I want to run a super-quick competition. I'm talking about 1-hour long. The restriction is:
You may only have 1 source file as your entry.
That is, there are no other files allowed. You have to generate images and other media (you may load _FILE_), and give compilation instructions as a comment in the code. I put up a quick page to give a countdown here:
http://cgamesplay.com/minorhack/
Please participate if you are bored and have an hour to spare 
[append]
Topic should be "MinorHack"
Does it have to be allegro? And why post here?
]]>Yes, Allegro, and post here because that is how we compare entries, of course 
No, no, I mean why post in Programming Questions?
I don't have allegro on me at the moment, but I could do a pure C program.
Pure C in console? Well, if you can do something interesting, go for it
Programming Questions because it felt most appropriate... It's not design, and it's more on-topic than most off-topic threads. So yes.
[append]
By the way, you know allegro.cc has precompiled binaries, right?
By the way, you know allegro.cc has precompiled binaries, right?
Yeah, thing is I'm at work. We have linux servers, so we got the whole gcc setup, so pure C is the only way for me atm.
Why I'd be participating whilst at work is a topic for another day...
]]>Well if you want to draw up a quick text adventure over lunch or something, it'd be good in my book. Just don't use platform-specific thingies 
Yeah, I'm scrambling to get soem work done now so I can take a slightly-longer-than-normal lunch to do this in
I'm in!
]]>Great, 2 entries and 1 maybe and 20 minutes left still
I will be making a tank game (if I haven't already said that), hopefully.
]]>I'm also in, though I don't think an hour is long enough for me but I will try.
]]>Question, is it MicroHack or MinorHack?
]]>MinorHack, Micro-BlitzHack was the original name, but I changed it
Okay, 3 entries and 1 maybe
What, a whole game in an hour? Count me out...
]]>Not a whole game, a crappy thing you throw together really fast
mh.win.zip - A fun game I coded between 11 p.m. December 31, 2005 and 2006. I just wanted to copyright something 2005.
]]>You could do a pong / breakout game in an hour.
Snake is another good one.
]]>GO!
Good luck, participants
Snake... good idea RP. 
Bring it!
]]>You're in then? Good, it will be refreshing playing a text adventure
Or better, a C-style-IO text action game. Those are tricky
I stand by what I said...bring it!
]]>We're already 1 quarter over! I haven't even run my program for the first time yet
I'm looking at a tricky display method which doesn't use double buffering... because it's cool
You l00t hackers you!
I would do a 2 line MMORPG.
printf("Go out of your parent's house, take a good look at the big shiny ball called "the sun" and interact with other players/NPC");
printf("Other players can be identified in that they have greasy cheetos-fingers. All others living things are NPC.");
I only ask for a 30€ monthly fee
I am gonna have to drop out, have other stuff to do. sorry
]]>
Hehe! Even a one hour compo is too much.
My game is done. Do I post the source as an attachment?
]]>Yeah, please do.
