Well. This hint is... interesting, perhaps because its focus is on how the game relates to FRC as a whole instead of the theme of the game itself (presumably). But as for recycling the 2014 game - an idea that's been bounced around for a while now - it's certainly plausible at this point.
Reasons why:
-Frank literally recycled the 2014 game
-Not changing the core game is, ironically, a major change to FRC in and of itself
-Bit of a stretch, but the Double Trouble footage "mistake" could be viewed as repeating a game.
Now, to counter the 2 biggest counterarguments I've seen:
1. Veterans have too big of an advantage
Why? Rookie teams can easily view last year's competition for strategy, and no one said the game piece had to be the same, or that the goals had to be the same size/location. I'm fairly confident changing the exercise balls to some sort of rigid, 5 foot long object would throw a wrench in the majority of last year's mechanisms
(Oh, you could also add an endgame. Would require major redesigns.)
2. FIRST would never do that/It's an unprecedented change
Precisely. Change is coming.
Think about it. Not only could this explain the mystery KOP box, but that would change a lot of how the basic robot-to-robot interaction is accomplished. Intake devices would have to be much more precise, which requires more precise passing by alliance members; a game piece coming 3 inches high off the ground doesn't even get over your bumpers (probably). No rolling it into their intakes, if it even can roll. Or into the low goals, for that matter, unless they're specifically redesigned for this purpose; they're both too wide to fit longways and over twice as high as the piece itself. Catching could also be easier/more valuable, depending on the specifics of the game piece and/or rules.
As a driver, I, for one, would be down for it. Aerial Assist was a VERY fun, strategic game to play.
Of course, this will probably sound crazy to me after I get some sleep. Oh well.