[committee] UCC::ProgComp 2011

[Bob Adamson]

This sounds awesome, and I'm glad that you've come up with some solutions 
to the problems from last time. Seeing as the source is available, do you 
think there'll be any problem with people copying the source from the AI 
players?

Bob

On Thu, 6 Jan 2011, Daniel Axtens wrote:

> Hi all,
> 
> I'm interested in running another programming competition in 2011, and
> I'm seeking your permission/approval/support. I realise that the last
> progcomp attracted all of 2 entries, but I think that, applying the
> lessons learned, UCC can run a much more successful competition this
> time around.
> 
> =Proposal=
> The game takes place on the light-cycle arena from TRON. Your task is
> to write a light-cycle driving agent that will be the last bot
> standing on the grid.
> 
> =Addressing the issues that arose last time=
> Armagetron Advanced [1] will be used as a framework for the
> competition - it builds/runs on linux, windows and mac; solving the
> cross-platform incompatibility issues that plagued the last
> competition. It also supports networking, meaning we can isolate
> processes, something we ignored when we only had 2 entrants.
> Furthermore, the rules are already set and most people 'get' them
> without having to have them explained. Armagetron also looks pretty -
> at least, it looks pretty relative to the text-based previous
> competition.
> 
> Additionally, some code/setup from the last competition can be re-used
> (e.g. the setup of progcomp.ucc).
> 
> I plan to drop MATLAB support, focusing on Python, C and Java - no-one
> even enquired about MATLAB support, whereas we had entrants in Python
> and C, and people talking about Java. This reduces the workload, which
> was a bit too big.
> 
> In addition, from running the last competition, I also realised that
> it's easier to get UCCans to help if you provide a smorgasbord of
> little tasks, rather than open-endedly asking for help. As such, I'll
> make better use of Trac and the wiki.
> 
> Finally, hopefully running in semester 1 will encourage more people to enter.
> 
> =Costs and Benefits to UCC=
> UCC would need to provide some prizes. Last year the total outlay was
> below $200, and a figure around that level would probably be
> sufficient again.
> 
> UCC would get to advertise the programming competition as one of 'the
> cool things the club does'. It aligns with our aims as a club. The
> progcomp is also a great opportunity to advertise to the broader uni,
> which is not something UCC does often. Last year progcomp was
> advertised in 2 lectures and on posters in Guild; this year can be
> even bigger and better!
> 
> =Final plug=
> Armagetron is also a lot of fun to play, and there's something kind of
> cool about the idea of playing against your own creation.
> 
> =Conclusion=
> Is UCC in favour of running UCC::ProgComp 2011 - Tron?
> 
> Best regards,
> Daniel Axtens
> [DJA]
> UCC VP 2010
> 
> [1] http://www.armagetronad.net/
>