[GeeTwo]

I liked the theme from day one (teaser). As Billfred noted, it worked naturally with the game mechanics. Kickoff was a bit over the top, but it's supposed to be. (Though this is the first time I can recall that I knew this much of the kickoff dialog before it was shown.) Even after kickoff, the theme was still used in the art design, such as with the scoreboards, and status and selection screens, and some of the communications (baguette and leg of mutton, anyone?). The standards were a great idea, and I hope they can incorporate team emblems into future themes. 3946 also used it as inspiration for our pit design (a castle), various costumes and swag, and the "arts and crafts" table at Bayou (decorating paper crowns). If you look at any crowd footage from Saturday at Bayou, you'll see those crowns everywhere.

Having a good game is key, of course - great theming won't redeem a stinker of a game. A good theme is good gravy.