Here is my incomplete entry. Maybe I will have it finished soon:
| 1 | /// \file cgamesplay.cpp |
| 2 | /// It's my MinorHack entry for 25 Jul 2006. |
| 3 | /// Compile with Allegro! |
| 4 | |
| 5 | #include <allegro.h> |
| 6 | #include <math.h> |
| 7 | #include <vector> |
| 8 | |
| 9 | using namespace std; |
| 10 | |
| 11 | #define SKY_COLOR makecol(196, 196, 255) |
| 12 | #define GROUND_COLOR makecol(128, 196, 96) |
| 13 | #define NUM_EQ 4 |
| 14 | #define NUM_PLAYERS 2 |
| 15 | #define TURN_RATE (AL_PI / 30 / 2) |
| 16 | |
| 17 | double frand() |
| 18 | { |
| 19 | return (double) rand() / RAND_MAX; |
| 20 | } |
| 21 | |
| 22 | class Tank |
| 23 | { |
| 24 | public: // Public variables |
| 25 | double angle; |
| 26 | double x, y; |
| 27 | int color; |
| 28 | |
| 29 | public: // Public functions |
| 30 | Tank(): angle(0), x(0), y(0), color(0xff0000) |
| 31 | { |
| 32 | } |
| 33 | |
| 34 | void Spawn(bool facingRight); |
| 35 | void Fire(); |
| 36 | }; |
| 37 | |
| 38 | class Map |
| 39 | { |
| 40 | public: // Public variables |
| 41 | int width, height; |
| 42 | int* heights; |
| 43 | Tank tanks[NUM_PLAYERS]; |
| 44 | int turn; |
| 45 | |
| 46 | public: // Public functions |
| 47 | Map(): width(0), height(0), heights(NULL), turn(0) |
| 48 | { |
| 49 | } |
| 50 | |
| 51 | ~Map() |
| 52 | { |
| 53 | delete [] heights; |
| 54 | } |
| 55 | |
| 56 | void Create(int width, int height) |
| 57 | { |
| 58 | this->width = width; |
| 59 | this->height = height - text_height(font); |
| 60 | heights = new int [width]; |
| 61 | |
| 62 | double freq[NUM_EQ] = { |
| 63 | (frand() / 2 + .25) * width, |
| 64 | (frand() / 2 + .25) * width, |
| 65 | (frand() / 2 + .25) * width, |
| 66 | (frand() / 2 + .25) * width, |
| 67 | }; |
| 68 | double amp[NUM_EQ] = { |
| 69 | frand() * height * 3 / 4 / NUM_EQ, |
| 70 | frand() * height * 3 / 4 / NUM_EQ, |
| 71 | frand() * height * 3 / 4 / NUM_EQ, |
| 72 | frand() * height * 3 / 4 / NUM_EQ, |
| 73 | }; |
| 74 | |
| 75 | for(int i = 0; i < width; i++) |
| 76 | { |
| 77 | double val = 0; |
| 78 | for(int j = 0; j < NUM_EQ; j++) |
| 79 | val += (sin(i * AL_PI / freq[j])) * amp[j]; |
| 80 | if(val < 1) |
| 81 | val = 1; |
| 82 | heights<i> = val; |
| 83 | } |
| 84 | |
| 85 | for(int i = 0; i < NUM_PLAYERS; i++) |
| 86 | tanks<i>.Spawn(i % 2); |
| 87 | |
| 88 | turn = 0; |
| 89 | } |
| 90 | |
| 91 | void Logic(); |
| 92 | void Draw(BITMAP* to); |
| 93 | } map; |
| 94 | |
| 95 | void Tank::Spawn(bool facingRight) |
| 96 | { |
| 97 | x = (frand() * 1 / 2 + .25) * map.width; |
| 98 | y = map.heights[(int) x]; |
| 99 | if(facingRight) |
| 100 | angle = AL_PI; |
| 101 | else |
| 102 | angle = 0; |
| 103 | } |
| 104 | |
| 105 | void Tank::Fire() |
| 106 | { |
| 107 | |
| 108 | } |
| 109 | |
| 110 | void Map::Logic() |
| 111 | { |
| 112 | if(key[KEY_UP]) |
| 113 | { |
| 114 | if(tanks[turn].angle > AL_PI / 2) |
| 115 | tanks[turn].angle -= TURN_RATE; |
| 116 | else |
| 117 | tanks[turn].angle += TURN_RATE; |
| 118 | } |
| 119 | if(key[KEY_DOWN]) |
