From: jwilkinson@mail.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Guenzel Clear
Date: 1996/07/01
Message-ID: <199607011914.OAA21726@mail.utexas.edu>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


>couple of suggestions:
>
>  dat/djn clear   - akin to 'spl/jmp bomb'
>  Dclear clear    - first appearance, also convenient reference
>  Dclear wipe     - not quite so redundant
>
>(actually the real reason for this is that neither Anders nor I can
>spell Guenzel)

Well, prior to Anders posting that message, that name of that type of
clear was probably still up in the air, but now I think "Guenzel clear"
is carved in stone. :-)




From: PK6811S@ACAD.DRAKE.EDU
Subject: Guenzel Clear
Date: 1996/07/01
Message-ID: <01I6K24NKRHE000BJ0@ACAD.DRAKE.EDU>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


Anders writes:

>I think we need to come up with a name for Guenzel's
>DAT/DJN clear. (No offence, Bjoern, but code is not
>usually named after its inventor)
>These things usually name themselves, but nothing catchy
>has come up so far.

couple of suggestions:

  dat/djn clear   - akin to 'spl/jmp bomb'
  Dclear clear    - first appearance, also convenient reference
  Dclear wipe     - not quite so redundant

(actually the real reason for this is that neither Anders nor I can
spell Guenzel)

Paul Kline
pk6811s@acad.drake.edu



From: Anders Ivner <d91andiv@und.ida.liu.se>
Subject: Guenzel's clear.
Date: 1996/07/01
Message-ID: <9607011040.AA07736@su5-3.ida.liu.se>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


I think we need to come up with a name for Guenzel's
DAT/DJN clear. (No offence, Bjoern, but code is not
usually named after its inventor)
These things usually name themselves, but nothing catchy
has come up so far.

Some suggestions off the top of my head:

fast-forward clear
alternate dat clear
perforating clear

/Anders




From: KOTH Tourney Server <koth>
Subject: SKI-ICWS: Status - ICWS Experimental 94 07/01/96
Date: 1996/07/01
Message-ID: <199607010400.AAA28615@valhalla.stormking.com>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


			Weekly Status on  07/01/96

***NEW***
	On line pre-compile and the Wilkies Benchmark now available!
***NEW***

See up to the second scores and the latest Core War information at :

		http://www.stormking.com/~koth
	  *FAQ* http://www.stormking.com/~koth/corewar-faq.html

Current Status of the StormKing Industries ICWS Experimental 94 CoreWar Hill:

Last battle concluded at : Thu Jun 6 04:48:49 EDT 1996
 
 #  %W/ %L/ %T                      Name               Author   Score     Age
 1  36/  4/ 60              Evol Cap 4 X       John Wilkinson     169      21
 2  43/ 30/ 27               Lithium X 8     John K Wilkinson     157      12
 3  48/ 40/ 12                  Memories          Beppe Bezzi     155      28
 4  43/ 34/ 23                    BigBoy        Robert Macrae     153      46
 5  45/ 38/ 16        Stepping Stone 94x          Kurt Franke     153       7
 6  45/ 41/ 15             Frontwards v2       Steven Morrell     149      51
 7  46/ 45/  9              S.E.T.I. 4-X                  JKW     147      22
 8  34/ 22/ 44             Variation M-1              Jay Han     147       1
 9  45/ 43/ 12                     Pagan             John K W     147       6
10  42/ 39/ 20                  Derision           M R Bremer     144      38
11  43/ 42/ 14            Illusion-94/55         Randy Graham     144       3
12  32/ 24/ 44                   Aleph 1              Jay Han     140      11
13  31/ 24/ 45                  Hector 2          Kurt Franke     137      41
14  36/ 37/ 27             Tornado 2.0 x          Beppe Bezzi     136      45
15  39/ 42/ 19           Fire Master Xv1            JS Pulido     136      43
16  39/ 44/ 17                   Watcher          Kurt Franke     134      44
17  39/ 45/ 16                 Watcher-h          Kurt Franke     133      40
18  31/ 36/ 33                  Nice Try           M R Bremer     127      50
19  33/ 40/ 26                      Riff       Steven Morrell     126       2
20  36/ 55/  9        Withershins Thrice              P.Kline     118       4

21  22/ 71/  6                   Escape2    Philipp Offermann      73       0



From: KOTH Tourney Server <koth>
Subject: SKI-ICWS: Status - ICWS Tournament 07/01/96
Date: 1996/07/01
Message-ID: <199607010400.AAA23467@valhalla.stormking.com>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


			Weekly Status on  07/01/96

***NEW***
	On line pre-compile and the Wilkies Benchmark now available!
***NEW***

See up to the second scores and the latest Core War information at :

		http://www.stormking.com/~koth
	  *FAQ* http://www.stormking.com/~koth/corewar-faq.html

Current Status of the StormKing Industries Annual ICWS Tournament CoreWar Hill:

Last battle concluded at : Tue Jun 4 06:47:05 EDT 1996
 
 #  %W/ %L/ %T                      Name               Author   Score     Age
 1  45/ 11/ 44                 Cannonade           Paul Kline     180      91
 2  51/ 34/ 16             Miss Carefree           Derek Ross     167      23
 3  46/ 33/ 20              Giskard v0.5           Ken Mitton     159      64
 4  33/ 15/ 52           Nothing Special             G. Eadon     151       6
 5  33/ 18/ 49                    Turkey          Beppe Bezzi     149       7
 6  47/ 45/  8                   Agony T        Stefan Strack     149      92
 7  39/ 29/ 32      Pommes-Ketchup V1.35         S. Schroeder     149       4
 8  43/ 42/ 14                    test88              P.Kline     144      10
 9  41/ 41/ 18            Old Tire Swing         Randy Graham     142      48
10  39/ 38/ 23          Yop La Boum v2.1         P.E.M & E.C.     140      21
11  40/ 44/ 16                Miss Carry           Derek Ross     135      55
12  29/ 24/ 47              One Fat Lady        Robert Macrae     134       8
13  39/ 46/ 14                 Traper3_t    Waldemar Bartolik     132       1
14  39/ 47/ 14              Slaver v1.1i    Christoph C. Birk     131      52
15  37/ 46/ 17                  Illusion         Randy Graham     127      50
16  37/ 49/ 15          DoubleStone v0.7    Christoph C. Birk     125      34
17  30/ 36/ 33                     Chris       Steven Morrell     124      13
18  38/ 54/  7                       xtc      stefan roettger     121      96
19  35/ 52/ 13                   Traper3    Waldemar Bartolik     117       3
20  35/ 52/ 13                   Traper3    Waldemar Bartolik     117       2

21  32/ 49/ 19              WhirlWind-88         Randy Graham     114      28



From: KOTH Tourney Server <koth>
Subject: SKI-ICWS: Status - Standard 07/01/96
Date: 1996/07/01
Message-ID: <199607010400.AAA21405@valhalla.stormking.com>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


			Weekly Status on  07/01/96

***NEW***
	On line pre-compile and the Wilkies Benchmark now available!
***NEW***

See up to the second scores and the latest Core War information at :

		http://www.stormking.com/~koth
	  *FAQ* http://www.stormking.com/~koth/corewar-faq.html

Current Status of the StormKing Industries Standard KotH CoreWar Hill :

Last battle concluded at : Wed Jun 26 00:54:04 EDT 1996
 
 #  %W/ %L/ %T                      Name               Author   Score     Age
 1  43/ 35/ 22                 PacMan v5          David Moore     151       2
 2  41/ 38/ 21                    Stasis          David Moore     143      10
 3  30/ 19/ 51   CAPS KEY IS STUCK AGAIN       Steven Morrell     139     100
 4  27/ 14/ 59                      ttti        nandor sieben     139      84
 5  33/ 28/ 38          Yop La Boum v2.1         P.E.M & E.C.     139      34
 6  41/ 44/ 15                 Iron Gate       Wayne Sheppard     138     228
 7  26/ 16/ 58                 Cannonade              P.Kline     136     134
 8  35/ 35/ 29              Keystone t21              P.Kline     135     121
 9  27/ 19/ 54              Blue Funk 88       Steven Morrell     135      98
10  26/ 19/ 55                    K-test                P.E.M     134       6
11  27/ 20/ 53                     Hydra      Stephen Linhart     134     208
12  27/ 24/ 49                      Test       Wayne Sheppard     131     123
13  21/ 11/ 67               Imperfic II       John Wilkinson     131      20
14  36/ 41/ 23       Beholder's Eye V1.7         W. Mintardjo     131     178
15  25/ 19/ 56                     Peace            Mr. Jones     130     108
16  33/ 37/ 30              Giskard v0.5           Ken Mitton     128      72
17  32/ 37/ 31               Christopher      Stephen Morrell     127      99
18  34/ 42/ 24                   Tuctest        Elmer J. Fudd     126      28
19  34/ 44/ 22              Request v2.0     Brant D. Thomsen     124      70
20   8/ 74/ 18                Gisela 1F6   Andrzej Maciejczak      41       1

21   3/  0/  2                      test       John Wilkinson      11       7



From: KOTH Tourney Server <koth>
Subject: SKI-ICWS: Status - Multiwarrior Experimental 94 07/01/96
Date: 1996/07/01
Message-ID: <199607010400.AAA23491@valhalla.stormking.com>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


			Weekly Status on  07/01/96

***NEW***
	On line pre-compile and the Wilkies Benchmark now available!
***NEW***

See up to the second scores and the latest Core War information at :

		http://www.stormking.com/~koth
	  *FAQ* http://www.stormking.com/~koth/corewar-faq.html

Current Status of the StormKing Industries MultiWarrior Experimental 94 CoreWar Hill:

Last battle concluded at : Thu Jun 6 02:34:44 EDT 1996
 
 #                      Name               Author   Score     Age
 1          TimeScapeX (0.1)       J. Pohjalainen    5901      59
 2             This is Test1          Kurt Franke    5901      24
 3                     Test2         George Eadon    5901      19
 4                     jaded           M R Bremer    5901      30
 5                    Paper8             G. Eadon    5877      25
 6                  Paperone          Beppe Bezzi    5854      44
 7          Fork v0.2-9p/51b    Christoph C. Birk    5852       1
 8                  Gluttony             J E Long    5851      17
 9                Saat V2.01         S. Schroeder    5748      13
10                   Shwing!         T. H. Davies    5747      55
11           Wait A Lot v0.1           Justin Kao    5732       4
12                 Anthill 5               Planar    5400      21
13      Pommes-Ketchup V1.35         S. Schroeder    5236       8
14                      life        Nandor Sieben    5193      60
15                Leviathan2             harleyQ2    5180      11
16                 lifedwarf        Nandor Sieben    4930      36
17                    Hidden M.C.Diskett Bullfrog    4851      29
18             Variation M-1              Jay Han    4798       6
19                 Leviathan             harleyQ2    4352      12
20                   Piggy 3              Bob Uhl    4163      32

21                   Escape2    Philipp Offermann     151       0



From: KOTH Tourney Server <koth>
Subject: SKI-ICWS: Status - MultiWarrior 94 07/01/96
Date: 1996/07/01
Message-ID: <199607010400.AAA33204@valhalla.stormking.com>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


			Weekly Status on  07/01/96

***NEW***
	On line pre-compile and the Wilkies Benchmark now available!
***NEW***

See up to the second scores and the latest Core War information at :

		http://www.stormking.com/~koth
	  *FAQ* http://www.stormking.com/~koth/corewar-faq.html

Current Status of the StormKing Industries Multiwarrior 94 CoreWar Hill:

Last battle concluded at : Wed Jun 26 00:19:02 EDT 1996
 
 #                      Name               Author   Score     Age
 1            Super Evol Cap       John Wilkinson    5035       4
 2            90% Cotton v5c            Wilkinson    5035      22
 3                Son of Imp       Steven Morrell    5035      40
 4                        TJ    Maurizio Vittuari    5035      16
 5                60% Cotton            Wilkinson    5035      23
 6                  sisyphus                Kafka    5035       5
 7                     TESTI    Maurizio Vittuari    5023      15
 8                  Die Hard              P.Kline    5022      27
 9               Evol Cap --       John Wilkinson    4999       6
10              rhodium v1.4   Martin M. Pedersen    4962       1

11          Fork v0.2-9p/51b    Christoph C. Birk    4951       2



From: Joel Kelso <joel@eng.murdoch.edu.au>
Subject: Biomass programming game
Date: 1996/07/01
Message-ID: <31D78A49.41C6@eng.murdoch.edu.au>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


Something that I thought might interest the inhabitants of
rec.games.corewar:

Announcing Biomass 1.0

The Biomass project is best described as an ecological simulation.
Individual creatures roam a cellular world collecting food, reproducing
and dying; each controlled by a "brain" program written in a simple
stack-based assembly language.

I have finally got around to putting together a package with the current
Biomass source code, a little bit of documentation and a few example
Biomass creatures.  If anyone is interesting in installing it (I have
versions working under Solaris and Linux, but it should compile under
any Unix/X-windows platform) and playing around with it, you can get
a copy of the package from my home page at:

    http://www.cs.murdoch.edu.au/~joel/biomass.html

If you can't retrieve it from this page, send me some mail and I'll
mail you a copy.  If you download it, drop me a line to know how
you got on:

	joel@cs.murdoch.edu.au

The idea behind Biomass was to produce a programming game combining 
some of the attributes of games like RoboWars and CoreWar.  Like
RoboWars, the programmer/player devises the program that contols
his/her creature, and pits it against other creations in an arena.

Unlike RoboWars, and perhaps a bit similar to CoreWar, the creatures
are capable of reproducing and controlling their development.

What I'd really like to do is play around with various strategies
that the creatures can employ for capturing the energy (or biomass)
of the system.  With the first few creatures I tried, I produced a
plant-like organism, a grazer and a gatherer: I'm sure there's
predators, parasites, social organisms and other things that
biologists would know the right names for, but I just haven't got
the time to spend on this.




-- joel@babbage.cs.murdoch.edu.au ------------------------------
"... If your name is `Bruce Root' or `Jane Daemon' and you can
 document this, we will happily rewrite the server to remove
 this restriction.  Yes, we know about Norman Mailer and Waverly
 Root.  Norman doesn't use netmail and Waverly is dead."
	- Xlib Programming Manual, 3rd Edition
-- http://www.cs.murdoch.edu.au/~joel --------------------------



From: allane@ifront.com (Allan Earle)
Subject: Gamesmania Launches July 1
Date: 1996/07/01
Message-ID: <4r7b9c$64p@nr1.toronto.istar.net>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


Check out the Web�s first weekly PC games e-zine, called Gamesmania, which 
launches July 1, from Toronto. Featuring news, reviews and a searchable 
database of  PC games, the e-zine will publish in five languages�English, 
French, German, Italian and Japanese. It is an e-zin devoted to uncovering 
news  about  games-related technology, market trends, events and the best new 
computer games. A searchable database allows users to find information about 
individual games, including hardware requirements; tricks and tips to win; 
cheat codes; downloadable demos and FAQs.

The site is at http://www.gamesmania.com.



From: Dave Darling <darling@simlab.arc.nasa.gov>
Subject: Re: Guenzel Clear
Date: 1996/07/02
Message-ID: <4rc463$do9@onramp.arc.nasa.gov>#1/1
references: <199607011914.OAA21726@mail.utexas.edu>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar



In article <4rb0o9$d0v@sparcserver.lrz-muenchen.de> Bjoern Guenzel,
guenzel@extern.lrz-muenchen.de writes:
>I called it d-clear for "dirty"-clear, and I still like the name... 
>"d" could also stand for dat-clear.
>
>dat/djn clear would be more illustrative, though.

        Hmmm...  So, what about a "dd" clear?  I think I like that
one...  (Gee, I wonder why???  ;)

--DD

Dave Darling                            darling@simlab.arc.nasa.gov



From: Justin Kao <102741.2022@CompuServe.COM>
Subject: hill suggestion/question
Date: 1996/07/02
Message-ID: <960702232142_102741.2022_GHT112-2@CompuServe.COM>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


Is it possible to request the scores of your program against all the others
on the hill?  So it would be easier to see what you're doing badly against,
instead of looking though a lot of challenges. If not, that would be nice 
to have.

Justin Kao



From: Justin Kao <102741.2022@CompuServe.COM>
Subject: Re: Mirrored Imps
Date: 1996/07/02
Message-ID: <960702232141_102741.2022_GHT112-1@CompuServe.COM>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


What are mirrored imps?


Justin Kao

PS  Sorry, accidentally sent this as email to JKW....



From: bremermr@cartoon.ecn.purdue.edu (Myer R. Bremer)
Subject: Core Warrior 36
Date: 1996/07/02
Message-ID: <4rc6rb$nd6@mozo.cc.purdue.edu>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


      .xX$$x.
   .x$$$$$$$x.
  d$$$$$$$$$$$
,$$$$$$$P' `P'                             ,    .
$$$$$$P'   '                             .d      b
$$$$$P    b     ,$$x     ,$$x    ,$$x   ,$$b     $$.
Y$$$$'    `$.  $$$$$$.  $$$$$$  $$P~d$. d$$$b d d$$$
`$$$$     ,$$ $$$$$$$b $$$P `$ $$$b.$$b `Y$$$d$d$$$'   . . a  . a  a .aa  . a
 `$$$    ,$$$,$$' `$$$ $$$'  ' $$P$XX$'  `$$$$$$$$$ .dP' `$'$ `$'$ , $''$ `$'$
  `Y$b ,d$$$P `$b,d$P' `$$.    `$$.  ,    `$$P $$$' Y $.  $    $   $ Y..P  $
   `$$$$$$$'    $$$P'   `$$b    `$$$P      `P  `$'  `Y'k. $.   $.  $. $$'  $.

Issue 36                                                         July 1, 1996
______________________________________________________________________________
Core Warrior is a weekly newsletter promoting the game of corewar.  Emphasis
is placed on the most active hills--currently the '94 draft hill and the
beginner hill.  Coverage will follow where ever the action is.  If you have
no clue what I'm talking about then check out these five-star internet locals
for more information:

FAQs are available by anonymous FTP from rtfm.mit.edu as
pub/usenet/news.answers/games/corewar-faq.Z
FTP site is: ftp.csua.berkeley.edu /pub/corewar
Web pages are at:
http://www.stormking.com/~koth                  ;Stormking
http://www.ecst.csuchico.edu/~pizza/koth        ;Pizza
http://pauillac.inria.fr/~doligez/corewar/      ;Planar

Newbies should check the stormking page for the FAQ, language specification,
guides, and tutorials.  Post questions to rec.games.corewar.  All new players
are infinitely welcome!

If ftp.csua.berkeley.edu is unreachable, you can download pMARS at:
Terry's web page--http://www.infi.net/~wtnewton/corewar/
Planar fpt site--ftp://ftp.inria.fr/INRIA/Projects/para/doligez/cw/pmars
Fechter ftp site--ftp://members.aol.com/ofechner/corewar
______________________________________________________________________________
Greetings.

At least some of the hill changes have been implemented at Pizza.  Check out
all the spiffy decimals on the hill reports for greater precision.  Apologies
to our European players who prefer commas.  It will definitely take some
getting used to.  If you have any comments or requests for new features,
mail them to Thos at <sd@ecst.csuchico.edu>.  In case you missed them, I have
kept the 'New Pizza Features' seen in the last issue.

Personally, I was hoping the ;test option could be used to fight individual
warriors in addition to challenging the entire hill.  Otherwise, I fully
support all the changes proposed.

Just a reminder that the 'limited process hill' is open.  Send your warriors
to <koth@wastedyouth.us.itd.umich.edu> with a ;redcode-94lp header.  To get
more information, send an e-mail with a subject line of 'help' (no quotation)
marks to the above address.  Thanks to J K Lewis and Andrew Fabbro for their
work on the new hill.

Next week, we will have a very special issue brought to you by Anton Marsden.
Check out some of his work in this week's hint.

Before anyone yells at me, I just noticed that the hill reports Bezzi has
been feeding me are _very_ out of order my apologies for any confusion.  It's
not Beppe's fault.  I need to get back on the hill soon.

--M R Bremer
______________________________________________________________________________
New Pizza features

 o Remove self fights on all hills that use pspace.

 o Add the "test" command to decrease artificial aging of the hill.
   I think the best (and easiest) way to do this would be as an
   argument to the ";redcode" command like "quiet" and "verbose" are
   now.  ";redcode test" would challenge all the warriors on the hill
   (only 100 times?), but the results would be discarded.  This way
   you could see how your changes affect your performance against all
   the warriors on the hill, but you get the results back twice as
   fast.

 o Add the ";password" command, to make it harder to forge ";kill"
   commands.

 o Make ";name" commands mandatory, and make blank ";kill" commands
   illegal.
  
 o Add the ";url" and ";show" commands for web access.  ";url" is
   pretty much self explanatory, but ";show" will be used to customize
   how much info on your warrior you want to make public.  "[no]source"
   and "[no]score" are two possible arguments to add.

 o Add the ";change [warrior name]" command to allow you to change info
   in your warrior without having to kill it and resubmit it.  If you
   wanted to make it "quiet" while you go on vacation, or change the
   ";url", just send one piece of mail with ";change" in it.  This would
   do a substring match like ";kill", and any other commands in the mail
   would be changed in the warrior.  Does this make sense?

Any other ideas, or comments on the above proposals?

Thos
______________________________________________________________________________
Current Status of the Internet Pizza Server ICWS '94 Draft Hill:

Hill Specs:
	 coresize: 8000
   max. processes: 8000
	 duration: after 80,000 cycles, a tie is declared.
max. entry length: 100
 minimum distance: 100
    rounds fought: 200
  instruction set: ICWS '94 Draft

 #   %W /  %L /  %T                       Name               Author Score  Age
 1  42.8/ 39.9/ 17.3                    Blur 2        Anton Marsden 145.7    2
 2  41.7/ 41.8/ 16.5                 myVamp5.3             Paulsson 141.5   11
 3  37.6/ 34.3/ 28.1                   Goliath        David van Dam 140.9    3
 4  38.8/ 38.0/ 23.3                 Yogi Bear              P.Kline 139.5   59
 5  40.4/ 43.9/ 15.7                 Goldfinch              P.Kline 137.0    4
 6  37.4/ 39.4/ 23.2                   Twister          Beppe Bezzi 135.5  309
 7  36.0/ 37.3/ 26.7                T.N.T. pro    Maurizio Vittuari 134.8  573
 8  36.0/ 37.5/ 26.5                      test            Anonymous 134.6   20
 9  35.8/ 37.9/ 26.3               Thermite II        Robert Macrae 133.6 2194
10  26.7/ 20.1/ 53.2             blue flame c2       bjoern guenzel 133.3   23
11  32.0/ 31.2/ 36.8               Simple v0.3          Ian Oversby 132.9   14
12  34.2/ 35.7/ 30.1               Jo Clark II          Ian Oversby 132.8  213
13  30.0/ 27.2/ 42.8        Jack in the box II          Beppe Bezzi 132.8  212
14  29.1/ 26.8/ 44.1                 Armory II             John K W 131.3   48
15  29.1/ 27.1/ 43.8            the historian        bjoern guenzel 131.1  328
16  38.7/ 46.3/ 15.0            Stepping Stone          Kurt Franke 131.1 1007
17  19.1/  7.2/ 73.7             The Avalanche       John Wilkinson 131.0   78
18  27.6/ 24.6/ 47.9               blue candle       bjoern guenzel 130.6  442
19  25.5/ 20.6/ 53.9                   Rosebud                Beppe 130.5  528
20  32.7/ 35.5/ 31.8                      test             Maurizio 130.0  253
21  29.3/ 29.3/ 41.3                 Pulp v0.1          Ian Oversby 129.3   12
22  22.4/ 16.0/ 61.6                      test    Maurizio Vittuari 128.7    7
23  36.7/ 46.1/ 17.2             HopScotch 1.6        Robert Macrae 127.3  322
24  19.4/ 11.7/ 68.9                    ompega       Steven Morrell 127.1  206
25  35.0/ 44.8/ 20.2                    Yet 3c           Justin Kao 125.1    1

Weekly age: 56 ( 108 last week, 67 the week before )
New warriors: 11  Turnover/age rate 20%
Average age:    275 ( 296 last week, 269 the week before )
Average score:  133 ( 127 last week, 133 the week before )
The top 25 warriors are represented by 13 authors: Vittuari, Bezzi, guenzel,
and Oversby with 3 (hogs), and Kline, Macrae, and JKW with 2.

