[AndrewPospeshil]

One thing that I think a lot of people are confusing is calling the game easy vs basic (or any other related synonyms). Easy implies that the game is not difficult, which is definitely false. It is still a challenge to pick up and launch such a large object with only 20" of space to work with outside the robot, so this year's game is definitely not easy nor should teams take it lightly. However, no FRC game is ever really easy. I don't necessarily think this game is as hard as past years but it is still a challenge and just because it might be a bit easier doesn't mean that it's worse in that sense. Furthermore, this game requires robots to cooperate with their alliance partners. This is the real strategic part of the game, using heavy defense while not neglecting your own ball/team. Assists, passing, all of these elements provide the challenge of the game that is hard to prepare for off-field. I think this game presents a new challenge; instead of figuring out clever ways for the robot to pick up/carry/launch game elements, it requires teams to be smart drivers. They need to be where they're needed when they're needed, and have to work with both their partners.

However, I think most of us can agree that this game is more basic. There's a whopping one field element that can be manipulated by robots and it's recycled from previous years, just smaller. The goals are pretty much the same as last year's. The only mystery is the truss, which nobody seems to know if it's cost effective or not, or if that's even a priority. The hot goal is new I guess, but provides only a five point difference and is pretty negligible if you ask me. Assisting is this year's real focus if you ask me, but let's be honest doesn't make for the most exciting game at a first glance. The balls don't accelerate to super high speeds, or go long distances when passing. Most passes will be rolled or lightly launched and the only thing that changes is what robot is possessing it. Now I understand that many people will argue that this is still exciting to watch, and I agree to an extent. This will be a fun game for FIRSTers (is that a thing?) to watch. People who understand the game, and know how hard it is to build a robot, can relate to all the different game strategies, etc. But to an outsider who hasn't gone through the struggle of actually having to play the game, it's a boring game. The shooting is cool, sure, and I guess the ball moves a lot, but it just pales in comparison to previous years. Ultimate Ascent comes to mind as a year that was thrilling to watch. Of course FIRST can't always make a more and more thrilling game every year, but this game just seems leaps and bounds behind.

Overall I don't think this game is a bad one, it's just more exciting "under the surface" when you get into strategy, defense, etc compared to the admittedly lackluster appeal to casual viewers. Until the game is played we really won't know how much better/worse it is than previous years.