Re: IRI - 2015 Rule Modification Ideas?
 

The 6 tote cap limit is most likely in-place for safety reasons.

Agreed with no flipped totes, no noodle throwing, and robot-on-step endgame.

Re: IRI - 2015 Rule Modification Ideas?
 

Remove the middle step...

Re: IRI - 2015 Rule Modification Ideas?
 

Okay, I've been thinking of a way to massively overhaul the game to make a WLT system fun without forcing robot redesigns and without a 2003 repeat. Here's what I've got:

1. Remove all totes and RCs from the center step.
2. Remove the center step, replace with a scoring platform that spans the width of the field.
3. Put a 6" tall wall where the thick brown line is in the below image.
4. Designate the scoring platform nearest to the drivers as scoring platform 1. Designate the scoring platform between the auto and landfill zones as scoring platform 2. Designate the right (relative to the drivers) half of the center scoring platform as scoring platform 3.
5. At the end of each match, tally the points each alliance earned from each scoring platform individually. Compare the points from scoring platform 1 for red alliance with the points from scoring platform 1 on blue alliance. If red scored higher on this platform, attribute all of the points from red's scoring platform 1 to the red alliance, and give blue zero points for scoring platform 1. Repeat for scoring platforms 2 and 3. For example, here are the points that each alliance scored on each platform at the end of the match:
Red:
Platform 1: 42
Platform 2: 72
Platform 3: 10
Blue:
Platform 1: 48
Platform 2: 36
Platform 3: 30
Blue gets 48 points from platform 1, red gets 72 points from platform 2, and blue gets 30 points from platform 3. Blue wins the match 78-72.

Now you actually have to pay attention to what your opponent is doing.

These are all very high-level changes. I meant this to be just an outline. There are still many issues I did not directly address.

Re: IRI - 2015 Rule Modification Ideas?
 

I would love to see this but not for the whole competition just for some fun matches. In my opinion this completely changes how the game plays.

Re: IRI - 2015 Rule Modification Ideas?
 

As someone who designed their entire robot around being able to place totes on the step for co-op, I think IRI should just get rid of it. It's not worth it.

Maybe make the yellow totes worth points in some novel way. Autonomous is an advantage because it saves time on co-op as well as the 20 points. And those yellow totes just get in the way in elims. What if the yellow totes were worth 10 each, or something? It would encourage way more alliances to actually use them, it wouldn't nerf autonomous mode, and at a competition as high level as IRI, having 3 game pieces worth that much more won't be a big deal.

Re: IRI - 2015 Rule Modification Ideas?
 

1. Add two RCs to the step by replacing totes and add an RC to the center of the step (3 total additional)
2. Make co-op possible at any level, but both alliance must place a tote. For example, if one alliance placed two totes and the other placed one, the alliance would get a 30 point co-op stack.
3. Flip one tote upright in an alternating pattern, with the first tote closest to the center upside down.
4. Multiple opportunities to score CONTAINER SET in autonomous
5. Gray totes can contribute to a TOTE SET, but not a STACKED TOTE SET
6. Double the value of all autonomous actions except STACKED TOTE SET
7. Unprocessed Litter Bonus doesn't apply, but noodle throwing is still allowed
8. Two pieces of litter per RC

Just some ideas. They shouldn't help balance the game more.

Re: IRI - 2015 Rule Modification Ideas?
 

This too.

Re: IRI - 2015 Rule Modification Ideas?
 

I like this one. I also think the bonus for a 6-stack is a good idea. Here's my idea in full:
--Coop Set and Stack (up to 4 totes) as per current rules.
--5/10 points per extra tote (depending on set/stack)
--Can on top of stack, 5 points/level. Robots attempting this have no height limit.

AMEN BROTHER!!!!!!!!!! Let's go with a limit of once/lineup change for that (e.g., you only get to change if the robots on the field change), just for the extra strategy aspect.

Re: IRI - 2015 Rule Modification Ideas?
 

Instead of just removing the Step in the middle, I would like to see the Step replaced with a Scoring Platform that spans across the entire field. Half of it colored Blue and the other half colored Red. Any stacks on this platform are worth x2 score of original stack, but the opposing alliance is allowed to steal a stack in the last 30 seconds of the match and try to score it on their own side of the field or their half of the Center Scoring Platform.

That and get rid of noodle throwing like everyone else is saying.

Re: IRI - 2015 Rule Modification Ideas?
 

Seeing an increase in the points auto is worth would be interesting. Maybe a decrease in the amount of points co-op is worth or maybe change co-op a little bit. I would find it funny people would be allowed to cap the co-op stack for more points. (not really a point to it but I would enjoy seeing it) :)

Re: IRI - 2015 Rule Modification Ideas?
 

Another idea that would be a pain in the ___ to implement but would be nice (a refinement on one of my prior ideas)

Make playoffs "best score" based, per level of playoff (minus finals). So only one's best score plays in. Like in track/field events. Also add a rule to prevent sandbagging after cinching an advance (to prevent a crowd displeasing 3v0 match). Or perhaps make the final score the average, but the best score counting as 3 matches (so for three matches in semis, it would be (3rd+2nd+3x1st)/5 ).

But yeah, a pain to implement w/o manually tweaking scores in match review or modding FMS (being a scorekeeper at 5 events this year, I can tell you neither option is feasible)... so this is more philosophy than practicals.

Re: IRI - 2015 Rule Modification Ideas?
 

I was going to suggest this.

Re: IRI - 2015 Rule Modification Ideas?
 

Set up last years game and tell people to bring last years robots.

Re: IRI - 2015 Rule Modification Ideas?
 

Get rid of tethered ramps, or anything else tethered.

Add 12 more totes in the feeder station for each alliance.

Re: IRI - 2015 Rule Modification Ideas?
 

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