King Report:  Blur 2 has had a commanding hold on the hill, but there were
a few surprises this week.  Miro by Ivner popped up into first place on its
second submission, and just as quickly, he killed it from the hill.
Interesting strategy.  blue flame by guenzel also appeared briefly in the
king position.  blue flame c2 is already out, but at the less prestigious
position of 10th place.  Kline had both Goldfinch and Yogi Bear on top at
times, but that's no real surprise there.  I would hazard a guess that Kline
has had more different warriors on top of the '94 hill than any current
author on the hill.  I could be wrong though . . .

Speaking of Kline:  his test retinA was seen on the hill tying over 80% when
paired with mirrored imps.  One reason I find replicators so frustrating is
that they can't win massively against any other warrior.  I believe Evol Cap
used separate bombers to help gain some wins.  However, as a p-component,
papers do take losses and turn them into ties.

Heavy pspacer Armory II and Goliath are doing well.  Goliath did have Scan
Man, Bomber Boy, and a move bomber in it, but a test with Goliath's brain
and three basic warriors called 'Paper, Scissors, and Stone' actually scored
a bit higher when it was submitted aginst the hill.

There are lots of pspacers and imp heavy programs on the hill.  If you want
to make it on, you could utilize a quick scan (but not as effective with the
new qscan detection system) or be extremely imp hostile.  
______________________________________________________________________________
94 - What's New

 #   %W /  %L /  %T                       Name               Author Score  Age
 7  27.2/ 20.0/ 52.7             blue flame c2       bjoern guenzel 134.4    1
 8  36.7/ 38.4/ 25.0                      test            Anonymous 134.9    1
13  25.8/ 22.2/ 52.0                 Armory II             John K W 129.3    1
 1  41.7/ 40.6/ 17.7                    Blur 2        Anton Marsden 142.7    1
 3  41.7/ 42.6/ 15.6                 Goldfinch              P.Kline 140.8    1
 4  37.0/ 34.9/ 28.1                   Goliath        David van Dam 139.2    1
 4  41.7/ 41.7/ 16.7                 myVamp5.3             Paulsson 141.7    1
24  28.6/ 29.9/ 41.5                 Pulp v0.1          Ian Oversby 127.4    1
16  30.8/ 29.6/ 39.6               Simple v0.3          Ian Oversby 132.1    1
22  22.0/ 15.1/ 62.9                      test    Maurizio Vittuari 129.0    1
25  35.0/ 44.8/ 20.2                    Yet 3c           Justin Kao 125.1    1

Half of the top ten warriors are, again, new submissions.  Although most are
slight tweaks on old versions.  
______________________________________________________________________________
94 - What's No More

 #   %W /  %L /  %T                       Name               Author Score  Age
26  31.2/ 35.4/ 33.5                * Satura *       bjoern guenzel 127.0   12
26  22.2/ 17.7/ 60.3             Hazy Shade II             John K W 126.8 1102
26   1.6/  2.0/  0.4                    Blur 2        Anton Marsden   5.0    6
26   2.1/  1.7/  0.1                 Goldfinch              P.Kline   6.4   11
26   1.3/  1.6/  1.0                   Goliath        David van Dam   4.9   43
26   1.2/  1.2/  1.6                 myVamp5.1             Paulsson   5.0   53
26  31.0/ 35.0/ 34.2              Thalamus mod                Edgar 127.0  203
26   2.0/  1.1/  4.6              rhodium v1.3   Martin M. Pedersen  10.6   64
26  29.8/ 37.9/ 32.3          Scotch Broth 1.2        Robert Macrae 121.8   98
26   0.3/  0.7/  2.9                    test E              P.Kline   3.8   19
26   0.2/  0.2/  3.6                 test jb21          Beppe Bezzi   4.1   15

Hazy Shade II is dead.  JKW is in mourning, evidenced by his Armory
submissions . . .

A challenger has arrived on the ICWS '94 Draft hill!  Vital statistics:
Program "Armory II" (length 100) by "John K W"
(contact address "jwilkinson@mail.utexas.edu"):
;strategy Alas, poor Hazy, I knew thee well...

The loss of Edgar's Thalamus mod pushed him completely off the hill.
Hopefully he will have a new one on the '94 hill soon.
______________________________________________________________________________
94 - What's Old

 #   %W /  %L /  %T                       Name               Author Score  Age
 9  35.8/ 37.9/ 26.3               Thermite II        Robert Macrae 133.6 2194
16  38.7/ 46.3/ 15.0            Stepping Stone          Kurt Franke 131.1 1007
 7  36.0/ 37.3/ 26.7                T.N.T. pro    Maurizio Vittuari 134.8  573
19  25.5/ 20.6/ 53.9                   Rosebud                Beppe 130.5  528
18  27.6/ 24.6/ 47.9               blue candle       bjoern guenzel 130.6  442
15  29.1/ 27.1/ 43.8            the historian        bjoern guenzel 131.1  328
23  36.7/ 46.1/ 17.2             HopScotch 1.6        Robert Macrae 127.3  322
 6  37.4/ 39.4/ 23.2                   Twister          Beppe Bezzi 135.5  309

Stepping Stone breaks the 1000 mark, the first vampire to do so.
______________________________________________________________________________
HALL OF FAME
* means the warrior is still active.

Pos    Name                  Author          Age     Strategy
 1  Thermite II            Robert Macrae     2194 *  Qscan -> bomber
 2  Impfinity v4g1         Planar            1993    Stone/ imp
 3  Jack in the box        Beppe Bezzi       1620    P-warrior
 4  Tornado 3.0            Beppe Bezzi       1567    Bomber
 5  Torch t18              P.Kline           1539    Bomber
 6  Chameleon              Myer R Bremer     1437    P-warrior
 7  Frontwards v2          Steven Morrell    1420    One shot scanner
 8  Evol Cap 6.6           John Wilkinson    1299    Imp / stone
 9  quiz                   Schitzo           1262    Scanner/ bomber
10  T.N.T.                 Maurizio Vittuari 1204    Bomber
11  Grilled Octopus v0.5   David Boeren      1154    P-warrior
12  Hazy Shade II          John Wilkinson    1102    P-warrior
13  Stepping Stone         Kurt Franke       1007 *  Qscan -> Vampire
14  Iron Gate 1.5          Wayne Sheppard     926    CMP scanner
15  Agony II               Stefan Strack      912    CMP scanner
16  Barrage                Anton Marsden      876    Qscan -> replicator
17  Blue Funk              Steven Morrell     869    Stone/ imp
18  Flurry                 Anton Marsden      835    Qscan -> pwarrior
19  Thermite 1.0           Robert Macrae      802    Qscan -> bomber
20  Blue Funk 3            Steven Morrell     766    Stone/ imp
21  Night Train            Karl Lewin         755    Replicator
22  Mirage 1.5             Anton Marsden      736    Scanner/ bomber
23  Blizzard               Anton Marsden      713    Qscan -> replicator
24  HeremScimitar          A.Ivner,P.Kline    666    Bomber
25  La Bomba               Beppe Bezzi        650    Qscan -> replicator

Thermite II continues on, yaddah, yaddah--the thing is like the Energizer
Bunny.  Qscan detectors are a definite threat though and someone has a anti-
qscan qscan, whatever that is.  But Thermite seems to be holding it's own,
even with the wave of new blood entering the hill.
______________________________________________________________________________
Current Status of the Internet Pizza Server Beginner's Hill:

Hill Specs:
	 coresize: 8000
   max. processes: 8000
	 duration: after 80,000 cycles, a tie is declared.
max. entry length: 100
 minimum distance: 100
      maximum age: At age 100, warriors are retired.
    rounds fought: 200
  instruction set: ICWS '94 Draft

 #   %W /  %L /  %T                       Name               Author Score  Age
 1  52.4/ 29.1/ 18.5           Versatility 1.2   Ross Morgan-Linial 175.7   58
 2  53.9/ 33.3/ 12.8                Syzygy 1.0       Philip Kendall 174.5   43
 3  53.6/ 34.2/ 12.2             Saboteur 0.4k                 shar 173.0    1
 4  52.7/ 34.3/ 13.0                    Yet 3c           Justin Kao 171.0   39
 5  49.6/ 35.3/ 15.1             Phoenix Alpha       Andy Nevermind 163.9   44
 6  51.0/ 38.8/ 10.2            Saboteur v0.3p                 shar 163.3   65
 7  50.8/ 39.3/ 10.0                  Thalamus                Edgar 162.2   91
 8  48.8/ 36.1/ 15.1             Sandwich Bags       Andy Nevermind 161.4   32
 9  46.2/ 43.2/ 10.6               3-clear 0.6       Ilmari Karonen 149.1   66
10  45.6/ 44.2/ 10.2       Not Very Pretty 2.0   Ross Morgan-Linial 147.1   89
11  45.1/ 43.6/ 11.3                    Yet 3a           Justin Kao 146.6   40
12  41.6/ 37.5/ 20.9                 Antivenin                 Ross 145.7   31
13  40.3/ 37.9/ 21.8                      test           Justin Kao 142.8   55
14  43.5/ 44.2/ 12.2        Switch Hitter 0.3t   Ross Morgan-Linial 142.8   70
15  34.4/ 26.4/ 39.2             Cannon Fodder           I. Karonen 142.3   45
16  31.6/ 20.9/ 47.5        Ties, Ties, Ties!+                 Ross 142.2   10
17  25.4/  9.5/ 65.1            Nematode v1.3c       Jonathan Stott 141.3   25
18  41.0/ 41.0/ 18.0               3-clear 0.5           I. Karonen 141.0   80
19  42.3/ 46.2/ 11.5                 hyper 1.0                 Ross 138.5   63
20  28.8/ 20.0/ 51.2         Ties, Ties, Ties!                 Ross 137.7   28
21  30.8/ 27.3/ 41.9                 Avenger I       Oliver Fechner 134.2   62
22  32.2/ 42.4/ 25.4             Utility Knife     Robert J. Street 122.1    2
23  19.8/ 60.4/ 19.8                   WarHawk     Robert J. Street  79.1    7
24  23.1/ 70.8/  6.2                 Kevorkian     Robert J. Street  75.4    5
25   3.8/  0.0/  0.0 1234567890123456789012345            Anonymous  11.5   17

Versatility is still on top.  With strong components from '94 hill warriors,
this code should live up to its name.

Syzygy 1.0 is a scan/spl carpet to spl/dat clear.  Is the scan one shot or
repetitive.  Check out this week's hint.  Blur utilizes a scan/carpet -->
spl/dat clear.

Lots of pspace and core clear warriors.  Make sure you check out the latest
and greatest core clear innovation.  d-clear by guenzel is a dat/djn clear
wiping at 1.0c.  It makes a great p-component, especially if you can get it
a spl clear tacked onto it without increasing the length (I'm trying).
______________________________________________________________________________
The Hint

I suppose this should be an Extra Extra and not a Hint, but if I had any good
hints, I would be on the hill right now.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Mirage/Blur Scanner Series
by Anton Marsden

Mirage 1.5 was my first successful warrior. It was a 33% scanner with
continuous 33% carpet in the scanning loop. It did quite well against 
imp-type warriors and papers but was thrashed by bombers. I wrote several
similar warriors similar to Mirage 1.5 and didn't want to publish them
immediately - I was still experimenting. But now I'm quite happy with my
latest version and have decided to release them all now, including the Hill 
version. I haven't included the booting code and decoy but they're nothing 
special. If there's enough demand for the full versions I'll post them in the 
newsgroup at a later date.

Mirage 2 was based on the same technique as Mirage 1.5 but used a SEQ scan. 
Here is Mirage 2:

;redcode-94
;name Mirage 2
;author Anton Marsden
;strategy Faster version, boot and decoy, no pspace
;assert CORESIZE==8000
;kill Mirage 2

ORG scan
step EQU 3024; mod-16

ptr:  dat.f  >0,$step
      dat.f  >0,$btm-ptr+3
cc:   spl.a  #1,$btm-ptr+4
top:  mov.i  $cc,>ptr
scan: seq.i  $2*step+8,$2*step
      mov.b  $scan,$ptr
a:    add.f  $inc,$scan
      jmn.b  $top,$scan
inc:  spl.a  #step,>step
      mov.i  @1,>ptr
btm:  djn.b  $-1,{cc

This warrior had several weaknesses, the major one being that it was only
a mod-8 scan. I knew that mod-5 was achievable (and also mod-4) but had the 
disadvantage that the locations scanned would be only 5 apart (not exactly
optimal!).

As Mirage 2 slowly made its way off the Hill I was wrote a mod-5 version and
named it Blur (two versions is enough for me!):

;redcode-94
;name Blur
;author Anton Marsden
;assert CORESIZE==8000
;strategy 0.5c scan, 0.25c carpet -> SPL/DAT core clear
;strategy Mirage 2 with a better step and some other changes.
;strategy This product is PSpace Free :-)
;kill Blur

ptr:  dat.f  $0,$step+5
      dat.f  $0,$0
      dat.f  $0,$0
      dat.f  >0,#btm-ptr+3
cc:   spl.i  #0,#btm-ptr+3     ; DJN stream protection
top:  mov.i  $cc,>ptr          ; Putting this line here enhances protection
scan: seq.i  $2*step,}2*step+5 ; A-indirect ensures B field is attacked with
      mov.b  $scan,$ptr        ; no delay. Also leaves decoy for scanners
a:    add.f  $inc,$scan
      jmn.a  $top,$scan        ; Falls through when all locations scanned
inc:  spl.a  #step,>step
      mov.i  @1,>ptr
btm:  djn.b  $inc+1,{cc

The A-indirect scan improved Blur's score against bombers but left "bombs" in 
core that a decent dodger could take advantage of.

One of the things I had discovered about all these scanners was that if the
mod step in the scan was sufficiently good (ie. enough scans were done) then
there was no need for a SPL/DAT core clear against non-imp warriors. Then I
found the perfect clear for Blur - DAT/DJN (dclear?). I added this to Blur
and made a few more adjustments and came up with Blur 2:

;redcode-94
;name Blur 2
;author Anton Marsden
;assert CORESIZE==8000
;strategy 0.5c scan, 0.25c SPL carpet -> DAT/DJN clear
;strategy Final version (for a while)
;kill Blur

ORG scan
step EQU 70; mod-10
gate EQU top

ptr:  mov.i  $inc+1,>step ; New DJN protection... better than a SPL?
top:  mov.i  $inc,>ptr    ;                       Or worse?      
scan: seq.i  $2*step+5,$2*step
chg:  mov.b  $scan,@top
a:    add.f  $inc,$scan
      djn.b  $top,#800
inc:  spl.i  #step,#step
      mov.i  $clr,>gate
btm:  djn.f  $-1,>gate
clr:  dat.f  <1,#clr-gate+2

Note on booting: The decoy and boot code was aligned such that Blur didn't
attack it's old code at all.

There are many variations on the basic engine I have tried and probably a
few that I haven't. Can you improve on it?

Things to try:
- different gap, eg. seq.i  $2*step+15,$2*step, mod-5 scan
- different (ptr-scan) offsets
- psuedo mod-1 scan using A/B indirect scanning, eg.

   top:  mov.i  $BOMB,>ptr ; bomb should probably be spl #0,0         
   scan: seq.F  $2*step,}2*step+5 ; could also try seq.f >2*step,}2*step+5
         mov.b  $scan,$ptr
   a:    add.f  $inc,$scan
         djn.b  $top,#0
   inc:  spl.i  #step,#step
         mov.i  $clr-10,>gate; A field incremented 10 times in 8000 loops
______________________________________________________________________________
Questions?  Concerns?  Comments?  Complaints?  Mail them to people who care.
authors: Beppe Bezzi <bezzi@nemo.it> or Myer Bremer <bremermr@ecn.purdue.edu>





From: jxidus@aol.com (JXidus)
Subject: pMARS 0.8.0 286 binaries?  Aaaugh!
Date: 1996/07/02
Message-ID: <4rblo2$s35@newsbf02.news.aol.com>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


I can't find a copy of the pMARS 286 binaries anywhere!  The KOTH site
claims to have one at http://www.stormking.com/~koth/pmars.html, but the
link to pmars286.zip returns not a ZIP file, but a plaintext LS listing of
some directory.  I've reported this to Thos, but it hasn't been fixed yet.
 At some other site (I forgot where) that claimed to have the 0.8.0 386+
executables, the 286 executables were of some other version.

Enough ranting and raving.  :)  Does anyone have a copy of the pMARS
v0.8.0 286 binaries on the web, FTP, or that they could send me?

Thanx...
Jeremy Weatherford
jxidus@aol.com

<sig meant for different newsgroup - sorry>

---
Looking for a quick and easy way to 'fly' a 'camera' around your OGl
scene?  Contact me at the above address for info on the CAM module, v1.1.



From: JKW <jwilkinson@mail.utexas.edu>
Subject: Mirrored Imps
Date: 1996/07/02
Message-ID: <4rbkej$ld4@excelsior.flash.net>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


>Miro lost horribly to your mirrored imps. Now
>I think I know why:
>
>gate	dat	0,0
>	dat	4000,0
>		^^^^
>
>May I borrow your code so I can check this out?
>
>/Anders

Well, I think the most important thing to keep in mind is nothing more than
what you can learn from 'Two Pac', which I posted a while back.  If a mirrored
imp is excecuting the lines in parellel, then when it hits a gate, the imp
portion which lands on the line AFTER the gate is not affected by the gate
itself.

The reason is that every other line if placed by the "mirror," and excutes
directly after, or three cycles after the previous imp.

Therefore, if the line two after the "gate" is an EXCECUTABLE line, then the
mirrored imp will never be stopped by the gate, but will continue by excecuting
some of your own code, whatever that may be...

Oh, and one more thing, "mov.i #d, *0" style imps do not work as well in mirrored
imps as the "mov.i #x, d" style... this has to do with how they get affected
by "dat <x, <y" bombs.  This point could be looked into a little more, though.

-- 
 / John K. Wilkinson - jwilkinson@mail.utexas.edu \
 \   -=- http://ccwf.cc.utexas.edu/~ifio452/ -=-  /





From: guenzel@extern.lrz-muenchen.de (Bjoern Guenzel)
Subject: Re: Guenzel Clear
Date: 1996/07/02
Message-ID: <4rb0o9$d0v@sparcserver.lrz-muenchen.de>#1/1
references: <199607011914.OAA21726@mail.utexas.edu>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


jwilkinson@mail.utexas.edu wrote:

>>couple of suggestions:
>>
>>  dat/djn clear   - akin to 'spl/jmp bomb'
>>  Dclear clear    - first appearance, also convenient reference
>>  Dclear wipe     - not quite so redundant
>>
>>(actually the real reason for this is that neither Anders nor I can
>>spell Guenzel)
You did it right (at least as good as can be with ASCII  :-( )

>Well, prior to Anders posting that message, that name of that type of
>clear was probably still up in the air, but now I think "Guenzel clear"
>is carved in stone. :-)

Thank's everybody, but I think that would really be too much honour :-)
I think others have tried the same thing as well, it is only through Paul
Kline's article that it has become so famous. (Besides Paul introduced a small
but crucial improvement - the ">" in the spl is not really needed!)

I called it d-clear for "dirty"-clear, and I still like the name... 
"d" could also stand for dat-clear.

dat/djn clear would be more illustrative, though.


Bjoern






From: guenzel@extern.lrz-muenchen.de (Bjoern Guenzel)
Subject: one small suggestion...
Date: 1996/07/02
Message-ID: <4rav0q$a4u@sparcserver.lrz-muenchen.de>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


My suggestion for additional hill output: giving both scores, the 26th warrior
counted in and not. This would make it much easier to compare the performance of
different versions.


Bjoern





From: guenzel@extern.lrz-muenchen.de (Bjoern Guenzel)
Subject: I will be king forever...
Date: 1996/07/03
Message-ID: <4remen$c2l@sparcserver.lrz-muenchen.de>#1/1
references: <4ree16$a4h@lastactionhero.rs.itd.umich.edu>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar



> #  %W/ %L/ %T  P Name                  Author                 Score      Age
> 1  56/ 24/ 19  * red virus v1.0        bjoern guenzel          8994        5
> 2  56/ 27/ 16  * blue torch            bjoern guenzel          8929       13
> 3  55/ 26/ 18    Rimmer                John K W                8853       20
[...]


... if you don't start exploring for the wasted youth hill soon :-)

I am eagerly awaiting some new, tough challenges - come on everybody, give it a
try! It's fun!
The wasted youth conditions are well suited for fierce battle.

See you soon with sharpened claws...


Bjoern 




From: birk@nica.mpia-hd.mpg.de (Christoph C. Birk)
Subject: New 'Koenigstuhl' leader(s)
Date: 1996/07/03
Message-ID: <199607031808.UAA15631@nica.mpg.de>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


Congratulations to Paul Kline, he wrote "Yogi Bear", the
new #1 on the 94-Open-Koenigstuhl. Beppe's "Twister" is now #2. 
Kurt's "Stepping Stone" (former #1) is now on the third place.

Christoph

http://nica.mpia-hd.mpg.de/COREWAR/koenigstuhl.html





From: Ross Morgan-Linial <rmorganl@fhcrc.org>
Subject: A few warriors...
Date: 1996/07/03
Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.3.93.960703110808.24875A-100000@fred>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


Here are two of my warriors which both died of old age on the beginner
hill. They have been formated for legibility.

;redcode-94b
;name 1,000lb weight
;author Ross Morgan-Linial
;assert CORESIZE==8000
;strategy Simple bomber -> coreclear -> imp gate

start	mov 	b+1, 		@1
	add.ab 	#2364, 		#3
	mov 	b, 		>-1
	jmp 	start
clear	mov.i 	cbom, 		<-5
	jmp   	clear, 		<-32
cbom	dat   	<-31, 		<-31
b	spl   	0, 		<-30
	jmp  	-1, 		<-31

end	start

;redcode-94b
;name Not Very Pretty 2.0
;author Ross Morgan-Linial
;assert CORESIZE==8000
;strategy FAST bomber -> two-pass coreclear -> imp gate
;version 1.0

;first, a 50% of C bombing loop
start 
loop1   add.    i addto,        indic
        mov     bomb,           @indic
        mov     bomb,           *indic  
        djn     loop1,          #799
        jmp     cclear
addto   dat     #4730,          #4730
indic   dat     #start+3999,    #start+4
bomb    dat     0,              10

        FOR     80
        DAT     0,              0
        ROF

; now, a two-pass coreclear
ptr     dat.f   0,              0        
        dat.f   0,              10       
cclear  spl     #0,             10      
        mov.i   @bptr,          >ptr 
        mov.i   @bptr,          >ptr 
bptr    djn.b   -2,             {cclear 

end	start

Comments, suggestions, etc. are welcome.

