FRC 2011: Logomotion [Initial Impressions]

[Karibou]

Originally Posted by Seathan93

I don't like that FIRST is making it all about the FIRST brand. I get why they are, but Dean Kamen can't just say "it's not just about the robots" as an excuse as to why they're doing shameless branding. The whole point of last year was that FIRST was expanding to make it a "spectator sport" and I feel they're going backwards with this game.

I respectfully, completely disagree.

They're not doing "shameless branding" just so they can say that it's not just about the robot. Does Ford stick a logo on everything they do to say "it's not just about the cars?" If they do, I'd be surprised. FIRST isn't using the logo pieces to get teams to show more team spirit, put more effort into their business plans, or do more for their community. They're not even doing it to get teams to display logos (the individual team's or FIRST's) everywhere as a promotional tool (and really, I don't see why any company wouldn't want to get their name out there and get themselves easily recognized. Isn't that why logos exist?).

I think that using the logo as game pieces for an anniversary-year game is very appropriate. It's a celebration of the organization of the whole, as well as a tribute to Jack Kamen (Dean's father), who designed the logo. Plus, you can't deny that having game pieces in three different shapes is a wonderful challenge, and I can't think of three better shapes for the situation.