Anyone tried Screeps, the MMO for programmers?

Toolmaker · 2015-07-12T22:00:07

Back in november I stumbled upon the crowdfunding of Screeps, a massive multiplayer online game designed for programmers. It is a strategy game where you do not play but program an AI to play for you. I decided to throw in some money because it made me excited and as a result I've been toying around for the past several weeks in the early access preview. And I must admit that I quite like it. It is challenging: the game provides the basic game mechanics and functionality such as path finding and examing the playing field and manipulating it and the rest is up to the programmer. Basic things, like building a unit that collects energy or one that picks up energy from a creep that is mining for energy and bringing it to unit that needs it are quite simple. But once you have more than a few creeps things start needing coordination and it gets more complex. I think this might also be a very good way to learn game programming: the game has a tick based architecture and in order to keeps things efficient you need to figure out a way to keep track of resources, overall state units and rooms. In the few sessions I've spent on the game I had to dive into some algorithms(implemented a breadth-search for finding suitable construction area), data structures(currently researching spatial hashing to group together local energy needs) and working out how to keep the game running efficiently. I also happen to have two additional tokens for use in the early access preview. If anyone is interested I'd to happy to share them on first-come basis. However, please think about if you're actually gonna play or just want to check it out and abandon it. There are quite a few players who's AI seem starved, unresponsive and stuck without being updated and it would be a shame if my tokens would be used in such a fashion too. If you do want to try it out for a bit, it has a built-in code editor and a partial simulation that runs in the browser under simulation, where also the tutorial can be found. If anyone's playing: I'd love to hear other experiences.

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Started by Toolmaker June 21, 2015 12:29 AM

59 comments, last by Dragonsoulj 9 years, 2 months ago

Dragonsoulj

3,213

June 26, 2015 06:40 PM

PMed you a code flamingskunk

theflamingskunk

1,325

June 26, 2015 07:33 PM

I actually already got one from Slicer, so feel free to give to somebody else.

Thanks though!

Same name in game. Room E8N5. Ive only had like an hour to get setup so far so horrible AI. Probably going to get stomped by guy in room above me as soon as walls come down. Hoping to spend some time this weekend to actually make something sustainable.

Dragonsoulj

3,213

June 27, 2015 01:50 AM

Well, I have 3 codes if anyone needs one.

Bacterius

13,181

June 27, 2015 02:32 AM

I'd like a code

“If I understand the standard right it is legal and safe to do this but the resulting value could be anything.”

ronan.thibaudau

1,038

June 27, 2015 02:54 AM

Same i registered but could use a code in the meantime

Dragonsoulj

3,213

June 27, 2015 03:10 AM

PMed both of you.

Bacterius

13,181

June 27, 2015 04:01 AM

Holed myself up in E9S6 to have some peace while I work on my AI and build up some forces. My immediate neighbour doesn't seem too belligerent, and nobody's going to want to drop a spawn in the swamp between us

“If I understand the standard right it is legal and safe to do this but the resulting value could be anything.”