Robocode

Robocode is a free, object-oriented programming game developed by IBM and currently maintained by Mathew A. Nelson. The objective of Robocode is to code a robotic tank that battles other robot tanks in a 2D arena. The game is written in Java and .NET, allowing developers to program their bots using these languages.

Players create their own AI-controlled robot by writing code that dictates its movement, targeting, firing, and evasive maneuvers. The robots then compete against each other in real-time battles. The goal is to be the last robot standing. Robocode provides a simulated battlefield, physics engine, and sensor data that the robot's code can access. This includes information about its own position, velocity, energy, the positions and velocities of other robots, and walls.

The game is used as an educational tool for teaching programming concepts, artificial intelligence, and game development. It encourages experimentation and learning through a competitive and engaging platform. Robocode has a vibrant community that shares battle strategies, code examples, and hosts online tournaments. The game is cross-platform, running on Windows, macOS, and Linux. New versions are released periodically, introducing new features and improvements to the simulation and API.