[ANN] The mrxak Challenge- Competition Zero

mrxak

"The Race"

The preliminary round of The mrxak Challenge has begun. See (url="http://"http://www.ambrosiasw.com/webboard/Forum9/HTML/003895.html#")The mrxak Challenge(/url) for more information about what this is. This competition is a test, to evaluate interest and the ability to carry out these competitions in an orderly fashion. If results are good, the first official challenge will comence soon afterwards.

This challenge falls under the "easy" category. There are no actual awards except bragging rights for completing this challenge the fastest. As usual, extra points (and potential awards) are given for creativity and interesting programing. All winners will have their names recorded in some yet-to-be-determined way for all to see. The most likely would be on my (url="http://"http://www.evula.org/mrxak/")evula.org site(/url). Runners-up will also be listed.

"The Race" - EV Nova
Create a mission available 100% of the time (new pilot) in the BBS system on a planet/gövt of your choosing or on all inhabited planets. The mission will be called "The Race". Once the player accepts this mission, they are placed into an unarmed racing viper. They must fly through (but not land except for refuels only) 10 spread-out waypoint systems in a particular order (made obvious to the player in some way) before reaching the finish line. There must be three other racers you are competing with. They must travel in a fairly efficient route in such a way that they will come in ahead of you if you are too slow. You must be able to see other racers along the way depending on where you go and how far behind or ahead of the other racers you are. There must be judges that inform you in-system of your place in the race, and what rank you finish in when you reach the finish line. These judges will tell you that you've officially checked in at a waypoint, or inform you if you are at the wrong waypoint. Pay must be given in differing amounts based on your rank. 10,000 credits for first place, 5,000 for second place, and 1,000 for third place. When you land at any planet for refueling, you must be able to see who is in what rank through the bar's news channel. Mission description text is neccessary. This must be fully complete story-wise.
Clarifications: The player determines their fate to some degree by choosing an efficient course through the race. The opponent racers will win with greater odds the longer you take to finish the race. Flying a perfect course should win most of the time, but being a few days off of a perfect race will not neccessarily mean certain defeat. The farther off course the player gets, the greater the chances of losing. Each opponent must have its own independant randomness, and be tracked seperately through the course.

Remember: You must send your plug-ins to me as soon as you feel they are complete. You must also include a file (pdf, rtf, or txt) describing the steps neccesary for me to test the plug, and a break-down of how you accomplished the task, and a description of what each resource does (by type and ID number). Instead of a file, you may choose to have this text in the body of the email you send the plug with. Any questions about the competition or the challenge itself should be emailed to me or posted here.

Mantaray

Sounds cool. I won't enter the competetion, but I'll see if I can figure out a way to do it.
Is there a deadline for submissions?

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May those who love us, love us, and may those who don't love us, may God turn their hearts; and if He doesn't turn their hearts, may He turn their ankles, so we'll know them by their limping.
(url="http://"http://www.evula.org/monster/")Monster Studios(/url) - (url="http://"http://www.evula.org/monster/studio/c.html")Caribbean(/url)

(This message has been edited by Mantaray (edited 03-21-2003).)

mrxak

I'll let people know when the first submission has been entered that accomplishes the task properly. People can continue to submit for some time afterward if they want, but unless they do things very differently, the best they can do is "runner-up". I'd say keep sending stuff my way until a new competition begins.

Kame

Developers... start your engines

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I used to jog but the ice kept falling out of my glass.
(url="http://"http://www.0three0.net/evn/RONIN.sit")RONIN(/url) - A new breed of Bounty Hunter

Bomb

Quote

Originally posted by mrxak:
**"The Race"

**

My head hurts.

_bomb

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"I want to tell you about a time I almost died...."

Pan Sola

Quote

Originally posted by mrxak:
They must fly through (but not land except for refuels only) 10 spread-out waypoint systems in a particular order (made obvious to the player in some way) before reaching the finish line.

