2011 Game Hint #1

[TomH]

One thing I think we need to consider in ideas for game possibilities is the use of cameras. In the last 2 years, FIRST has tried to implement camera use into each game, like the targets for the goals in Breakaway and the top of the cart things in Lunacy. That is probably one of the most essential things that need to be considered in ideas, as how cameras can be used with the game. Look at modern day robots that are used by militaries, police, etc., most of them have cameras, and I think that FIRST is trying to get them well implemented into the games. Just something I thought that might need to be considered.

-Tom H

[ThirteenOfTwo]

Eva?

I agree that Locomotion sounds like the hint, but I'd argue that it's more likely to be the name than a reveal about the actual gameplay.

[Dripto]

On the other hand, they also try to make it possible to play the game without any camera control whatsoever. I could see them somehow making the pieces hard to place in the train without a camera or something, but I'm not sure how vital that would be, the GDC will figure something out.

[Creator Mat]

Something i noticed as i was reading some of the older posts was that Dave Lavery's profile had a picture of a locomotive in it... has that always been there or is this important or is this him just messing with (my) our heads?

[Cyberphil]

Originally Posted by Creator Mat

Something i noticed as i was reading some of the older posts was that Dave Lavery's profile had a picture of a locomotive in it... has that always been there or is this important or is this him just messing with (my) our heads?

That has been there for a few days now. If you read the whole thread I believe someone brings it up. It is a CCR album cover or something like that. But nice try!

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Creator Mat

Something i noticed as i was reading some of the older posts was that Dave Lavery's profile had a picture of a locomotive in it... has that always been there or is this important or is this him just messing with (my) our heads?

Changed a couple days after the hint came out. Might be important, but I think I'll take the default fallback:

Spoiler for :

It's a train!

Spoiler for :

But it can't be just a train, can it?

Spoiler for :

Maybe it is, maybe it isn't.

Spoiler for :

Does this tie in to last year's Morse Code?

Spoiler for :

Dave's just messing with our heads.

[DarrinMunter]

Another big event this year - Kodak's Kodachrome film has come to an end after 75 years of the best color pictures ever taken.

Since this years clue is a picture.....

[thefro526]

Originally Posted by TomH

One thing I think we need to consider in ideas for game possibilities is the use of cameras. In the last 2 years, FIRST has tried to implement camera use into each game, like the targets for the goals in Breakaway and the top of the cart things in Lunacy. That is probably one of the most essential things that need to be considered in ideas, as how cameras can be used with the game. Look at modern day robots that are used by militaries, police, etc., most of them have cameras, and I think that FIRST is trying to get them well implemented into the games. Just something I thought that might need to be considered.

-Tom H

Cameras have been in use since at least 2005, but the importance and use varied by the game.

2005 - Vision Tetra (Don't really know the purpose of the vision tetra, auto bonus?)
2006 - Above the High Goal, most often used for auto targeting.
2007 - Above every other Column on the Rack - Used for autonomous scoring.
2008 - No specific Camera Objective, though some teams did attempt to differentiate blue and red trackballs from one another.
2009 - Targets above Trailers, used for auto targeting
2010 - Targets above Goals, used for auto targeting

Looking at past camera use, odds are that there will either be some sort of uniquely colored target or lit structure for the cameras to find and assist in scoring - Probably above, around, or inside of a goal or other scoring structure.

Seems like more often than not, Camera assist is usually written off as being unnecessary due to the amount of programming resources invested or because the task can be done just as easily with Dead Reckoning or a more simple sensor setup.

[Mike o.]

Originally Posted by thefro526

Cameras have been in use since at least 2005, but the importance and use varied by the game.

2005 - Vision Tetra (Don't really know the purpose of the vision tetra, auto bonus?)
2006 - Above the High Goal, most often used for auto targeting.
2007 - Above every other Column on the Rack - Used for autonomous scoring.
2008 - No specific Camera Objective, though some teams did attempt to differentiate blue and red trackballs from one another.
2009 - Targets above Trailers, used for auto targeting
2010 - Targets above Goals, used for auto targeting
........

Some further notes about camera use. There was in fact no camera use in 2008. This was the year they had the IR receivers/transmitters and had the RoboCoach that could aid in controlling the robot during Hybrid (that year's autonomous) Period. Also, 2009 is when they introduced the new Camera (Axis 206 Camera) that allowed for a little more complexity than the old camera (CMUcam). During the 2010 game, the primary purpose of the camera was to track the large targets over the corner goals, but teams were also able to get visual feedback at the DS and possibly could use it to help them navigate (e.g., through the tunnels). I think that we will see that continuation of multipurpose use of the camera during the game, not just for use in autonomous for tracking something.

With everything that has been mentioned and discussed, I think that it will be interesting this year to see how the GDC has integrated the use of the camera into the game. I truly can't wait.

[IndySam]

Originally Posted by Mike o.

Some further notes about camera use. There was in fact no camera use in 2008. This was the year they had the IR receivers/transmitters and had the RoboCoach that could aid in controlling the robot during Hybrid (that year's autonomous) Period.

Not exactly true, a few teams used the camera to show the robot where the random ball was instead of using the IR.

[Jash_J]

Originally Posted by thefro526

Looking at past camera use, odds are that there will either be some sort of uniquely colored target or lit structure for the cameras to find and assist in scoring - Probably above, around, or inside of a goal or other scoring structure.

This got me thinking, just like last year, how they only showed one piece of the game which was a piece of the twoer where the ball woudl fall from, maybe they are doign the same this year? Only this year they are talking about the camera uses in the game this the picture being reversed and in black and white. Maybe it means there is a target with similar properties?

[h1n1is4pigs]

or maybe the clue has no relevance and we are just being screwed with

[Team#2057-Vegas]

it ALWAYS has some type of relevance.. even small things sometimes

[Grim Tuesday]

Originally Posted by Team#2057-Vegas

it ALWAYS has some type of relevance.. even small things sometimes

The relevance could be that there is no relevance: We know the game isnt going to be about 60s singers...

Right?

[h1n1is4pigs]

i dont even think we can be sure that it wont be about 60's singers all that we can really be sure about is there will be a game