2009: Lunacy

Overview:

Lunacy is a game played on a field known as the CRATER. Two ALLIANCES, one red and one blue, composed of three FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) teams each, compete in each MATCH. The object of the game is to attain a higher score than your opponent by placing the GAME PIECES in the TRAILERS hitched to the opposing ALLIANCE’S ROBOTS.

Game Animation:

Game Animation Courtesy FIRST

Definitions:
- ALLIANCE: A set of three FRC TEAMS that work together during a MATCH to play Lunacy against an opposing ALLIANCE. ALLIANCES are identified during the MATCH by their assigned color, either red or blue.

- HERDING: Controlling the position and movement of a GAME PIECE while the GAME PIECE is not supported by any ROBOT (i.e. supported by the CRATER or other GAME PIECES). Both continuous and intermittent contact between the ROBOT and GAME PIECE are considered HERDING. (e.g. bumping, plowing or dribbling a GAME PIECE)

- HITCHED: A TRAILER is HITCHED to a ROBOT when the TRAILER tongue is connected to the Trailer Hitch mounted on the ROBOT (as specified in Rule <R18>) and locked in place with the event-provided standard 1/4-inch COTS hitch pin.

- MATCH: A single iteration of play in which ALLIANCES attempt to complete the goals of the Lunacy game during a competition.

- PENALTY: A 10-point decrement in the ALLIANCE score assigned when a deserving violation of the game rules has been identified by a Referee.

-POSSESSION: Controlling the position and movement of a GAME PIECE while the GAME PIECE is supported or captured by an ALLIANCE. A GAME PIECE shall be considered “supported” by a ROBOT if in the estimation of a reasonably astute observer the majority of the weight of the GAME PIECE is being borne by the ROBOT. A GAME PIECE shall be considered “captured” by a ROBOT if, as the ROBOT moves or changes orientation (e.g. backs up or spins in place), the GAME PIECE remains in approximately the same position relative to the ROBOT. Both the “supported” and “captured” conditions include the case where the GAME PIECE is also in contact with the floor.

- SCORED: A GAME PIECE is SCORED when it is fully supported by the TRAILER or other GAME PIECES that have been SCORED.

- TEAM: Four representatives from a registered FRC team that interact with their robot and their ALLIANCE partners to play Lunacy

- The positions on the TEAM include:
- COMMANDER: A student or adult mentor designated as the team coach and advisor during the MATCH and identified as the person wearing the designated “COMMANDER” pin or button. There is one COMMANDER per TEAM.
- PILOT: A pre-college student team member responsible for operating and controlling the ROBOT. There are two PILOTS per TEAM.
- PAYLOAD SPECIALIST: A pre-college student team member permitted to pass GAME PIECES into, and receive GAME PIECES from, the CRATER. There is one PAYLOAD SPECIALIST per TEAM.

Information Taken from the 2009 FIRST Robotics Competition Manual.  © US FIRST 2009