Running Java Robots

Running JRobots

Since JRobots was written entirely in Java™, JRobots can be run from within a web browser. Using a Java™ enabled web browser, Visit http://mobydisk.com/java/jrobots/game/ to run JRobots online. Use the form to select the particular robots that will compete at the game options. Once you submit the form, you will see the JRobots Java™ applet appear. So long as the page is active, the game will run to completion.

By viewing the Java console you can see additional information such as game results, statistics, and error information. To open the Java™ Console under Netscape Communicator select Communicator - Tools - Java Console. Under Microsoft Internet Explorer select View - Java Console.

Running JRobots from the web shows opens only the basic capabilities. You can pit robots against each other and run infinitely long matches. But the real power is not available until you download it to run locally. This way you can create your own robots. JRobots is available for download at http://mobydisk.com/java/jrobots/.

JRobots Options

JRobots matches have several options which can be configured each run. Some of these options are only available once downloaded. Most can be selected in the online form.

Replay: number; default = 1
Number of times to replay each match. Use this to measure robot performance over long term. Luck is less likely to have a long range effect and give more accurate results. Wins are counted for each game and statistics are displayed at the end of each match.
Mode: Visual or Fast; default = visual
Available modes are "Fast" or "Visual." Visual mode gives you an overhead display of each match while it is being played. This uses system resources and slows the game. Fast mode eliminates the display and displays only the text results. This allows you to run large replays in less tim ethan visual mode. Other modes will be available in the future including WEBCAST and RECORD modes.
anon: true or false; default = false
For competition purposes, it may be undesirable to reveal the robot names until after the match is complete. Anonymous mode prevents the game from showing robot names during gameplay.
Robots: robot1, robot2, ..., robot99; required(unless in batch)
At least two robots must be selected for competition to begin. Robots can play against other robots, duplicates of themselves, or even multiples of duplicates.
Batch: [filename]; default = none
Batch mode is available only if run locally. In batch mode the robots parameter is not used. Instead, the robot list is reads from a text file, and multiple matches are played, one for each line in the file. Using this a long run of multiple different sets of robots is possible. One excellent value of this would be to test a robot against every combination of possible opponents and examine the results to determine the robot's strengths and weaknesses.

When running JRobots from the web, a simple interface form is included to select these options. This form does the work of creating a web page with the appropriate APPLET and PARAM tags to send the options to the program. To run JRobots locally, you must create an HTML file with these tags.

Example GAME.HTML file showing APPLET and PARAM tags.
<APPLET code="JRobots.class" width=600 height=450> <PARAM name="replay" value="5"> <PARAM name="robots" value="Rook,Counter,Rook,Counter,Sniper"> </APPLET>

Once you have created an appropriate HTML file you can view it using a web browser or Sun Microsystems AppletViewer. For local viewing, the HTML file must be in the same directory as the downloaded JRobots class files.

Competitions, Batches

Each robot begins at a random location on the battlefield with 100% health. The battlefield is two dimensional, enclosed, and unobstructed. No robot can exit the area except by being destroyed. Robots are destroyed once they reach 0% health. They are damaged by weapons or collisions. Each robot has three capabilites: Scanning, Moving, and Firing.

Scanning:
Robots have a radar beam than can scan along a line in any direction. It returns an immediate result indicating the distance to the first object along that line, if one exists. Other than knowing its own coordinates, scanning is the robot's only view into the world.
Moving:
A robot can move about the battlefield at varying speeds. A robot knows it's exact coordinates on the battlefield. Robots can be damaged by colliding with walls, other robots, or weapon fire. Robots can move in any direction, speeds ranging from -20% to 100%. Robots can only turn when moving <=70% of their speed.
Firing:
Each robot has a cannon. The cannon, can be fired a straight line in any direction for a specified range. The cannon shells explode after that set distance. Any robot caught in the blast area will receive damage in proportion to its distance from the center of the explosion.

Future robots may have other abilities, or may be able to trade off abilities. The possibilities for variations on robot capabilities are unlimited. Some ideas include alternative weapons and scanners, repair, energy allocation, or speed -vs- strength trade-offs. Alternative environments including barriers or hostile forces are possible. Implementation of these is dependent on user response.

When competing robots against each other, you must be running JRobots locally. You must create an HTML file and optionally a text file with a robot batch. The JRobots class files, the robot class files, and the above HTML and text files must be in the same directory.

The batch text file containst a comma separated list of robots, one list on each line of the file. This is similar to the use of the robots parameter. The replay option is still in effect, so each game will be run multiple times if specified.

Example BATCH.TXT file showing 3 matches.
Rook,Counter Rook,Sniper Counter,Sniper,Rook

Web based competitions could be held in the future. Players could submit their Robot class files, and anyone would be able to download them from the web, or compete with them online. Specific clients could be made to allow a webcast of a match so that everyone can see a real-time view of the game in progress.

Alternative competitons are possible. JRobots includes an announcer who provides a play-by-play analysis of the game as it progresses. Competitions for better AI announcers are possible. Users could implement alternative game layouts, such as a 3-dimensional view of the game.