2006 game hints?

[aaeamdar]

Originally Posted by Swampdude

Usually around this time of year someone hears a rumor then Gary saw something he shouldn't have, but won't say. Then speculation begins as Dave has a field day spreading his little bits of confusing hints. I always have fun trying to tie it all together, but last year some people nailed the pyramid guesses, triple plays and 3 team alliances.

That's really surprising to me that people figured that out last year. I wasn't around. Why is this year different? Anyway, speculation about teams, based on five bots & pasta:

All possible:

1v1v1v1v1
2v1v1v1
3v1v1
4v1
5v clock (I think this is /unlikely/ considering what happened the other time they tried this)
2v2v1
2v3

I think that's all the simple ones. You could come up with some pretty convoluted arrangements, with things like two bots teamed up against one, who has some kind of advantage, and then two more bots teamed up with each other just racing the clock. Just doesn't seem likely to me.

Anyway, my views in short:
1v1v1v1v1: to chaotic... also, alliances were a hit. Likelyhood: * (out of 5*)
2v1v1v1: a little weird, but could be workable if the 2 robot team had different objectives. But again, not much in the way of alliance. Likelyhood **
3v1v1: Similar to above. Would the two 'ones' be losers? Also, there's a concern they might end up teaming up against the three somehow. Likelyhood: */**
4v1: This one seams a little more likely to me (gut feeling, which I'm now regretting). It has the "advantage" if you will of only 2 teams. Obviously, the team with one robot would have some major advantage. Likelyhood: **/***
5v clock: See above Likelyhood: *
2v2v1: This has a similar problem of several of the others. Anything with more than two teams risks degenerating into /larger/ alliances. I don't see any way of making rules that say, "You have to beat up on team A just as much as on team B". I suppose you could have point incentives for stopping teams from accomplishing goals. Likelyhood: */**
2v3: Again, only two teams. Seems the /most/ likely to /me/.

Alright, I'm done hedging my bets. When it comes out on Sat, I'll be back to tell you all how wrong you were and how right I was. Until then, farewell.

Just my 2cp.
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