This Year’s Game:

This year’s game ReefScape is making a splash! The robot’s goal is to shoot game pieces, called algae, into the barge, as well as score them in the processor. The robot also places game pieces called coral onto the reef , the higher you place the coral on the reef the more points you will get!  During the end game, robots may hang from the high or low cage!

This year’s FIRST Robotics Competition game, Reefscape, challenges teams to navigate an ocean-themed field while scoring points with two game pieces: Coral (PVC pipes) and Algae (rubber balls). Each match lasts 2 minutes and 30 seconds and is divided into three phases: Autonomous, where robots operate using pre-programmed instructions to score Coral and Algae; Teleoperated, where drivers control their robots to gather and score game pieces by placing Coral onto a hexagonal Reef or depositing Algae into a Processor or Net; and Endgame, where robots can climb onto suspended Cages for bonus points. Teams must strategize and collaborate to maximize scoring while balancing offense, defense, and precision in the final moments. The dynamic gameplay of Reefscape highlights teamwork, innovation, and engineering excellence.

The details of the 2025 game were fully disclosed on January 4th, 2025.