| 120 | { |
| 121 | if(tanks[turn].angle > AL_PI / 2) |
| 122 | tanks[turn].angle += TURN_RATE; |
| 123 | else |
| 124 | tanks[turn].angle -= TURN_RATE; |
| 125 | } |
| 126 | if(key[KEY_SPACE]) |
| 127 | { |
| 128 | tanks[turn].Fire(); |
| 129 | } |
| 130 | } |
| 131 | |
| 132 | void Map::Draw(BITMAP* to) |
| 133 | { |
| 134 | struct seg |
| 135 | { |
| 136 | int y; |
| 137 | int x; |
| 138 | int w; |
| 139 | int c; |
| 140 | }; |
| 141 | |
| 142 | vector<seg> segments; |
| 143 | |
| 144 | for(int y = 0; y < height; y++) |
| 145 | { |
| 146 | seg curseg; |
| 147 | curseg.y = y; |
| 148 | curseg.x = 0; |
| 149 | curseg.c = SKY_COLOR; |
| 150 | curseg.w = 0; |
| 151 | |
| 152 | for(int x = 0; x < width; x++) |
| 153 | { |
| 154 | if(curseg.c == SKY_COLOR) |
| 155 | { |
| 156 | if(height - heights[x] <= y) |
| 157 | { |
| 158 | curseg.w = x - curseg.x; |
| 159 | if(curseg.w) |
| 160 | segments.push_back(curseg); |
| 161 | curseg.x = x; |
| 162 | curseg.c = GROUND_COLOR; |
| 163 | } |
| 164 | } |
| 165 | if(curseg.c == GROUND_COLOR) |
| 166 | { |
| 167 | if(height - heights[x] > y) |
| 168 | { |
| 169 | curseg.w = x - curseg.x; |
| 170 | if(curseg.w) |
| 171 | segments.push_back(curseg); |
| 172 | curseg.x = x; |
| 173 | curseg.c = SKY_COLOR; |
| 174 | } |
| 175 | } |
| 176 | } |
| 177 | |
| 178 | curseg.w = width - curseg.x; |
| 179 | if(curseg.w) |
| 180 | segments.push_back(curseg); |
| 181 | } |
| 182 | |
| 183 | for(vector<seg>::iterator i = segments.begin(); i != segments.end(); i++) |
| 184 | { |
| 185 | hline(to, i->x, i->y, i->x + i->w, i->c); |
| 186 | } |
| 187 | |
| 188 | for(int i = 0; i < NUM_PLAYERS; i++) |
| 189 | { |
| 190 | double x2 = cos(tanks<i>.angle) * 16 + tanks<i>.x; |
| 191 | double y2 = sin(tanks<i>.angle) * 16 + tanks<i>.y; |
| 192 | line(to, (int) tanks<i>.x, map.height - (int) tanks<i>.y, (int) x2, map.height - (int) y2, tanks<i>.color); |
| 193 | } |
| 194 | |
| 195 | double angle = tanks[turn].angle; |
| 196 | if(angle > AL_PI / 2) |
| 197 | angle = AL_PI / 2 - angle; |
| 198 | textprintf_ex(to, font, 0, height, -1, 0, "Turn: %d Angle: %0.4f", turn + 1, angle); |
| 199 | } |
| 200 | |
| 201 | volatile int game_time = 0; |
| 202 | static void timer() |
| 203 | { |
| 204 | ++game_time; |
| 205 | } |
| 206 | |
| 207 | int main(int argc, char* argv[]) |
| 208 | { |
| 209 | allegro_init(); |
| 210 | srand(time(NULL)); |
| 211 | |
| 212 | set_color_depth(16); |
| 213 | set_gfx_mode(GFX_AUTODETECT_WINDOWED, 640, 480, 0, 0); |
| 214 | |
| 215 | install_keyboard(); |
| 216 | install_timer(); |
| 217 | |
| 218 | install_int_ex(timer, BPS_TO_TIMER(30)); |
| 219 | |
| 220 | map.Create(SCREEN_W, SCREEN_H); |
| 221 | |
| 222 | while(!key[KEY_ESC]) |
| 223 | { |
| 224 | while(!game_time) |
| 225 | rest(1); |
| 226 | |
| 227 | map.Logic(); |
| 228 | |
| 229 | map.Draw(screen); |
| 230 | } |
| 231 | |
| 232 | return 0; |
| 233 | } |
| 234 | END_OF_MAIN() |
| 235 | |
| 236 | // The end |
]]>
Hmmm...gotta figure out how to attach my file...
