an unusual observation

[theun4gven]

Originally Posted by IKE

I bet the game piece looks like a jax piece.

Seeing as how the new controller and camera have built in OCR, shape recognition and color recognition it will probably be more like large colored jacks each labeled individually with a name.


And just because I like to keep the rumors going, the cRio-9072/3/4 Operating Instructions and Specifications available on ni.com contains the following:

Special Conditions for Marine Applications
Some chassis are Lloyd’s Register (LR) Type Approved for marine
applications. To verify Lloyd’s Register certification, visit ni.com/
certification and search for the LR certificate, or look for the Lloyd’s
Register mark on the chassis.

[Daniel_LaFleur]

Originally Posted by IKE

In all seriousness, this year should be a non ball game. Not likely to be tetras, boxes, innertubes,....hmmmm? I bet the game piece looks like a jax piece.

Traffic cones ?

[lasereyes]

And the speculation begins...

[IKE]

Originally Posted by Daniel_LaFleur

Traffic cones ?

Cone heads does have a nice ring to it. <

What about horse shoes U?

[Spartan151]

Originally Posted by IKE

Cone heads does have a nice ring to it. <

True. Very true.

[Andrew Schreiber]

Originally Posted by Daniel_LaFleur

Traffic cones ?

No, that would remind us Michiganders of Traffic Construction season. We don't need reminders of that.

Unless we get to run OVER the traffic cones, then it would be slanted towards Michigan drivers, we would just do what we normally do to them. That or cursing at them, its a sport up here to curse at traffic cones

(As a random aside, apparently the spell checker in OS X recognizes Michigander as a word... sweet!)

[EricH]

Unfortunately for those who don't like traffic cones, a game has been proposed that uses them as the game object...

[yarb65]

No in CA we call it a cone zone.

[IKE]

Cone Zone with Barrel Bullies.

Object of the game is to find a retrieve cones launched into the playing field and stack them in your home zone. Bonus if you cover your cones with a large traffic barrel.
Format Change:
All bots at a regional play at the same time to truly get that traffic jam level of frustration. Matches extend from the typical 2 minutes to 20 minutes, but there will only be 2 minutes of moving spread out over the 20 minute period.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by IKE

Cone Zone with Barrel Bullies.

Object of the game is to find a retrieve cones launched into the playing field and stack them in your home zone. Bonus if you cover your cones with a large traffic barrel.
Format Change:
All bots at a regional play at the same time to truly get that traffic jam level of frustration. Matches extend from the typical 2 minutes to 20 minutes, but there will only be 2 minutes of moving spread out over the 20 minute period.

Double the bonus if you can stop Albert the Road Barrel from moving your stack...

[Dick Linn]

You'll need at least a few robots designed to wave a traffic flag or lean on a shovel in the end zone to play the cone game.

[JaneYoung]

It wouldn't be right to leave out the caution saw horse whose only purpose seems to be to partially block a closed lane, or rather, open lane, adding confusion when it is supposed to add direction and flow. The traffic flag laying on its side could add to the direction/flow/confusion/blockage - then the caution saw horse would serve its purpose, fully.

I think.

[Althewierd]

though the last few years have seen the main object as a ball, it isn't any less likely to be a ball this year. The ball is a fundamental piece of many internationally acclaimed games and hundreds more unofficial.

On the subject of the game, every year I think, "how can they ever make it better than last year?" and every year, they do.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Althewierd

though the last few years have seen the main object as a ball, it isn't any less likely to be a ball this year. The ball is a fundamental piece of many internationally acclaimed games and hundreds more unofficial.

As a matter of fact, that is not the case. Take a good look at the games for the past several years. I can only think of one time there's been two or more "ball" games in a row, and that was 2000-2002. Since then, crates, balls, tetras, balls, pool tubes, balls. Before then, similar pattern.

Analysis indicates that we're due for a non-ball year.

[Althewierd]

that's a good observation but whether or not there was a ball last year for the game does not affect whether or not there is a ball this year. Its all up to FIRST.

Though, I do hope the pattern stays true.