[UCC::ProgComp] Deadline extended to Saturday 14th May

[Sam Moore]

Hi all,

People have been saying that they don't have time to do progcomp.
"I have a job...",
"It takes ages to write AI programs..."
"I'm busy writing an operating system instead..."
"Why should I bother?"
"The fresher's should be given longer to enter"
These are some of the comments I have had.

So, because I am extremely generous (and likely no one will actually enter 
if I don't), I am extending the deadline until Saturday 14th May.

To address "Why should I bother?", you should bother because
a) There will be prizes
b) There will be prizes
c) Its an awesome competition (really!)

The prizes include free membership for first and second place, a 50th 
anniversary edition of the physical board game for 1st place, and a bunch 
of other stuff, probably including dispense credit and things like usb 
sticks.

Also, there are some actual useable sample AI programs available. The best 
ones are in python, because most uccans seem to like python. Try looking 
at "basic_python", which covers all the boiler plate stuff like obeying 
the protocol, and then at "vixen", which actually makes some attempt to 
play the game. You can even copy the sample AI programs, although I will 
expect entries to make some token attempt to be original or improve upon 
the sample.

If you feel that you don't have enough time to write an uber awesome 
stratego playing god, then don't! Put in as much effort or as little 
effort as you have time for. Settle for a mediocre entry. It might still 
win.

In other news, the progcomp server is down, because I overwrote part of 
its image. I killed mufasa.

The website is currently at http://matches.ucc.asn.au/progcomp2012/web/

The website is not very user friendly, but it does contain all the 
information you need. Your first step is to download the git repository it 
links to, and start poking around.

Thanks for reading!
[SZM]
OCM and that annoying bastard who won't stop telling people to enter 
progcomp, 2011