| 1 | //COMPILE LIKE THIS: gcc eatc.c -o eatc.exe |
| 2 | |
| 3 | #include<stdio.h> |
| 4 | #include<time.h> |
| 5 | #include<string.h> |
| 6 | |
| 7 | |
| 8 | |
| 9 | typedef struct area |
| 10 | { |
| 11 | char cname[30]; |
| 12 | char description[255]; |
| 13 | struct area *adj1; |
| 14 | struct area *adj2; |
| 15 | struct area *adj3; |
| 16 | } AREA; |
| 17 | |
| 18 | typedef struct enemy |
| 19 | { |
| 20 | char cname[30]; |
| 21 | char description[255]; |
| 22 | int iHP; |
| 23 | int iStr; |
| 24 | AREA *current; |
| 25 | } ENEMY; |
| 26 | |
| 27 | AREA *place[30]; |
| 28 | #define MAX_WORKERS 1 |
| 29 | ENEMY *workers[MAX_WORKERS]; |
| 30 | |
| 31 | void begin_game(); |
| 32 | int battle(ENEMY *monster); |
| 33 | |
| 34 | int main() |
| 35 | { |
| 36 | char cTemp[30]; |
| 37 | int iTemp; |
| 38 | |
| 39 | place[0] = (AREA *) malloc(sizeof(AREA)); |
| 40 | strcpy(place[0]->cname, "Your Desk"); |
| 41 | strcpy(place[0]->description, "Your not-so big office desk."); |
| 42 | |
| 43 | |
| 44 | place[1] = (AREA *) malloc(sizeof(AREA)); |
| 45 | strcpy(place[1]->cname, "Neighboring Cubicle"); |
| 46 | strcpy(place[1]->description, "The walls of your fat co-worker of mold on them..."); |
| 47 | |
| 48 | place[2] = (AREA *) malloc(sizeof(AREA)); |
| 49 | strcpy(place[2]->cname, "Bathroom"); |
| 50 | strcpy(place[2]->description, "There are two stalls..."); |
| 51 | |
| 52 | place[30] = (AREA *) malloc(sizeof(AREA)); |
| 53 | strcpy(place[30]->cname, "No Where!"); |
| 54 | strcpy(place[30]->description, "You aren't really here!"); |
| 55 | |
| 56 | place[0]->adj1 = place[1]; |
| 57 | place[0]->adj2 = place[2]; |
| 58 | place[0]->adj3 = place[30]; |
| 59 | |
| 60 | place[1]->adj1 = place[0]; |
| 61 | place[1]->adj2 = place[2]; |
| 62 | place[1]->adj3 = place[30]; |
| 63 | place[2]->adj1 = place[0]; |
| 64 | place[2]->adj2 = place[1]; |
| 65 | place[2]->adj3 = place[30]; |
| 66 | |
| 67 | workers[0] = (ENEMY *) malloc(sizeof(ENEMY)); |
| 68 | strcpy(workers[0]->cname, "Neighboring Programmer"); |
| 69 | strcpy(workers[0]->cname, "It's Bob! You know, that fat guy you work with?"); |
| 70 | workers[0]->iHP = 10; |
| 71 | workers[0]->iStr = 4; |
| 72 | workers[0]->current = place[1]; |
| 73 | |
| 74 | |
| 75 | system("cls"); |
| 76 | printf("*****************************\n"); |
| 77 | printf("* *\n"); |
| 78 | printf("* *\n"); |
| 79 | printf("* minorHack Presents *\n"); |
| 80 | printf("* *\n"); |
| 81 | printf("* *\n"); |
| 82 | printf("*****************************\n"); |
| 83 | printf("Press any key to continue..."); |
| 84 | |
| 85 | |
| 86 | scanf("%c", cTemp); |
| 87 | system("cls"); |
| 88 | printf("*****************************\n"); |
| 89 | printf("* *\n"); |
| 90 | printf("* *\n"); |
| 91 | printf("* Eat C and Die! *\n"); |
| 92 | printf("* *\n"); |
| 93 | printf("* *\n"); |
| 94 | printf("*****************************\n"); |
| 95 | |
| 96 | printf("1) Start Game\n"); |
