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Gridwars Parallel Programming Challenge

Posted by timothy on from the your-base-all-ours dept.

Peter_Pork writes "New Scientist has an article about GridWars, a challenging new game that runs on large clusters of computers. Programs fight each other for supremacy in terms of the number of processors they control, and the main point of the contest is to develop better parallel algorithms. It seems a nice idea: have fun while you improve the state-of-the-art in cluster computing. The result of the last contest was somewhat of an upset, since a craftsmanly Russian program defeated a sophisticated genetic algorithm from NASA."

6 of 176 comments (clear)

  1. A strange game. by mrpuffypants · · Score: 4, Funny

    The only winning move is not to play. How about a nice game of chess?

    I couldn't resist!

  2. OMG by The+Bungi · · Score: 5, Funny

    An article where SOVIET RUSSIA *and* beowulf jokes are on topic. What's next? A Natalie Portman interview?

  3. I might be good at this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I've often been told my programs require more cpu, allocate more memory, and take more time than any other coder on the team. If I can scale up my special skillz to more than one processor at a time, I might have a chance here.

  4. Next article prediction by LordOfYourPants · · Score: 3, Funny

    Scientific American has an article about Hellmouth, a challenging new game created by Junis that runs on large clusters of computers. Sponsorship from SCO looks to be confirmed and celebrities such as Natalie Portman promoting grits are in tow.

    Sadly, the death of Stephen King during the game's promotion at E3 and LinuxWorld (where no one showed up) put a damper on things, while in Soviet Russia the people controlled YOU.

  5. Gridwars, the next Rogue-alike by smarthippy · · Score: 4, Funny

    Rogue: oh no! a 'C' is chasing my @! majick missle! majick missle! arghhll...

  6. Re:My brain hurts! by DoorFrame · · Score: 3, Funny

    You could program them to fight each other for possession of individuals neurons in your brain, then post the joke that's able to hold onto the most territory in your head.

    Sound good?

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