Public Roadmap for the Midwest Robot Combat Association (MRCA)
As part of our mission to increase transparency and enrich our competitive environment, the Midwest Robot Combat Association (MRCA) is excited to share our latest roadmap. As a growing community, we are committed to attracting newcomers, making our sport more accessible, and expanding our online presence to reach a broader audience.
A Greater Stage with More Venues
One of our key goals is to bring the thrilling world of robot combat to more regions. An upcoming event in Illinois marks the latest stage of this expansion. We're thrilled to announce that we're actively exploring possibilities for hosting events in several additional Midwest states including North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Ohio, and Indiana. We are also considering events in areas adjacent to the Midwest, such as Toronto and Kentucky.
Our events aim to serve as a celebration of innovation, strategy, and skill where competitors come together to do battle with their carefully crafted creations. We envision our events as spaces not only for competition but also for learning, networking, and inspiring the next generation of robotics enthusiasts. Every new event is a new opportunity to showcase the brilliance of our sport and engage with communities that share our passion.
Searching for the Perfect Finals Location
As for the finals, we understand the importance of a convenient location to maximize the accessibility and overall quality of the event. For next season, we're scouting for areas near the Chicago area that would make travel easy for as many competitors as possible. We promise to keep you updated on this and value your feedback or suggestions during the venue selection process.
Ruleset Revamp
We're also working on an overhaul of our ruleset. It’s important to us to keep our sport fair and enjoyable, so we're aiming to remove out-of-date rules, tailor our rules to suit our unique needs, and simplify them for better understanding. However, we want to ensure the ongoing season isn’t disrupted, so no changes will take effect until after the current season.
Improved Judging Criteria
To make scoring more transparent and consistent, we're introducing clearly defined judging guidelines along with a quick reference sheet. This will make it easier for everyone to understand how performances are evaluated and points are scored.
Diversified Weight Classes and Categories
To add more diversity and competition, we are beginning to lay the groundwork for incorporating ranked beetleweights for future seasons. The first step in this process will be to start tracking beetle fights to create preliminary rankings for MRCA beetles. Stay tuned for more details regarding future plans for beetleweights in the coming months.
Boosting our Online Presence
As part of our commitment to reaching a wider audience and helping them better understand and more easily participate in our community, we're planning to increase our social media reach and the number of articles and guides available on our website. This will provide resources for new and existing competitors, as well as anyone looking to learn more about the fascinating world of robot combat. We appreciate your continued support and look forward to shaping the future of robot combat in the Midwest.