| 97 | printf("2) Quit\n"); |
| 98 | scanf("%d", &iTemp); |
| 99 | if(iTemp == 1) |
| 100 | begin_game(); |
| 101 | |
| 102 | return 1; |
| 103 | } |
| 104 | |
| 105 | void begin_game() |
| 106 | { |
| 107 | int i = 0, iTemp = 0; |
| 108 | AREA *current_place = place[0]; |
| 109 | srand((unsigned int) time(NULL)); |
| 110 | int iHp = 0, iStr = 0; |
| 111 | iHp = rand() % 5 + 10; |
| 112 | iStr = rand() % 5 - iHp + 20; |
| 113 | |
| 114 | system("cls"); |
| 115 | printf("*****************************\n"); |
| 116 | printf("* Eat C and Die! *\n"); |
| 117 | printf("*****************************\n"); |
| 118 | printf("HP: %d\n", iHp); |
| 119 | printf("STR: %d\n", iStr); |
| 120 | while(iHp > 0) |
| 121 | { |
| 122 | printf("%s\n", current_place->cname); |
| 123 | printf("%s\n", current_place->description); |
| 124 | printf("1) %s\n", current_place->adj1->cname); |
| 125 | printf("2) %s\n", current_place->adj2->cname); |
| 126 | printf("3) %s\n", current_place->adj3->cname); |
| 127 | |
| 128 | for(i = 0; i < MAX_WORKERS; i++) |
| 129 | { |
| 130 | if(workers<i>->current = current_place) |
| 131 | iHp = battle(workers<i>); |
| 132 | } |
| 133 | |
| 134 | scanf("%d", &iTemp); |
| 135 | if(iTemp == 1) |
| 136 | current_place = current_place->adj1; |
| 137 | if(iTemp == 2 ) |
| 138 | current_place = current_place->adj2; |
| 139 | if(iTemp == 3 ) |
| 140 | current_place = current_place->adj3; |
| 141 | |
| 142 | } |
| 143 | |
| 144 | } |
| 145 | |
| 146 | int battle(ENEMY *monster) |
| 147 | { |
| 148 | return 0; |
| 149 | } |
]]>
Okay, attached.
]]>ahh.. too late to start 
There is mine. Compile it how you would any normal allegro program. For more randomness, specify a different debugger level (e.g. -g3 for maximum randomness). I used `g++ minorhack_release.cpp -o minorhack_release -g3 -lalleg` myself.
You are the grey snake. Eat the pinkish colored food while avoiding the yellow stuff. Sometimes it doesn't recognize a turn (I didn't have time to fix that ). There may be random bugs but for the most part it works. It reads itself (its own binary executable file) and randomly picks bits from it to use for random positioning of stuff.
I didn't have time to code detection of running into yourself, so you can hit yourself and keep going.
Cool, snakes 
Very clever Baf!
Now if you can do that, why not a full game next?
Onewing: Nice attempt. Once the battle part is done maybe it will work
BAF: Pretty cool. Definitely the best in my opinion
Todd: You are a close second, but I couldn't figure out how to kill the yellows or blues...
All in all, I think it goes BAF, Todd, then Onewing and me tied for third Hmm, but Onewing's might be slightly more involving than mine...
Uhh, can we do something like this again, on a weekend perhaps? Completely missed it.
I also completely missed it. We should do another one some time!
I liked blitzhack, which was 6 hours.
