What do you think of this year's game?

[HumblePie]

I really like this year's game. It has all the elements: high scoring, easily understood, real-time scoring, opportunity for varied approaches to the game, ability for rookies to really compete, and an interesting risk/reward in the end game. Just a couple criticisms, however:

1) I think 2 Coopertition Points for a middle balance is too many. If it was worth just 1, teams would have to evaluate whether to take the middle bridge, or the 10 additional points to balance on their own bridge and secure a win. I saw many teams build for balance only, and head straight for the bridge in teleop. A rookie team in our regional seeded #5 by balancing only with no shooter. Not sour grapes, as we seeded #3 (tied for the best record at 9-2), but well-rounded robots should seed higher and be able to choose specialists as their alliance partners.

2) Defense is almost legislated out of existence. I used to tell my students the old axiom that "Defense wins championships". I don't know that I can say that this year. I appreciate that it's hard to make baskets while being bumped, but initiating contact with a defender anywhere near the key results in a 3pt. bonus, the same as the most difficult goal, way too much IMHO. We collected 4 fouls in rapid succession one match when a defender got within reach, then we made our shot anyway. Why not give the defender a chance to draw a "charging" foul just like the real game? It seems that the only scorers that can be defended are the dumper bots.

I know nobody asked for suggestions, just my $0.02.

Even with my criticisms included, all in all a very good game, and probably my favorite since 2008.