Instruction Manual
Table of Contents Introduction...2. Field Description & Plans...3. Field Setup and Components...5. Playing the Game...6. Who Is Going to Play...7. Awards...7 Running a Tournament...8. Space Considerations...8 Scoring Software...9. Final Words...10 Copyright VisualEdge, Incorporated 2011. All rights reserved. VisualEdge, the VisualEdge Logo, Puck Pile Up, and Game-in-a-Box are trademarks of VisualEdge, Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form except under explicit license from VisualEdge, Incorporated. Game-in-a-Box, Patent Pending. 1
Introduction Thank you for purchasing Puck Pile Up, a robot game in a box. We at VisualEdge are very proud of our product, and we hope that it serves you well. This document is an introduction to the materials you have purchased. All materials provided in this box are complete and have been field proven to provide the ingredients for a great gaming experience. Puck Pile Up will have players piling up the points. This intermediate level game challenges competitors to collect hockey pucks from holding racks on the field and then create stacks of them on a raised scoring platform. The taller the stack, the more points are earned. It may sound simple, but the size, shape, and weight of the pucks create design dilemmas. Additionally, the presence of eight power pucks makes a scoring strategy necessary for victory. This box contains everything that you need to play Puck Pile Up, assuming you already have common hand tools, robots, and a playing field. The contents of this Game-in-a-Box are detailed below: Figure 1. Contents of the Puck Pile Up Game-in-a-Box package. - (24) 6 oz. Black Hockey Pucks. - (8) 4 oz. Blue Hockey Pucks. - (1) Scoring Platform/Storage Box (pre-painted). - (4) Puck Racks - (2) Rolls of Tape (Blue & Red). - Resource CD Contents. - Competition Rules - Scoring Software - Scoring Log - Match Schedules - Tournament Bracket - Printable Score Sheets - Printable Award Certificates - Referee Instructions 2
Field Description & Plans We highly recommend you build a field for Puck Pile Up. Although it is not necessary to build such an elaborate field, our experience has shown it is extremely beneficial to the game. Construction plans for a sturdy and reusable field are included below. Keep in mind that a field of this size (8 x 8 ) will be standard for all Game-in-a-Box offerings. We are also providing some alternate field possibilities after the field building instructions. Materials needed: 9-2 x4 x8 2-1 x8 x8 2-1 x8 x10 2-3/4 x4 x8 plywood 1/2 lb - 3 drywall screws 1/2 lb. 1 drywall screws 3 - Large C clamps 2-6 x8 outdoor carpets Carpet adhesive Staple gun Handles (Optional) Figure 2. Field assembly illustration The field is constructed of two separate units that are fastened together in order to make a complete field. To build the two field units, you will need the following cuts of wood: (4) 2 x 4 x 48 (6) 2 x 4 x 45 (4) 2 x 4 x 93 (4) 1 x 8 x 97½ (4) 1 x 8 x 8 To build the first unit, lay out your lumber as illustrated above. Note that the longer boards should have their ends capped by the 48 long 2 x 4 s. The three cross braces should be equally spaced, about 24 apart. Use the 3 screws to secure everything together. Next, screw the plywood decking sheet to the frame with the smaller screws. Finally, secure one of 1 x 8 x 8 pieces to one of the long edges of the field. Repeat these steps to create the second field unit. The carpet should be placed so that it fits flush up against the 1 x 8 side of the field and both short edges. Use carpet adhesive to secure the carpet in this position. After the adhesive cures, pull the carpet 3
toward the uncarpeted edge of the field. Wrap the carpet around the side of the field and staple liberally. This will leave a seam in the middle of the field once the two parts are put together. Use the three clamps to fasten the units together where the 2 x 4 frames meet in the middle. This allows you to easily set up and break down the field for storage when not in use. To finish your field, secure the cut 1 x 8 pieces to the adjoining short sides of the 2 units. These two boards help to reinforce the playing field when it is assembled. It is recommended that you add some handles or handholds on the bottom of the field units to make them easier to transport. Alternate Playing Fields If constructing a field platform is not a viable option, VEX Robotics. (www.vexrobotics.com) sells two compatible fields (The 8 x 8 Field Perimeter Kit (P/N: 275-1413) for $250 or the Competition Field Perimeter Kit (P/N: 278-1501) for $800) for use with your Game-in- Box. If you are looking for a more economical choice, find a large, open floor space with low profile carpet or tile. Establish a field perimeter by fastening four, 2 x 4 x 8 pieces at their ends to form a square. This will help keep scoring components and robots in the field of play. Using an alternate field may require you to adjust some of the provided rules. Figure 3. Rendering of the Puck Pile Up game ready for play. 4
