ok so VRC 2022-2023 will be:
largely zero-sum, like Change Up or Turning Point or Starstruck, in that by scoring points you take away from others. This means you’ll have to think about defense quite a bit more. This is a cycle that VRC games go through, (open-ended, zero sum) which alternates each year.
Onto speculation
I think that this also tends to create larger game objects in general. Manipulated objects like cubes or sacks will be much larger than the rings in this game and likely heavier. Think around the weight of the mobile goals or more. To be a bit more clear, I don’t think we’ll see the small scoring objects like rings, balls , or cones that we see in open-ended games, next year.
As far as gameplay aspects go, I think that we will see a lowered carry capacity limit (1) paired with immovable goals open to both teams. Scoring objects will be few in number and be accessible to both teams to raise their score. It’s a 50-50 chance, but I think we’ll see no small scoring objects, instead two large ones with different shapes, materials, and point values. I think that the GDC will maintain the autonomous line and its penalties.
I’d like to see a coopertition challenge, but I’m not sure how that’d work in a zero sum game.
E: Perhaps a goal, located near the other alliance station, restricted to your alliance, that when both are filled, gives a win point? This would create a unique strategic challenge, as teams would have to decide whether or not to “let” those teams go through unopposed, to score “free” points in an otherwise high-contest game, so that both alliances might prosper.
I think another thing to consider is the 5.5W motors. I don’t think as of now that they will be rolled out for 2022-2023, as VEX and their suppliers are incapable (I don’t mean this in a derogatory way, it’s just the way it is) of keeping the current suite of V5 electronics and sensors, as well as pneumatics, in stock.
What would those 5.5W motors mean? We think (in my org) that we’ll be able to switch up to two 11W motors for up to four 5.5W motors, and the “Meta” would involve using those 5.5W motors to boost the drivetrain and for scoring objects. I thought that, for the sake of balance, it should be a 2 -11W for 3-5.5W switch, so that teams would have to carefully make the decision to have more variety for less power in total.
I think that a future game with 5.5W motors will be likely to incorporate more small scoring objects which are designed to be manipulated with roll-y manipulators, to tempt teams towards whatever strategic design challenge there is regarding motor limits.
That’s enough from me, what do y’all think?