Does this take place in the oridinary EVN galaxy? and are the 10 systems always the same 10, and in the same order?

Quote

There must be three other racers you are competing with. They must travel in a fairly efficient route in such a way that they will come in ahead of you if you are too slow. You must be able to see other racers along the way depending on where you go and how far behind or ahead of the other racers you are.

Eh, by "see", you mean you see those ships in the system? That would only happen if you are only at most a day difference, and happen to travel along the same rout though, right?

Quote

There must be judges that inform you in-system of your place in the race, and what rank you finish in when you reach the finish line. These judges will tell you that you've officially checked in at a waypoint, or inform you if you are at the wrong waypoint.

Eh, the Judges being in-system, you mean in space, or on every single spob in the galaxy?
Are they in every system, or only at waypoints and the finish line?

Quote

When you land at any planet for refueling, you must be able to see who is in what rank through the bar's news channel.

This "rank" here is only determined by waypoints completed right? As opposed to actual distance to the finish line (since there might be multiple routes).

Quote

Flying a perfect course should win most of the time,

Eh, so even when flying a perfect course, it's still possible to lose?

Quote

Each opponent must have its own independant randomness, and be tracked seperately through the course.

Hmm... the "randomness" relates to the opponent picking the right/wrong route whenever there is a jump? Or random delays along the route?

Sorry for all my questions. Just want to get things very very straight before I sacrifice my spring break away... d-:

Pan Sola, Eater of Snacks

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Fundraising to buy a mac so I can play EV:N without using a Emulator (too slow with carrier combats) or taking over my best friend's computer.
Please send all contributions via paypal to panguim@uclink4.berkeley.edu
Making a TC based on J.R.R. Tolkein's works. (url="http://"http://www.ev-nova.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=935")http://www.ev-nova.n...topic.php?t=935(/url)

(This message has been edited by Pan Sola (edited 03-22-2003).)

mrxak

Quote

Originally posted by Pan Sola:
Does this take place in the oridinary EVN galaxy? and are the 10 systems always the same 10, and in the same order?

Up to you. Same ten. Always same order.

Quote

Eh, by "see", you mean you see those ships in the system? That would only happen if you are only at most a day difference, and happen to travel along the same rout though, right?

If you are traveling the same route (or your routes cross), and another racer is in that system at that time, they should be there. Otherwise, they should not be there.

Quote

Eh, the Judges being in-system, you mean in space, or on every single spob in the galaxy?
Are they in every system, or only at waypoints and the finish line?

The judges should communicate with you in space. They are only at waypoints.

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This "rank" here is only determined by waypoints completed right? As opposed to actual distance to the finish line (since there might be multiple routes).

Up to you, but that sounds good.

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Eh, so even when flying a perfect course, it's still possible to lose?

Correct. Not all viper pilots are created equal ;). If they arrive the same day as you did, they should have a chance at winning too.

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Hmm... the "randomness" relates to the opponent picking the right/wrong route whenever there is a jump? Or random delays along the route?

Random delays along the route would be the best way to explain it. Your opponents should not be flying around like crazy. They should have a plan.

Quote

Sorry for all my questions. Just want to get things very very straight before I sacrifice my spring break away... d-:

Heh. No problem. It's better to ask questions ahead of time than waste time doing the wrong thing.

Pan Sola

Here is the race course I have planned:

Scheall (Take off from Harbor) -> Kerella -> Biri -> Aalolph -> Alphara -> Kipa -> Nil'kemorya -> Mjolnir -> Kania -> Gefjon (land on Thror)

The modified viper racer will be capable of doing 5 jumps. Armor and Shield are reduced to 20 and 30 respectively to make space for engine modifications (1000 acceleration, 600 topspeed, 100 manuver) as well as stolen advanced Polaris technology (fast jump & jump without slowing. sorry, no multi-jumps). There is also one afterburner on the ship, but otherwise it has no cargo or additional outfit space. You will not be able to purchase solar panels for the ship, even if you sell your afterburner.

