Slashdot Mirror
Robocode Rumble - Java-Battle-Bot League
jsse writes: "Robocode is a game that teaches you Java while you build killer Java-Battle-Bots that fight each other to the death in an arena. The newest Robocode league in town, Robocode Rumble has just been launched. It's a joint effort by alphaWorks and developerWorks. If you're just getting started with Robocode, don't miss "Rock 'em, sock 'em Robocode!" An excellent hands-on starter. In addition "Secrets from the Robocode masters" a collection of tips from the experts, presents more advanced techniques and strategies to help destroy all and be the Java-Battle-Bot King. Previous slashdot story on Robocode can be found here."
I remember making a few of these in the past. I made one that was virtually unbeatable. what was the secret? It's motion was almost totally random (forward, backward, cha cha cha, left right left, cha cha cha) until there was only one other tank left... then it started hunting for real. Attrition is a great way to win!
"Your superior intellect is no match for our puny weapons!"
I'm still a Java newbie, and I think this is an incredibly clever way to learn the language. After spending a few minutes reading through the documentation, it already looks quite easy to get started. The Robocode API looks very well-designed and should really help out with developing Java skills.
And, being a huge nerd, this incorporates my two favourite things: coding and robots.
Which was invented by A K Dewdney of Sci American fame back in 1984. It used a special assembly code
language called Redcode. Should be easy to find some links to it in Google and theres even a
newsgroup rec.games.corewar (IIRR).
Nothing quite like re-inventing the wheel but pretending its new and flash cos its written in
a flavour of the month language.