]]>I was actually going to suggest one of two things. Either another of the same thing as this, or a phase-based competition. Taking place over 1 day, the competition happens in phases:
First is a 3-hour coding competition to create a good game engine. You may use any number of source files, but no media, yet. (Time: T+3 hours)
Then is a 1-hour break in which we get together and determine which program is the best. The top two will be used for the next part of the competition. (Time: T+4 hours)
In the second phase, you may select either of the two previous winners (you may not select the one that you wrote), and enhance it. This part of the competition is 2 hours long, and a rule-o-matic will be used to determine what to enhance (i.e. you must make this enhancement, and at your option may add others). You may use external media for this part of the competition. (Time: T+6 hours)
Then is 2-hour break in which we get together and determine which program is the best (that is, which person produced the best enhancements). The top two will again be carried in to the next phase. During this break, you may create media files for use in the next phase. (Time: T+8 hours)
The final phase is another 2-hour phase where you can select either of the previous top two winners. In this phase you may select either of the winners, even if one of them is yours. A rule-o-matic will be used to generate a genre requirement, and the goal of the phase is to make the game fit into that genre. (Time: T+10 hours)
What do you guys think? I think this is a unique competition idea that should be fun, interactive, and also give you the opportunity to both work with someone else's code and create graphics on a tight deadline. The time line is rather long for a straight-run competition, but there are actually only 3 + 2 + 2 hours that you must be there.
If you guys are interested in the phase idea, I will set it up. I imagine we would run it sometime after SpeedHack, but that's at everyone's option. We can do the MinorHack again this weekend either way.
]]>Nice attempt
Thanks! I thought it was considering I had absolutely nothing and I had to use gcc (which I prefer not to).
I'd be up for another one, but only if I get to use allegro. About the phase-based competition, sounds interesting...and confusing, but interesting. I'm always up for anything. I'm a Hack-Whore.
]]>Well, I'm gonna go ahead and set the time for the next MinorHack to this saturday at the same time of day. If anyone would rather it be moved, let me know and we can work it out.
]]>I dunno if I'll be participating this weekend, I may have commitments to fulfill.
]]>next MinorHack to this saturday at the same time of day.
So I've got a week to make a game, eh? Guess I better get started.
Actually, I wouldn't do that, but what's stopping someone else from doing it?
]]>I think it is nice as it is, one hour, one source file
But i think we should choose a theme, just to discourage stupid people from using something written before
I can pick a theme. Just let me know when..
Actually, I wouldn't do that, but what's stopping someone else from doing it?
I'm going to add a rule-o-matic that selects one stupid rule
For instance, "game must use a VM". Very loose but very off-the-wall rules. I don't want to limit genre or theme, because I like having different genres, and some games might not actually have a theme.
]]>Very loose but very off-the-wall rules.
Good enough. Maybe, "all functions have to be recursive" or "you must use rotate_sprite in some manner" could be fitting rules. 
Those are both good. I have some very creative ideas. I think I will add theme restriction rules, but if one of them is selected there will be a backup rule for games in which there is no theme.
]]>all functions have to be recursive
I'd need an hour just to think how to implement it
That would be extremely difficult to implement.
Unless you only have one function...
I am taking down the MinorHack countdown for a while. It will be back before Saturday, don't worry
Very clever Baf!
Now if you can do that, why not a full game next?
I have no motivation. An hour or two is good, once or twice a year I can handle 72 hours, but a full fledge game?
[edit]
Plus I always try to neaten and get things orderly, and never end up getting anything done. My stuff ends up being infinately extendable yet infinately not done. With 1 hour, I just pour code straight from my brain into the editor and go. No time for organizing, as you can tell by looking at my source. Its fugly.
I only tried CGamesPlay and sort of skipped most of the comments after he pasted his code but a) it didnt compile outright and b) firing is unimplemented.
Originally I got this error:
x.cpp:140: error: `Map::Draw(BITMAP*)::seg' uses local type `Map::Draw(BITMAP*)::seg' x.cpp:140: error: trying to instantiate `template<class _Alloc> class std::allocator' x.cpp:140: error: template argument 2 is invalid
Because vector<seg> segments used a locally declared struct, I didnt even know that was legal and apparently neither does g++( 3.4.4 ). I moved the definition of the struct outside the Draw() method and it worked fine.
