RACK & ROLL Reaction

[lukevanoort]

Originally Posted by DCA Fan

It will also be interesting to see robot lifting mechanisms this year, I forsee quite a few flipped or fallen robots at regionals.

This was one of my reactions too, but then it occurred to me that these innertubes appear very light, thus the arms can be quite light, hence the average center of gravity isn't going to necessarily be as high, say, last year or the year before where many robots either had a heavy shooter high up or a heavy arm with one or more heavy game pieces high up.

[Spiffizzle]

See, I took a child-like view to my first look at the game... the rack looked like a fun jungle gym

I'm really excited for this game. The variety of robot will be intense and the strategy is tough because of the detailed rules on scoring and what colors cancel and which tube does what...

And then this bonus stuff about getting robots off the ground... that will really make each robot varied but hopefully there won't be any dropped or crushed robots due to teammates!

[JamesBrown]

Originally Posted by nparikh

Crucial to what? Losing?

I assume you havent been on the field yet but you cannot see around the rack very well and it will be key to having control of legs on that side. if you can aim with the camera that will be a big advantage.

I really don't see how it could cause you to lose.

[BaysianLogik]

Very interesting looking game.

My only complaint is in the Rack design. I think we'll see the two sides keeping mostly to themselves, even more than usual in a FIRST competition. This is because it will be insanely difficult to score on the opposing side between the lack of visilibility due to the rack itself and already scored Ringers and facing the opposite direction as the driver is used to. The only interaction will probably be between the robots solely designed to be ramps, driving around the opposing side to slow down the enemy scoring.

I think if it were one large wall there would be a lot more use of the Spoilers and strategic Ringer placement than we are going to see.

Camera usage is definitely going to be critical if you want to score points during autonomous mode.

[Hiteak]

I rather like the game. The rack is one of the things I like the most about the game. It feels like there is so many options in the game in the way of strategy of placement. The game play should be really hard a times in the way of getting a view of the field. I guess its time to train our drivers the way of the force

[Vexkingof716]

When I first saw it I was speachless. It was so far from what I was thinking. I sat there with my mouth open for like 5 minutes, then my friend elbowed me. I still don't totally know what to say but omg this is going to be interesting.

[Michael Hill]

To me, it seemed just like another FIRST game...is that possible? I wasn't really shocked, but that could either be to not much new in the technology sense, or it's that I've come to expect this type of game. Anyway, I think it will be fun.

[Athleticgirl389]

Originally Posted by Spiffizzle

See, I took a child-like view to my first look at the game... the rack looked like a fun jungle gym

OOOOOOO!!! I totally thought the same thing!!! Then the inner tubes... and on top of that, (eventaully) robots It's like a child's dream come true lmao.


As per the game, I like it, yet think it has combinations of past years games. It really isn't 100% creative in that aspect. Although the "tower", the 4 lights, and the way to get bonus points in the end gives it it's creativity. It will be quite interesting to see what teams come up with; this game does have many possible solutions.



(side note: since i am on team 102, i must point out this is post number 102 for me hehe)

[Uberbots]

Two words: Wildstang 2001

As enticing as that sounds, 8.3.1.R05 states that wedge robots arent allowed... )=

edit:
wow i was completely disproven... thanks ken keung for pointing out my ignorance.

[Protronie]

This game should prove to be AWESOME!
Gonna take team work, skill, and luck to win.

Best of luck to all of you!

[Daniel Brim]

This game looks like it will be rather exciting to both watch and play. With so many simultaneous actions (one spoiler can make or break a game), it will be exciting to watch. There are several things that I think could have made this game better, however. It probably isn't the most crowd-friendly game, because it does take awhile to understand. I also wish that the tube on top would own the rack, because that would make the game more dynamic. Other than that, I think it's great.

[Ken Leung]

Originally Posted by Uberbots

As enticing as that sounds, 8.3.1.R05 states that wedge robots arent allowed... )=

8.3.1.R06

<R06> Ramps, platforms as other mechanisms specifically designed to elevate ROBOTS during the END GAME are exempt from Rule <R05> when they are deployed in the HOME ZONE. Such devices deployed outside the HOME ZONE are not covered by this exemption.

Makes the game interesting, doesn't it?

[Jonathan Norris]

Originally Posted by BaysianLogik

My only complaint is in the Rack design. I think we'll see the two sides keeping mostly to themselves, even more than usual in a FIRST competition. This is because it will be insanely difficult to score on the opposing side between the lack of visilibility due to the rack itself and already scored Ringers and facing the opposite direction as the driver is used to.

I totally agree that it is going to be very difficult to score on the opposite end of the rack from where the driver is standing from, but this brings in the innovation. To score effectively you are going to have to use the CMU in the scoring process like last year. The really effective teams are going to be able to use the CMU in auto and in-game for blind (driver) scoring. I actually like that they are forcing the CMU on us this year, people said they did last year but many teams got away without using (my team included). This year you have no choice but to use it for autonomous, there is nothing else you can do in auto (other than D), unlike last year with dumping.

Game reaction:
First thought.. I like it... not as awestruck as i was last year but inner tubes will be good scoring objects. Last year was the year for strong drive systems, where this year a team can make good use of a omni drive system. However, don't neglect the defense that can be played in this game. A successful robot will be a defensive beast with *multiple* lifting capabilities. This is why I think that omni teams my be disappointed when the going get tough...

[BuddyB309]

I see some interesting problems that can occur

Team A "Alright we got are ramp down and are ready to allow a robot to climb on top of us"

Team B "Look! team A has there ramp down and we only got a few seconds left!! Hurry!!"

Team A "NO stop! your comming in to fast!"

Crash!

[lilac]

Wow! great challenge for us all!! Go teams!!