---------
[This space for rent]

Ross Morgan-Linial
rmorganl@fhcrc.org





From: jklewis@ren.us.itd.umich.edu (John K. Lewis)
Subject: Limited Process Standings
Date: 1996/07/03
Message-ID: <4ree16$a4h@lastactionhero.rs.itd.umich.edu>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar




Current status of the wastedyouth Limited Process Hill
as of Wed Jul  3 14:12:43 1996.

Hill Specs:
         coresize: 8000
   max. processes: 8
         duration: after 80,000 cycles, a tie is declared.
max. entry length: 100
 minimum distance: 100
    rounds fought: 200
  instruction set: ICWS '94 Draft

Last challenge was on Fri Jun 28 09:45:36 1996.
Last successful challenge was on Fri Jun 28 09:45:36 1996.

 #  %W/ %L/ %T  P Name                  Author                 Score      Age
 1  56/ 24/ 19  * red virus v1.0        bjoern guenzel          8994        5
 2  56/ 27/ 16  * blue torch            bjoern guenzel          8929       13
 3  55/ 26/ 18    Rimmer                John K W                8853       20
 4  53/ 36/ 10    Yet Another Try 2 LP  Justin Kao              8192       24
 5  46/ 23/ 29  * oldtimer              bjoern guenzel          8171       15
 6  47/ 25/ 26    Yet Another Try 2b    Justin Kao              8147       23
 7  38/ 14/ 46    Iocane                John K W                7840       28
 8  38/ 14/ 47    test                  John K W                7783        8
 9  42/ 27/ 29  * tiny scan lp          bjoern guenzel          7578       10
10  46/ 39/ 14    gundam                John K. Lewis           7306       31
11  42/ 43/ 14    Miss Careless         Derek Ross              6766        9
12  39/ 44/ 16  * Bloodhound            Andrew Fabbro           6735       32
13  30/ 34/ 34    invicta               John K. Lewis           6097       21
14  20/ 14/ 64    Imp++ 0.1             Justin Kao              6051        2
15  34/ 45/ 20  * Mr A Speculative      Derek Ross              5901        7
16  18/ 15/ 66  * rabble                Andrew Fabbro           5843       35
17  32/ 43/ 24    RedPixel.3            John K. Lewis           5816       22
18  30/ 51/ 17    rhodium v1.4          Martin M. Pedersen      5288       26
19  16/ 24/ 59    test Spire            JKW                     5240        3
20  30/ 52/ 16    Miss Timing           Derek Ross              5217        6
21  18/ 32/ 48  * JuJu 7                Andrew Fabbro           5029       29
22  13/ 26/ 60  * Spire                 JKW                     4833       27
23  24/ 61/ 13  * Imp Gate              various & bjoern guen   4177       14
24  17/ 55/ 26  * Unknown               bjoern guenzel          3808        1
25   0/ 47/ 52    Imp                   Anonymous               2618       17

A '*' in the 'P' column means that the warrior's code has been made public by
the author and its source code can be requested via the 'see' command.



From: Robert Macrae <ff95@dial.pipex.com>
Subject: Re: ;kill
Date: 1996/07/03
Message-ID: <4rdqbi$a9b@soap.news.pipex.net>#1/1
references: <458@arbroath.win-uk.net> <4qn132$g0i@charnel.ecst.csuchico.edu>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


sd@ecst.csuchico.edu (Lord Kymbote) wrote:
>
>How would you propose doing so?  I can't think of a simple way.  Perhaps
>checking every kill string for "^", and inserting ";name " after it, but
>what if someone uses two spaces, or a tab?  It won't match.

I'm not a unix user -- but wouldn't grep allow you to start a search 
after the first whitespace ie ignoring ";name". Personally, I don't think 
;kills should use too flexible a match as they're so final...




From: jwilkinson@mail.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: showing selected portions of your source
Date: 1996/07/04
Message-ID: <199607041518.KAA13701@mail.utexas.edu>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


>If everyone agrees that individual scores should be available for all
>the warriors, I guess we don't need the ";show [no]scores" command.
>Is this the general consensus?

It looks like it.

>About showing only selected portions of source, I like Beppe's
>;show [on / off] idea, but its sure to be abused with "for 0 / rof".
>How about something like ";show [nosource / noequ / source]"?
>Either showing no source at all, no lines containing equ's, or
>all source.  I'm open to other ideas too.

Hmmmmm.  I thought about this, and all in all I think that's the best
solution.  When warriors that are currently running are published, the
constants are usually the only thing removed if they are important.  As
for qscans, if you want to hide them, you'll just have to substitute the
numbers with constants, which is usually done anyway.  (By everyone except
me. :)



From: guenzel@extern.lrz-muenchen.de (Bjoern Guenzel)
Subject: Re: I will be king forever...
Date: 1996/07/04
Message-ID: <4rfs20$c8a@sparcserver.lrz-muenchen.de>#1/1
references: <4ree16$a4h@lastactionhero.rs.itd.umich.edu> <4remen$c2l@sparcserver.lrz-muenchen.de>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


... and forgive me that I produce so many typos lately...

Bjoern




From: guenzel@extern.lrz-muenchen.de (Bjoern Guenzel)
Subject: spiral launch
Date: 1996/07/04
Message-ID: <4rh46i$ifm@sparcserver.lrz-muenchen.de>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


I don't know what kind of spiral launch is John's favourite, but I recently made
a small change to the standard continuous binary spiral launch.
It was often said that executing like stone/spiral1/stone/spiral2 is an
advantage, so I changed the spiral launch from blue candle for running with two
processes. Very simple, just leaving out some '}' ...
The disadvantage is, that I now have to use 18 (=2*9) processes in the imp,
instead of 15 as in blue candle. I haven't really tested how much better the new
spiral launch does (or if at all...).

Initially my idea was to do it with a vector launch like

	spl #0
	mov.a #vector-j1,j1
	spl 1,{j2
             .... produce as many processes as you need
	spl 2
j1	jmp }vector+y,}0
j2	jmp >vector+x,}0

vector   dat imp,...
	...

but I couldn't make it work immediately (perhaps planar knows what's wrong...:),
and then I realised that it works shorter and faster with binary launch...	


Bjoern


;redcode-94
;name The Impian
;author bjoern guenzel
;strategy continuous spiral launch
;assert CORESIZE==8000
;release 19.5.96
;kill test

istep 	equ 2667

start		spl 1			;this is only for demonstration

		spl #0,<-200		;put two processes here
		spl 4,<-1
		spl 2,#j1
j1		jmp imp,}0
j2		jmp imp+istep,}0
		nop #j2,#j3		;use for extra attack...
j3		jmp imp+2*istep,}0
imp		mov.i #istep,*0

		end start






From: JKW <jwilkinson@mail.utexas.edu>
Subject: Toot!Toot!  (Tooting my own horn. :-)
Date: 1996/07/04
Message-ID: <4rgof2$e18@excelsior.flash.net>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


I believe that's a new record for least ties in first place on the -94 Hill.
And, if I'm the only one around who cares about this, just let me live in my
own blissful ignorance, ok? ;-)

Your program Return Of The Jedimp fights 200 times:
Return Of The Jedimp wins: 46
Silicone v0.1 wins: 4
Ties: 150

Your overall score: 142.942308 (Placing 1st!)

Manfred v0.3 has been pushed off the ICWS '94 Draft hill.
The current ICWS '94 Draft hill:
 #   %W /  %L /  %T                       Name               Author Score  Age
 1  26.0/  9.1/ 64.9      Return Of The Jedimp             John K W 142.9    9

-- 
 / John K. Wilkinson - jwilkinson@mail.utexas.edu \
 \   -=- http://ccwf.cc.utexas.edu/~ifio452/ -=-  /





From: kfranke@rice.edu (Kurt Alan Franke)
Subject: Re: New 'Koenigstuhl' leader(s)
Date: 1996/07/04
Message-ID: <4rglpk$2s0@larry.rice.edu>#1/1
references: <199607031808.UAA15631@nica.mpg.de>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


Christoph C. Birk (birk@nica.mpia-hd.mpg.de) wrote:
: Congratulations to Paul Kline, he wrote "Yogi Bear", the
: new #1 on the 94-Open-Koenigstuhl. Beppe's "Twister" is now #2. 
: Kurt's "Stepping Stone" (former #1) is now on the third place.

And Stepping was pushed off the 94 hill..  Oh well- congrats
Paul.

Kurt



From: Robert Macrae <ff95@dial.pipex.com>
Subject: Re: Guenzel Clear
Date: 1996/07/04
Message-ID: <4rgieu$o65@soap.news.pipex.net>#1/1
references: <199607011914.OAA21726@mail.utexas.edu> <4rb0o9$d0v@sparcserver.lrz-muenchen.de>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


guenzel@extern.lrz-muenchen.de (Bjoern Guenzel) wrote:
>Thank's everybody, but I think that would really be too much honour :-)
..
>I called it d-clear for "dirty"-clear, and I still like the name... 
>"d" could also stand for dat-clear.
>
>dat/djn clear would be more illustrative, though.
>

DD-clear?




From: Edgar <edgar@pc20.mef.hr>
Subject: Pspace switching mechanisms
Date: 1996/07/04
Message-ID: <4rfqmu$902@bagan.srce.hr>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


After a two week's absence I ha a lot of surprises when I logged on: all my
warriors either died of old age or were pushed off, the server I use has been
down for a week so I had to subscribe to all mailing lists again, the news
server doesn't work propperly and I have 3 tests in the next 4 weeks. Jeez,
isn't Life Wonderful ?

Anyways,Paul Kline wrote in Core Warrior 35:

"Also nice if people would POST a few :-) (p-switching mechanisms)"

Here is the one I use. It isn't as effective as some more complex switchers
but it allows fast switching of a large number of strategies, which is ideal
if your different 'strategies' consist of the same warriors with different
constants (bombers).         
	
brain	ldp.a #0,eye                    ;load result
        ldp.a #1,ear                    ;load strategy
        djn.a cnt,{eye                  ;modify strategy
cnt     mod.a #-(nose-ear+1),ear        ;fix out-of-range results
        stp.ab ear,#1                   ;store strategy
ear     jmp @0,switch1                  ;jump to selected strategy
eye     dat 0,switch2 
        dat 0,switch3 
nose    dat 0,switch4 

You can put something 'special' behind the djn. The special will be executed
every time the strategy value reaches 0. This could check for brainwash
attempts or something, and the check costs 0 additional cycles. 

Also note that the strategy choice will cycle backwards through the table.

Any other bold authors who want to publish their products?


			Edgar

p.s. If you are answering to this post please mail the reply to me in
addition. As I've said the news server I use isn't exactly reliable.




From: sd@ecst.csuchico.edu (Lord Kymbote)
Subject: showing selected portions of your source
Date: 1996/07/04
Message-ID: <4rf7p3$k69@charnel.ecst.csuchico.edu>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar



If everyone agrees that individual scores should be available for all
the warriors, I guess we don't need the ";show [no]scores" command.
Is this the general consensus?

About showing only selected portions of source, I like Beppe's
;show [on / off] idea, but its sure to be abused with "for 0 / rof".
How about something like ";show [nosource / noequ / source]"?
Either showing no source at all, no lines containing equ's, or
all source.  I'm open to other ideas too.

Thos




From: sd@ecst.csuchico.edu (Lord Kymbote)
Subject: Re: one small suggestion...
Date: 1996/07/04
Message-ID: <4rf739$jok@charnel.ecst.csuchico.edu>#1/1
references: <4rav0q$a4u@sparcserver.lrz-muenchen.de>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


Bjoern Guenzel <guenzel@extern.lrz-muenchen.de> wrote:
>My suggestion for additional hill output: giving both scores, the 26th
>warrior counted in and not. This would make it much easier to compare the
>performance of different versions.

What do the rest of you think about this?  Would you like two tables
full of info at the end of each mail?  Maybe only while "test"ing?

Thos




From: Planar <Damien.Doligez@inria.fr>
Subject: A message from Ian Oversby
Date: 1996/07/04
Message-ID: <4rftn5$r2@news-rocq.inria.fr>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


I got the following message from Ian.  I think it was meant for this
newsgroup, but Ian can't receive mail right now, so I can't ask
confirmation.  Anyway, this will end up in my warrior collection.

-- Planar

(I've fixed broken line breaks)

------------ message from Ian

I just thought that I would warn you all that I am thinking of using
this little thing as a P-component unless I can get my other idea to
work :->  It is probably not very original but never mind.  A quick
description:

It bombs at 0.33c and decrements at 0.33c for 0.66c if the enemy is
vulnerable to decrements.  The bomb and decrement are each mod-4 for
an overall mod-2.  When the bombing run is over, the SPL is layed on
the DJN line, the loop line is decremented and I think it continues
bombing while the core is cleared, probably using DAT.

It scores pretty well against Blur, Miro and Torch.  Goes about evens
against Tornado, TNT and Thermite (why??) and loses really badly
against anything with imps or paper in it.  Paper is the worst, I
think that is what is in Return of the Jedimp.
Imp/stones score between 10/50/140 and 10/100/90,  I expected them to
do better.  MyVamp surprised me, scoring 92/102/6.  Maybe it is mod-4
(or 8) and my coloured bombs don't decoy it very much.  I think it
does OK against one-shots as well, against Goliath it scored 86/78/36
and against Goldfinch 81/98/21.

;redcode-94 quiet
;name Poke v0.1
;author Ian Oversby
;strategy Testing components
;assert 1

stone   SPL.B   #76,    >-76    ; mod-4
loop    MOV.I   {0+76,  2-76
        ADD.F   stone,  loop
        DJN.F   loop,   <-1900  ; SPL is placed here
        MOV.I   1,      <-10    ; for the core-clear

for 95
        DAT.F   $0,     $0
rof

end



From: Geoff Phillips <Geoff@phillips.powernet.co.uk>
Subject: PC robots
Date: 1996/07/04
Message-ID: <31DB6791.5F1E@phillips.powernet.co.uk>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


Hello people, 

Some years ago I wrote a PC robots robot, and entered it into the 
PCrobots competition that PCW magazine held.  I have recently 
been told by a kind person that there is a page 
http://www.uni-frankfurt.de/~hbecker/pcrob.html of an updated 
version and other competing robots.  My question is that on the 
newer version of PCrobots, some sort of change to the game is 
causing my robot to fair very badly - it seems to keep missing!  

I'm going to have to thoroughly read the doc. file, but off-hand does 
anyone know of a specific difference that would have such a drastic 
change on its performance?

Geoff.
 
__________________________________Life, don't talk to me about life.
Geoff@Phillips.powernet.co.uk



From: Planar <Damien.Doligez@inria.fr>
Subject: Hazy Shade II
Date: 1996/07/04
Message-ID: <4rgsiq$77p@news-rocq.inria.fr>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


John K. Wilkinson asked me to repost this if it never made it to the
        ^^^^^^^^^
group.  I've never seen it posted.  Apologies if this is a duplicate.

-- Planar, reposter extraordinaire

-----------
Date: Thu, 04 Jul 96 10:52:02 -0700
From: JKW <jwilkinson@mail.utexas.edu>

Well, Kline mentioned something about publishing Hazy Shade II.  Well,
I'm not yet ready to publish the EvolCap-style imp launch.  However, I
tested it with an in-line 16 process jmp/add launch, and the scores were
almost exactly the same.

I marked the four new lines, and where they are is where the old implaunch
resided.  The real key, however, to the success of this warrior is the pspace.
It survived the death of Lithium, and the death of Evol Cap, so obviously
the two components on their own couldn't have done it without a good switcher.
It's pretty simple, too.  If my opponent ever beats me five times more
than I've beaten him since the last time I'd beaten him more than 50% of the
time, then I switch strategies.

Well, it doesn't sound so simple in English, but in pcode it's about as simple
as it gets, with the exception of switch-on-loss warriors...

The strategies are stored with 'key numbers,' so if I'm brainwashed the odds
are only 2 in 8000 that I won't notice it.  That's as brainwash resistant as
you can get, without using extra pspace locations. :/

;redcode-94
;name Hazy Shade II
;kill Hazy Shade II
;author John K W
;assert CORESIZE == 8000
;strategy p-warrior.  very brainwash resistant.
;strategy v-8.3.  more aggresive post-brainwashing decisions.
;strategy v-8.4.  best of both worlds.

_RESULT equ #0
_LOSS   equ #117
_STR    equ #238
LIMIT   equ 5
_FIRST  equ EvolCap
_SECOND equ lithium
_CODE1  equ 2137
_CODE2  equ 3379

org res

;********** Evol Cap 10.1

d       equ 2667
BOOT_DIST equ 2600
BOOT_DIST2 equ 2851
S       equ 2365

imp:       mov.i  #d, *0
jclr:      dat    >1, 70

EvolCap:   mov.i  imp,  EvolCap+BOOT_DIST
           mov.i  jclr, EvolCap+BOOT_DIST2+31+5
           mov.i  jclr, EvolCap+BOOT_DIST2+31+5+4000

           spl.i  1, >-1250
           spl.i  1, >-1400
           spl.i  1, >1250

           mov.i  {pptr2, <pptr2
           mov.i  {pptr, <pptr

           spl.i  1, >1250                   ;new
           spl     2                         ;new
           jmp    EvolCap+BOOT_DIST, >1400   ;new
           add.a  #d, -1                     ;new
           spl    @pptr2
           jmp    @pptr

p       spl     #S,     >-S
        mov     }S+1,   -S+2
        add     -2,     -1
        djn.f   -2,     <-560
        mov     32,     >-60
        dat     0,      0
        dat     0,      0
        dat     0,      0

pptr:   nop    0, EvolCap+BOOT_DIST2+8
pptr2:   nop   -1, EvolCap+BOOT_DIST2+8+4000

;*************pcode

won:    ldp     LOS0,   #0
        jmz.b   go,     won   ;if losses is zero, just go
        djn.b   go,     res   ;if it was a tie, just go...
        add.ab  #-1,    won
LOS0:   stp.b   won,    _LOSS
        jmp     go

res:    ldp     _RESULT,#0      ;load last result into B-field
        sne     #-1,    res
        jmp     naive           ;setup start
	jmn     won,    res     ;a one indicates a win in the last round

loss:   ldp     LOS0,   #0      ;_LOSS,  #0
        add     #1,     loss
	slt     loss,   #LIMIT
	jmp     switch

        stp.b   loss,   LOS0

go:     ldp     STR0,   #0

        sne.ab  #_CODE2, go     ;if both of these
        jmp     _SECOND         ;are skipped over,
        sne.ab  #_CODE1, go     ;then we've been brainwashed,
        jmp     _FIRST          ;but we didn't lose

STR0
second  stp     #_CODE2, _STR   ;if the opponent is so un-aggresive
        jmp     _SECOND         ;as to not kill me, when it got a
                                ;chance to brainwash me, then it
                                ;deserves a dose of Lithium

switch: ldp     LOS0,   #0
        stp     #0,     LOS0
swstr:  ldp     STR0,   #0

        sne.ab  #_CODE2, swstr  ;if both of these
        jmp     first           ;are skipped over
        sne.ab  #_CODE1, swstr  ;then we've been
        jmp     second          ;brainwashed, and we lost
        
first   stp     #_CODE1, STR0
        jmp     _FIRST

for 10
dat 0, 0
rof

naive   stp     #LIMIT-1, LOS0
        stp     #_CODE1, STR0
        jmp     _FIRST

for 10
dat 0, 0
rof

;*************Lithium (torch t18)
step    equ     54
count   equ     2000
BOOTDIST equ     2300

lithium spl     1                       ;compressed boot.
        mov     -1,     0               ;5 cycles slower
        mov     {bptr,  <bptr           ;to completion,
        mov     {bptr,  <bptr           ;but 6 lines smaller
        mov     {bptr,  <bptr
        jmp     >bptr

sm2     mov     step+1, >step+1         ; mov half of the incendiary
        dat     -10-341,    26
sp2     spl     #-1-step,-step          ; spl half of the incendiary
        sub     #step+step,1
msm2    mov     sm2,    *tgt2+(-step*2000)-17228
msp2    mov     sp2,    @msm2
tgt2    jmz     sp2+1,  #0
clr2    mov     @1,     >sm2-13
cp2     djn.b   clr2,   {sp2

bptr    dat     0,      BOOTDIST

-- 
 / John K. Wilkinson - jwilkinson@mail.utexas.edu \
 \   -=- http://ccwf.cc.utexas.edu/~ifio452/ -=-  /



From: Ross Morgan-Linial <rmorganl@fhcrc.org>
Subject: Re: showing selected portions of your source
Date: 1996/07/05
Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.3.93.960705120846.12672B-100000@fred>#1/1
references: <199607041518.KAA13701@mail.utexas.edu>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


On 4 Jul 1996 jwilkinson@mail.utexas.edu wrote:

:-)>If everyone agrees that individual scores should be available for all
:-)>the warriors, I guess we don't need the ";show [no]scores" command.
:-)>Is this the general consensus?
:-)
:-)It looks like it.

Yep.

:-)>About showing only selected portions of source, I like Beppe's
:-)>;show [on / off] idea, but its sure to be abused with "for 0 / rof".
:-)>How about something like ";show [nosource / noequ / source]"?
:-)>Either showing no source at all, no lines containing equ's, or
:-)>all source.  I'm open to other ideas too.

Or we could just always show for/rof lines...
And put a comment in the code saying lines have been hidden, like,
; 10 lines not shown

You could make this another choice.

:-)Hmmmmm.  I thought about this, and all in all I think that's the best
:-)solution.  When warriors that are currently running are published, the
:-)constants are usually the only thing removed if they are important.  As
:-)for qscans, if you want to hide them, you'll just have to substitute the
:-)numbers with constants, which is usually done anyway.  (By everyone except
:-)me. :)

Yeah, FORCE people to program clearly.

---------
[This space for rent]

Ross Morgan-Linial
rmorganl@fhcrc.org





From: PK6811S@ACAD.DRAKE.EDU
Subject: Re: Mirrored Imps
Date: 1996/07/06
Message-ID: <01I6QYGJFK5K000SJU@ACAD.DRAKE.EDU>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


Justin Kao <102741.2022@CompuServe.COM> wrote:

>What are mirrored imps?

They are an adaptation of imp-spirals where two spirals at distance 4000
feed each other instructions.  A 3-point spiral can be made into a
6-point mirrored spiral executing this instruction:

   mov.i   #0,2667+4000

A pretty good launch:

       spl     1
       mov     -1,0
       spl     1
       mov     <boot1,{boot1
       mov     <boot2,{boot2
       mov     <boot3,{boot3
boot1  spl     Mirr+500+0*2667,Mirr+6
boot2  spl     Mirr+500+1*2667,Mirr+6
boot3  jmp     Mirr+500+2*2667,Mirr+6
Mirr   spl     #0
       spl     @1
       mov.i   #0,6667

As you can see they are continuous-launching with lots of processes,
hard to kill but don't expect many wins.

