quote: Original post by d000hg
Can we create a big array to store a representation of the level that way, or have no memory of previous events (which would also rule out any type of ''learning'' bot?

quote: Original post by d000hg
Oh and if we are on a 1.6GHz machine why would it take 4s to update - surely 4ms or even 4us is more realistic?

quote:
How about a seperate prize for best entry by a non-professional, or some such idea?

quote: Original post by DakeDesu

quote: Original post by d000hg
Can we create a big array to store a representation of the level that way, or have no memory of previous events (which would also rule out any type of ''learning'' bot?

Khawk: You mentioned allowing a scripting, how is file access setup? Could we read and write to the harddrive during a bot battle in the finals? If so, what sort of setup is going to be done? That would quite easily allow for a learning bot.

Just note that I am not worried about others reading my strategy learning file, because it would be insane not to expect that.

quote: Original post by Khawk

quote: Original post by Xgkkp

quote: Original post by NatasDM
Good News!
...

Uhh..... My thikning goes along the lines of: Why not just write directinput into a test bot or something.

That would actually be the best way to make a manual test bot.

quote: Original post by NatasDM

quote: Original post by Khawk
That would actually be the best way to make a manual test bot.

I''m worried about messing up the controls for the program. With Windows Hooks, I can install a filter without removing the keystroke.

Fortunately, I also have code for Direct Input too. I can take that route if it wouldn''t mess up the input for the Arena Executable.

See, Using Buffered Data in DirectX flushes the Data from the buffer. I would have to peek the data, which I''m sure I can do with some flag. All of this is dependant on whether or not the Arena execuatble has an exclusive lock on the keyboard. If it doesn''t, then great, I can probably use DirectInput without problem. If it does

quote: Original post by Khawk

And yes, it does suck that it hurts the faster bot as well. For this particular contest, it's just part of the challenge.

quote: Original post by Khawk

quote: Original post by DakeDesu
Khawk: You mentioned allowing a scripting, how is file access setup? Could we read and write to the harddrive during a bot battle in the finals? If so, what sort of setup is going to be done? That would quite easily allow for a learning bot.

Just note that I am not worried about others reading my strategy learning file, because it would be insane not to expect that.

You could do that.. I''m a little worried about the hard drive access time during an actual battle, though (initialization is fine). Just keep that part in mind.. if the framerate starts dropping, then we''re going to have some issues. The arena interface isn''t going to provide anything for outputting data to files, so anything of the sort will have to be done by you in the DLL.

quote: Original post by xEricx
I wondered if it wouldn''t be possible to reward faster bots? I mean, what''s the point to write fast bots if the other boths take 3X the computation time you take? All you get is that you''ll be less accurate... sure you can brag about your fast update function, but in the end, the same level of AI with more computation time is most likely to win...