Introducing the Code Game Challenge 2013

Get ready for some fun! The Code Game Challenge is a fun competition among teams participating in ACM-ICPC 2013—2014 NEERC Southern Subregional Contest. This competition originates it's idea from ACM-ICPC World Finals ICPC Challenge.

What is the Code Game Challenge?

In the Code Game Challenge teams will write programs which will be put into direct real-time competition with similar programs from other teams!!

You mean my program will interact directly with other team's programs?

Yes, that's right! Code Game Challenge submissions will not be "judged"; they will be put directly into a "simulation environment" where they will compete directly with the programs submitted by other teams.

How is that going to work?

The details are super-secret. They will be revealed the day before the Code Game Challenge begins. Here's the general idea.

Teams will be given specifications for an object. These specifications will include a set of interfaces to be implemented and a goal for the object to achieve when in competition with other team's objects. Capabilities include observation of the progress of other team's objects and measures that can be taken to block that progress. The winning team object will be determined in a game environment while competing with others.

To compete, your team must succeed at building the object. But to win, your team's strategy must be superior to that of your opponents. The technical part is easy. But, your opponents will make sure that the real challenge will be in inventing a winning strategy!

How will the winners be determined?

The Challenge is in two parts. The first part is the coding portion. As you code, you can test your objects in a "private simulation" or compete live with other team's objects. At the conclusion of the coding portion, you will submit your object to compete in the second part — a tournament to determine the winners. You and your team mates can watch the final rounds of the tournament during the Code Game Challenge later that evening.

What programming languages will be used during the Challenge?

The available languages are Java, C++ and Object Pascal. The Code Game Challenge framework is written in Java and supports both Java and native languages solutions. All documention refers to Java source code. However, you will be provided by source code in all three langauges. Note that names of classes, interfaces and methods in C++ and Object Pascal may differ a little from those in Java (e.g. prefix I in interface names, prefix T in Pascal's classes names, etc.).

What do I need to know ahead of time to compete?

You do not need any particular knowledges to compete! All that you will need to know will be covered as part of the event. You do need to have some knowledge of object-oriented programming.

How do I participate?

All Southern Subregional Contest teams are automatically eligible to participate in the Code Game Challenge. The specifications for the environment and the problem will be distributed after the Practice Session on the Wednesday, October 16, 2013. On the Thursday, October 17, 2013 at 08:45 teams will get access to the competition rooms and will begin code development at 09:00 sharp. Final submissions will be accepted until 13:00. The tournament will take place during the Code Game Challenge Show.

What's the payoff, anyway?

You have to ask that question? First, and most important, the Code Game Challenge will be fun — it's going to let your team put its programming skills into head-to-head competition with other teams. But that's not all. Sponsors are coming up with several nifty goodies for the winning teams. You'll have to wait until the Challenge itself to see exactly what they will be!

Where can I see some information about ACM-ICPC Java Challenge?

At the ICPC Challenge section of ACM-ICPC World Finals site: http://icpc.baylor.edu/challenge/.