Paul Kline
pk6811s@acad.drake.edu



From: stst@vuse.vanderbilt.edu (Stefan Strack)
Subject: Core War Frequently Asked Questions (rec.games.corewar FAQ)
Date: 1996/07/06
Message-ID: <games/corewar-faq_836674996@rtfm.mit.edu>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar,rec.answers,news.answers


Archive-name: games/corewar-faq
Last-Modified: 95/10/12
Version: 3.6

   These are the Frequently Asked Questions (and answers) from the Usenet
   newsgroup rec.games.corewar. A plain text version of this document is
   posted every two weeks. The hypertext version is available as
   <URL:http://www.stormking.com/~koth/corewar-faq.html>
     _________________________________________________________________
   
Table of Contents

    1. What is Core War
    2. Is it Core War or Core Wars?
    3. Where can I find more information about Core War?
    4. Core War has changed since Dewdney's articles. Where do I get a
       copy of the current instruction set?
    5. What is ICWS'94? Which simulators support ICWS'94?
    6. What is the ICWS?
    7. What is TCWN?
    8. How do I join?
    9. What is the EBS?
   10. Where are the Core War archives?
   11. Where can I find a Core War system for ...?
   12. I do not have FTP. How do I get all this great stuff?
   13. I do not have access to Usenet. How do I post and receive news?
   14. Are there any Core War related WWW sites?
   15. When is the next tournament?
   16. What is KotH? How do I enter?
   17. Is it DAT 0, 0 or DAT #0, #0? How do I compare to core?
   18. How does SLT (Skip if Less Than) work?
   19. What is the difference between in-register and in-memory
       evaluation?
   20. What does (expression or term of your choice) mean?
   21. Other questions?
       
   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
What is Core War?

   Core War is a game played by two or more programs (and vicariously by
   their authors) written in an assembly language called Redcode and run
   in a virtual computer called MARS (for Memory Array Redcode
   Simulator). The object of the game is to cause all processes of the
   opposing program to terminate, leaving your program in sole posession
   of the machine.
   
   There are Core War systems available for most computer platforms.
   Redcode has been standardized by the ICWS, and is therefore
   transportable between all standard Core War systems.
   
   [ToC]
     _________________________________________________________________
   
Is it "Core War" or "Core Wars"?

   Both terms are used. Early references were to Core War. Later
   references seem to use Core Wars. I prefer "Core War" to refer to the
   game in general, "core wars" to refer to more than one specific
   battle.
   
   [ToC]
     _________________________________________________________________
   
Where can I find more information about Core War?

   Core War was first described in the Core War Guidelines of March, 1984
   by D. G. Jones and A. K. Dewdney of the Department of Computer Science
   at The University of Western Ontario (Canada). Dewdney wrote several
   "Computer Recreations" articles in Scientific American which discussed
   Core War, starting with the May 1984 article. Those articles are
   contained in two anthologies:
   
   Author: Dewdney, A. K.
   Title: The Armchair Universe: An Exploration of Computer Worlds
   Published: New York: W. H. Freeman (c) 1988
   ISBN: 0-7167-1939-8
   Library of Congress Call Number: QA76.6 .D517 1988
   
   
   Author: Dewdney, A. K.
   Title: The Magic Machine: A Handbook of Computer Sorcery
   Published: New York: W. H. Freeman (c) 1990
   ISBN: 0-7167-2125-2 (Hardcover), 0-7167-2144-9 (Paperback)
   Library of Congress Call Number: QA76.6 .D5173 1990
   
   
   A.K. Dewdney's articles are still the most readable introduction to
   Core War, even though the Redcode dialect described in there is no
   longer current.
   
   [ToC]
     _________________________________________________________________
   
Core War has changed since Dewdney's articles. Where do I get a copy of the
current instruction set?

   A draft of the official standard (ICWS'88) is available as
   <URL:http://ftp.csua.berkeley.edu/pub/corewar/documents/standards/re
   dcode-icws-88> . This document is formatted awkwardly and contains
   ambiguous statements. For a more approachable intro to Redcode, take a
   look at Mark Durham's tutorial,
   <URL:http://ftp.csua.berkeley.edu/pub/corewar/documents/tutorial.1>
   and
   <URL:http://ftp.csua.berkeley.edu/pub/corewar/documents/tutorial.2>.
   
   
   Steven Morrell (morrell@math.utah.edu) is preparing a more practically
   oriented Redcode tutorial that discusses different warrior classes
   with lots of example code. Mail him for a preliminary version. Michael
   Constant (mconst@csua.berkeley.edu) is reportedly working on a
   beginner's introduction.
   
   [ToC]
     _________________________________________________________________
   
What is ICWS'94? Which simulators support ICWS'94?

   There is an ongoing discussion about future enhancements to the
   Redcode language. A proposed new standard, dubbed ICWS'94, is
   currently being evaluated. A major change is the addition of
   "instruction modifiers" that allow instructions to modify A-field,
   B-field or both. Also new is a post-increment indirect addressing mode
   and unrestricted opcode and addressing mode combination ("no illegal
   instructions"). ICWS'94 is backwards compatible; i.e. ICWS'88 warriors
   will run correctly on an ICWS'94 system. Take a look at the ICWS'94
   draft
   <URL:ftp://ftp.csua.berkeley.edu/pub/corewar/documents/icws94.0202.Z
   > for more information. You can try out the new standard by
   submitting warriors to the '94 hills of the KotH servers. Two corewar
   systems currently support ICWS'94, pMARS (many platforms) and Redcoder
   (Mac), both available at ftp.csua.berkeley.edu.
   
   [ToC]
     _________________________________________________________________
   
What is the ICWS?

   About one year after Core War first appeared in Sci-Am, the
   "International Core War Society" (ICWS) was established. Since that
   time, the ICWS has been responsible for the creation and maintenance
   of Core War standards and the running of Core War tournaments. There
   have been six annual tournaments and two standards (ICWS'86 and
   ICWS'88).
   
   [ToC]
     _________________________________________________________________
   
What is TCWN?

   Since March of 1987, "The Core War Newsletter" (TCWN) has been the
   official newsletter of the ICWS. It is published quarterly and recent
   issues are also available as Encapsulated PostScript files.
   
   [ToC]
     _________________________________________________________________
   
How do I join?

   For more information about joining the ICWS (which includes a
   subscription to TCWN), or to contribute an article, review, cartoon,
   letter, joke, rumor, etc. to TCWN, please contact:
   

   Jon Newman
   13824 NE 87th Street
   Redmond, WA 98052-1959
   email: jonn@microsoft.com  (Note: Microsoft has NO affiliation with
                                     Core War.  Jon Newman just happens
                                     to work there, and we want to keep
                                     it that way!)

   Current annual dues are $15.00 in US currency.
   
   [ToC]
     _________________________________________________________________
   
What is the EBS?

   The Electronic Branch Section (EBS) of the ICWS is a group of Core War
   enthusiasts with access to electronic mail. There are no fees
   associated with being a member of the EBS, and members do reap some of
   the benefits of full ICWS membership without the expense. For
   instance, the ten best warriors submitted to the EBS tournament are
   entered into the annual ICWS tournament. All EBS business is conducted
   in the rec.games.corewar newsgroup.
   
   The current goal of the EBS is to be at the forefront of Core War by
   writing and implementing new standards and test suites.
   
   [ToC]
     _________________________________________________________________
   
Where are the Core War archives?

   Many documents such as the guidelines and the ICWS standards along
   with previous tournament Redcode entries and complete Core War systems
   are available via anonymous ftp from
   <URL:ftp://ftp.csua.berkeley.edu/pub/corewar/systems>
   (128.32.149.19) in the /pub/corewar directories. Also, most of past
   rec.games.corewar postings (including Redcode source listings) are
   archived there. Jon Blow (blojo@csua.berkeley.edu) is the archive
   administrator. When uploading to /pub/corewar/incoming, ask Jon to
   move your upload to the appropriate directory and announce it on the
   net.
   
   Much of what is available on soda is also available on the German
   archive at iraun1.ira.uka.de (129.13.10.90) in the /pub/x11/corewars
   directory.
   
   The plain text version of this FAQ is automatically archived by
   news.answers.
   
   [ToC]
     _________________________________________________________________
   
Where can I find a Core War system for . . . ? 

   Core War systems are available via anonymous ftp from
   ftp.csua.berkeley.edu in the /pub/corewar/systems directory.
   Currently, there are UNIX, IBM PC-compatible, Macintosh, and Amiga
   Core War systems available there. It is a good idea to check
   <URL:ftp://ftp.csua.berkeley.edu/pub/corewar/incoming> for program
   updates first.
   
   CAUTION! There are many, many Core War systems available which are NOT
   ICWS'88 (or even ICWS'86) compatible available at various archive
   sites other than ftp.csua.berkeley.edu. Generally, the older the
   program - the less likely it will be ICWS compatible.
   
   Reviews of Core War systems would be greatly appreciated in the
   newsgroup and in the newsletter.
   
   Below is a not necessarily complete or up-to-date list of what's
   available at ftp.csua.berkeley.edu:
   

    MADgic41.lzh    - corewar for the Amiga, v4.1
    MAD4041.lzh     - older version?
    MAD50B.lha      - corewar for the Amiga, beta version 5.0
    Redcoder-21.hqx - corewar for the Mac, supports ICWS'88 and '94 (without
                      extensions)
    core-11.hqx     - corewar for the Mac
    core-wars-simulator.hqx - same as core-11.hqx?
    corewar_unix_x11.tar.Z - corewar for UNIX/X-windows, ICWS'86 but
                      not ICWS'88 compatible
    koth31.tar.Z    - corewar for UNIX/X-windows. This program ran the
                      former KotH server at intel.com
    koth.shar.Z     - older version
    kothpc.zip      - port of older version of KotH to the PC
    deluxe20c.tar.Z - corewar for UNIX (broken X-windows or curses) and PC
    mars.tar.Z      - corewar for UNIX, likely not ICWS'88 compatible
    icons.zip       - corewar icons for MS-Windows
    macrored.zip    - a redcode macro-preprocessor (PC)
    c88v49.zip      - PC corewar, textmode display
    mars88.zip      - PC corewar, graphics mode display
    corwp302.zip    - PC corewar, textmode display, slowish
    mercury2.zip    - PC corewar written in assembly, fast!
    mtourn11.zip    - tournament scheduler for mercury (req. 4DOS)
    pmars08s.zip    - portable system, ICWS'88 and '94, runs on UNIX,
                      PC, Mac, Amiga. C source archive
    pmars08s.tar.Z  - same as above
    pmars08.zip    - PC executables with graphics display, req 386+
    macpmars02.sit.hqx - pMARS executable for Mac (port of version 0.2)
                      buggy, no display
    MacpMARS1.99a.cpt.hqx - port of v0.8 for the Mac, with display and
                      debugger
    MacpMARS1.0s.cpt.hqx - C source (MPW, ThinkC) for Mac frontend
    ApMARS03.lha    - pMARS executable for Amiga (port of version 0.3.1)
    wincor11.zip    - MS-Windows system, shareware ($15)

   
   
   [ToC]
     _________________________________________________________________
   
I do not have FTP. How do I get all this great stuff? 

   There is an ftp email server at ftpmail@decwrl.dec.com. Send email
   with a subject and body text of "help" (without the quotes) for more
   information on its usage. If you don't have access to the net at all,
   send me a 3.5 '' diskette in a self-addressed disk mailer with postage
   and I will mail it back with an image of the Core War archives in PC
   format. My address is at the end of this post.
   
   [ToC]
     _________________________________________________________________
   
I do not have access to Usenet. How do I post and receive news?

   To receive rec.games.corewar articles by email, join the COREWAR-L
   list run on the Stormking.Com list processor. To join, send the
   message

        SUB COREWAR-L FirstName LastName

   to listproc@stormking.com. You can send mail to
   corewar-l@stormking.com to post even if you are not a member of the
   list. Responsible for the listserver is Scott J. Ellentuch
   (tuc@stormking.com).
   
   Another server that allows you to post (but not receive) articles is
   available. Email your post to rec-games-corewar@cs.utexas.edu and it
   will be automatically posted for you.
   
   [ToC]
     _________________________________________________________________
   
Are there any Core War related WWW sites?

   You bet. Each of the two KotH sites sport a world-wide web server.
   Stormking's Core War page is <URL:http://www.stormking.com/~koth>;
   pizza's is <URL:http://www.ecst.csuchico.edu/~pizza/koth> . A third
   WWW site is in Koeln, Germany:
   <URL:http://www.khm.uni-koeln.de/~wbi/Index/Smoking/CWBH>. Last but
   not least, Stephen Beitzel's "Unofficial Core War Page" is
   <URL:http://www2.eworld.com/aos/people/beitzel/core.html>.
   All site are in varying stages of construction, so it would be futile
   to list here what they have to offer.
   
   [ToC]
     _________________________________________________________________
   
When is the next tournament?

   The ICWS holds an annual tournament. Traditionally, the deadline for
   entering is the 15th of December. The EBS usually holds a preliminary
   tournament around the 15th of November and sends the top finishers on
   to the ICWS tournament.
   
   Informal double-elimination and other types of tournaments are held
   frequently among readers of the newsgroup; watch there for
   announcements or contact me.
   
   [ToC]
     _________________________________________________________________
   
What is KotH? How do I enter?

   King Of The Hill (KotH) is an ongoing Core War tournament available to
   anyone with email. You enter by submitting via email a Redcode program
   (warrior) with special comment lines. You will receive a reply
   indicating how well your program did against the current top programs
   "on the hill".
   
   There are two styles of KotH tournaments, "classical" and
   "multi-warrior". The "classical" KotH is a one-on-one tournament, that
   is your warrior will play 100 battles against each of the 20 other
   programs currently on the Hill. You receive 3 points for each win and
   1 point for each tie. (The existing programs do not replay each other,
   but their previous battles are recalled.) All scores are updated to
   reflect your battles and all 21 programs are ranked from high to low.
   If you are number 21 you are pushed off the Hill, if you are higher
   than 21 someone else is pushed off.
   
   In "multi-warrior" KotH, all warriors on the hill fight each other at
   the same time. Score calculation is a bit more complex than for the
   one-on-one tournament. Briefly, points are awarded based on how many
   warriors survive until the end of a round. A warrior that survives by
   itself gets more points than a warrior that survives together with
   other warriors. Points are calculated from the formula (W*W-1)/S,
   where W is the total number of warriors and S the number of surviving
   warriors. The pMARS documentation has more information on
   multi-warrior scoring.
   
   The idea for an email-based Core War server came from David Lee. The
   original KotH was developed and run by William Shubert at Intel
   starting in 1991, and discontinued after almost three years of
   service. Currently, KotHs based on Bill's UNIX scripts but offering a
   wider variety of hills are are running at two sites:
   "koth@stormking.com" is maintained by Scott J. Ellentuch
   (tuc@stormking.com) and "pizza@ecst.csuchico.edu" by Thomas H. Davies
   (sd@ecst.csuchico.edu). Up until May '95, the two sites provided
   overlapping services, i.e. the some of the hill types were offered by
   both "pizza" and "stormking". To conserve resources, the different
   hill types are now divided up among the sites. The way you submit
   warriors to both KotHs is pretty much the same. Therefore, the entry
   rules described below apply to both "pizza" and "stormking" unless
   otherwise noted.
   
   Entry rules for King of the Hill Corewar:
   
   1) Write a corewar program. KotH is fully ICWS '88 compatible, EXCEPT
   that a comma (",") is required between two arguments.
   
   2) Put a line starting with ";redcode" (or ";redcode-94, etc., see
   below) at the top of your program. This MUST be the first line.
   Anything before it will be lost. If you wish to receive mail on every
   new entrant, use ";redcode verbose". Otherwise you will only receive
   mail if a challenger makes it onto the hill. Use ";redcode quiet" if
   you wish to receive mail only when you get shoved off the hill. (Also,
   see 5 below).
   
   Additionally, adding ";name " and ";author " will be helpful in the
   performance reports. Do NOT have a line beginning with ";address" in
   your code; this will confuse the mail daemon and you won't get mail
   back.
   
   In addition, it would be nice if you have lines beginning with
   ";strategy" that describe the algorithm you use.
   
   There are currently seven separate hills you can select by starting
   your program with ;redcode-b, ;redcode-94, ;redcode-94x, ;redcode,
   ;redcode-icws, ;redcode-94m or ;redcode-94xm. The former three run at
   "pizza", the latter four at "stormking". More information on these
   hills is listed below.
   
   3) Mail this file to koth@stormking.com or pizza@ecst.csuchico.edu.
   "Pizza" requires a subject of "koth" (use the -s flag on most
   mailers).
   
   4) Within a few minutes you should get mail back telling you whether
   your program assembled correctly or not. If it did assemble correctly,
   sit back and wait; if not, make the change required and re-submit.
   
   5) In an hour or so you should get more mail telling you how your
   program performed against the current top 20 (or 10) programs. If no
   news arrives during that time, don't worry; entries are put in a queue
   and run through the tournament one at a time. A backlog may develop.
   Be patient.
   
   If your program makes it onto the hill, you will get mail every time a
   new program makes it onto the hill. If this is too much mail, you can
   use ";redcode[-??] quiet" when you first mail in your program; then
   you will only get mail when you make it on the top 20 list or when you
   are knocked off. Using ";redcode[-??] verbose" will give you even more
   mail; here you get mail every time a new challenger arrives, even if
   they don't make it onto the top 20 list.
   
   Often programmers want to try out slight variations in their programs.
   If you already have a program named "foo V1.0" on the hill, adding the
   line ";kill foo" to a new program will automatically bump foo 1.0 off
   the hill. Just ";kill" will remove all of your programs when you
   submit the new one. The server kills programs by assigning an
   impossibly low score; it may therefore take another successful
   challenge before a killed program is actually removed from the hill.
   

SAMPLE ENTRY:
;redcode
;name Dwarf
;author A. K. Dewdney
;strategy Throw DAT bombs around memory, hitting every 4th memory cell.
;strategy This program was presented in the first Corewar article.
bomb  DAT   #0
dwarf ADD   #4,    bomb
      MOV   bomb, @bomb
      JMP   dwarf
      END   dwarf          ; Programs start at the first line unless
                           ; an "END start" pseudo-op appears to indicate
                           ; the first logical instruction.  Also, nothing
                           ; after the END instruction will be assembled.

Here are the Specs for the various hills:

ICWS'88 Standard Hill Specs: (Accessed with ";redcode", available at
"stormking")
         hillsize: 20 warriors
           rounds: 100
         coresize: 8000
   max. processes: 8000
         duration: after 80,000 cycles, a tie is declared.
max. entry length: 100
 minimum distance: 100
  instruction set: ICWS '88

ICWS Annual Tournament Hill Specs: (Accessed with ";redcode-icws",
available at "stormking")
         hillsize: 20 warriors
           rounds: 100
         coresize: 8192 instructions
   max. processes: 8000 per program
         duration: After 100,000 cycles, a tie is declared.
max. entry length: 300
 minimum distance: 300
  instruction set: ICWS '88

ICWS'94 Draft Hill Specs: (Accessed with ";redcode-94", available at
"pizza")
         hillsize: 20 warriors
           rounds: 100
         coresize: 8000
   max. processes: 8000
         duration: after 80,000 cycles, a tie is declared.
max. entry length: 100
 minimum distance: 100
  instruction set: extended ICWS '94 Draft

ICWS'94 Beginner's Hill Specs: (Accessed with ";redcode-b", available
at "pizza")
         hillsize: 20 warriors
           rounds: 100
         coresize: 8000
   max. processes: 8000
         duration: after 80,000 cycles, a tie is declared.
max. entry length: 100
 minimum distance: 100
  instruction set: extended ICWS '94 Draft
         max. age: after 100 successful challenges, warriors are retired.

ICWS'94 Experimental (Big) Hill Specs: (Accessed with ";redcode-94x",
available at "pizza")
         hillsize: 20 warriors
           rounds: 100
         coresize: 55440
   max. processes: 10000
         duration: after 500,000 cycles, a tie is declared.
max. entry length: 200
 minimum distance: 200
  instruction set: extended ICWS '94 Draft

ICWS'94 Draft Multi-Warrior Hill Specs: (Accessed with ";redcode-94m",
available at "stormking")
         hillsize: 10 warriors
           rounds: 200
         coresize: 8000
   max. processes: 8000
         duration: after 80,000 cycles, a tie is declared.
max. entry length: 100
 minimum distance: 100
  instruction set: extended ICWS '94 Draft

ICWS'94 Experimental (Big) Multi-Warrior Hill Specs:
(Accessed with ";redcode-94xm", available at "stormking")
         hillsize: 20 warriors
           rounds: 100
         coresize: 55440
   max. processes: 10000
         duration: after 500,000 cycles, a tie is declared.
max. entry length: 200
 minimum distance: 200
  instruction set: extended ICWS '94 Draft

   If you just want to get a status report without actually challenging
   the hills, send email with ";status" as the message body (and don't
   forget "Subject: koth" for "pizza"). If you send mail to "pizza" with
   "Subject: koth help" you will receive instructions that may be more up
   to date than those contained in this document.
   
   At stormking, a message body with ";help" will return brief
   instructions. If you submit code containing a ";test" line, your
   warrior will be assembled but not actually pitted against the warriors
   on the hill.
   
   All hills run portable MARS (pMARS) version 0.8, a
   platform-independent corewar system available at
   ftp.csua.berkeley.edu.
   
   The '94 and '94x hills allow three experimental opcodes and addressing
   modes currently not covered in the ICWS'94 draft document:

        SEQ - Skip if EQual (synonym for CMP)
        SNE - Skip if Not Equal
        NOP - (No OPeration)

        *   - indirect using A-field as pointer
        {   - predecrement indirect using A-field
        }   - postincrement indirect using A-field

   
   
   [ToC]
     _________________________________________________________________
   
Is it DAT 0, 0 or DAT #0, #0? How do I compare to core? 

   Core is initialized to DAT 0, 0. This is an "illegal" instruction
   under ICWS'88 rules and strictly compliant assemblers (such as KotH or
   pmars -8) will not let you write a DAT 0, 0 instruction - only DAT #0,
   #0. So this begs the question, how to compare something to see if it
   is empty core. The answer is, most likely the instruction before your
   first instruction and the instruction after your last instruction are
   both DAT 0, 0. You can use them, or any other likely unmodified
   instructions, for comparison. Note that under ICWS'94, DAT 0, 0 is a
   legal instruction.
   
   [ToC]
     _________________________________________________________________
   
How does SLT (Skip if Less Than) work?

   SLT gives some people trouble because of the way modular arithmetic
   works. It is important to note that all negative numbers are converted
   to positive numbers before a battles begins. Example: (-1) becomes (M
   - 1) where M is the memory size.
   
   Once you realize that all numbers are treated as positive, it is clear
   what is meant by "less than". It should also be clear that no number
   is less than zero.
   
   [ToC]
     _________________________________________________________________
   
What is the difference between in-register and in-memory evaluation?

   These terms refer to the way instruction operands are evaluated. The
   '88 Redcode standard ICWS'88 is unclear about whether a simulator
   should "buffer" the result of A-operand evaluation before the
   B-operand is evaluated. Simulators that do buffer are said to use
   in-register evaluation, those that don't, in-memory evaluation.
   ICWS'94 clears this confusion by mandating in-register evaluation.
   Instructions that execute differently under these two forms of
   evaluation are MOV, ADD, SUB, MUL, DIV and MOD where the effective
   address of the A-operand is modified by evaluation of the B-operand.
   This is best illustrated by an example:

   L1  mov L2,<L2
   L2  dat #0,#1

   Under in-register evaluation, the 'L2' instruction is saved in a
   buffer before the 'L2' memory location is decremented by evaluation of
   the B-operand of 'L1'. The saved 'dat #0,#1' instruction is then
   written to 'L2', leaving it unchanged.
   
   Under in-memory evaluation, the 'L2' instruction is not buffered and
   thus decremented by evaluation of the B-operand. After execution of
   'L1', 'L2' changes to "dat #0,#0".
   
   [ToC]
     _________________________________________________________________
   
What does (expression or term of your choice) mean?

