2011 FRC Game Hint #2

[Tetraman]

Balls, Tetras, and Bins.

Bring it on!

(Goes to design some new games in sketchup)

[zfadness]

[quote]

Originally Posted by Joe G.

I'm going to guess it's something related to the Archimedes-inspired origins of the FIRST logo that they talked about at championships last year.

I believe this has a big part to do with it. It is the type of vague thing they would go for. The greek pillar and historical background of the logo. I also believe the loco-motion idea has merit. Maybe a type of claw to get game pieces out of an elevated bin, then take it (possibily in in some kind of trainlike, cargo carrying way) to something something simialar to archimedes screw to put it in opponent's bin. Least amount of pieces wins.

[Robert Cawthon]

Originally Posted by FlyingD662

Game pieces are my vote. Even though that does seem a bit too straight forward...

Sometimes the best hiding places are in plain sight.

EDIT: I like the three game pieces. It covers all the games throughout the year with first.

[Kailey1023bx]

im so confused! D:

[MattC9]

Shall we connect the logo, or the anniversary to the game?

[TheoBlacksmith]

the most obvious is that It would maybe be some recreation of the 1st FIRST game since it is their anniversairy. Another thing is that it could be a linkage game because of "Little Eva" and her song "Loco - Motion". Possibly all teams on the alliance's robots are connected together to do some sort of race, or an obstacle course or some sort of train design to push or pull down a track.

[SteveGPage]

Let's try a different "track" (pun intended).

What if the hint has nothing to do with the game, but refers to the robots instead? In several of the previous seasons, we have had to design the robots, while also keeping in mind what other teams might design. Can I lift, can I be lifted, can I support another, etc. I would not be surprised if we have 3 different configurations (size, height, weight) and have to design the robot within those different and unique specs. So the first part of the design is how you expect to play the game, and how this robot will be a part of an alliance. Maybe, using the train motif - you have to figure out if you are the engine, the cargo car, or the caboose! Your alliance would be severely limited if all three were the same configuration!

Steve

[Grim Tuesday]

Originally Posted by SteveGPage

Let's try a different "track" (pun intended).

What if the hint has nothing to do with the game, but refers to the robots instead? In several of the previous seasons, we have had to design the robots, while also keeping in mind what other teams might design. Can I lift, can I be lifted, can I support another, etc. I would not be surprised if we have 3 different configurations (size, height, weight) and have to design the robot within those different and unique specs. So the first part of the design is how you expect to play the game, and how this robot will be a part of an alliance. Maybe, using the train motif - you have to figure out if you are the engine, the cargo car, or the caboose! Your alliance would be severely limited if all three were the same configuration!

Steve

Thats a very interesting idea, though I believe that was the plan with suspending last year. I've thought long and hard about how suspending could have worked, and came up with an idea, should a similar game mechanic be used this year: Within the first week, many teams get together, and design a common "harness" system in which their robots may interlink, then try to get as many teams as possible to use it.

Originally Posted by Grim Tuesday

Thats a very interesting idea, though I believe that was the plan with suspending last year. I've thought long and hard about how suspending could have worked, and came up with an idea, should a similar game mechanic be used this year: Within the first week, many teams get together, and design a common "harness" system in which their robots may interlink, then try to get as many teams as possible to use it.

Sounds good! The only problem is that most people don't want to connect their robots unless they have too, me included!

[EricH]

It was suggested in 2007.

Once people figured out about ramps, though, nobody went for it.

Same in 2010, but it didn't become universal.

Originally Posted by EricH

It was suggested in 2007.

Once people figured out about ramps, though, nobody went for it.

Same in 2010, but it didn't become universal.

Most every game has some sort of elevation, and we'd be sure to run into problems going up a slope!

[SteveGPage]

Originally Posted by EricH

It was suggested in 2007.

Once people figured out about ramps, though, nobody went for it.

Same in 2010, but it didn't become universal.

I agree, and would expect the GDC to also have seen that - that's why my comment wasn't based on connecting physically like in previous years, but to "connect" operationally or strategically by function. Three separate design types and three separate functions that you can choose from. It would make for a very different way of playing the qualification rounds, since the chances of seeing the correct pairing would rarely happen for both alliances, but the elimination rounds would be something else!

BTW, congratulations on your 10,000th post Eric! I've enjoyed reading what you have to say!

Steve

[dag0620]

Originally Posted by SuperNerd256

Sounds good! The only problem is that most people don't want to connect their robots unless they have too, me included!

If something like that was to be done, wouldn't FIRST Standardize it ahead of time (Like the Trailer Hook-Ups of '09)

[Grim Tuesday]

Originally Posted by dag0620

If something like that was to be done, wouldn't first Standardize it ahead of time (Like the Trailer Hook-Ups of '09)

They could leave it to the teams to figure out--innovate in.

Originally Posted by dag0620

If something like that was to be done, wouldn't first Standardize it ahead of time (Like the Trailer Hook-Ups of '09)

This is my first year in FRC, so I wasn't in 2009's competition. If what you say is true, that makes me feels a lot better!