The Arena

 So here is a quick little arena I made in 3ds max, not sure how to replicate this in After effects. It won't be as glossy or reflective, it will have move of a cartoonish feel. Although I might have the 3d balls from this scene, and add points on them, so the audience knows that each equals points, though not sure how in going to show that these weighted. We'll see!

Above From the start line, below a close up of the 50 point ball.

YES to success

I'm in the middle of my robot arm picking up a ball and throwing it to the wall, (Andy's Tutorial) and I have hit success, look.....

I couldn't be happier with it, I am currently now able to animate a robot arm and have it pick something up, also added jitteriness so it looks more realistic. I'm actually very proud of it. Although I know that either today or tomorrow I will have to begin my own project and arm, but now I have the tools and Knowledge I'm actually very excited for it!

Mini Update:
Very near completion of this task, tomorrow I think I need to begin modelling my own hands and chess board. I've got the basics down and the story is just about complete, there is no excuse not to start. Anyway here is the progress report, I have completed him throwing it to the wall now just to catch it and sort out the speed of the ball.