]]>Yeah, firing was unimplemented. I should have just gone with the double buffer method and solved both those problems
West of House
You are standing in an open field west of a white house, with a boarded front door.
There is a small mailbox here.
>
]]>You are standing in an open field west of a white house, with a boarded front door.
There is a small mailbox here.
>LOOK AT GROUND
You see a sledgehammer, lots of grass and some beetles
>GET SLEDGEHAMMER
You have picked up a Sledgehammer
>INVENTORY
1 Sledgehammer
1 Sandwich
3 Mysterious coins
>EAST
OK.
>LOOK
You are at a white house, with a boarded front door.
There is a small mailbox here. To the west is an open field.
>SMASH DOOR
What with? You need to use something.
>USE SLEDGEHAMMER
OK.
>SMASH DOOR
The door breaks down in front of you.
>LOOK
You are at a white house, with a broken front door.
There is a small mailbox here. To the west is an open field. Through the doorway you can see a flight of stairs. You can see an eerie purple light reflected on the stairs.
>_
Hee hee. Anyone like to continue?
Plus I always try to neaten and get things orderly, and never end up getting anything done. My stuff ends up being infinately extendable yet infinately not done.
Just get stuff done and don't worry about the code. Even professional game developers don't have time to stop code getting hacky when it's crunch time.
Ack! I am not going to be able to participate this Saturday! I would like to run one on Sunday at 8 p.m. EDT (Mon Jul 31 01:00:00 UTC 2006). I can run both if you guys like, or only one. You decide (Or suggest something completely different)
I can't really do Saturday either, because of yet-another-wedding. However, I'm in for Sunday.
I don't know if I'm in or out. Probably out Fri,Sat,Sun. Probably Thurs.
]]>Ugh. I've had some plans sprung on me, and won't be in town this weekend. I will still have the site up, but won't be in town to manage it.
[append]
Feast your eyes, allegroites, on the new, improved MinorHack site. It features a super-slick backend that you don't really care about. Most importantly, it has a count down, and will select a rule once the competition starts. I won't be in town for these, of course, but I expect some good entries, damnit! If I get back and nobody has anything I will be angry! And sad! Avoir!
]]>Are those times UTC?
]]>No, they are EDT, sorry That's GMT -4
I thought of an idea that would be kind of neat for a programming competition. It would be cool if we could get somebody (or somebodies) to make a large set of artwork, gfx, sfx and music and this is the only media that participants use. This totally focuses on the programmer's ability to make efficient/fun gameplay, considering every game will have the same look/feel. It's just an idea that's up for the community to manage into a working model.
Also, at the International Programming Competition*, there was this fun mini-competition where you are given a manual of object code written in java. The goal was to take this set of object functionality and produce some code that would make the object to think and react. Then, you step back and everybody's code competes with everybody elses code and the winners are determined simply by which AI wins the game itself.
At the competition I was at, we have a car and we had to develop it's brain to race and collect points and win by having the most points. It was three hours long, and none of us were very familiar with java, so the first two hours, we tried to figure out how the manual worked. Then, for the last hour, we designed a "brain" that just went for the simplest route of gainning points. Assuming we lost, we watched the games play out in several tournament like matches. We were proud (and surprised) to win third place. The main thing about our program was that it avoided pile-ups from running into other cars, which happened every race. It was really funny.
Hmmm, I really went off topic there, didn't I? Well, anywho, the phase-idea that you presented would allow for similar results of that java competition if we make a decent engine in the early phases. Just thought I'd throw all this out there.
I was a Sophomore at the time. I got to go because I was on the reserve team (which was allowed to compete in the java challenge). One of my roommates ran into Sean Connery in our hotel. 
What an experience...
[edit] - some typos.
]]>Bump!
So I guess nothing happened then 
How very sad
Well I will do more work on a PhaseHack site and maybe run one late August/early September.
]]>I ended up being too busy to do one anyway. However, with you gone, it didn't make much sense. You've got to have a sheperd to herd the sheep!
]]>