   Here is a selected glossary of terms. If you have a definition and/or
   term you wish to see here, please send it to me.
   
   (References to an X-like program mean that the term X is derived from
   the specific program X and has become a generic term).
   
   Binary launch
          one of several means to start an imp-spiral running. The
          fastest launch technique, but requires the most code. See also
          JMP/ADD Launch and Vector Launch.
          


    impsize   equ 2667
    example   spl 4               ; extend by adding spl 8, spl 16, etc.
              spl 2
              jmp imp+(0*impsize) ; jmp's execute in order
              jmp imp+(1*impsize)
              spl 2
              jmp imp+(2*impsize)
              jmp imp+(3*impsize)
    imp       mov 0,impsize       ; in '94 use -> mov.i #0,impsize

   Bootstrapping
          Strategy of copying the active portion of the program away from
          the initial location, leaving a decoy behind and making the
          relocated program as small as possible.
          
   B-Scanners
          Scanners which only recognize non-zero B-fields.
          

    example   add #10,scan
    scan      jmz example,10

   C
          Measure of speed, equal to one location per cycle. Speed of
          light.
          
   CMP-Scanner
          A Scanner which uses a CMP instruction to look for opponents.
          

    example   add step,scan
    scan      cmp 10,30
              jmp attack
              jmp example
    step      dat #20,#20

   Color
          Property of bombs making them visible to scanners, causing them
          to attack useless locations, thus slowing them down.
          

    example   dat #100

   Core-Clear
          code that sequentially overwrites core with DAT instructions;
          usually the last part of a program.
          
   Decoys
          Bogus or unused instructions meant to slow down Scanners.
          Typically, DATs with non-zero B-fields.
          
   DJN-Stream (also DJN-Train)
          Using a DJN command to rapidly decrement core locations.
          

    example   ...
              ...
              djn example,<4000

   Dwarf
          the prototypical small bomber.
          
   Gate-busting (also gate-crashing)
          technique to "interweave" a decrement-resistant imp-spiral
          (e.g. MOV 0, 2668) with a standard one to overrun imp-gates.
          
   Hybrids
          warriors that combine two or more of the basic strategies,
          either in sequence (e.g. stone->paper) or in parallel (e.g.
          imp/stone).
          
   Imp
          Program which only uses the MOV instruction.
          

    example   MOV 0, 1
  or
    example   MOV 0, 2
              MOV 0, 2

   Imp-Gate
          A location in core which is bombed or decremented continuously
          so that an Imp can not pass. Also used to describe the
          program-code which maintains the gate.
          

    example   ...
              ...
              SPL 0, <example
              DAT <example, #0

   Imp-Ring
          A minimal Imp-Spiral.
          

    d         EQU (coresize+1)/3
    A         MOV 0,d   ; copy self to B
    B         MOV 0,d   ; copy self to C
    C         MOV 0,d   ; copy self to A+1

   Imp-Spiral
          An Imp-like program with two or more processes supporting each
          other. A three-point spiral, with six processes running in this
          sequence:
          

    d         EQU (coresize+1)/3
    A         MOV 0,d   ; copy self to B
    B         MOV 0,d   ; copy self to C
    C         MOV 0,d   ; copy self to A+1
    A+1       MOV 0,d   ; copy self to B+1
    B+1       MOV 0,d   ; copy self to C+1
    C+1       MOV 0,d   ; copy self to A+2

   Incendiary Bomb
          A type of Stun bomb which creates a SPL 0 carpet.
          

    example   SPL 0, 8
              MOV -1, <-1

   JMP/ADD Launch
          one of several means to start an imp-spiral running. The
          slowest launch technique, but requires the least code. See also
          Binary Launch and Vector Launch.
          

    impsize   equ 2667
    example   spl 1               ; extend by adding more spl 1's
              spl 1
              spl 2
              jmp @0,imp
              add #impsize,-1     ; bump address by impsize after each jmp
              dat #0,#0           ; excess processes must die!
    imp       mov 0,impsize       ; in '94 use -> mov.i #0,impsize

   Mirror
          see reflection.
          
   On-axis/off-axis
          On-axis scanners compare two locations M/2 apart, where M is
          the memory size. Off-axis scanners use some other separation.
          
   Optimal Constants
          (also optima-type constants) Bomb or scan increments chosen to
          cover core most effectively, i.e. leaving gaps of uniform size.
          Programs to calculate optimal constants and lists of optimal
          numbers are available at ftp.csua.berkeley.edu.
          
   Paper
          A Paper-like program. One which replicates itself many times.
          Part of the Scissors (beats) Paper (beats) Stone (beats
          Scissors) analogy.
          
   Pit-Trapper
          (also Slaver, Vampire). A program which enslaves another.
          Usually accomplished by bombing with JMPs to a SPL 0 pit with
          an optional core-clear routine.
          
   Quick Scan
          2c scan of a set group of core locations with bombing if
          anything is found. Both of the following codes snips scan 16
          locations and check for a find. If anything is found, it is
          attacked, otherwise 16 more locations are scanned. Example:
          

     start
     s1 for 8    ;'88 scan
            cmp  start+100*s1, start+100*s1+4000  ;check two locations
            mov  #start+100*s1-found, found  ;they differ so set pointer
     rof
            jmn  attack,     found     ;if we have something, get it
     s2 for 8
            cmp  start+100*(s2+6), start+100*(s2+6)+4000
            mov  #start+100*(s2+6)-found, found
     rof
     found  jmz  moveme,  #0        ;skip attack if qscan found nothing
     attack cmp  @found,  start-1   ;does found points to empty space?
            add  #4000,   found     ;no, so point to correct location
            mov  start-1, @found    ;move a bomb
     moveme jmp  0,       0

   In ICWS'94, the quick scan code is more compact because of the SNE
          opcode:
          


     start       ;'94 scan
     s1 for 4
            sne  start+400*s1, start+400*s1+100  ;check two locations
            seq  start+400*s1+200, start+400*s1+300  ;check two locations
            mov  #start+400*s1-found, found  ;they differ so set pointer
     rof
            jmn  which,   found     ;if we have something, get it
     s2 for 4
            sne  start+400*(s2+4), start+400*(s2+4)+100
            seq  start+400*(s2+4)+200, start+400*(s2+4)+300
            mov  #start+400*(s2+4)-found-100, found
     rof
     found  jmz  moveme,  #0        ;skip attack if qscan found nothing
            add  #100,    -1        ;increment pointer till we get the
     which  jmn  -1,      @found    ;right place
            mov  start-1, @found    ;move a bomb
     moveme jmp  0,       0

   Reflection
          Copy of a program or program part, positioned to make the
          active program invisible to a CMP-scanner.
          
   Replicator
          Generic for Paper. A program which makes many copies of itself,
          each copy also making copies.
          
   Self-Splitting
          Strategy of amplifying the number of processes executing a
          piece of code.
          

    example    SPL 0
    loop       ADD #10, example
               MOV example, @example
               JMP loop

   Scanner
          A program which searches through core for an opponent rather
          than bombing blindly.
          
   Scissors
          A program designed to beat replicators, usually a (B-field
          scanning) vampire. Part of the Paper-Scissors-Stone analogy.
          
   Self-Repair
          Ability of a program to fix it's own code after attack.
          
   Silk
          A replicator which splits off a process to each new copy before
          actually copying the code. This allows it to replicate
          extremely quickly. This technique is only possible under the
          '94 draft, because it requires post-increment indirect
          addressing. Example:
          

                spl     1
                mov.i   -1,     0
                spl     1               ;generate 6 consecutive processes
    silk        spl     3620,   #0      ;split to new copy
                mov.i   >-1,    }-1     ;copy self to new location
                mov.i   bomb,   >2000   ;linear bombing
                mov.i   bomb,   }2042   ;A-indirect bombing for anti-vamp
                jmp     silk,   {silk   ;reset source pointer, make new copy
    bomb        dat.f   >2667,  >5334   ;anti-imp bomb

   Slaver
          see Pit-Trapper.
          
   Stealth
          Property of programs, or program parts, which are invisible to
          scanners, accomplished by using zero B-fields and reflections.
          
   Stone
          A Stone-like program designed to be a small bomber. Part of the
          Paper-Scissors-Stone analogy.
          
   Stun
          A type of bomb which makes the opponent multiply useless
          processes, thus slowing it down. Example is referred to as a
          spl-jmp bomb.
          

    example    spl 0
               jmp -1

   Two-Pass Core-Clear (also spl/dat Core-Clear)
          core clear that fills core first with SPL instructions, then
          with DATs. This is very effective in killing paper and certain
          imp-spiral variations.
          
   Vampire
          see Pit-Trapper.
          
   Vector Launch
          one of several means to start an imp-spiral running. As fast as
          Binary Launch, but requiring much less code. See also JMP/ADD
          Launch and Binary Launch. This example is one form of a Vector
          Launch:
          

    impsize   equ 2667
    example   spl 1                       ; extend by adding more spl 1's
              spl 1
              djn.a   @imp,#0             ; jmp @ a series of pointers
              dat     #0,imp+(3*impsize)
              dat     #0,imp+(2*impsize)
              dat     #0,imp+(1*impsize)
              dat     #0,imp+(0*impsize)
    imp       mov.i   #0,impsize

   
   
   [ToC]
     _________________________________________________________________
   
Other questions?

   Just ask in the rec.games.corewar newsgroup or contact me (address
   below). If you are shy, check out the Core War archives first to see
   if your question has been answered before.
   
   [ToC]
     _________________________________________________________________
   
Credits

   Additions, corrections, etc. to this document are solicited. Thanks in
   particular to the following people who have contributed major portions
   of this document: Paul Kline, Randy Graham.
   Mark Durham wrote the first version of the FAQ.
   
   The rec.games.corewar FAQ is Copyright 1995 and maintained by:
   

Stefan Strack, PhD                          stst@vuse.vanderbilt.edu
Dept. Molecular Physiol. and Biophysics     stst@idnsun.gpct.vanderbilt.edu
Rm. 762, MRB-1                              stracks@vuctrvax.bitnet
Vanderbilt Univ. Medical Center             Voice: +615-322-4389
Nashville, TN 37232-6600, USA               FAX:   +615-322-7236

   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
   $Id: corewar-faq.html,v 3.6 1995/10/12 22:44:37 stst Exp stst $



From: Robert Macrae <ff95@dial.pipex.com>
Subject: Re: A few warriors...
Date: 1996/07/06
Message-ID: <4rm4te$42p@soap.news.pipex.net>#1/1
references: <Pine.SOL.3.93.960703110808.24875A-100000@fred>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


Ross Morgan-Linial <rmorganl@fhcrc.org> wrote:
>Here are two of my warriors which both died of old age on the beginner
>hill. They have been formated for legibility.
>
>;redcode-94b
>;name 1,000lb weight
>;author Ross Morgan-Linial
>;assert CORESIZE==8000
>;strategy Simple bomber -> coreclear -> imp gate
>
>start	mov 	b+1, 		@1
>	add.ab 	#2364, 		#3
>	mov 	b, 		>-1
>	jmp 	start
>clear	mov.i 	cbom, 		<-5
>	jmp   	clear, 		<-32
>cbom	dat   	<-31, 		<-31
>b	spl   	0, 		<-30
>	jmp  	-1, 		<-31

I think this is meant to jump to the clear when "jmp 	start" is bombed 
with the SPL, but it looks to me as if you bomb "clear" with JMP -1 on 
the first instruction?





From: guenzel@extern.lrz-muenchen.de (Bjoern Guenzel)
Subject: Re: Mirrored Imps
Date: 1996/07/06
Message-ID: <4rk886$fi5@sparcserver.lrz-muenchen.de>#1/1
references: <960702232141_102741.2022_GHT112-1@CompuServe.COM>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


Justin Kao <102741.2022@CompuServe.COM> wrote:

>What are mirrored imps?

Take a look at spiral 4000 by Paul Kline, that's the prototype. I don't try to
explain it here, because I have not yet used them, and I don't want to tell you
something wrong.

>Justin Kao

>PS  Sorry, accidentally sent this as email to JKW....

No problem 8-}

Bjoern




From: Anton Marsden <amarsden@news.comp.vuw.ac.nz>
Subject: Core Warrior 37
Date: 1996/07/07
Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.3.91.960707192316.1274A-100000@regent.comp.vuw.ac.nz>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


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`$$$$     ,$$ $$$$$$$b $$$P `$ $$$b.$$b `Y$$$d$d$$$'   . . a  . a  a .aa  . a
 `$$$    ,$$$,$$' `$$$ $$$'  ' $$P$XX$'  `$$$$$$$$$ .dP' `$'$ `$'$ , $''$ `$'$
  `Y$b ,d$$$P `$b,d$P' `$$.    `$$.  ,    `$$P $$$' Y $.  $    $   $ Y..P  $
  `$$$$$$$'    $$$P'   `$$b    `$$$P      `P  `$'  `Y'k. $.   $.  $. $$'  $.

Issue 37                                                         July 8, 1996
______________________________________________________________________________
Core Warrior is a weekly newsletter promoting the game of corewar.  Emphasis
is placed on the most active hills--currently the '94 draft hill and the
beginner hill.  Coverage will follow where ever the action is.  If you have
no clue what I'm talking about then check out these five-star internet locals
for more information:

FAQs are available by anonymous FTP from rtfm.mit.edu as
pub/usenet/news.answers/games/corewar-faq.Z
FTP site is: ftp.csua.berkeley.edu /pub/corewar
Web pages are at:
http://www.stormking.com/~koth                  ;Stormking
http://www.ecst.csuchico.edu/~pizza/koth        ;Pizza
http://pauillac.inria.fr/~doligez/corewar/      ;Planar

Newbies should check the stormking page for the FAQ, language specification,
guides, and tutorials.  Post questions to rec.games.corewar.  All new players
are infinitely welcome!

If ftp.csua.berkeley.edu is unreachable, you can download pMARS at:
Terry's web page--http://www.infi.net/~wtnewton/corewar/
Planar ftp site--ftp://ftp.inria.fr/INRIA/Projects/para/doligez/cw/pmars
Fechter ftp site--ftp://members.aol.com/ofechner/corewar
______________________________________________________________________________
Greetings.

Some interesting activity on the hill this week including the fall of
Thermite II and Stepping Stone. In this issue we find out why Q^2 Miro is
doing so well and JKW discusses mirrored imps.

This is the first Core Warrior issue I've compiled and there's bound to be a
few mistakes somewhere so not too many flames please :-)

Reminder: the 'limited process hill' is open.  Send your warriors to
<koth@wastedyouth.us.itd.umich.edu> with a ;redcode-94lp header.  To get
more information, send an e-mail with a subject line of 'help' (no quotation)
marks to the above address.

--Anton Marsden
______________________________________________________________________________
Current Status of the Internet Pizza Server ICWS '94 Draft Hill:

Hill Specs:
   coresize: 8000
  max. processes: 8000
   duration: after 80,000 cycles, a tie is declared.
max. entry length: 100
 minimum distance: 100
   rounds fought: 200
  instruction set: ICWS '94 Draft

 #   %W /  %L /  %T                       Name               Author Score  Age
 1  48.1/ 38.3/ 13.6                    Blur 2        Anton Marsden 157.9   33
 2  49.0/ 42.2/  8.8                  Q^2 Miro         Anders Ivner 155.8   31
 3  45.4/ 37.8/ 16.8                 myVamp5.3             Paulsson 152.9  102
 4  42.6/ 35.3/ 22.0                 Yogi Bear              P.Kline 149.9  150
 5  29.6/ 10.2/ 60.2      Return Of The Jedimp             John K W 148.9   22
 6  41.7/ 34.5/ 23.8 Paper, Scissors and Stone        David van Dam 148.9   74
 7  44.4/ 40.3/ 15.3                 Goldfinch              P.Kline 148.4   95
 8  37.0/ 26.7/ 36.2               Simple v0.4          Ian Oversby 147.3   42
 9  35.9/ 24.9/ 39.2                 Armory II             John K W 146.8   85
10  42.0/ 38.7/ 19.2                   Twister          Beppe Bezzi 145.3  400
11  40.5/ 35.9/ 23.6                   Goliath        David van Dam 145.1   94
12  35.4/ 26.5/ 38.1                 Pulp v0.2          Ian Oversby 144.2   41
13  40.2/ 36.6/ 23.2                T.N.T. pro    Maurizio Vittuari 143.8  664
14  34.1/ 25.4/ 40.5        Jack in the box II          Beppe Bezzi 142.8  303
15  34.2/ 27.5/ 38.2            the historian        bjoern guenzel 140.9  419
16  43.5/ 46.8/  9.7                  test me2          Beppe Bezzi 140.2   26
17  42.4/ 44.7/ 12.9                    test A              P.Kline 140.0    2
18  29.0/ 18.5/ 52.5                   Rosebud                Beppe 139.6  619
19  38.1/ 37.2/ 24.7                Scimitar 2              P.Kline 139.0   12
20  31.2/ 24.9/ 43.8               blue candle       bjoern guenzel 137.6  533
21  25.3/ 13.6/ 61.1                    ompega       Steven Morrell 136.9   61
22  35.3/ 37.0/ 27.7           Versatility 1.5   Ross Morgan-Linial 133.6   19
23  33.6/ 33.6/ 32.8               Simple v0.3          Ian Oversby 133.5  105
24  37.0/ 48.2/ 14.8            pavement v0.14       bjoern guenzel 125.9    5
25  11.6/ 43.3/ 45.2                Jam Sponge          Dave Newton  79.8    1

Weekly age: 90 ( 56 last week, 108 the week before )
New warriors:  14  Turnover/age rate 16%
Average age:   158 ( 275 last week, 296 the week before )
Average score: 141 ( 133 last week, 127 the week before )
The top 25 warriors are represented by 13 authors: Bezzi, Kline with 4,
Guenzel, Oversby with 3, and van Dam, JKW with 2.

King Report:  Blur 2 was on top for the majority of the challenges this week.
But towards the end of the week Q^2 Miro by Ivner started to dominate. This
is not surprising - Ivner has developed a very good qscan (see Extra Extra
for the details). JKW's new warrior Return Of The Jedimp also had a few
moments of glory (as John hastened to mention in the newsgroup).

A huge loss of age this week (approximately 2925 points)! Thermite II finally
kicks the bucket (will we see a Thermite III soon?), as does Stepping Stone
making T.N.T pro the oldest warrior on the Hill.
______________________________________________________________________________
94 - What's New

 #   %W /  %L /  %T                       Name               Author Score  Age
13  25.8/ 22.2/ 52.0                 Armory II             John K W 129.3    1
 4  36.5/ 36.0/ 27.5 Paper, Scissors and Stone        David van Dam 136.9    1
18  21.4/ 13.3/ 65.2                    ompega       Steven Morrell 129.6    1
 7  30.0/ 24.1/ 45.9               Simple v0.4          Ian Oversby 135.8    1
 6  31.6/ 25.3/ 43.1                 Pulp v0.2          Ian Oversby 137.9    1
 1  42.9/ 39.5/ 17.6                    Blur 2        Anton Marsden 146.2    1
 1  44.6/ 44.5/ 10.9                  Q^2 Miro         Anders Ivner 144.7    1
20  39.5/ 49.6/ 10.9                  test me2          Beppe Bezzi 129.4    1
 1  25.2/  9.5/ 65.2      Return Of The Jedimp             John K W 141.0    1
24  30.2/ 38.9/ 30.9           Versatility 1.5   Ross Morgan-Linial 121.4    1
15  34.9/ 37.8/ 27.3                Scimitar 2              P.Kline 132.0    1
24  34.1/ 50.9/ 15.0            pavement v0.14       bjoern guenzel 117.3    1
14  42.6/ 45.6/ 11.8                    test A              P.Kline 139.7    1
25   8.8/ 44.2/ 47.0                Jam Sponge          Dave Newton  73.5    1

6 of the 14 new warriors entered the Hill in the top 10.
______________________________________________________________________________
94 - What's No More

 #   %W /  %L /  %T                       Name               Author Score  Age
26   1.0/  1.2/  1.6                 Armory II             John K W   4.7   55
26  18.5/ 12.4/ 69.1                    ompega       Steven Morrell 124.6  225
26   0.0/  0.1/  3.8                      test    Maurizio Vittuari   3.8   33
26  36.1/ 47.5/ 16.4             HopScotch 1.6        Robert Macrae 124.7  363
26  35.7/ 47.0/ 17.2            Stepping Stone          Kurt Franke 124.4 1049
26   1.3/  1.4/  1.1                 Pulp v0.2          Ian Oversby   5.1   19
26  29.7/ 35.6/ 34.7               Jo Clark II          Ian Oversby 123.8  266
26  28.9/ 35.1/ 36.0                      test             Maurizio 122.7  307
26   1.6/  1.6/  0.7                    Blur 2        Anton Marsden   5.4   30
26   3.2/  4.2/  0.3                  Q^2 Miro         Anders Ivner   9.9   24
26  16.2/  8.7/ 75.1             The Avalanche       John Wilkinson 123.8  142
26  32.7/ 41.5/ 25.8               Thermite II        Robert Macrae 123.8 2262
26   0.8/  0.5/  6.5      Return Of The Jedimp             John K W   8.7   15
26   1.2/  1.3/  1.3                 Hint Test        Anton Marsden   4.8   14
26   2.0/  1.2/  0.7                 Torch t18              P.Kline   6.7   30
26   2.6/  0.5/  0.8          blue flame c1/10       bjoern guenzel   8.5   48

Thermite II and Stepping Stone Cease To Exist as do a few warriors over the
age of 200. Lots of ;killing went on this week.
______________________________________________________________________________
94 - What's Old

 #   %W /  %L /  %T                       Name               Author Score  Age
13  40.2/ 36.6/ 23.2                T.N.T. pro    Maurizio Vittuari 143.8  664
18  29.0/ 18.5/ 52.5                   Rosebud                Beppe 139.6  619
20  31.2/ 24.9/ 43.8               blue candle       bjoern guenzel 137.6  533
15  34.2/ 27.5/ 38.2            the historian        bjoern guenzel 140.9  419
10  42.0/ 38.7/ 19.2                   Twister          Beppe Bezzi 145.3  400
14  34.1/ 25.4/ 40.5        Jack in the box II          Beppe Bezzi 142.8  303

Jack in the box II pops into the 300 club.
______________________________________________________________________________
HALL OF FAME
* means the warrior is still active.

