Dave, can I be on the GDC? hahaha

[Lowfategg]

Hmmm, looks to me like some sort of mount for a signal device, such as a light.

This would explain why it is made of polycarb and appears to fit into the existing FIRST field setup along with the placement of the mounting holes.

[Nin_estarSaerah]

Originally Posted by Tetraman

The clues are way too obvious EVERY year. The problem is, we usually always miss the obviousness.

Usually, Game Hint #1 isn't so obvious. Even when we get it right, it isn't so revealing. Like the Opah "Moonfish" last year, really only told us the "theme" of the game, not much about the field or how it is played. If this is a track, and is so obvious, we may not get another hint.

[DonRotolo]

Originally Posted by Tetraman

If this isn't a Marble track, I don't know what is.

For what it's worth, I agree. The hint shows it upside-down. This is a field element, one of several. It is used to connect longer pieces of pipe forming a marble raceway of sorts, but for 7.5" balls (or similar objects).