Field Setup Starting Zones Each alliance will have a designated starting zone. These zones are 36 wide by 18 long. These can be marked off using some colored tape (red & blue recommended). Scoring Components Puck Pile Up uses standard adult and youth hockey pucks as scoring objects. The pucks start the game placed on one of the 4 included Puck Racks. There are 8 pucks per rack with 2 of those pucks being Power Pucks. The grouping of pucks (fig. 4) should be placed centered on the top of the rack. Black Pucks There are 24 black hockey pucks on each Puck Pile Up field. They are 3 in diameter, 1 thick, and weigh 6 oz. They are worth 1 point apiece and can generate multipliers when stacked in the scoring zone. The Power Pucks There are 8 blue power pucks on each Puck Pile Up field. They are also 3 in diameter, 1 thick, but weigh only 4 oz. These pucks are also worth 1 point a piece, but generate a power multiplier when on top of a stack of other hockey pucks. Figure 4. Puck rack with the pucks in their starting positions. Puck Racks Each Puck Pile Up field has four puck racks positioned diagonally in each field corner. Each rack holds 8 pucks (6 black & 2 blue) and is 10 long. These should be placed in each corner of the playing field at a 45 degree angle. Mark 8 from the corner on each side and draw a line between them. The rack should be placed on this line. Fasten them to the field using screws, Velcro, or double-sided tape. The Scoring Box The Scoring Box is made out of wood and is placed in the exact middle of the field. The box is 17.5 long x 14 wide x 8 tall. The top of the box has been divided in half making two 14 x 8.75 scoring zones, one red and one blue. In order to score points, pucks are stacked onto each team s colored scoring area during the match.. Figure 5. The Puck Pile Up scoring box. 5
Black Puck on Top 22 Pts 20 Pts 18 Pts 16 Pts 14 Pts 12 Pts 10 Pts 8 Pts 6 Pts 1 Pt Blue Alliance 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 4 Pts TOTAL Figure 6. A Puck Pile Up score sheet. Blue Puck on Top 2048 Pts 1024 Pts 512 Pts 256 Pts 128 Pts 64 Pts 32 Pts 16 Pts 8 Pts 4 Pts 1 Pt Playing the Game Puck Pile Up is a fast-paced game that relies on creative robot design and RC driving skills. Robots have two minutes to collect, stack, and score as many hockey pucks as possible. Competing robots score points placing the pucks on top of the Scoring Box. Robots and robot teams should be designated as either Red or Blue before a match to determine which side of the colored side of the scoring box will be theirs for the match. The pucks on the field may be used for scoring by both teams. Scoring Teams score points by placing hockey pucks on the elevated scoring platform in their respective colored zones. Each puck is worth a single point. Teams can generate more points by creating stacks of pucks in their colored zone. You can find more detailed information about scoring in the Puck Pile Up Official Rules PDF document. Scoring Sheets Included in your Game-in-a-Box, are two, colored scoring pads. Each pad contains 25 sheets which are used to log the scores from each match played. Use the provided illustration to help calculate each team s final score and record the total in the designated box. A PDF has been provided for you to print your own sheets once the preprinted ones are exhausted. Using the diagram, determine the point value for each pile of pucks in the alliance s scoring area. Record the scores in seperate boxes and add the total at the bottom of the pile. www.visualedgeinc.biz Black Puck on Top 22 Pts 20 Pts 18 Pts 16 Pts 14 Pts 12 Pts 10 Pts 8 Pts 6 Pts 1 Pt Red Alliance 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 4 Pts TOTAL Blue Puck on Top 2048 Pts 1024 Pts 512 Pts 256 Pts 128 Pts 64 Pts 32 Pts 16 Pts 8 Pts 4 Pts 1 Pt The score sheet is designed for easy use. It shows two stacks of pucks with numbered white boxes down the center of the pucks. There are also point values down the left and right side of the puck stack that corresponds with each stack height. The left column indicates the point value of a puck stack if a black puck is on top. The right column indicates the point value of a puck stack if a blue puck is on top. At the end of each match, count the number of pucks in each stack of a scoring zone. Record the point values in the numbered white boxes, add the total, and place that number at the bottom of each stack under the word total. The left side of the sheet is for recording the scores for the blue alliance. The right side of the sheet is for recording scores for the red alliance Once a match is complete and scores are tallied, remove all pucks from the platform and reset for the next match. 6