Pos    Name                  Author          Age     Strategy
 1  Thermite II            Robert Macrae     2262    Qscan -> bomber
 2  Impfinity v4g1         Planar            1993    Stone/ imp
 3  Jack in the box        Beppe Bezzi       1620    P-warrior
 4  Tornado 3.0            Beppe Bezzi       1567    Bomber
 5  Torch t18              P.Kline           1539    Bomber
 6  Chameleon              Myer R Bremer     1437    P-warrior
 7  Frontwards v2          Steven Morrell    1420    One shot scanner
 8  Evol Cap 6.6           John Wilkinson    1299    Imp / stone
 9  quiz                   Schitzo           1262    Scanner/ bomber
10  T.N.T.                 Maurizio Vittuari 1204    Bomber
11  Grilled Octopus v0.5   David Boeren      1154    P-warrior
12  Hazy Shade II          John Wilkinson    1102    P-warrior
13  Stepping Stone         Kurt Franke       1049    Qscan -> Vampire
14  Iron Gate 1.5          Wayne Sheppard     926    CMP scanner
15  Agony II               Stefan Strack      912    CMP scanner
16  Barrage                Anton Marsden      876    Qscan -> replicator
17  Blue Funk              Steven Morrell     869    Stone/ imp
18  Flurry                 Anton Marsden      835    Qscan -> pwarrior
19  Thermite 1.0           Robert Macrae      802    Qscan -> bomber
20  Blue Funk 3            Steven Morrell     766    Stone/ imp
21  Night Train            Karl Lewin         755    Replicator
22  Mirage 1.5             Anton Marsden      736    Scanner/ bomber
23  Blizzard               Anton Marsden      713    Qscan -> replicator
24  HeremScimitar          A.Ivner,P.Kline    666    Bomber
25  T.N.T. pro             Maurizio Vittuari  664 *  Bomber

LaBomba by Beppe Bezzi was kicked off this week by T.N.T. pro, now the only
active warrior in the HoF (with Rosebud not far behind). Thermite II has a
comfortable hold on 1st place even if it has stopped growing older and
Stepping Stone settles for 13th place.
______________________________________________________________________________
Current Status of the Internet Pizza Server Beginner's Hill:

Hill Specs:
   coresize: 8000
  max. processes: 8000
   duration: after 80,000 cycles, a tie is declared.
max. entry length: 100
 minimum distance: 100
    maximum age: At age 100, warriors are retired.
   rounds fought: 200
  instruction set: ICWS '94 Draft

 #   %W /  %L /  %T                       Name               Author Score  Age
 1  50.3/ 28.8/ 20.9           Versatility 1.2   Ross Morgan-Linial 171.7   85
 2  51.8/ 31.9/ 16.4                Syzygy 1.0       Philip Kendall 171.6   70
 3  51.3/ 32.5/ 16.2                    Yet 3c           Justin Kao 170.2   66
 4  48.3/ 33.0/ 18.7             Phoenix Alpha       Andy Nevermind 163.6   71
 5  48.9/ 35.7/ 15.4            Saboteur v0.4k                 shar 162.2   27
 6  45.3/ 34.0/ 20.7             Sandwich Bags       Andy Nevermind 156.6   59
 7  42.0/ 30.9/ 27.0               Inferno 1.0       Philip Kendall 153.1    9
 8  44.2/ 39.8/ 16.0                    Yet 3a           Justin Kao 148.6   67
 9  42.4/ 39.3/ 18.3               3-clear 0.6       Ilmari Karonen 145.5   93
10  40.2/ 35.8/ 24.0                 Antivenin                 Ross 144.7   58
11  38.1/ 32.0/ 29.9                  (-:  :-)                 Ross 144.3   19
12  31.5/ 21.5/ 47.0    Ties, Ties, Ties! (+2)                 Ross 141.5   21
13  41.2/ 41.8/ 17.0                 hyper 1.0                 Ross 140.6   90
14  37.9/ 36.4/ 25.7                      test           Justin Kao 139.4   82
15  39.8/ 44.9/ 15.3        Switch Hitter 0.3t   Ross Morgan-Linial 134.8   97
16  20.2/  7.8/ 72.0            Nematode v1.3e       Jonathan Stott 132.8   26
17  27.7/ 27.9/ 44.4             Cannon Fodder           I. Karonen 127.5   72
18  18.6/ 10.3/ 71.1            Nematode v1.3c       Jonathan Stott 126.8   52
19  22.7/ 21.2/ 56.1                 Wasps 1.3                 Ross 124.1   20
20  25.4/ 26.8/ 47.8                 Avenger I       Oliver Fechner 124.0   89
21  30.2/ 38.2/ 31.6             Utility Knife     Robert J. Street 122.2   29
22  24.6/ 33.1/ 42.4                 Fork 4/13    Christoph C. Birk 116.0   13
23  19.4/ 25.2/ 55.4                Mama's Boy     Robert J. Street 113.6   12
24  10.5/ 64.2/ 25.4                    D-Scan                 Ross  56.8    1
25   3.8/  0.0/  0.0 Yet Another stupid pun...           Justin Kao  11.5    4

Versatility is still on top. The top three warriors appear to be in a class
of their own.

I noticed there are quite a few pspacers on the Hill at the moment. I believe
that the best way to learn to code well is to concentrate on one type of
warrior and see how much you can improve it... you may not make it to the top
of the Hill but you will certainly come to understand the game a bit better.
You don't have to take my advice :-)
______________________________________________________________________________
The Hint
Quick Scanners
by Anton Marsden

Quick scanners (qscanners) have become a common ingredient in many modern
warriors (mainly bombers and papers) recently. However, the qscans used are
all very similar in structure and performance. In this article I will be
discussing a "new" method of attack for qscans. If you are unfamiliar with
the classic qscans check out Core Warrior #7 for a good tutorial (by Robert
Macrae). It may also be helpful to take a look at Thermite II (CW 24) or
Twister (CW 35).

In a standard qscan about 16 locations are scanned (in 8 cycles) and then a
JMN check is made to see if anything was found:

s3 for 4
  sne.i   qst+4*bigst*(s3+0), qst+4*bigst*(s3+0)+bigst*1
  seq.i   qst+4*bigst*(s3+0)+bigst*2, qst+4*bigst*(s3+0)+bigst*3
  mov.ab  #qst+4*bigst*(s3+0)-found, found
    rof
  jmn.b   which,  found

The code required for this setup is very small and this is probably the
reason it became a very popular qscan method. But it's inefficient because
of the huge delay between finding a location and bombing the location. This
means that booting warriors are likely to escape the bombs as are most
pspacers.

To remedy this, I started experimenting with this type of scan:

  seq.i   qst+4*bigst, qst+4*bigst+bigst*1
  jmp     kill1
  seq.i   qst+4*bigst+bigst*2, qst+4*bigst+bigst*3
  jmp     kill2

kill1:
  ; find correct location
  ; bomb it
  ; jump to boot routine
kill2: ; similar to kill1

It works, but requires a large amount of code for every scanned location.
There are many possible variations on this "engine". The trick is to find a
nice compromise between size and speed. Here is one of the better qscans
I have written:

offset EQU (start+1000)
COUNT EQU 6

start:
N FOR COUNT
scan&N:
    seq.i  offset+400*N,offset+400*N+100
    jmp    kill&N+1
    seq.i  offset+400*N+200,offset+400*N+300
    jmp    kill&N

ROF
    jmp    boot

GAP EQU 15
REP EQU 6

datb:   dat  GAP,-GAP
dat200: dat  200,200
dat100: dat  100,100


N FOR COUNT
kill&N: add.f  dat200,pos&N
      sne.i  datz,*pos&N
      add.f  dat100,pos&N
hit&N:  mov.i  datb,*pos&N
pos&N:  mov.i  offset+400*N,offset+400*N+GAP/2
      add.f  datb,pos&N
      djn.b  hit&N,#REP
      jmp    boot
ROF

Anders Ivner has also contributed to this issue with his qscan (Q^2) which
has a slightly slower response time than mine but uses a _lot_ less
instructions.

Testing QScan Performance
-------------------------

QScans can be hard to test well so here are some tips on how to test your
own qscans:

- Replace all warrior code with NOP instructions and a JMP to the first NOP
instruction. This technique can be adapted to work with fragmented (non-
sequential) code as well (using JMPs). This way all your booted code will be
executed and you'll die if you warrior was hit by a DAT bomb (this is a Good
Thing for testing purposes).

- pmars -r 8000 -c 100 (8000 rounds, 100 cycles maximum)
This will give you a good idea of how your qscan will perform. Note that
booting warriors will be the toughest to kill followed by pspacers then
qscanners.

- Without actually testing your qscan you can describe its performance by
noting the cycle numbers at which it will actually attack a scanned location.
For example, a standard qscan similar to the one in Twister will roughly
attack in the 14th cycle (for any of 12 locations) and then in the 23rd cycle
and so forth. The qscan in this article will attack in these cycles:
4,5,6,6,7,7,...,14,14,15,15,16,17. Most opponents are very vulnerable in the
early cycles of the battle so attacking as early as possible has its
advantages.

I submitted a warrior to the '94 Hill called Hint Test which was Twister
(Tornado) with the qscan replaced by an earlier, slower version of the qscan
above. Here are some of the results:

Hint Test vs. Twister:     111/68/21
Hint Test vs. Thermite II: 103/59/38

 #   %W /  %L /  %T                       Name               Author Score  Age
...
 7  37.1/ 38.1/ 24.8                 Hint Test        Anton Marsden 136.2    1
...
23  34.8/ 42.7/ 22.6                   Twister          Beppe Bezzi 126.8  373

As you can see, qscan response can have a major effect on your score.
______________________________________________________________________________
Extra Extra
Q^2
by Anders Ivner

[Editor note: Anders wrote a good intro and I decided not to edit it even
though it repeats some of what is said in the hint.]

In a standard quickscan there is a delay between when something (presumably
the enemy) is found and when the quickscan actually reacts.  To shorten this
time tests are generally inserted (say) every fifth qscan block.

Q^2 instead uses the inc/decrementing abilities of the JMP instruction to
react immediately when something is found. This allows it to attack the enemy
on average five cycles earlier than a standard qscan, time that may be
important to catch it in its booting phase.

An example to illustrate what I mean:

  sne
  seq
  jmp   attack,  attack
  sne
  seq
  jmp   attack,  {attack
  sne
  seq
  jmp   attack,  }attack
  sne
  seq
  jmp   attack,  >attack
  sne
  seq
  jmp   attack,  <attack
  sne
  seq
  djn.f attack,  attack

With four different inc/decrement modes and djn.f there is a total of six
different ways for the jump to tell the attacking code where something was
found.

Next, let's look at how this information is decoded. Two entries from a table
containing the qscan step (in various multiplicities) are added to calculate
the correct position:

    dat   1*QS, 4*QS+QBASE-found
tab   dat   0*QS, 0*QS+QBASE-found
    dat   2*QS, 3*QS+QBASE-found

attack   add.ab   tab,  tab
found    mov.b    @attack, #0

That's about it. A further half a cycle (on average) can be optimized away,
but this makes the code harder to follow, and is left as an exercise. :-)
[Editor note: I can do better! This is also left as an exercise. :-)]

Finally, here's some code to show you what this might look like.

/Anders
(The pmars preprocessor certainly is awesome!)

;redcode-94
;name Q^2
;author Anders Ivner
;strategy Qscan with shorter reaction time.
;assert (CORESIZE == 8000)

QBASE equ   (tab+100)
QS1   equ   (100)
QS2   equ   (3*QS1)
QS3   equ   (6*QS2)

QP01  equ   (0*QS2)
QP02  equ   (1*QS2)
QP03  equ   (2*QS2)
QP04  equ   (3*QS2)
QP05  equ   (4*QS2)
QP06  equ   (5*QS2)

HOP01 equ   jmp
SIG01 equ   a01
HOP02 equ   jmp
SIG02 equ   {a01
HOP03 equ   jmp
SIG03 equ   }a01
HOP04 equ   jmp
SIG04 equ   >a01
HOP05 equ   jmp
SIG05 equ   <a01
HOP06 equ   djn.f
SIG06 equ   a01

  org   qq

qq
j  for   3
i  for   6
  sne   QBASE+QP&i+0*QS3+(j-1)*QS1,   QBASE+QP&i+1*QS3+(j-1)*QS1
  seq   QBASE+QP&i+2*QS3+(j-1)*QS1,   QBASE+QP&i+3*QS3+(j-1)*QS1
  HOP&i a&j,  SIG&i
  rof
  rof
  jmp   boot     ;nothing found

  dat   1*QS2,   4*QS2+QBASE-found
tab   dat   0*QS2,   0*QS2+QBASE-found
  dat   2*QS2,   3*QS2+QBASE-found

a03   add   #QS1, @a01
a02   add   #QS1, @a01
a01   add.ab   tab,  tab
found mov.b @a01, #0
  add.ba   found,   test1
test1 sne   QS3+found,@found
  add   #QS3*2,  found
  sne   -100, @found
  add   #QS3, found

  end
______________________________________________________________________________
Extra Extra Extra
Mirrored Imps
by John K. Wilkinson

Justin Kao didn't realize just what he was getting in to when he asked me
what a mirrored imp was... ;->

Okay, here's a good place to start, the mirror imp launch from Two Pack. I'll
try to explain the idea a little more.  First, note the initial weakness
inherent to the mirror imp.  The line "mov imp, imp2" is necessary because a
mirrored imp spiral requires TWO imp instructions intact in the core in order
for it to survive.

-------------
imp_sz  equ     4001
imp2    equ     imp+4000

start mov     imp,    imp2
      spl     1
      spl     1
      spl     1
      spl     1
      spl     2
      jmp     @vector,{0
      jmp     *vector,{0

for 15
      jmp     imp2+imp_sz*vector,  imp+imp_sz*vector
rof
vector  jmp     imp2,           imp
imp     mov.i   #11, imp_sz
-------------

This is a two-point mirrored imp.  If you run it, you'll see that there are
two lines of executing processes 4000 spaces apart.

Since 4001 is NOT an imp number, the executing imp process is not always
updated immediately before it's own execution.  This makes mirror imps more
vulnerable to traditional attack.

Ok, lets look at an example.  Say that we're watching a 2-process, 2-point
mirrored imp spiral.  Two Pack simply launches a 32 process, 2point imp, but
we'll deal with a 2-process one for simplicity.

[100]  mov.i   #11, 4001
[4100] mov.i   #11, 4001
[101]  mov.i   #11, 4001
[4101] mov.i   #11, 4001
[102]  mov.i   #11, 4001
[4102] mov.i   #11, 4001

Here are the executing processes, with the locations they execute in
brackets.  You'll note that while all the intructions on the "top" half of
the mirror are executed immediately after being updated, those on the bottom
half (4100, 4101, 4102) are updated three steps before they are executed.
Hence, the weakness to traditional attack.

However, it does have one clear advantage.  When you go up against a warrior
which uses a 'spiral clear' like that used in SETI or Memories, a two-point
imp will not be cleared away with the assurance that a 3 or 7 point imp would
be.  Also, any warrior which attempts to "decode" the impstep, and use that
to wipe imps away will get the number 4001, which will only wipe away half of
the imp.

Next advantage?  Let's imagine a warrior has a 100% ">" gate at 4101...

[100]  mov.i   #11, 4001
[4100] mov.i   #11, 4001
[101]  mov.i   #11, 4001
[4101] mov.i   #11, 4004    ;got inc'd 3 times, totally screwing us up
[102]  dat     0,   0       ;lost half the imp! :_(
[4102] mov.i   #11, 4001    ;But hark!  THIS location already had an imp
                    on it, because the imp was unaffected at the
                    time the process at 101 was executed.
Therefore, if we're lucky enough to have 4103 be an exectuable instruction,
we have busted the gate, and saved our ass from a sure loss.  After that, we
can only pray that whatever part of our opponent's code we're executing
doesn't go suicide on us. :-)

The second problem is an inherent consequence of the first difficulty.  That
is, when you only have two imp points, and two of them need to be intact in
order to survive, a single stun attack AUTOMATICALLY will be at least
somewhat effective.

The solution to these two problems?  Well, Paul Kline came up with the idea
for the 6-point mirrored imp.  In fact, any imp_number+4000 will work as a
mirrored imp step size.  In addition to the most important advantage of not
putting all your eggs(imps:) in two baskets, the 6-point imp gives a second
advantage to the mirroring idea: increased resistance to gates.

Here's a code snipet from the six-point imp warrior I was working on.
It's jmp/add launched, which helps a great deal against certain scanners
and bombers.

-------------
imp_sz  equ     (2667+4000)
imp     equ     (impin+2000)
imp2    equ     (imp+4000)

start   mov     impin,  imp
      mov     imp,    imp2
      spl     1
      spl     1
      spl     1
      spl     adder-1
      spl     2
      jmp     *vector, 0
      jmp     @vector, 0
      jmp     1
adder   add.f   inc,    vector
inc     dat     imp_sz, imp_sz
vector  jmp     imp2,   imp
impin   mov.i   #11, imp_sz
-------------

Now, I'll leave it up to you to see why it is that the greater-than-
two-point variety of mirrored spiral performs a little better against gates.
However, I must confess that mirrored imps' ability to perform in battle
alone doesn't justify my interest in them.  Mirrored imps only have
_significant_ advantages against scanners with a spiral clears and warriors
with those special mirror-vulnerable gates, so use them with care. ;-)
______________________________________________________________________________
Questions?  Concerns?  Comments?  Complaints?  Mail them to people who care.
authors: Beppe Bezzi <bezzi@nemo.it> or Myer Bremer <bremermr@ecn.purdue.edu>
or Anton Marsden <amarsden@comp.vuw.ac.nz>




From: sd@ecst.csuchico.edu (Lord Kymbote)
Subject: new x hill idea
Date: 1996/07/08
Message-ID: <4rs3u9$4uc@charnel.ecst.csuchico.edu>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar



I had idea for an experimental hill the other day.  What about
a hill where wins are worth more points, like 5 or 7?  Or ties
are worth 0?  It would promote different techniques, but would
anyone try it?

I suppose it wouldn't get less traffic than the current x hill. :)

Thos




From: sd@ecst.csuchico.edu (Lord Kymbote)
Subject: Re: showing selected portions of your source
Date: 1996/07/08
Message-ID: <4rs3pl$4u5@charnel.ecst.csuchico.edu>#1/1
references: <199607041518.KAA13701@mail.utexas.edu> <Pine.SOL.3.93.960705120846.12672B-100000@fred>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


In article <Pine.SOL.3.93.960705120846.12672B-100000@fred>,
Ross Morgan-Linial  <rmorganl@fhcrc.org> wrote:
>On 4 Jul 1996 jwilkinson@mail.utexas.edu wrote:
>
>:-)>If everyone agrees that individual scores should be available for all
>:-)>the warriors, I guess we don't need the ";show [no]scores" command.
>:-)>Is this the general consensus?
>:-)
>:-)It looks like it.
>
>Yep.

Very well.  Individual scores will be available for all warriors.

>:-)>About showing only selected portions of source, I like Beppe's
>:-)>;show [on / off] idea, but its sure to be abused with "for 0 / rof".
>:-)>How about something like ";show [nosource / noequ / source]"?
>:-)>Either showing no source at all, no lines containing equ's, or
>:-)>all source.  I'm open to other ideas too.
>
>Or we could just always show for/rof lines...
>And put a comment in the code saying lines have been hidden, like,
>; 10 lines not shown

hmm.  A nice idea, but I think I like the nosource / noequ idea the
most.  It would make it possible to change it later.  At first, you
could have it set to nosource, then if it lives a long time, you could
change it to noequ, giving a glimpse without giving too much away.

What do the rest of you think?

Thos

--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\/~~\ /~~~\/\  / \  \ / /~\ /~~~~~YY~~~\\   /~~
Thomas "Thos" Davies             V       \/\ /\  V /   V    |\/\/|  V\ /
sd@ecst.csuchico.edu                        V  \  /         |  / |    V
                     Internet Pizza Server      \/          | /\ |
  Member C.W.M.    Corewar King of the Hill information     |/oo\| CAVE ON
   Since 1987    http://www.ecst.csuchico.edu/~pizza/koth/   |/\|



From: KOTH Tourney Server <koth>
Subject: SKI-ICWS: Status - MultiWarrior 94 07/08/96
Date: 1996/07/08
Message-ID: <199607080400.AAA12148@valhalla.stormking.com>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


			Weekly Status on  07/08/96

***NEW***
	On line pre-compile and the Wilkies Benchmark now available!
***NEW***

See up to the second scores and the latest Core War information at :

		http://www.stormking.com/~koth
	  *FAQ* http://www.stormking.com/~koth/corewar-faq.html

Current Status of the StormKing Industries Multiwarrior 94 CoreWar Hill:

Last battle concluded at : Wed Jun 26 00:19:02 EDT 1996
 
 #                      Name               Author   Score     Age
 1            Super Evol Cap       John Wilkinson    5035       4
 2            90% Cotton v5c            Wilkinson    5035      22
 3                Son of Imp       Steven Morrell    5035      40
 4                        TJ    Maurizio Vittuari    5035      16
 5                60% Cotton            Wilkinson    5035      23
 6                  sisyphus                Kafka    5035       5
 7                     TESTI    Maurizio Vittuari    5023      15
 8                  Die Hard              P.Kline    5022      27
 9               Evol Cap --       John Wilkinson    4999       6
10              rhodium v1.4   Martin M. Pedersen    4962       1

11          Fork v0.2-9p/51b    Christoph C. Birk    4951       2



From: KOTH Tourney Server <koth>
Subject: SKI-ICWS: Status - ICWS Experimental 94 07/08/96
Date: 1996/07/08
Message-ID: <199607080400.AAA24197@valhalla.stormking.com>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


			Weekly Status on  07/08/96

***NEW***
	On line pre-compile and the Wilkies Benchmark now available!
***NEW***

See up to the second scores and the latest Core War information at :

		http://www.stormking.com/~koth
	  *FAQ* http://www.stormking.com/~koth/corewar-faq.html

Current Status of the StormKing Industries ICWS Experimental 94 CoreWar Hill:

Last battle concluded at : Tue Jul 2 01:33:04 EDT 1996
 
 #  %W/ %L/ %T                      Name               Author   Score     Age
 1  35/  3/ 62              Evol Cap 4 X       John Wilkinson     166      21
 2  47/ 38/ 15             Frontwards v2       Steven Morrell     156      51
 3  47/ 38/ 14            Illusion-94/55         Randy Graham     156       3
 4  47/ 40/ 13                  Memories          Beppe Bezzi     153      28
 5  41/ 30/ 28               Lithium X 8     John K Wilkinson     153      12
 6  44/ 36/ 21                  Derision           M R Bremer     151      38
 7  42/ 34/ 24                    BigBoy        Robert Macrae     151      46
 8  44/ 38/ 17        Stepping Stone 94x          Kurt Franke     150       7
 9  34/ 22/ 45             Variation M-1              Jay Han     145       1
10  44/ 46/ 10              S.E.T.I. 4-X                  JKW     143      22
11  43/ 44/ 13                     Pagan             John K W     143       6
12  37/ 34/ 29             Tornado 2.0 x          Beppe Bezzi     139      45
13  31/ 24/ 45                   Aleph 1              Jay Han     139      11
14  39/ 41/ 20           Fire Master Xv1            JS Pulido     138      43
15  38/ 44/ 18                   Watcher          Kurt Franke     132      44
16  28/ 24/ 48                  Hector 2          Kurt Franke     131      41
17  38/ 46/ 16                 Watcher-h          Kurt Franke     131      40
18  39/ 51/ 11        Withershins Thrice              P.Kline     126       4
19  32/ 40/ 28                      Riff       Steven Morrell     124       2
20  30/ 36/ 35                  Nice Try           M R Bremer     124      50

21  10/ 64/ 26                Magicus #1 The Mage aka Chris C      56       0



From: KOTH Tourney Server <koth>
Subject: SKI-ICWS: Status - ICWS Tournament 07/08/96
Date: 1996/07/08
Message-ID: <199607080400.AAA26217@valhalla.stormking.com>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


			Weekly Status on  07/08/96

***NEW***
	On line pre-compile and the Wilkies Benchmark now available!
***NEW***

See up to the second scores and the latest Core War information at :

		http://www.stormking.com/~koth
	  *FAQ* http://www.stormking.com/~koth/corewar-faq.html

Current Status of the StormKing Industries Annual ICWS Tournament CoreWar Hill:

