Today started like any other day, until robotics class. When I got to class my teacher decided to tell us this years hint. If you haven’t heard it yet, here it is:
"Four is not enough, and the center is out"
When i asked if this was the official hint my teacher just answered that he knows people (it does seem true, he has some friends in the upper echelons of FIRST).
What i want from you good people is:
A) confirmation of this hint
B) All of the speculation you people can fling around
2005 is around the corner, forget Santa, I want Dean
Well thats an unofficial hint for now. Maybe we’ll have a donut field and an obstacle relay race with 3 robots per relay team. Or the revival of the hexagon field.
Best we can do now is go crazy with the speculation until FIRST gives some offical announcement- if any this year. January 8th is now only 22 days away.
Is this official?! Don’t lead people on man! Your post title gave the impression that it was. How did he present this? Did he say “this is the hint: blah blah” or did he just insert it in conversation and you interpreted it as such. Need more info. Insufficient Data.
since i have not heard anything… i would not believe in anything but an official announcement from FIRST
hmm… what is four?
4 robots on the field right now … so more than 4 robots at a time?
4 fields at nationals that lead to the center (Einstein) … more than 4 normal fields at nationals and no Einstein, the center.
4 people were on a team field crew in 2004 …bigger field teams?
edit…
also the center of the old logo is filled up by the junction of the triangle and square of the new one…
edit…
I note no on the hex field. While it was exceedingly cool, FIRST has a lot invested in the current rectangular field, and the hex field doesn’t lend itself as well to play in arenas. Especially arenas with viewing from just one side like in Atlanta.
i do agree First would be smart to keep the rectangles for financial reasons.
but the hint makes me think it effects the field as opposed to the robots
4 Sides of the field are not enough… and the center is out, a BAGEL (hehe) Shaped Field
maybe… makes asking each team for 1000 dollars more a lil more worth it now doesnt it
tho ive been wating for more then 4 robots on the field for a long time, anyone who thinks it be to crowded, just look at the 2001 game. games are more fun when theres less on the field (dont argue it, its just an opinion and preference)
My teacher started our class off with the hint. The thing that makes me think this is a real hint was the smug, cocky look on his face when he told us the hint . Another bit to add to his credibility was that last year he told us that Stairway to Heaven hint at about the same time of year (which, mind you, was not made official until nearly a week after people started spreading it). When we were speculating in class the smug grin only got larger and he didn’t say anything . I know this is not official yet, but i have a feeling it might be the real hint.
Here’s a Kyle guess. I am guessing an octagon field without a center where there are 3 alliances with 2 teams each…that’s all I have to guess right now. My real guess will come on Jan. 8th.
I dunno. I’d rather have the 1K back than a novel field shape. A circle’s definitely out, though. I mean, are they gonna pay that much to roll all the pipe and bump plate and plexi into arcs?
I suppose a hex field could be a possibility, though. just an odd one.
Perhaps the field will just be bigger with more robots on it…
speaking of donut shaped fields, what about a square field with all the drivers and players in a box in the middle? that’d be a really big change.
There were also four goals…could be more than four goals that don’t have a center or you don’t score if the scoring objects end up in the center. I don’t think the center of the field will be missing, but in the baseball terms that have been flaoting around, it may have to do with getting out in baseball? Just some suggestions.
The center is out could be referring to an out of bounds for the robots (like a score area that you can’t cross without a penalty )…well, last year there were 4 goals. 2 stationary and 2 mobile goals. There could be a fifth goals of some kind…
now here are my guesses, more than 4 fields at nationals. maybe more than 4 teams play during one match, 3 alliances (3 teams per team) play in one match. 2 robots go in at a time. what if the field is a triangle? 2 robots start off each corner? an obstacle sitting in the middle which is donut shaped (center is out). or the game pieces are donut shaped (replacing the balls), which the robots have to collect and keep in their goal zone. the center of the field is the points breaker, in another word justl ike back in 2003 we had the king of the hill, 2004 we had hanging robots, 2005… yet to come…
WAIT!!! the robot has to eat as many donuts as possible.
Edit- Just because a FIRST mentor asked to call them bagels… fine … the robot has to cut the bagels in half, put cream cheese on there and eat as many as possible…
. Another bit to add to his credibility was that last year he told us that Stairway to Heaven hint at about the same time of year (which, mind you, was not made official until nearly a week after people started spreading it). When we were speculating in class the smug grin only got larger and he didn’t say anything 
