The Not So-Secret Secret End-Game

[wilsonmw04]

This thread is an awesome stress reliever. Thanks for the chuckle :-)

[Kevin Sevcik]

Also, Also, there are two options for the Team Element truss. Cheapest option is two strings strung between 2x4s. Which works fine for just making sure you clear it, but you couldn't hang a robot off it.

More expensive option is a truss-like construction of 1/2" plywood all around. Plywood for the sides of the truss and plywood strips for the "angles" of the truss. Which might, maybe, be stiff enough not to sag (much) across a field width span. But you sure aren't hanging any robots off it without turning it into splinters.

But if the GDC is willing to spring an entirely new game on us, they're probably more than willing to make teams waste $100 on wood for a useless game element.

[mrnoble]

Originally Posted by Kevin Sevcik

But if the GDC is willing to spring an entirely new game on us, they're probably more than willing to make teams waste $100 on wood for a useless game element.

Agreed.

Honestly, the angriest I've felt towards the GDC was when, in 2012, we got to competition and discovered the mechanism we'd developed for pushing down the bridge we built to spec wouldn't even budge the actual bridges, which as you certainly recall, were so significantly heavier that they were entirely different.

[cbudrecki]

my 2¢ about the truss...

these are standard lighting/rigging trusses that I'm sure FIRST has plenty of easy access to (and they really aren't that expensive). The GDC is not only responsible for creating a game, but also making it look good, and ensure that it can stand up to the rigors of competition. Sure a rope or volleyball net would have done the job but 1)it'd look really cheesy, and 2) when one of these big balls hits it, it would give, lose slack, sag, and have to be re-tensioned between each match. The trusses simply look good, and won't ever change dimensions.::

[dubiousSwain]

Originally Posted by GearsOfFury

My opinion on truss strength / durability and people feeling it's unnecessary: I think people are overlooking the fact that there will be 3 pound balls shot at the truss at high velocity, multiple times per game. The GDC is probably just trying to insure the thing doesn't break or fall over when all those shots fail to clear the truss. A rope or simple bar wouldn't do it. Plus as some have pointed out it looks like standard lighting rigging that they have plenty of experience with and access to.

A volleyball net would absorb the force of a ball perfectly fine...

[bugynerd]

Did I miss something, or was there actually no release of the Encryption Code in the Kickoff Broadcast?

Did I miss something, or was there actually no close to the Kickoff Broadcast, in the form of a few "good luck teams" words from Dean, Woodie, and Don?

[RufflesRidge]

Originally Posted by bugynerd

Did I miss something, or was there actually no release of the Encryption Code in the Kickoff Broadcast?

Did I miss something, or was there actually no close to the Kickoff Broadcast, in the form of a few "good luck teams" words from Dean, Woodie, and Don?

You and/or your kickoff missed something (the end of the broadcast). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWb2...PZcMFF3#t=1722

[fb39ca4]

Originally Posted by dubiousSwain

A volleyball net would absorb the force of a ball perfectly fine...

But it would be worse if a robot got entangled in it, which would likely tear the net. A truss, on the other hand, while still allowing the robot to get entangled, would not break.

[ninjosh97]

Just something else I found.
According to R18, you can carry 30lbs of robot parts not in the bag.
Hasn't it been 20lbs in previous years?
Maybe they expect us to need to bring more.

[mrnoble]

Originally Posted by ninjosh97

Just something else I found.
According to R18, you can carry 30lbs of robot parts not in the bag.
Hasn't it been 20lbs in previous years?
Maybe they expect us to need to bring more.

No, that is not correct. It's been 30 lbs.

[ninjosh97]

Originally Posted by mrnoble

No, that is not correct. It's been 30 lbs.

Ah ok, wasn't sure.
Thanks for the clarification. :-)

[mrnoble]

I feel the need to point out that thinking the GDC might add another game element is not akin to "conspiracy theory", as in Area 51 aliens, vaccinations=autism, and any of the twisty ways of discovering a Water Game. It is much more like adding bonds to your stock portfolio when Ben Bernanke hints that interest rates might be allowed to rise. If anyone is actually building for a game that doesn't exist based on hints that don't say much (if anything) about what that game might be, they are foolish. I don't think there is actually anyone doing that. What I think SHOULD be done is, plan for the game as it is now, and leave room in your thinking and designs for changes that might occur. Hedge your bets.

I think I'll leave this one alone for a while now. If I'm correct, and there is more to be revealed, well, we'll all see it sooner or later. If I'm wrong, then that's fine too, and no one will have to adjust. Either way, it doesn't make much difference to keep looking for more and more obscure (or nonexistent) clues, and keep debating points of conjecture. The idea is clearly out there now. Let's just wait and see what happens.

[MooreteP]

While showing the animation last night to a casual observer of FIRST challenges, their initial reaction as the animation started was: "oh, is it volleyball this year?"

Volleyball also has assists. Imagine an endgame where extra points were awarded for each successive throw and catch over the truss during the last 15 seconds. Or even a bonus multiplier (1.1x, 1.2x, 1.3x) that increased for each successful volley as long as the ball never hit the floor.

It would not require any new ideas or designs that hadn't been considered or were already being created.

It would have a crowd pleasing excitement that would improve this game.

[Racer26]

Originally Posted by MooreteP

While showing the animation last night to a casual observer of FIRST challenges, their initial reaction as the animation started was: "oh, is it volleyball this year?"

Volleyball also has assists. Imagine an endgame where extra points were awarded for each successive throw and catch over the truss during the last 15 seconds. Or even a bonus multiplier (1.1x, 1.2x, 1.3x) that increased for each successful volley as long as the ball never hit the floor.

It would not require any new ideas or designs that hadn't been considered or were already being created.

It would have a crowd pleasing excitement that would improve this game.

Neat idea.

[runneals]

Originally Posted by GearsOfFury

My opinion on truss strength / durability and people feeling it's unnecessary: I think people are overlooking the fact that there will be 3 pound balls shot at the truss at high velocity, multiple times per game. The GDC is probably just trying to insure the thing doesn't break or fall over when all those shots fail to clear the truss. A rope or simple bar wouldn't do it. Plus as some have pointed out it looks like standard lighting rigging that they have plenty of experience with and access to.

Looking at how they designed the team on (the truss supports going horizontal, instead of vertical or even just a 12x12 box) support your thought about the 3 pound balls... but wouldn't not making them go vertical just sag the wood?