Red Bull Rubik's Cube World Championships

[FastCubeMaster]

I actually prefer Monster.

I prefer water

 

[Competition Cuber]

I prefer water

I prefer soda

 

[Zerksies]

You should speak for yourself and not on behalf of everyone.

I would prefer the Red Bull Competition. Everyone is worried about their "precocious times". They do not understand what it is like to come back from behind in a race format. Going against a better competitor pushing yourself to be better and in the end becoming better. Everyone's going to say i force myself to be better, that's not true. You have no idea what it is to push yourself till you are behind and need to win. You will gain better experience. Everyone is hating this because it's different. If i had any say in this you would have no inspection times. You would be presented with a cube and have to solve against someone else.

 

[CLL Smooth]

I would prefer the Red Bull Competition. Everyone is worried about their "precocious times". They do not understand what it is like to come back from behind in a race format. Going against a better competitor pushing yourself to be better and in the end becoming better. Everyone's going to say i force myself to be better, that's not true. You have no idea what it is to push yourself till you are behind and need to win. You will gain better experience. Everyone is hating this because it's different. If i had any say in this you would have no inspection times. You would be presented with a cube and have to solve against someone else.

I like the perspective of this post. I race with my friends sometimes and it's a totally different competitive feel. Ultimately, I like the WCA format better for many reasons but that doesn't mean that there's not any point to this format.

 

[mark49152]

RCSA gives its response to the negative reaction to the announcement. This isn't dated, but I've only just come across it and haven't seen it posted here before. http://www.rubiks-rcsa.com/red-bull-mindgamers-rubiks-world-championship/

 

[Elo13]

I agree that cubing isn't as good for spectating as some sports like soccer, for the reasons you have mentioned. However, we can look at other sports, such as the 100m dash. It is similar to cubing in several ways, it's quick, there's no interaction between the players, and it's just a race to see who does something the fastest. As far as I can tell though, the 100m dash is quite a popular event to watch (at least every 4 years at the Olympics), so I think it's safe to suggest that cubing can entertain in a similar way.

Cubing and the 100m dash aren't very comparable. In the 100m dash, it's clear who is leading, how close the others are, and how close the finish line is. In cubing, seeing those things can be hard even for cubers, let alone non-cubers. All they will see is people turning cubes really fast and suddenly getting it solved. That doesn't make for a very good spectator sport in my opinion.

 

[Underwatercuber]

Cubing and the 100m dash aren't very comparable. In the 100m dash, it's clear who is leading, how close the others are, and how close the finish line is. In cubing, seeing those things can be hard even for cubers, let alone non-cubers. All they will see is people turning cubes really fast and suddenly getting it solved. That doesn't make for a very good spectator sport in my opinion.

Your forgetting their using Rubik’s brand cubes so there will be no “fast solves”

 

[pglewis]

RCSA gives its response to the negative reaction to the announcement. This isn't dated, but I've only just come across it and haven't seen it posted here before. http://www.rubiks-rcsa.com/red-bull-mindgamers-rubiks-world-championship/

Quite a bit of reassurance there, I hadn't seen this.

Legal disputes: it is unfortunate that disputes over intellectual property arose near the launch of a new professional speedcubing initiative.

I'll just chalk that up as a serious understatement.

 

[mark49152]

I'll just chalk that up as a serious understatement.

Inclement weather: it is unfortunate that a heavy spell of rain occurred near the launch of a new professional speedcubing initiative.

 

[Max Cruz]

I'll just chalk that up as a serious understatement.

Hardware: it is unfortunate that better-performing puzzles were released near the launch of a new professional speedcubing initiative.

 

[FastCubeMaster]

Hi, I am a retired cuber and I have just heard about this Redbull Rubik's Cube World Championships. I have participated in couple of WCA competitions during my career. Although it may seem strange but one of the reasons I gave up cubing was because it seemed to me like a knockoff hobby or sport or activity and not quite legit in a way. I would have been more willing to participate in competitions where there was an "Equal" chance for everyone so by using same Product provided by the organisers i.e. Rubik's Brand Speedcube or any other single branded speedcube, rather than having some fast speedcubers having better custom cubes because they can break it in more or have other people make custom lubrications for them which would make their cubes very fast. This for me seemed unfair so what Redbull is doing is more Fair and in general I would have hoped that WCA and any other organistion would provide puzzles instead of competitors using their own. After all you don't go to an official football (soccer) game on a Sunday league game and use your own ball that you practice in the park but the one that are provided by officials and approved by FIFA. (This is only general example and I know it has no direct link to speedcubing). Only dilemma I used to see here was that Rubik's did not have any speedcubes until recently. But with new rubik's speedcube this issue is now solved and it is easily as good as other speedcubes out there in the market where this would not have been possible where there were no speedcubes from Rubik's. What Redbull is doing is only good for cubers. If I was still cubing I would go to Redbull competitions and not the WCA because for me allowing people to use different brands of cubes with different speed capabilities is unfair. No hate to anyone. Only my personal opinion. This is how I saw cubing and how I see it now. Thanks!

