Re: Robot Wars -- time for a hardcore version?

From: hal@finney.org
Date: Sat Mar 18 2000 - 17:20:32 MST


D.den Otter, <neosapient@geocities.com>, writes:
> See
> http://www.robotwars.com/
> http://www.robotwars.co.uk/
>
> The idea is great, and the show is certainly fun to
> watch, but it's not realizing its full potential.
> I mean, just look at some of the rules (and there
> are lots more of 'em, which is usually bad news for
> the entertainment value):

I think the rules are primarily to protect the audience, and the venue,
from destruction. Your idea of a no-rules contest is interesting,
but I don't see how you could arrange to have an audience enjoy it.
Maybe some remote cameras could be flown around, but that would be
expensive for the organizers. And it wouldn't have the impact you get
now, with the audience crowding into the arena and hearing the metal
being cut and smelling the oil burning.

I also had the impression that the robots are remote controlled, which
could expose the operators to danger in a no-rules version, since they
can't get all that far from their machines.

Hal



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