[IronicDeadBird]

So the way I start (and I say I because we invite all methods o' madness to the table when designing) designing for ANY sort of game is I take the most complete manual we get at kick off and I tell my team to leave me alone while I go think and meditate.
Then I go through and research similar games (or jobs but using games is easier for the sake of advancing my brainstorming process) and I look at the "meta" or predetermined methodology that is accepted as the standard for playing the game.The basic idea is that whatever this game is similar to, whatever sport it is like some group somewhere takes it super seriously. That group has some valuable information that you can pull from. Those experts are the ones writing the meta. Whatever you pull from them you bring to the table for discussion. This meta dictates a strategy as well as design constraints and capabilities and tools that will help your robot do well. With this you can pick your build path.
This process I stand by in FIRST, in any video games I play, even in work sometimes.
Of course this is also the process that told me mecanum was what we should go with this year,
And I still feel gross for standing behind it...