I probably need another week to complete the challenge, since there are other things in real life more pressing for my attention d-:

I'll keep you guys updated on the progress (-:

Pan Sola, Eater of Snacks

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Fundraising to buy a mac so I can play EV:N without using a Emulator (too slow with carrier combats) or taking over my best friend's computer.
Please send all contributions via paypal to panguim@uclink4.berkeley.edu
Making a TC based on J.R.R. Tolkein's works. (url="http://"http://www.ev-nova.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=935")http://www.ev-nova.n...topic.php?t=935(/url)

Pan Sola

Quote

Originally posted by mrxak:
**If you are traveling the same route (or your routes cross), and another racer is in that system at that time, they should be there. Otherwise, they should not be there.
**

Below is for general discussion, as opposed to question directed at mrxak:

There seem to be only 2 options to do this, and one of them is actually impossible with the EVN engine:

1. Use 3 missions (one for each of the other racers) each has a ship that follows player, but only visible when player is at the right place at the right time (I don't think this is possible).

2. Use 3 * (number of stops on the perfect route) missions, each has a ship that appears at a specific system at a particular time only.

Since there are about 6 systems to get to each waypoint, that is 3 * 6 * 10 = 180 missions...

I wonder if there exists an easier way to do things...
I can keep track of where the 3 ships are using 21 crons and 21 bits. The 180 misns needed to display this info seems a bit expensive by contrast )-:

Pan Sola, Eater of Snacks

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Fundraising to buy a mac so I can play EV:N without using a Emulator (too slow with carrier combats) or taking over my best friend's computer.
Please send all contributions via paypal to panguim@uclink4.berkeley.edu
Making a TC based on J.R.R. Tolkein's works. (url="http://"http://www.ev-nova.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=935")http://www.ev-nova.n...topic.php?t=935(/url)

mrxak

Part of the fun of this is being able to see the interesting ways people approach the challenges. I look forward to seeing the final results. Enjoy!

Pan Sola

Should hypergates be allowed in the race? for both AI and player (if the player manages to gain hypergate access before entering the race).

I've balanced the route so that hypergate only save maybe 6 days total. I'm placing large hostil ships on all hypergate exits ^^"

But should AI be randomly allowed to access hypergates?

The new route (to make hypergate less useful) is as follows:
Scheall -> Gefjon -> Sol -> Biri -> Hiferryl -> Ivo -> Kipa -> Nil'kemora -> Mjolnir -> Kania -> Scheall

Though I might remove Kania and add another system between Ivo and Kipa (hypergating can shave off 3 days on the trip from Ivo to Kipa, whereas the shortest route from Mjolnir to Scheall passes through Kania anyways).

Pan Sola, Eater of Snacks

(edit: removed the "P.S." cuz it's no longer true...)

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Fundraising to buy a mac so I can play EV:N without using a Emulator (too slow with carrier combats) or taking over my best friend's computer.
Please send all contributions via paypal to panguim@uclink4.berkeley.edu
Making a TC based on J.R.R. Tolkein's works. (url="http://"http://www.ev-nova.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=935")http://www.ev-nova.n...topic.php?t=935(/url)

(This message has been edited by Pan Sola (edited 03-23-2003).)

Weepul 884

"Easy"?

Geez...I need to read the EVN bible section on missions...maybe I should get an EVN-scripting consultant and/or misison programmer when I get around to my plugins. :eek:

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Pan Sola

Quote

Originally posted by Weepul 884:
**"Easy"?

Geez...I need to read the EVN bible section on missions...maybe I should get an EVN-scripting consultant and/or misison programmer when I get around to my plugins. :eek:

**

It's a lot of work, but isn't extremely difficult. Though implementation-wise I'd hestitate to call it easy either.

