I finally dare to raise the curtains to my 3D physics-modeled arena game, where players' algorithms fight and perform tasks.
The arena treats algorithms as a black box, meaning that the implementation of algorithms is in the free hands of the players via the Algohol API. Algohol is roughly in the same context as Screeps or Battlesnake, but brings its own dimension to the genre.
At the moment the only world is energy economy based SciFI, but there will be Terra (traditional kinetic combat) and Space. I'm most excited about Space because of its multidimensional control and strategic challenges, and I will likely add it next.
In addition to open public arenas, competitions takes place in blind and sealed arena modes. The sealed mode is the actual competitive standard and is coming later. Players also have private freely buildable arenas where they can play and develop their algorithms by themselves and with friends. At first, everyone has the opportunity to create two algorithms, but the intention is to expand towards real team operations. Teams can already coordinate with "signal" actions and players can create their own protocols. Others can hack your dead team members and catch your signals (the sender's position at least), so every advantage comes with a disadvantage.
Algohol is not all about battle, but also for time and skill based scenarios and benchmarks. The core idea is to pit algorithms against each other in versatile and dynamic conditions.
Open arenas are live now and they can be watched via the site.
I've been unsure whether this will interest anyone, but I've had tons of fun developing the resident algorithms already. I'm happy to hear comments and feedback, and there's a way to report things on the site too.
janne