[Vogel648]

Unfortunately, last year in a game where programming was important we were starting fresh with brand new programmers, and this year where we can do autonomous it isn't worth that much. It can still end up being the difference this year and really gives you a morale boost if nothing else. Honestly, I think that it is difficult to make an autonomous challenge that is apropriate. I think it would be good to make it part of the regular match as it currently is, however I think that the rest of the match should be important too.
I think this year is a lot closer to balanced than last year. A bonus 5 points or something along with the autonomous ringer would have been a nice boost without overbalancing it really. The designers of the game probably thought the fact that it could not be nullified would be more important that it was.