What if people perform horribly with the Rubiks brand and others naturally fit in with the turning? People are allowed to customize their own cubes because it’s all about personal preference nowadays. That’s part of the enjoyment of cubing. Everyone having to use a crappy Rubik’s cube would kill part of the life in cubing

 

[One Wheel]

Hi, I am a retired cuber and I have just heard about this Redbull Rubik's Cube World Championships. I have participated in couple of WCA competitions during my career. Although it may seem strange but one of the reasons I gave up cubing was because it seemed to me like a knockoff hobby or sport or activity and not quite legit in a way. I would have been more willing to participate in competitions where there was an "Equal" chance for everyone so by using same Product provided by the organisers i.e. Rubik's Brand Speedcube or any other single branded speedcube, rather than having some fast speedcubers having better custom cubes because they can break it in more or have other people make custom lubrications for them which would make their cubes very fast. This for me seemed unfair so what Redbull is doing is more Fair and in general I would have hoped that WCA and any other organistion would provide puzzles instead of competitors using their own. After all you don't go to an official football (soccer) game on a Sunday league game and use your own ball that you practice in the park but the one that are provided by officials and approved by FIFA. (This is only general example and I know it has no direct link to speedcubing). Only dilemma I used to see here was that Rubik's did not have any speedcubes until recently. But with new rubik's speedcube this issue is now solved and it is easily as good as other speedcubes out there in the market where this would not have been possible where there were no speedcubes from Rubik's. What Redbull is doing is only good for cubers. If I was still cubing I would go to Redbull competitions and not the WCA because for me allowing people to use different brands of cubes with different speed capabilities is unfair. No hate to anyone. Only my personal opinion. This is how I saw cubing and how I see it now. Thanks!

I appreciate the perspective, but on the other hand:
A) unlike ball sports, you are the only person competing with your cube. A better analogy might be bicycle racing, where each person uses their own bike, adjusted and even designed to work for them.
B) most of the difference in cubes these days is not "cube A is better than cube B," but a matter of preference in feeling. Lubes are cheap and really available to everyone. There is an argument for magnetic cubes, but even there if you're willing to put in a little work it's not difficult or expensive. My current 3x3 main cost less than $4 including magnets.

 

[pglewis]

Post is now gone but I'll just say

A) There is nothing unfair when all competitors have access to the same hardware
B) It's a poor craftsman who blames his tools

 

[Kit Clement]

Hi, I am a retired cuber and I have just heard about this Redbull Rubik's Cube World Championships. I have participated in couple of WCA competitions during my career. Although it may seem strange but one of the reasons I gave up cubing was because it seemed to me like a knockoff hobby or sport or activity and not quite legit in a way. I would have been more willing to participate in competitions where there was an "Equal" chance for everyone so by using same Product provided by the organisers i.e. Rubik's Brand Speedcube or any other single branded speedcube, rather than having some fast speedcubers having better custom cubes because they can break it in more or have other people make custom lubrications for them which would make their cubes very fast. This for me seemed unfair so what Redbull is doing is more Fair and in general I would have hoped that WCA and any other organistion would provide puzzles instead of competitors using their own. After all you don't go to an official football (soccer) game on a Sunday league game and use your own ball that you practice in the park but the one that are provided by officials and approved by FIFA. (This is only general example and I know it has no direct link to speedcubing). Only dilemma I used to see here was that Rubik's did not have any speedcubes until recently. But with new rubik's speedcube this issue is now solved and it is easily as good as other speedcubes out there in the market where this would not have been possible where there were no speedcubes from Rubik's. What Redbull is doing is only good for cubers. If I was still cubing I would go to Redbull competitions and not the WCA because for me allowing people to use different brands of cubes with different speed capabilities is unfair. No hate to anyone. Only my personal opinion. This is how I saw cubing and how I see it now. Thanks!

Forgive me, but I'm about to put my tin-foil hat on for a moment. This really doesn't seem like an authentic post from a community member.

• I can't think of a single cuber in this community that has stopped competing and calls themselves a "retired cuber" in the way that this person does. The only exception is Kevin Hays, but he still competes, and the whole "retired" thing is really a meme now because of how silly it is to call someone a retired cuber. I don't think many people who have attended a "couple of WCA competitions" and stopped would refer to themselves as a "retired cuber" in any way.
• Calling our sport a "knockoff hobby" conveniently uses the same language of "knockoff" that Rubik's would use to describe other brands of cubes.
• This clip honestly sounds like it came from a PR department: "But with new rubik's speedcube this issue is now solved and it is easily as good as other speedcubes out there in the market where this would not have been possible where there were no speedcubes from Rubik's. What Redbull is doing is only good for cubers." The major sentiment about the Rubik's Speedcube is that it is far better than their previous versions, but still pales in comparison to modern, top-end cubes today.
• There's a lot of talk here about what is fair/unfair regarding the use of cubes. I'm curious what competitions this person actually attended. At about every competition I've been to, just about all of the cubers there are trying out other people's cubes, talking about their personal preferences for what they like in their cube, and even borrowing others' cubes when they aren't using them to compete. It seems almost obvious why it is fair for people to bring their own cubes, as peoples preferences and turning styles require different types of cubes. To counter the FIFA example, in no professional bowling tournament do you get bowling balls provided to you, with the exception of an occasional spare ball that has a promotional cover. This is because bowling balls are made to meet the needs of the bowler, just as cubes are made to meet needs of individual cubers. A team sport like FIFA cannot compare to individualized sports like cubing. (Edit: looks like many others have given similar analogies)
• "Expandcubing" is a very strange name for a throwaway account, and almost seems to explain why it was made.
• Just before I started writing this post, the original post was deleted, and I'm curious if this was by the user or by an admin/mod.