I think what mrxak meant by "easy" is that it's easy to describe, and relatively simple in concept with no regard to what the EVN engine can do. Remember, whenever he comes up with a challenge, it doesn't necessarily have a solution.

BTW, mrxak, when in space and you "see" the other racers, is it ok not to identify them? Ie, all 3 AI racers will look identicle, and non-distinguishable from space. Of course, when you land, you'll still be able to tell who is ahead.

This makes a big difference in that I'll only need to use 3 * (number of jumps) resources, as opposed to 7 * (number of jumps) resources...

Pan Sola

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Fundraising to buy a mac so I can play EV:N without using a Emulator (too slow with carrier combats) or taking over my best friend's computer.
Please send all contributions via paypal to panguim@uclink4.berkeley.edu
Making a TC based on J.R.R. Tolkein's works. (url="http://"http://www.ev-nova.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=935")http://www.ev-nova.n...topic.php?t=935(/url)

mrxak

Quote

Originally posted by Pan Sola:
**Should hypergates be allowed in the race? for both AI and player (if the player manages to gain hypergate access before entering the race).

<snip>

But should AI be randomly allowed to access hypergates?**

Hypergates are up to you, but if anyone can use them, everyone should probably be allowed to use them.

mrxak

Quote

Originally posted by Pan Sola:
I think what mrxak meant by "easy" is that it's easy to describe, and relatively simple in concept with no regard to what the EVN engine can do. Remember, whenever he comes up with a challenge, it doesn't necessarily have a solution.

Sorta. Anything that is "possible" gets the easy rating. Anything that is "impossible" gets a higher rating. These ratings come from whether or not it needs some sort of crazy workaround, or if it should technically be possible with lots of work with ordinary methods.

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BTW, mrxak, when in space and you "see" the other racers, is it ok not to identify them? Ie, all 3 AI racers will look identicle, and non-distinguishable from space. Of course, when you land, you'll still be able to tell who is ahead.

It would be nice to see which racer is which, but it's not critical.

Masamune

OK, Pan Sola- I'm a gunnin' for you! Even though I should be working on my own project....

My route I exactly mapped yet, but I know it involves 63 systems, and starts and ends at Scheall (I was going to use your route, but I couldn't find Biri in Nova Burst!). Right now, It's going to take (63 * 3) crons, and (63*3) pers's, but only about 20 missions. Still, it's a damn lot of work. How the hell are you going to use only 21 crons? Yikes.

See you from the finish line!

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~Charlie

Pan Sola

Quote

Originally posted by Masamune:
**OK, Pan Sola- I'm a gunnin' for you! Even though I should be working on my own project....

My route I exactly mapped yet, but I know it involves 63 systems, and starts and ends at Scheall (I was going to use your route, but I couldn't find Biri in Nova Burst!). Right now, It's going to take (63 * 3) crons, and (63*3) pers's, but only about 20 missions. Still, it's a damn lot of work. How the hell are you going to use only 21 crons? Yikes.

See you from the finish line!

**

Eh, I got an advantage over you then, only 52 jumps. d-:

Biri is between Vella space and Moash space, on the south side. Sol->Nsre Secundis->Xante-> Biri -> Moash Rep -> Moash Llima... (those are actual jump routes, not all of them waypoints).

I realized that even if I wanted to, 180 missions won't help.

My mission count is at least 14, but that's without worrying about landing and finding out ranking yet. Haven't thought about what I want to implement that with. As for 21 crons... mwahahahahaha, it's actually a very primitive thing. Though the 21 is only used to keep track of the progress of the 3 AI racers. I might need to use crons for other stuff later (especially the news). Other resources involved are 1 ship (for the racer obviously), 1 dude (for AI racers), 5 govt (maybe less, I just changed my design recently), 4 str# (maybe less, for racer names), and 53 * 3 syst. Let's see if this is hint enough of what I am up to (-:

As for your design, 63*3 pers.... how do you make the pers always show up whem you want it to? I thought it's only a 5%...

