[jvriezen]

If you consider end-games, they typically have major point levels --- 1,2,3 bots balancing in '12, 1,2,3 level climb in '13, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th place in 2011. 1 or 1+1 bots hanging in '10.

In my mind, every cycle in '14 is like an 'end-game' activity. The point level depends upon the number of assists and low/high goal you are able to attain.

In prior games (for the most part, except '11) the mid-game scoring had a very narrow range of points earned for each score (and most competitive bots all went for the high scoring option, effectively narrowing the range further) This made the progression of the match mostly predictable until the point swinging end game.

Granted the top '14 alliances had fairly consistent points per cycle, but one slip up missing a truss or an assist or settling for low goal and the tide can turn. And a lot of matches flip-flopped on the lead when teams were evenly matched as each side completed a cycle.

So think of '14 as continuous end games. Which team can complete the 'end-game' activities more times (with more earned points) ?