Who Is Going to Play As experienced team leaders and tournament hosts, we feel that teams should consist of no more than three members. This leads to better understanding, involvement, and fair play by all members. When competing, each team should have a driver and a coach around the field. These positions do not have to remain consistent, and team roles may switch throughout the game play. The materials provided are standardized for either 8-team or 16-team competitions. You can adapt the provided materials to be used by any number of teams in your competition. In the 8-team format, matches are played 1 vs. 1. Matches in the 16- team format, are played 2 vs. 2. This means that there will be two red robots and two blue robots working together each match. Every team will be responsible for designing and building a robot that can be competitive in the game. The Puck Pile Up Official Rules document gives a framework for holding a tournament of your own. These rules have already been used for several successful tournaments. Although tailored for the VEX Robotics system, they can be adapted for use with any robotics system of your choosing. Awards The Puck Pile Up Official Rules document suggests several awards that can be given at a tournament. You can provide your own trophies or use the printable award certificates provided with your Game-in-a-Box. These certificates recognize good sportsmanship, design, and creativity as well as the champions and runners-up of any tournament that you might hold. They are provided in a ready-to-print Microsoft PowerPoint format. 7
Running a Large Tournament The Puck Pile Up Game-in-a-Box was designed to be utilized in any classroom setting, but it can also be used to hold larger scale tournaments. Puck Pile Up provides the components needed for a 16 team robotics competition. If you are planning a large competition consider getting an additional Game-in-a-Box and playing field for each additional 16 teams. Having multiple fields will make it possible for each team in the tournament to get plenty of seeding matches and insure that the tournament does not last too long. To play with more or fewer teams, modify the rules to conform to the lower number of teams. Tournament rules can be found in the Puck Pile Up Official Rules document. Space Considerations Based on our experience as tournament hosts, having enough space is a must. Teams competing in the tournament will need an area to use as their pit. This area should be close to the gaming fields, should have access to power, and should have sizeable work surfaces. A supply of common tools for robot maintenance and a practice area in the pits benefits the competitors and keeps the tournament running smoothly. Some suggested supplies include allen wrenches, tin snips, handheld rotary tools, hacksaws, etc. Figure 7. Adequate space is needed to host a tournament, regardless of the size. 8
Scoring Software Figure 8. Puck Pile Up scoring software. Also, provided with your Game-in-a-Box is a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, titled Puck Pile Up Scoring Software that can be used for keeping score on your computer. This file contains 4 different spreadsheets to help you run a complete competition. The first spreadsheet you will see is our custom scoring software. This software is designed to automatically tally win-loss records, cumulative scores, and current rankings for up to 16 teams. Before game play begins, assign each team a number. As matches conclude, enter a W for a win,an L for a loss, and T for a tie, and let the software do the rest. Be sure to record and enter the total scores for each team in a match. This is used to resolve any ties in ranking after all matches have been played. The second spreadsheet is a set of match schedules for an 8-team or 16-team Puck Pile Up tournament. You will see that the team numbers are already entered into the spreadsheet. The matches are randomized in a way that allows for no repetition in opponents or alliances during seeding matches. Depending on which format you choose, each participating team will play seven or eight seeding matches with the top teams going on play in the finals. The last two spreadsheets are for a double elimination, round-robin tournament for both game configurations. Please note that in the final matches that the team that never lost has to lose twice in order for the consolation team to be declared champion. Figure 9. Puck Pile Up match schedule. 9
Final Words We at VisualEdge want to thank you for choosing Puck Pile Up Game-in-a-Box. We hope it provides enjoyable and educational experience for all participants. Your feedback and questions about our products are welcome. Visit our website http://www.visualedgeinc.biz or contact us by email at visualedge1@gmail.com. Other Game-in-a-Box products: Scoring Skills Autonomous For more information or to purchase other VisualEdge Game-in-a-Box products, please visit our website http://www.visualedgeinc.biz. 10