Last battle concluded at : Tue Jun 4 06:47:05 EDT 1996
 
 #  %W/ %L/ %T                      Name               Author   Score     Age
 1  45/ 11/ 44                 Cannonade           Paul Kline     180      91
 2  51/ 34/ 16             Miss Carefree           Derek Ross     167      23
 3  46/ 33/ 20              Giskard v0.5           Ken Mitton     159      64
 4  33/ 15/ 52           Nothing Special             G. Eadon     151       6
 5  33/ 18/ 49                    Turkey          Beppe Bezzi     149       7
 6  47/ 45/  8                   Agony T        Stefan Strack     149      92
 7  39/ 29/ 32      Pommes-Ketchup V1.35         S. Schroeder     149       4
 8  43/ 42/ 14                    test88              P.Kline     144      10
 9  41/ 41/ 18            Old Tire Swing         Randy Graham     142      48
10  39/ 38/ 23          Yop La Boum v2.1         P.E.M & E.C.     140      21
11  40/ 44/ 16                Miss Carry           Derek Ross     135      55
12  29/ 24/ 47              One Fat Lady        Robert Macrae     134       8
13  39/ 46/ 14                 Traper3_t    Waldemar Bartolik     132       1
14  39/ 47/ 14              Slaver v1.1i    Christoph C. Birk     131      52
15  37/ 46/ 17                  Illusion         Randy Graham     127      50
16  37/ 49/ 15          DoubleStone v0.7    Christoph C. Birk     125      34
17  30/ 36/ 33                     Chris       Steven Morrell     124      13
18  38/ 54/  7                       xtc      stefan roettger     121      96
19  35/ 52/ 13                   Traper3    Waldemar Bartolik     117       3
20  35/ 52/ 13                   Traper3    Waldemar Bartolik     117       2

21  32/ 49/ 19              WhirlWind-88         Randy Graham     114      28



From: KOTH Tourney Server <koth>
Subject: SKI-ICWS: Status - Multiwarrior Experimental 94 07/08/96
Date: 1996/07/08
Message-ID: <199607080400.AAA33408@valhalla.stormking.com>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


			Weekly Status on  07/08/96

***NEW***
	On line pre-compile and the Wilkies Benchmark now available!
***NEW***

See up to the second scores and the latest Core War information at :

		http://www.stormking.com/~koth
	  *FAQ* http://www.stormking.com/~koth/corewar-faq.html

Current Status of the StormKing Industries MultiWarrior Experimental 94 CoreWar Hill:

Last battle concluded at : Thu Jun 6 02:34:44 EDT 1996
 
 #                      Name               Author   Score     Age
 1          TimeScapeX (0.1)       J. Pohjalainen    5901      59
 2             This is Test1          Kurt Franke    5901      24
 3                     Test2         George Eadon    5901      19
 4                     jaded           M R Bremer    5901      30
 5                    Paper8             G. Eadon    5877      25
 6                  Paperone          Beppe Bezzi    5854      44
 7          Fork v0.2-9p/51b    Christoph C. Birk    5852       1
 8                  Gluttony             J E Long    5851      17
 9                Saat V2.01         S. Schroeder    5748      13
10                   Shwing!         T. H. Davies    5747      55
11           Wait A Lot v0.1           Justin Kao    5732       4
12                 Anthill 5               Planar    5400      21
13      Pommes-Ketchup V1.35         S. Schroeder    5236       8
14                      life        Nandor Sieben    5193      60
15                Leviathan2             harleyQ2    5180      11
16                 lifedwarf        Nandor Sieben    4930      36
17                    Hidden M.C.Diskett Bullfrog    4851      29
18             Variation M-1              Jay Han    4798       6
19                 Leviathan             harleyQ2    4352      12
20                   Piggy 3              Bob Uhl    4163      32

21                   Escape2    Philipp Offermann     151       0



From: KOTH Tourney Server <koth>
Subject: SKI-ICWS: Status - Standard 07/08/96
Date: 1996/07/08
Message-ID: <199607080400.AAA33371@valhalla.stormking.com>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


			Weekly Status on  07/08/96

***NEW***
	On line pre-compile and the Wilkies Benchmark now available!
***NEW***

See up to the second scores and the latest Core War information at :

		http://www.stormking.com/~koth
	  *FAQ* http://www.stormking.com/~koth/corewar-faq.html

Current Status of the StormKing Industries Standard KotH CoreWar Hill :

Last battle concluded at : Thu Jul 4 15:03:04 EDT 1996
 
 #  %W/ %L/ %T                      Name               Author   Score     Age
 1  43/ 35/ 21                 PacMan v5          David Moore     152       4
 2  33/ 20/ 47   CAPS KEY IS STUCK AGAIN       Steven Morrell     146     102
 3  30/ 15/ 55                      ttti        nandor sieben     145      86
 4  31/ 20/ 49                     Hydra      Stephen Linhart     142     210
 5  29/ 17/ 54                 Cannonade              P.Kline     142     136
 6  31/ 20/ 50              Blue Funk 88       Steven Morrell     141     100
 7  40/ 40/ 20                    Stasis          David Moore     140      12
 8  35/ 31/ 34          Yop La Boum v2.1         P.E.M & E.C.     139      36
 9  31/ 23/ 45                      Test       Wayne Sheppard     139     125
10  29/ 20/ 50                    K-test                P.E.M     139       8
11  37/ 36/ 27              Keystone t21              P.Kline     137     123
12  25/ 12/ 63               Imperfic II       John Wilkinson     137      22
13  28/ 20/ 52                     Peace            Mr. Jones     136     110
14  40/ 45/ 15                 Iron Gate       Wayne Sheppard     134     230
15  37/ 42/ 21       Beholder's Eye V1.7         W. Mintardjo     131     180
16  33/ 37/ 30               Christopher      Stephen Morrell     128     101
17  35/ 42/ 23                   Tuctest        Elmer J. Fudd     127      30
18  33/ 39/ 28              Giskard v0.5           Ken Mitton     127      74
19  33/ 45/ 21              Request v2.0     Brant D. Thomsen     121      72
20  30/ 50/ 20                Gisela 2G6   Andrzej Maciejczak     111       1

21  18/ 75/  7              Speedy V 1.0     Robert F. Tobler      62       0



From: stst@idnsun.gpct.Vanderbilt.Edu (Stefan Strack)
Subject: Re: showing selected portions of your source
Date: 1996/07/09
Message-ID: <9607092344.AA06582@idnsun.gpct.Vanderbilt.Edu.noname>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


JKW wrote:
>I really don't like that.  If you really want to hide entire lines
>you could do something like this:
>
>AAA equ jmp
>BBB equ -1
>CCC equ <gate
>
>AAA BBB CCC

Or:

gater EQU jmp -1, <gate

gater

Also: multi-line EQUs for entire code segments.

-Stefan



From: jwilkinson@mail.utexas.edu
Subject: Da Ziz
Date: 1996/07/09
Message-ID: <199607092145.QAA14953@mail.utexas.edu>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


Woo!  This may not do to well on the Hill, but, as the ;strategy line
says, I've finally created a warrior that is able to hold it's own against
every imp/stone I ran it against!  At the moment, there are only 2 on the
-94 Hill, so it didn't make it big...

However, as a p-component, it could be a way to get some wins v ompega
and rosebud, and to guard yourself against future imp/stones... because
I can't imagine this doing TOO poorly against any of them. :/
I may stick this in a new Armory II...

As you may notice this was myZizzor originally.  The main problem I saw
with that warrior was that if it found a decoy, such as a djn train,
it doomed itself to lose by wasting all of it's time carpet bombing
it.  The solution?  Well, I moved the pointer back from the code, and
replaced the "jmz" line with a "djn."  This allows the warrior to give
up, if it's done too much bombing... presumably against a large decoy
of some sort.  It then switches over, in a sort of one-shot-scanner fashion
to a p-clear, starting at the location it last scanned.

And, the bomb it uses for stunning has a "1" b-field, so when it hits
the check line, it automatically stops, and goes to the core clear.
Also, if you want it to kill papers, you could just replace the d-clear
with a spl/dat clear.  You'd lose something against imp/stones, though...

Not too effective against most bombers and scanners, but it has it's niche.
Enjoy. :)

;redcode-94
;name Da Ziz
;kill Da Ziz
;author John K W
;assert CORESIZE > 100
;strategy Gets about 185/100 vs blue candle, impfinity, rosebud
;strategy and blue funk 3... does ok against evolcap 6.6, and
;strategy juliet storm as well.

org start

step EQU 8

for step-1
        dat     1,      1
rof
check   dat     1,      25

for 5
dat 0, 0
rof

gate    dat     0,      100

for 10
dat 0, 0
rof

start
p       add.ab  #step,  gate
rep     jmz.f   p,      @gate
        mov.i   b1,     >gate
        djn.b   rep,    check
b2      spl     #-1,    {gate
        mov.i   3,      >gate
        mov.i   2,      >gate
        djn.f   -1,     >gate
b3      dat.f   -1,     -1+b1-check+10
b1      spl     -1,     1




From: jwilkinson@mail.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: new x hill idea
Date: 1996/07/09
Message-ID: <199607091519.KAA31840@mail.utexas.edu>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


>
>I had idea for an experimental hill the other day.  What about
>a hill where wins are worth more points, like 5 or 7?  Or ties
>are worth 0?  It would promote different techniques, but would
>anyone try it?
>
>I suppose it wouldn't get less traffic than the current x hill. :)
>
>Thos

How about S = W*3 + L

Just a reversal of ties and losses?  Ie, "give me victory or give me death!" :)




From: jwilkinson@mail.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: showing selected portions of your source
Date: 1996/07/09
Message-ID: <199607091528.KAA09666@mail.utexas.edu>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


>>Or we could just always show for/rof lines...
>>And put a comment in the code saying lines have been hidden, like,
>>; 10 lines not shown
>
>hmm.  A nice idea, but I think I like the nosource / noequ idea the
>most.  It would make it possible to change it later.  At first, you
>could have it set to nosource, then if it lives a long time, you could
>change it to noequ, giving a glimpse without giving too much away.

I really don't like that.  If you really want to hide entire lines
you could do something like this:

AAA equ jmp
BBB equ -1
CCC equ <gate

AAA BBB CCC

So, problem solved, eh?




From: jwilkinson@mail.utexas.edu
Subject: A pit...
Date: 1996/07/10
Message-ID: <199607102017.PAA23199@mail.utexas.edu>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


Well, I found that overall this was about the best pit I could imagine.
Due to the nature of "spl 1" and "spl -1", this will not accidentally
turn into a place that the enemy can find solace.  Ie, were I to use
an "spl 0"...  The brainwash washes just about every location with 1...
and still creates lots of processes...

qclr    dat     1,      1
qpit    spl     1,      0
        spl     -1,     0
        stp.ab  >-1,    -1
        mov     qclr,   >1
        jmp     -1,     100

It actually earned an extra 3 points over the pit that I ripped straight
from Die Hard...




From: sieben@imap1.asu.edu
Subject: Re: Core War/Redcode as a teaching tool?
Date: 1996/07/10
Message-ID: <4s0k0c$8g8@news.asu.edu>#1/1
references: <spike.836971469@dolphin>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


Michael Barlow (spike@dolphin.cs.adfa.oz.au) wrote:
: I was wondering if anyone has any experience of or knowledge
: regarding the use of Core Wars/Redcode in teaching assembler?

I saw a homepage about a class description, where the students had to 
write a corewar system. Something like filling out a skeleton system. I 
realize it's different but maybe they tried other things. I don't 
remember the location, but I've found it by following the links in one of 
the corewar pages.

Nandor.



From: bremermr@cartoon.ecn.purdue.edu (Myer R. Bremer)
Subject: Re: Core War/Redcode as a teaching tool?
Date: 1996/07/10
Message-ID: <4rvfft$cnr@mozo.cc.purdue.edu>#1/1
references: <spike.836971469@dolphin>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


In article <spike.836971469@dolphin>,
Michael Barlow <spike@dolphin.cs.adfa.oz.au> wrote:
>
>This session I am teaching "Computer Systems Architecture 2"
>which is basically a 1 session, 2nd year course that introduces
>students to assembler programming and operating systems.
>
>For the assembler component I've decided on James Larus'
>excellent MIPS emulator (spim/xspim).
>
>However it occured to me that Core Wars might serve as an additional
>tool to capture student interest and teach various addressing modes.
>School of Computer Science	ADFA, Uni of NSW
>ACT, Australia

(stuff deleted.  i can't post unless i write more than i quote.)

greetings.

i am a quasi-computer science major, actually an engineering major
trying desparately to get my CS degree at the same time, and i 
had a computer architecture class using the same MIPS emulator.
it's been awhile and anyone can jump in here, but i think MIPS
and redcode aren't very similar when it comes to addressing modes.
sure all the instructions are nearly the same, but i don't 
remember any indirect addressing in MIPS, let alone all the
pre/post inc/dec indirect addressing.  plus MIPS is load/store
and thankfully redcode isn't.  hopefully i'm wrong, because
i think it is a great idea.  playing a game is always more fun
than writing memory managers (and a lot easier).  plus i'd
love to see a whole computer science class addicted to core
war.  bring on the new blood.

m r bremer




From: Robert Macrae <ff95@dial.pipex.com>
Subject: Re: Core War/Redcode as a teaching tool?
Date: 1996/07/10
Message-ID: <4rvqjd$gt0@soap.news.pipex.net>#1/1
references: <spike.836971469@dolphin>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


spike@dolphin.cs.adfa.oz.au (Michael Barlow) wrote:
>I was wondering if anyone has any experience of or knowledge
>regarding the use of Core Wars/Redcode in teaching assembler?
>
>This session I am teaching "Computer Systems Architecture 2"
>which is basically a 1 session, 2nd year course that introduces
>students to assembler programming and operating systems.
..

Great idea on the motivational front. 

Not sure that structure fetishists would approve :)




From: spike@dolphin.cs.adfa.oz.au (Michael Barlow)
Subject: Core War/Redcode as a teaching tool?
Date: 1996/07/10
Message-ID: <spike.836971469@dolphin>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


I was wondering if anyone has any experience of or knowledge
regarding the use of Core Wars/Redcode in teaching assembler?

This session I am teaching "Computer Systems Architecture 2"
which is basically a 1 session, 2nd year course that introduces
students to assembler programming and operating systems.

For the assembler component I've decided on James Larus'
excellent MIPS emulator (spim/xspim).

However it occured to me that Core Wars might serve as an additional
tool to capture student interest and teach various addressing modes.

I'm keen to hear of anyone's experience of Core Wars as a teaching
tool.

Thanks in advance......................................Spike
						    Bun Bu RyoDo
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Michael Barlow		spike@csadfa.cs.adfa.oz.au
School of Computer Science	ADFA, Uni of NSW
ACT, Australia



From: "Steven C. Morrell" <morrell@math.utah.edu>
Subject: Re: showing selected portions of your source
Date: 1996/07/11
Message-ID: <CMM.0.90.2.837112899.morrell@jeeves.math.utah.edu>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


Stefan Strack wrote:
]JKW wrote:
]>I really don't like that.  If you really want to hide entire lines
]>you could do something like this:
]>
]>AAA equ jmp
]>BBB equ -1
]>CCC equ <gate
]>
]>AAA BBB CCC
]
]Or:
]
]gater EQU jmp -1, <gate
]
]gater
]
]Also: multi-line EQUs for entire code segments.
]
]-Stefan

Ack!  Since my machine still runs pMars v0.63 (or so), I tested Frontwards
using a line that stated:

stp EQU nop

Well, that doesn't work like you would expect.  Here is some bad code and
what it compiles to using either 0.63 or 0.80:

;redcode

org label

bad equ cmp

label cmp 0,0
bad label,label

end


START CMP 0,0
      CMP -2,-2


As I recall, this only affected backward-referencing labels.  In any case,
don't get carried away with the EQU statements unless you check the
compiled code very carefully, or it may not run correctly.  And I doubt
future releases will be backward compatible with this feature, so don't use
it for warriors you want to archive.

-- 
Steven Morrell              morrell@math.utah.edu



From: Anders Ivner <d91andiv@und.ida.liu.se>
Subject: Re: showing selected portions of your source
Date: 1996/07/11
Message-ID: <9607111141.AA06527@su1-4.ida.liu.se>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


> >OK, so I guess you're in favor of ";show [on/off]" and always showing
> >for lines?  I guess if they want you to see the whole thing, they could
> >just publish it.
> >
> >Anyone else want to get into this discussion?
> >
> 
> I like more the 'show on/off' thing, mainly because not all equ are of the
> same importance, while one may want to hide some code even if publishing the
> remaining part of the warrior.

One bad thing about show on/off is that you can't ;change it.
For that purpouse it would be better with something like
;hide [LINENUMBERS]
or maybe
;hide [EQUs], ie hide specific EQUs (;hide STEP, BOOTDIST etc)

/Anders



From: Ross Morgan-Linial <rmorganl@fhcrc.org>
Subject: Re: new x hill idea
Date: 1996/07/11
Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.3.93.960711150435.12362B-100000@fred>#1/1
references: <199607091519.KAA31840@mail.utexas.edu>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


On 9 Jul 1996 jwilkinson@mail.utexas.edu wrote:

//>
//>I had idea for an experimental hill the other day.  What about
//>a hill where wins are worth more points, like 5 or 7?  Or ties
//>are worth 0?  It would promote different techniques, but would
//>anyone try it?
//>
//>I suppose it wouldn't get less traffic than the current x hill. :)
//>

This is OK...

//>Thos
//
//How about S = W*3 + L
//
//Just a reversal of ties and losses?  Ie, "give me victory or give me death!" :)
//

No.

Another idea. How about a "small hill"? Coresize 1000 or so. 50
instruction limit, mabie. 

      ********************
      *Ross Morgan-Linial*         
      *rmorganl@fhcrc.org*         
      ********************

Tragedy is when I cut my finger.  
Comedy is when _you_ walk into    
an open sewer and die.            
                   -- Mel Brooks 







From: bremermr@cartoon.ecn.purdue.edu (Myer R. Bremer)
Subject: Re: Core War/Redcode as a teaching tool?
Date: 1996/07/11
Message-ID: <4s3665$iev@mozo.cc.purdue.edu>#1/1
references: <spike.836971469@dolphin> <Pine.SOL.3.91.960711214115.25816A-100000@regent.comp.vuw.ac.nz>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


In article <Pine.SOL.3.91.960711214115.25816A-100000@regent.comp.vuw.ac.nz>,
Anton Marsden  <amarsden@news.comp.vuw.ac.nz> wrote:
>On 10 Jul 1996, Michael Barlow wrote:
>> I was wondering if anyone has any experience of or knowledge
>> regarding the use of Core Wars/Redcode in teaching assembler?
>
>The way I see it, the advantages to learning Redcode are:
>1) The instructions are all 1 word long and there's a great simulator 
>(pmarsv) which can be used to trace through a program. Additionally, 
>there's the visual component - you see which instructions are being executed.
>2) Indirect addressing is easy to demonstrate using Redcode... however, 
>since you can use both the A-field and B-field of a word for indirection 
>it could be kind of confusing.
>

you could eliminate the confusion by just teaching the old '88
standard of redcode.  and then the players could assult the 
'88 hill at stormking.  maybe that will make it easier for them
to get on.  or create your own hill.   sending beginner
assembler programmers against the '94 hill veterans could be
discouraging for young minds. 8)

m r bremer




From: Anton Marsden <amarsden@news.comp.vuw.ac.nz>
Subject: Re: Core War/Redcode as a teaching tool?
Date: 1996/07/11
Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.3.91.960711214115.25816A-100000@regent.comp.vuw.ac.nz>#1/1
references: <spike.836971469@dolphin>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


On 10 Jul 1996, Michael Barlow wrote:
> I was wondering if anyone has any experience of or knowledge
> regarding the use of Core Wars/Redcode in teaching assembler?

The way I see it, the advantages to learning Redcode are:
1) The instructions are all 1 word long and there's a great simulator 
(pmarsv) which can be used to trace through a program. Additionally, 
there's the visual component - you see which instructions are being executed.
2) Indirect addressing is easy to demonstrate using Redcode... however, 
since you can use both the A-field and B-field of a word for indirection 
it could be kind of confusing.

> However it occured to me that Core Wars might serve as an additional
> tool to capture student interest and teach various addressing modes.

It may be difficult to capture student interest... even writing your 
first successful warrior can take some time... but for little non-warrior 
programs it would be easy to use.





From: jwilkinson@mail.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: showing selected portions of your source
Date: 1996/07/11
Message-ID: <199607110634.BAA32247@mail.utexas.edu>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


>OK, so I guess you're in favor of ";show [on/off]" and always showing
>for lines?  I guess if they want you to see the whole thing, they could
>just publish it.
>
>Anyone else want to get into this discussion?

What??  No no no.  I like the ;show on/off/noequ idea!  You can hide entire
segments of code, through equ lines, if you want to... it's the perfect
solution.




From: Beppe Bezzi <bezzi@nemo.it>
Subject: Re: showing selected portions of your source
Date: 1996/07/11
Message-ID: <B0000189009@nemont.nemo.it>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


sd@ecst.csuchico.edu (Lord Kymbote) wrote:
>Stefan Strack wrote:
>>JKW wrote:
>>>I really don't like that.  If you really want to hide entire lines
>>>you could do something like this:
>>>
>>>AAA equ jmp
>>>BBB equ -1
>>>CCC equ <gate
>>
>>Or:
>>
>>gater EQU jmp -1, <gate
>
>OK, so I guess you're in favor of ";show [on/off]" and always showing
>for lines?  I guess if they want you to see the whole thing, they could
>just publish it.
>
>Anyone else want to get into this discussion?
>

I like more the 'show on/off' thing, mainly because not all equ are of the
same importance, while one may want to hide some code even if publishing the
remaining part of the warrior.

It's true that the show on/off allows things like:

;name Jack in the box 
...

;show off

[warrior code]

;show on 

        mov     0,1

for MAXLENGTH-CURLINE
        dat     0,0
rof

But this will be the same thing as using fake strategy lines or posting a
warrior for another, nothing but a joke :-)

>Thos
>
>

-Beppe





From: Justin Kao <102741.2022@CompuServe.COM>
Subject: Corewar documents
Date: 1996/07/11
Message-ID: <960711035348_102741.2022_GHT84-1@CompuServe.COM>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


Would anyone want Corewar documents collected and linked as html files?  And 
are there any free programs to convert Windows help files to html?  So far
my help file includes:

Core War FAQ
My First Corewar Book by Steven Morrell
Introduction to Redcode by Mark A. Durham
cdb Primer & 94 Primer both from pMARS
Core Warrior Hints by Beppie Bezzi
Intro to Art in 88
Annotated Draft of the Proposed 1994 Core War Standard 3.2
Redcode Reference from pMARS

and I am almost finished adding the Hint/Helps from The '94 Warrior.


Justin Kao
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/jkao



From: sd@ecst.csuchico.edu (Lord Kymbote)
Subject: Re: showing selected portions of your source
Date: 1996/07/11
Message-ID: <4s1jgm$odc@charnel.ecst.csuchico.edu>#1/1
references: <9607092344.AA06582@idnsun.gpct.Vanderbilt.Edu.noname>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


Stefan Strack wrote:
>JKW wrote:
>>I really don't like that.  If you really want to hide entire lines
>>you could do something like this:
>>
>>AAA equ jmp
>>BBB equ -1
>>CCC equ <gate
>
>Or:
>
>gater EQU jmp -1, <gate

OK, so I guess you're in favor of ";show [on/off]" and always showing
for lines?  I guess if they want you to see the whole thing, they could
just publish it.

Anyone else want to get into this discussion?

Thos




From: jwilkinson@mail.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: new x hill idea
Date: 1996/07/12
Message-ID: <199607130015.TAA16404@mail.utexas.edu>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


>//No?  What do you mean "no?"
>
>I don't "no"...