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Fundraising to buy a mac so I can play EV:N without using a Emulator (too slow with carrier combats) or taking over my best friend's computer.
Please send all contributions via paypal to panguim@uclink4.berkeley.edu
Making a TC based on J.R.R. Tolkein's works. (url="http://"http://www.ev-nova.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=935")http://www.ev-nova.n...topic.php?t=935(/url)

Pan Sola

Quote

Originally posted by mrxak:
**Hypergates are up to you, but if anyone can use them, everyone should probably be allowed to use them.

**

Hmm, my concern is some players might be able to get hypergate access before joining the race, and gain unfair advantage over AI, that's why I was wanting the AI to randomly go for the gate.

That's ok though, I'll just work on balancing the selection of waypoints along the route, and make sure there are enough huge ships at the exit of any hypergate hostil enough to turn any viper into space dust in half a frame (-:

Of course, if you pass by the system by hyperspace-jumping, you'll have time to run away from them. But if you come out of hypergate... BOOM!

That'll be the mrxak challenge zero point five: to come out of a hypergate alive (in a viper racer)! Mwahahahahahahahahaha (-:

Pan Sola, Eater of Snacks

ps. The viper's armor was furthur decreased to 10 to make room for an advanced shield recharger that has a 500 recharge rate. Unfortunately, such technology can only be placed on extremely small ships (aka Viper) with an extremely low shield radius (ie low max shield, 30).

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Fundraising to buy a mac so I can play EV:N without using a Emulator (too slow with carrier combats) or taking over my best friend's computer.
Please send all contributions via paypal to panguim@uclink4.berkeley.edu
Making a TC based on J.R.R. Tolkein's works. (url="http://"http://www.ev-nova.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=935")http://www.ev-nova.n...topic.php?t=935(/url)

mrxak

Well, actually, the player should never have hypergate access (from Sigma). These will be tested on a new pilot. If the first mission provides the player with access, then so be it. Otherwise, don't worry about it.

Pan Sola

Quote

Originally posted by mrxak:
**Well, actually, the player should never have hypergate access (from Sigma). These will be tested on a new pilot. If the first mission provides the player with access, then so be it. Otherwise, don't worry about it.

**

Hmm, ok.

I might modify the waypoints again then, to make it more advanterous... (-:

(Edit:) Ok, the new, and hopefully final route, has 64 jumps. The waypoints are: Scheall -> Gefjon -> Biri -> Hiferryl -> Vemap -> Kipa -> Mu'hari -> Nil'blei -> Nil'kol -> Kania -> Scheall.

Because of all the pirate activities that goes behind the race (stealing and smuggling classified technologies, high stakes large-sum gambling, pirates hired to make a contestant "disappear", etc etc), most governments (Fed, Aur, Pol) actually will view this race as illegal. As a result, the judges at each waypoint equip their ships with cloaking device, and you'll need to hang around in the system a bit to find them.

BTW, because of imcomplete understanding of the stolen Polaris hyperspce technology, Viper Racers need to jump from furthur away from the gravitational center of the system as a safty measure (you still get fast jump and jump w/o slowing, just have to jump from farthur away).

Pan Sola

(Edit2:) arg, I just realized that there is potentially a major flaw in my design, depending on how MCB implemented a certain feature (a grey area that the EVN Bible doesn't really cover...)

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Fundraising to buy a mac so I can play EV:N without using a Emulator (too slow with carrier combats) or taking over my best friend's computer.
Please send all contributions via paypal to panguim@uclink4.berkeley.edu
Making a TC based on J.R.R. Tolkein's works. (url="http://"http://www.ev-nova.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=935")http://www.ev-nova.n...topic.php?t=935(/url)

(This message has been edited by Pan Sola (edited 03-23-2003).)

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[ANN] The mrxak Challenge- Competition Zero