[Astrokid248]

I think this rule change really emphasizes the difference between IRI and the main FIRST organization. I remember a few years back when IRI's slogan was "Where the egos go to play", and I think that's why this change was made. In the regular FRC season, it's all about providing as many opportunities for as many teams to win as possible. This means that teams who built first class robots may not beat a rookie team with a wooden frame and an upturned bucket protecting the cRio. But IRI isn't a FIRST sanctioned event, and IRI is all about the robot. IRI is where teams get to show off, shake their tail feathers, and win for the sake of winning, instead of for spreading STEM inspiration. This rule change is all about that: coopertition allows teams who by all rights should be dead last to rank in the top 8. Removing coopertition allows the game to be won in a much more standard fashion. I'm not saying this is good or bad, but it is definitely something to keep in mind as we argue about this.