Cage or no cage?

I like the cage for a few reasons.

It really is no fun getting the robots built and sorted out, driving all the way to an event to get dumped out in every fight and having a grand total of thirty seconds driving. The cage means that at least we get to compete a bit more, drive a bit more and try out to see what works and what doesnt. Even in the case of Beast vs Hydra (which went very badly from our point of view) it gave us chance to see what needed bolting down a bit more, what broke and what didnt. Probably good for the crowd too.

It means that robots have to become more reliable because the fights are lasting longer.

One thing I would say is that for roboteers the viewing angles are very poor. Those areas which have good viewing angles generally are full of people intent on watching the fight and it can be difficult to get a spot around these areas. Maybe a sensible solution to this is to create the driving position at the entrance doors where you just have Pete and drivers. This also means that if there is a problem Pete can instruct people rather than calling Stu to call cease. It wasnt a problem with Cylon catching fire but it did take a while between Pete asking and cease being called.

Andy

Thats a good idea, a drivers podeum.
That way, only those who are driving get a good veiw of the arena, while those just watching get an okay-ish veiw.
Good idea, andy.

got to second andys comments that you can drive for an eternity for seconds of driving. cage is a very good idea and i think has transformed the way we fight. at notts there were hardly any ootas. but there were some nice longer fights which would have lasted a lot less with no cage. stops flippers from dominating and makes for a better fight even if its not in envys favour. i will be spending winter modding envy for 2009. i expect a good year and so does thor :)

Drivers position should be near the doors, im sorry but thing which was annoynig me at the weekned was roboteers standing and being in the way. its never been a problem befor. Maidstone - new rule - do as your told! LOL. There will be special driver areas and special viewing area. Do not get in the way of someone drivnig and give space to drivers. Also do NOT enter the Arena Control Area.

And i blame Pete for the fire thing. If theres a fire, you say fire a bit louder down the walkie talkie. I could barely hear him till the 3rd time, normaly you shout fire if theres a fire. lol.

And Andy - Pete has to instruct me not just the roboteers to cease as i have to kill the arena effects. dont want anyone walking near/on the arena flipper etc and it goes off for whatever reason. Its normaly not a problem, just walkie talkie needs turning up, never had a problem before.

As most of you now know, we have lots of cameras and screens about, so we only need another screen for the roboteers like at robot wars to watch the fights.

Interesting comments about the cage, keep them coming....

Mr Stu

(Message edited by stu on October 29, 2008)

The cage certainly makes the fights last longer, so more interesting for the audience, but the downside is there will be more judges decisions rather than clear wins.
Id like to see a robot sized hole somewhere in the caged side of the arena so you can still get an O.O.T.A.

By the door? Where the many cameras were put up and Major damages ramps were and other such obstacles that were in the way. Meaning if we stood by the door we would be about 2 meters away from the arena, is that practical? Effects are important but the drivers being able to see is more important. More light next time as well please, I couldn€™t see anything in the arena.

True, the roboteers are more important, if it wasnt for us, then there wouldnt be a show.
So, more lighting and less efects.
Plus, maybe have the music away from where we drive, i dont know if its just me, but when theres loud music blaring in my ear, i find it hard to concentrate.

Matt, You need a lesson in basic business principles, The event organisers job is to put on a show for a paying audience, you as a roboteer are part of that show, as is the lighting, music, effects etc. How do you think the event organiser can fund things like the hire of the venue the costs of building, maintaining and transporting the arena the costs of lighting and sound equipment, the list goes on.... answer...ticket sales

Yes I would love to fight in an arena iluminated with several thousand watts of lighting without the distraction of loud music but as a spectator sport it would be a very poor show.

Simply put... poor show = poor ticket sales = no money for the event organisers = no events = no were for you to drive your robot!

So beleve me Matt NO roboteer is more important than the need to put bums on seats.

Hmmm... havent seen the cage yet but Im always for more safety. :wink: I only wonder what it does for visibility.
As in visibility for the audience, the robot-drivers, the judges, and even the hapless photographers like yours truly - who has been kicked off her spot before by irate roboteers demanding a good spot from which to drive their robots.
So, Im most fervently in favour of a designated area for robot-drivers ! Im also in favour of a designated spot for roboteers who want to watch the fights and, if it would be possible, even a designated and scratch-free spot for photographers and filmers (maybe we could order such a spot for an event in advance please ?).
I know, its a long list. But it would do away with so many of the practical problems...

If we cant see Geoff, probably means that the audience cant either. I believe John Lear has all ready mentioned this above though. The effects are fine but there is no point having them if nobody can see the robots-which is what they came to see in the first place.

Simply put... No robots= poor show!= poor ticket sales= no money for event organisers= no events!