You have been challenged to a game of Maxwell's Demons!
Note: These game rules have been inspired by David Shilling and his original game of Maxwells demons played first by members of SMART: Seattle Mindstorms™ and Robotic Techies (Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.)Official Maxwell's Demons Rules
The object of the competition is to build a robot that will push as many *white* LEGO cubes to its own side of the playing field as it can, at the same time pushing as many *black* LEGO cubes to its opponent's side.
Robots: Robots may only use a single RCX. This may be their only computing device. Homebrew sensors and multiplexors are allowed, all other modifications to LEGO elements is prohibited.
Robot Control: All robots are to act autonomously, that is to say, robots must operate without human control during a match.
Weight: There is no restriction on robot weight.
Size: Robots should fit in a cube 18 inches on a side.
Field Details: The playing field is a flat, raised, 48"x96" surface, divided into two coloured regions. The regions are 24"x96" in size; one will be white, the other black. These colours will be flat, that is, non-glossy. It will be randomly decided at the beginning of each match which side of the table each contestant will place their robots on.
Cube Details :The LEGO cubes are built out of standard LEGO bricks. There will be 16 white cubes and 16 black cubes on the field. Eight of each colour will be placed randomly on each half of the field.
Instructions for building your own cubes: Take six 2x4 stud bricks, and assemble them into a cube (2 per layer, three layers, alternating orientation for each layer) and finally top them off with tiles. EG: four tiles, either 1x4 or 2x2 will do.
Prohibited Items and Actions: Robots may not 'hoard' cubes. Collecting a large number of cubes with the upshot that the other robot cannot access them (whether intentional or accidental) is not allowed. Such a robot forfeits the round. Robots must remain intact throughout a round, accidental pieces breaking off excepted. Robots may not intentionally damage their competitors, and may not interfere with their programming. The only messages a robot may send are message numbers 201 and up.
Allowed Items and Actions: Picking up one cube at a time, or pushing several around at once, as long as they are not deep in the bowels of your robot, is allowed.
Programs: You should download your program to slot 5 on the RCX. This will make it possible for remote starts of both robots via the remote control.
Match Rules:There will be two rounds per pair of robots, with the sides switched each time. No changes in programming or construction of the robot is allowed, though minor repairs or battery replacements are allowed. There will be a maximum of one minute between rounds for these repairs.
Round Start: For each round, after the cubes are randomly placed, the robots will be placed on the field by their creators. The robot on the white side will be placed first. Placement must be at least 6 inches from the boundary between sides and at least one inch from any cube of any colour. Once both robots are placed, at a signal, the start buttons on the robots will be pushed (there should be a 5 second delay before the bots begin to move).
Round Progression: Rounds last three minutes. If a robot leaves the playing field, (by being pushed off by its opponent, or accidentally driving itself off) it will be replaced as near as possible to the place it went off, facing any desired direction, and it's program restarted.
Round End: The round continues until the time limit is reached.
Round Scoring: The score for a round will be determined by the number of white blocks entirely on a robot's starting side minus the number of black blocks entirely on the robot's starting side. Blocks touching the dividing line will be judged by the contestants and bystanders as to which side they can be assigned to. If a block is truly equaly spaced on both regions then it will not count. Blocks pushed off the field during the round, count the same as if it was a black block on the robot's region. The robot with the highest score wins the round and is awarded two points. A tie will give both robots one point.
Match End: The match is over when both rounds have been played.
Repairs and Reprogramming: During a match no changes in programming or construction of the robot is allowed, though minor repairs or battery replacements are allowed. There will be a maximum of one minute between rounds for these repairs. Reprogramming is allowed when the robot is on the sidelines (not actively in a round or match).
Battle Royale: At the end of the competition we will have a "Battle Royale". where all of the bots will compete at the same time. The battle royale winner will be the bot who knocks off the fewest blocks, and should be held in high esteem!
Good luck,
Jona