[Ian Curtis]

Last years hint was quite relevant. Let's take it line by line, shall we?

five 'bots tangling in pasta
There were five robots actively playing, who had the option of protecting themselves with pool "noodles".

a game piece obsessed with a shovel's show
This is a reference to David Spade's "Just Shoot Me", because that was exactly what we were doing to the balls

and seeing Montana's green heights
Reference to the CMUCam obviously, I also interpret it as referencing the high goals. Although I suppose it could be taken as the ramp.

As for this year, I find the 5 periods thing to rather interesting, although I'd rather we see the return of a two period game, autonomous and just plain old operator control.