Re: WHICH GAME IS BETTER?!?!?!?
 

When you consider the audience, I think Elevation is superior. I think both VEX and FTC are primarily aimed at the 7-10 grade levels (I know FLL enthusiasts would beg to differ), and I think that the FTC game is a bit too complicated. While certainly providing some interesting challenges, the GDC may have overreached most teams' capabilities. I see a lot of teams unable to right themselves if overturned or unable to escape the PVC trap - I don't believe secondary game challenges should dictate the outcome of the game at this level. FRC, on the other hand, absolutely. I welcome complex challenges and strategies at that higher level.
The other reason I prefer the VEX game to the FTC game is goal location. As we learned in Rack 'n Roll, when there is one common centralized goal, position is everything. While I do enjoy seeing good defense, great defensive teams should have to work for it, not just park in front of the goal and block it. With multiple goals around the arena, the VEX game offers the opportunity for an explosive offense and/or a suffocating defense.

Re: WHICH GAME IS BETTER?!?!?!?
 

I've not studied either game in great detail to make a decision either way but with a central scoring location, won't it be easier for the audience to see who is scoring and keep track. With the multiple goals in elevation around the ring, you might just miss a crucial score. I do like the big bonus block that can easily be seen flipped over multiple times.
Having seen the new FTC robot demonstrated, I don't see the PVC rack or rooftop material giving them a real headache. Big, Beefy 12 VDC motors should be able to drive just fine. They had an insane terrain last April in the Atlanta test event. I saw many robots drive up and down some serious inclines. The flip up ramp does mean that teams will really need to consider CG or be religated to floor only play.

Re: WHICH GAME IS BETTER?!?!?!?
 

Sorry I was unclear. I meant "the audience" as in the student designers of the robots, not "the audience" as in the spectators.

Re: WHICH GAME IS BETTER?!?!?!?
 

A lot of the opinions I got about this were from students (30 of them, including myself) So I actually think that the students like Face-Off more.

But, that aside, they are both good games as long as they get the engineering principals across, imo.