 

[pglewis]

This clip honestly sounds like it came from a PR department

My money is on garden variety troll.

 

[Kit Clement]

My money is on garden variety troll.

I mean, you're probably right. I was wearing my tin-foil hat while writing that post.

 

[One Wheel]

To counter the FIFA example, in no professional bowling tournament do you get bowling balls provided to you, with the exception of an occasional spare ball that has a promotional cover. This is because bowling balls are made to meet the needs of the bowler, just as cubes are made to meet needs of individual cubers. A team sport like FIFA cannot compare to individualized sports like cubing. (Edit: looks like many others have given similar analogies).

Golf is another excellent analogy, also horse racing, both the horse and the tack. Most motorsports are tightly enough regulated that you could argue that everybody's using essentially the same equipment, but you could argue the opposite too. Pretty much anything that's judged on style you use your own equipment, but sticking to objective competitions you could also go with skiing, especially alpine, and pretty much any winter racing sport like bobsled, luge, or speedskating.

 

[mark49152]

Just before I started writing this post, the original post was deleted, and I'm curious if this was by the user or by an admin/mod.

He deleted it himself.

 

[Tony Fisher]

Inspection:

I'm seeing a perplexing amount of people arguing that removing inspection time would make sense. As an experienced cuber, let me lay down my reasoning for inspection being a genius addition to the sport of cubing. Firstly, and most obviously, inspection reduces the effects of luck. A massive factor in no inspection solves is whether the pieces you want are right in front of you. This is removed with inspection, where you have time not only to find your pieces, but to deal with ugly situations. Secondly, and I think more importantly, consider the flow of a solve with inspection. You find out your first moves, then during those moves you plan out what the next moves will be, then during those moves you plan the next moves, and so on. Now remove inspection. A solver will be so overwhelmed at the start that his solve, the start especially, will be incredibly choppy. This is because you didn't have the time at the start to plan out your moves, meaning that each move you do is only solving whatever pieces you were lucky enough to see first, further leading to a decrease in consistency. For these reasons, an inspection period benefits the solver by removing luck and improving consistency.

Choppiness, slowness, inconvenience, benefits etc are irrelevant. A solve begins the moment you see the cube and the timer must start at that point. The only real question is the best way to physically start and stop the timer. When I see cubers demonstrating their skills to non cubers I feel really uncomfortable when they look at it first. The general view is that it's cheating (in terms of what solving a puzzle means and not specific WCA rules).
I personally feel the objection to losing inspection time is purely down to people putting a huge amount of time and effort into a particular approach and the low times they have achieved. They do not wanting that destroyed. That of cause is totally understandable and I'd feel the same in their position. However that doesn't stop it being an illogical arbitrary head start on the timer and destroying the purity of solving a Rubik's Cube as fast as possible. It should never have been introduced in the first place however it feels too late to change it now, upset so many people and wipe out years of solve times.

 

[Sajwo]

Choppiness, slowness, inconvenience, benefits etc are irrelevant. A solve begins the moment you see the cube and the timer must start at that point. The only real question is the best way to physically start and stop the timer. When I see cubers demonstrating their skills to non cubers I feel really uncomfortable when they look at it first. The general view is that it's cheating (in terms of what solving a puzzle means and not specific WCA rules).
I personally feel the objection to losing inspection time is purely down to people putting a huge amount of time and effort into a particular approach and the low times they have achieved. They do not wanting that destroyed. That of cause is totally understandable and I'd feel the same in their position. However that doesn't stop it being an illogical arbitrary head start on the timer and destroying the purity of solving a Rubik's Cube as fast as possible. It should never have been introduced in the first place however it feels too late to change it now, upset so many people and wipe out years of solve times.

I am not sure if you should take part in such a discussion, as you are not even speedcuber. Inspection is essential to speedcubing, because it helps to optimize the total solving time by allowing you to plan ahead and optimizing the time is accompanying us from the very beginning of the WCA (improvement in the hardware, allowing stickerless, concaved, pillowed cubes, ridges, florian holes etc). It helps us to determine who is better than another.. Without inspection majority of people would do almost-random or very inefficient moves just to have illusion of a progress. You can't show your true potential and skill if you start straight away. That doesn't sound like fun at all.