A few similarities between VRC Toss Up and FRC Aerial Assist
 

I'm not sure if someone else has posted a thread about this, but how many other people have noticed some of the similarities between Toss Up and Aerial Assist, for example, the truss spanning the width of the field, the over sized balls, and the field being split into three distinct sections? VRC games usually have far and few similarities to FRC games of close proximity to their date of release, but maybe these similarities are because of VEX's partnership with FIRST? What are your thoughts, is it just a coincidence, or are the VRC and FRC game designers planning a CONSPIRACY!!!

Probably not, because I did not intend this post for the rumor mill forum, but this was an interesting thing that I just now noticed.

Re: A few similarities between VRC Toss Up and FRC Aerial Ascent
 

I'd say it's a lot more likely that both VRC and FIRST's GDCs were both inspired in part by FIRST Overdrive. I doubt FIRST would pick an FRC game to coordinate with a "competing" (I guess?) robotics competition.

Re: A few similarities between VRC Toss Up and FRC Aerial Ascent
 

I understand that VEX and FIRST are competing robotics organizations, but since VEX Pro came out, VEX has been a major contributor to FRC. Build Blitz was hosted by VEX for goodness' sake.

Re: A few similarities between VRC Toss Up and FRC Aerial Ascent
 

VEX and FIRST have had a unique and dynamic relationship for over a decade, back into the early IFI days. (17 years? Was 1998 the first IFI control system?) Similarities are pointed out routinely between games at least since FVC-->FTC/VRC, but none of them are ever particularly surprising. Humans are pattern seeking--these also relate to past games in both, and particular elements (say the oversized exercise balls) have obvious logic even separately (e.g., we've been conventional shooting a lot, and it hasn't been 4 years since tubes).

My vote's against conspiracy. Even post-IFI controller and pre-VEXpro, VEX/IFI has (thankfully) continued to be a major supporter of FRC. I doubt the games have ever reflected the FRC-VRC relationship.

Re: A few similarities between VRC Toss Up and FRC Aerial Assist
 

My point wasn't to say that Vex and FIRST don't have a productive relationship that is mutually beneficial. I just think if FIRST wanted commonality with a small scale robotics competition game, FTC would probably be their first choice. I suspect the games were both designed before either of them were revealed to the public.