Uhm.

>//I think bigger cores would be more interesting.  I think Stormking's -94x
>//Hill should be increased to 554,400 cycles or more, and the maximum program
>//length increased to 600, 650, or maybe 700 instructions.
>
>My only objection is, nobody seems interested in the 'x hill like it is,
>so just expanding on the idea might not help...

The only problem with the -94x Hill is that really the only viable strategy
are imp/stones...  The main reason being that the cramped 200 instruction
limit, and the 500,000 cycle time limit contrict your options, and don't
give gates enough time to catch imps, respectively.

>//This would allow for gigantic high-components pspacers, something we've never
>//seen before, really, and for Big Hill qscanners.
>
>On the other hand, it would make it a little harder for non-pspacers, and
>just have the same strategies, scaled up...

Perhaps, but I think the idea of having 15 or so pspace strategies would
be interesting!




From: jwilkinson@mail.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: A suggestion for hill format
Date: 1996/07/12
Message-ID: <199607122116.QAA04708@mail.utexas.edu>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


>Your program Rosebud fights 200 times:
>Rosebud wins: 114       pts: 364 (182)
>Mist wins: 64           pts: 214 (107)
>Ties: 22
>
>The score in () is averaged to 100 fights, like the hill score, and perhaps
>more meaningful.

I mailed this to thos a while back, but never got a reply...

Currently it's like this:

---
Your program Armory II fights 200 times:
Armory II wins: 110
test me1 wins: 74
Ties: 16
---

I would like to see this:

---
"Armory II" vs. "test me 1"
Your wlt: 110 / 74 / 16
Your score: 173
Its  score: 119
---


Their are two major advantages.  Obviously, you don't need to whip out a
calculator to compute individual scores.  And by putting the names up on
top, everything can be organized and well spaced to be in a sort of
homogenous fashion, so it's easier to find the scores at-a-glance.

Surely no one could object to THIS change? :-)




From: jwilkinson@mail.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: new x hill idea
Date: 1996/07/12
Message-ID: <199607122106.QAA22149@mail.utexas.edu>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


>//How about S = W*3 + L
>//
>//Just a reversal of ties and losses?  Ie, "give me victory or give me
death!" :)
>//
>
>No.

No?  What do you mean "no?"

>Another idea. How about a "small hill"? Coresize 1000 or so. 50
>instruction limit, mabie. 

I think bigger cores would be more interesting.  I think Stormking's -94x
Hill should be increased to 554,400 cycles or more, and the maximum program
length increased to 600, 650, or maybe 700 instructions.

This would allow for gigantic high-components pspacers, something we've never
seen before, really, and for Big Hill qscanners.




From: stst@idnsun.gpct.Vanderbilt.Edu (Stefan Strack)
Subject: Re:  pMARS 0.8.0 286 binaries?  Aaaugh!
Date: 1996/07/12
Message-ID: <9607120623.AA07155@idnsun.gpct.Vanderbilt.Edu.noname>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


>I can't find a copy of the pMARS 286 binaries anywhere!  [..]

pmars286.zip  is back at 
http://www.stormking.com/~koth/pmars.html

-Stefan



From: Beppe Bezzi <bezzi@nemo.it>
Subject: Re: new x hill idea
Date: 1996/07/12
Message-ID: <B0000189181@nemont.nemo.it>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


At 21.13 08/07/96 -0400, you wrote:
>
>I had idea for an experimental hill the other day.  What about
>a hill where wins are worth more points, like 5 or 7?  Or ties
>are worth 0?  It would promote different techniques, but would
>anyone try it?
>
>I suppose it wouldn't get less traffic than the current x hill. :)
>

What about this one:

Count the warrior vs warrior score and give 3 points to the winner if the
difference is more than 20 (10%) wins, if not 1 point each. The overall
score can be used but as a tie break for pushoffs.


>Thos
>
>

-Beppe





From: Beppe Bezzi <bezzi@nemo.it>
Subject: A suggestion for hill format
Date: 1996/07/12
Message-ID: <B0000189182@nemont.nemo.it>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


If it's not a big trouble, reporting also the score, in pints, togther with
the wins and losses against each warrior. Example:

...

A challenger has arrived on the ICWS '94 Draft hill!  Vital statistics:
...

Your program Rosebud fights 200 times:
Rosebud wins: 114       pts: 364 (182)
Mist wins: 64           pts: 214 (107)
Ties: 22

The score in () is averaged to 100 fights, like the hill score, and perhaps
more meaningful.

-Beppe






From: kelvin@unix.infoserve.net (Kelvin)
Subject: GAMER SURVEY! PC GAMERS SHOULD PARTICIPATE!
Date: 1996/07/12
Message-ID: <4s4bgu$d5n@news.infoserve.net>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


Hi everyone! This is a PC games survery for every gamers! Your
opinions 
are very important to every game programmers, and affect the next 
generation of PC gaming.

Please answer the following question.

GAMERS SURVEY
-=-=-=-=-=-=-

1. How old are you?

2. Where do you live? 

3. What type of computer(s) do you have? (Speed and RAM)

4. What Operating system are you using?

5. Which types of game do you like? (Arcade, Action, Wargame, etc...)

6. What is your favoraite PC games?

7. Is there any game(s) that you feel the gameplaying is great, but
lot
   of improvement have to make? (eg. graphics, sound, etc...)

(Optional)

8. What type of game(s) do you expect to be appear in the gaming
world?
   (Please gives sugguest on GamePlaying or anything....)

-=-= Finish =-=-

Thanks for your participate.

Please mail to: kelvin@unix.infoserve.net




From: Ross Morgan-Linial <rmorganl@fhcrc.org>
Subject: Re: new x hill idea
Date: 1996/07/13
Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.3.93.960712192116.23046C-100000@fred>#1/1
references: <B0000189181@nemont.nemo.it>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


On 12 Jul 1996, Beppe Bezzi wrote:

//At 21.13 08/07/96 -0400, you wrote:
//>
//>I had idea for an experimental hill the other day.  What about
//>a hill where wins are worth more points, like 5 or 7?  Or ties
//>are worth 0?  It would promote different techniques, but would
//>anyone try it?
//>
//>I suppose it wouldn't get less traffic than the current x hill. :)
//>
//
//What about this one:
//
//Count the warrior vs warrior score and give 3 points to the winner if the
//difference is more than 20 (10%) wins, if not 1 point each. The overall
//score can be used but as a tie break for pushoffs.

How about each program gets (its wins) - (opponent's wins) + 10 points,
with a maximum of 50 and a minimum of 0?

p1.wins-p2.wins		p1.score	p2.score
40+			50		0
30			40		0
20			30		0
10			20		0
5			15		5
0			10		10

Notice that, if the diffrence is 0 or 20, the scores are 10* Beppe's
system.

//
//
//>Thos
//>
//>
//
//-Beppe
//
//
//
//

      ********************
      *Ross Morgan-Linial*         
      *rmorganl@fhcrc.org*         
      ********************

Tragedy is when I cut my finger.  
Comedy is when _you_ walk into    
an open sewer and die.            
                   -- Mel Brooks 













From: SKI Koth Server <koth@koth.org>
Subject: SKI-ICWS change fo
Date: 1996/07/13
Message-ID: <199607132135.RAA02792@odin.stormking.com>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


Hello,

	Please let this serve as a change of address:


	Old:

		http://www.stormking.com/~koth/
		koth@stormking.com
		25Mhz IBM RS/6000, AIX 3.2.5
		CERN Web Server
		Hill Maintainer  - Tuc

	New:

		http://www.koth.org/
		koth@koth.org
		133Mhz Pentium PC, Linux 1.2.13
		Apache Web Server
		Hill Maintainer  - Tuc (Some things never change!)


			Koth@KotH.Org



From: Justin Kao <102741.2022@CompuServe.COM>
Subject: Re: Hill suggestion
Date: 1996/07/13
Message-ID: <960713063251_102741.2022_GHT71-2@CompuServe.COM>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


A score report for your warrior, ranked by score, would be nice...
Something like:

Yet 4b current scores:                                   vvvvvvv     vvvvvvvvv
#   %W /  %L /  %T               Name             Author ItScore Age YourScore
3  12.3/ 50.0/ 37.7     Phoenix Alpha     Andy Nevermind   187.7  99      74.4
4  25.0/ 25.0/ 50.0   Versatility 1.5 Ross Morgan-Linial   125.0  14     125.0
1  40.0/ 40.0/ 20.0            Yet 4b         Justin Kao   140.0  24     140.0
2  50.0/ 12.3/ 37.7     Sandwich Bags     Andy Nevermind    74.4  87     187.7


Justin Kao



From: Justin Kao <102741.2022@CompuServe.COM>
Subject: Re: new x hill idea
Date: 1996/07/13
Message-ID: <960713061028_102741.2022_GHT38-2@CompuServe.COM>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


How about a group of three hills, where your score on hill A would be how well
you do against warriors on B.  Programs on B would get a score against programs
on C, and those on C would be scored against A.

I don't know if this is possible, or if would be any good, but it sounds
interesting :)


Justin Kao




From: jchester@ozemail.com.au (Jacques Chester)
Subject: RBML seeking contact.
Date: 1996/07/14
Message-ID: <4sa0vh$fjr@reader1.reader.news.ozemail.net>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


Ayo choombas;

I represent the Robot Battle Mailing List. Robot Battles (RB, robatl)
is a windows 3.x programming game. In each game, there are six robots
in the arena.

Programming happens in RSL; Robot Scripting Language. RSL is a 4GL,
not a an assembler language. Each of the robots is allocated a program
to tell it how to behave.

We at the RBML are interested in trying to contact all the
programming/combat games groups around the internet and try to start a
sort of communication. In this fashion, we are simultaneously trying
to contact the authors and players of C-Robots, P-Robots, AT-Robots,
Omega and Xtank amongst others.

RB is almost completely different from CW. The language is the most
obvious difference. Each robot is a tank-like affair, with a radar and
a gun. Like CW, the last to survive gets the highest score.

Strategies vary immensely. There is no limit on program size, and I
personally have seen one robot weigh in at a whopping 40 kilobytes!
This allows robots to be tremendously advanced, as proven by the ever
increasingly complex algorithms employed by the world champion
programmers.

Interested at all? Email me, or visit the official Robot Battle WWW
site, maintained by the author of RB at:

http://www.RobotBattle.com/

There you will be able to read the FAQ, download RB and join the RBML.

We are always looking for new players. We are always looking for new
programming games; some on the RBML will probably take up CW as well.
At the moment, the next world tournament is coming and RBML members
are scrambling to enter their robots, to topple world champ SA Van
Ness.

See you. 
\ \ \
 \ \ \
  \ \ \ Ripperjack - for the dough, choombatta!
        jchester@ozemail.com.au

NOTE- Ripperjack Enterprises is a figment of my
imagination. The views expressed herein are not
necessarily those of the fictitious organization
I don't work for.




From: SKI Koth Server <koth@koth.org>
Subject: SKI-ICWS: Status - Standard 07/15/96
Date: 1996/07/15
Message-ID: <199607151229.IAA06707@odin.stormking.com>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


			Weekly Status on  07/15/96

******
NOTICE
******

	We have changed our name to koth.org

******
NOTICE
******

See up to the second scores and the latest Core War information at :

		http://www.koth.org/
	  *FAQ* http://www.koth.org/corewar-faq.html

Current Status of the StormKing Industries Standard KotH CoreWar Hill :

Last battle concluded at : Tue Jul 9 08:34:07 EDT 1996
 
 #  %W/ %L/ %T                      Name               Author   Score     Age
 1  46/ 34/ 20                 PacMan v5          David Moore     157       4
 2  33/ 20/ 47   CAPS KEY IS STUCK AGAIN       Steven Morrell     146     102
 3  30/ 15/ 55                      ttti        nandor sieben     146      86
 4  42/ 38/ 20                    Stasis          David Moore     145      12
 5  31/ 20/ 49                     Hydra      Stephen Linhart     143     210
 6  36/ 30/ 34          Yop La Boum v2.1         P.E.M & E.C.     142      36
 7  29/ 17/ 54                 Cannonade              P.Kline     142     136
 8  31/ 20/ 50              Blue Funk 88       Steven Morrell     141     100
 9  38/ 35/ 26              Keystone t21              P.Kline     141     123
10  32/ 23/ 45                      Test       Wayne Sheppard     140     125
11  41/ 44/ 15                 Iron Gate       Wayne Sheppard     139     230
12  25/ 12/ 63               Imperfic II       John Wilkinson     139      22
13  29/ 20/ 50                    K-test                P.E.M     139       8
14  28/ 20/ 52                     Peace            Mr. Jones     136     110
15  38/ 41/ 21       Beholder's Eye V1.7         W. Mintardjo     136     180
16  35/ 36/ 29               Christopher      Stephen Morrell     134     101
17  36/ 37/ 27              Giskard v0.5           Ken Mitton     134      74
18  37/ 41/ 22                   Tuctest        Elmer J. Fudd     133      30
19  36/ 44/ 20              Request v2.0     Brant D. Thomsen     128      72
20  32/ 49/ 19                Gisela 2G6   Andrzej Maciejczak     116       1

21   2/ 98/  0                     Dwarf        A. K. Dewdney       7       0



From: Beppe Bezzi <bezzi@nemo.it>
Subject: Core Warrior 38
Date: 1996/07/15
Message-ID: <B0000189413@nemont.nemo.it>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


    .xX$$x.
  .x$$$$$$$x.
  d$$$$$$$$$$$
,$$$$$$$P' `P'                             ,    .
$$$$$$P'   '                             .d      b
$$$$$P    b     ,$$x     ,$$x    ,$$x   ,$$b     $$.
Y$$$$'    `$.  $$$$$$.  $$$$$$  $$P~d$. d$$$b d d$$$
`$$$$     ,$$ $$$$$$$b $$$P `$ $$$b.$$b `Y$$$d$d$$$'   . . a  . a  a .aa  . a
 `$$$    ,$$$,$$' `$$$ $$$'  ' $$P$XX$'  `$$$$$$$$$ .dP' `$'$ `$'$ , $''$ `$'$
  `Y$b ,d$$$P `$b,d$P' `$$.    `$$.  ,    `$$P $$$' Y $.  $    $   $ Y..P  $
  `$$$$$$$'    $$$P'   `$$b    `$$$P      `P  `$'  `Y'k. $.   $.  $. $$'  $.

Issue 38                                                         July 15, 1996
______________________________________________________________________________
Core Warrior is a weekly newsletter promoting the game of corewar.  Emphasis
is placed on the most active hills--currently the '94 draft hill and the
beginner hill.  Coverage will follow where ever the action is.  If you have
no clue what I'm talking about then check out these five-star internet locals
for more information:

FAQs are available by anonymous FTP from rtfm.mit.edu as
pub/usenet/news.answers/games/corewar-faq.Z
FTP site is: ftp.csua.berkeley.edu /pub/corewar
Web pages are at: (Please note new Stormking's address)
http://www.koth.org/                            ;Stormking
http://www.ecst.csuchico.edu/~pizza/koth        ;Pizza
http://pauillac.inria.fr/~doligez/corewar/      ;Planar

Newbies should check the stormking page for the FAQ, language specification,
guides, and tutorials.  Post questions to rec.games.corewar.  All new players
are infinitely welcome!

If ftp.csua.berkeley.edu is unreachable, you can download pMARS at:
Terry's web page--http://www.infi.net/~wtnewton/corewar/
Planar ftp site--ftp://ftp.inria.fr/INRIA/Projects/para/doligez/cw/pmars
Fechter ftp site--ftp://members.aol.com/ofechner/corewar
______________________________________________________________________________
Greetings.

Summer brings some news in the hills; last year was pmars 08 with pspace,
this year we have our beloved hill maintainer working hard at hill format.

Thos, Pizza lord, is working at many small changes in formatting and new
sintax, last new has been the automatic calculation of scores averages,
thank you from the Core Warrior staff.

Tuc, Stormking boss, completed his planned phase 1 and changed the address
of his web page, now frame based and very cool, and hills, moving them on a
faster server. 
New addresses are:

web page:       http://www.koth.org/
hills:          koth@koth.org

With the new server I think that the 94x (big) hill can have answer in a
much shorter time and so get some more traffic.
Stormking new web page implements many interesting features, give a look at
it, it's worth the time.

You are encouraged to send them your opinions, suggestions, congratulations
and flames; they need our feedback.

This week I had a few problem submitting a warrior to the limited processes
hill because of a bug; now the bug has been fixed, thank to Andrew work, so
you can submit your warriors to <koth@wastedyouth.us.itd.umich.edu> with a
;redcode-94lp header.

--Beppe Bezzi
______________________________________________________________________________
Current Status of the Internet Pizza Server ICWS '94 Draft Hill:

Hill Specs:
   coresize: 8000
   max. processes: 8000
   duration: after 80,000 cycles, a tie is declared.
   max. entry length: 100
   minimum distance: 100
   rounds fought: 200
   instruction set: ICWS '94 Draft

 #   %W /  %L /  %T                       Name               Author Score  Age
 1  43.1/ 34.6/ 22.3                     Probe        Anton Marsden 151.6   30
 2  31.3/ 10.9/ 57.8      Return Of The Jedimp             John K W 151.6   18
 3  45.9/ 40.5/ 13.5                      Mist              P.Kline 151.3    3
 4  46.7/ 42.7/ 10.7                  Q^2 Miro         Anders Ivner 150.7   80
 5  36.9/ 26.2/ 36.9               Simple v0.4          Ian Oversby 147.6  126
 6  43.7/ 41.0/ 15.4                    Blur 2        Anton Marsden 146.3   29
 7  34.6/ 25.6/ 39.8                 Pulp v0.2          Ian Oversby 143.7  125
 8  42.7/ 42.0/ 15.3                 myVamp5.4             Paulsson 143.5   78
 9  39.7/ 36.4/ 23.9                 Dura v0.1          Ian Oversby 143.0   59
10  39.6/ 37.0/ 23.4                 Yogi Bear              P.Kline 142.2  234
11  31.8/ 23.6/ 44.6                 Armory II             John K W 140.0  169
12  40.7/ 41.4/ 17.8                   Harmony              P.Kline 140.0    2
13  30.5/ 21.5/ 48.0                   Rosebud                Beppe 139.4  703
14  33.2/ 27.2/ 39.5        Jack in the box II          Beppe Bezzi 139.2  387
15  31.0/ 23.3/ 45.8          blue flame c1/10       bjoern guenzel 138.6   14
16  37.9/ 37.9/ 24.2 Paper, Scissors and Stone        David van Dam 137.8  158
17  40.2/ 43.3/ 16.5                 Goldfinch              P.Kline 137.0  179
18  37.5/ 38.4/ 24.0                T.N.T. pro    Maurizio Vittuari 136.6  748
19  25.6/ 14.9/ 59.4                    ompega       Steven Morrell 136.3  145
20  36.8/ 38.0/ 25.2                    airBag             Paulsson 135.6   71
21  38.0/ 40.8/ 21.2                   Twister          Beppe Bezzi 135.2  484
22  37.4/ 39.9/ 22.7                   Goliath        David van Dam 134.9  178
23  36.3/ 38.7/ 25.0                Scimitar 2              P.Kline 133.9   96
24  31.8/ 31.1/ 37.1            the historian        bjoern guenzel 132.5  503
25  27.8/ 23.6/ 48.7    Ties, Ties, Ties! (+3)   Ross Morgan-Linial 132.0    1

Weekly age: 84 ( 90 last week, 56 the week before )
New warriors:  11 Turnover/age rate 13%
Average age:   184 ( 158 last week, 275 the week before )
Average score: 141 ( 141 last week, 133 the week before )
The top 25 warriors are represented by 12 authors: Kline with 5; Bezzi, 
and Oversby with 3; Marsden, Guenzel, van Dam, JKW and Paulsson with 2.

King Report:  Q^2 Miro dominated the begiining of the week until come Probe
then and Return of Jedimp that kept the lead until last challenge. All those
warriors use the advanced qscan architecture explained in the last CW hint.

Other good warriors entering in the first spots are myVamp 5.4, see Extra
extra for details, and Mist a scanner based on Blur, both reaching second
spot. The hill is still changing quickly and all veteran are suffering,
confined in the lower half; expecially true for Twister and the historian,
often seen in the red alert zone.
______________________________________________________________________________
94 - What's New

 #   %W /  %L /  %T                       Name               Author Score  Age
 2  47.7/ 41.8/ 10.5                  Q^2 Miro         Anders Ivner 153.6    1
 2  44.2/ 39.6/ 16.2                 myVamp5.4             Paulsson 148.9    1
 7  39.0/ 36.9/ 24.0                    airBag             Paulsson 141.1    1
 6  40.0/ 37.6/ 22.4                 Dura v0.1          Ian Oversby 142.4    1
 1  31.0/ 10.3/ 58.7      Return Of The Jedimp             John K W 151.7    1
 2  45.6/ 41.7/ 12.8                      Mist              P.Kline 149.4    1
 2  43.8/ 36.5/ 19.8                     Probe        Anton Marsden 151.1    1
 8  41.5/ 43.2/ 15.3                    Blur 2        Anton Marsden 139.8    1
17  31.3/ 24.4/ 44.3          blue flame c1/10       bjoern guenzel 138.2    1
19  36.1/ 40.8/ 23.1           earthquake v0.1         Bjoern & Ian 131.3    1
25  31.2/ 35.7/ 33.0                    Test F          Ian Oversby 126.7    1

A lot of high quality  new warriors entered the high spots of the 94 hill.
______________________________________________________________________________
94 - What's No More

 #   %W /  %L /  %T                       Name               Author Score  Age
26   1.7/  1.9/  0.2                  Q^2 Miro         Anders Ivner   5.4   32
26   7.8/ 46.8/ 45.3                Jam Sponge          Dave Newton  68.9    7
26   1.2/  1.3/  1.3                 myVamp5.3             Paulsson   4.9  109
26  35.9/ 49.6/ 14.5            pavement v0.14       bjoern guenzel 122.2   13
26   2.6/  2.2/  2.8               Simple v0.3          Ian Oversby  10.7  116
26   1.6/  2.0/  0.2                    Blur 2        Anton Marsden   5.2   48
26   0.6/  1.3/  1.9                  test me2          Beppe Bezzi   3.7   42
26  31.2/ 39.2/ 29.6           Versatility 1.5   Ross Morgan-Linial 123.3   41
26   2.2/  1.5/  0.1                    test A              P.Kline   6.7   29
26  27.6/ 29.0/ 43.5               blue candle       bjoern guenzel 126.1  574
26   0.3/  0.9/  2.9      Return Of The Jedimp             John K W   3.7   71

Guenzel's blue camdle is the oldest warrior pushed off this week, and the
only one worth mention, being others killed by their author or very young.
______________________________________________________________________________
94 - What's Old

 #   %W /  %L /  %T                       Name               Author Score  Age
18  37.5/ 38.4/ 24.0                T.N.T. pro    Maurizio Vittuari 136.6  748
13  30.5/ 21.5/ 48.0                   Rosebud                Beppe 139.4  703
24  31.8/ 31.1/ 37.1            the historian        bjoern guenzel 132.5  503
21  38.0/ 40.8/ 21.2                   Twister          Beppe Bezzi 135.2  484
14  33.2/ 27.2/ 39.5        Jack in the box II          Beppe Bezzi 139.2  387

No new entries and a loss: blue candle.
______________________________________________________________________________
HALL OF FAME
* means the warrior is still active.

Pos    Name                  Author          Age     Strategy
 1  Thermite II            Robert Macrae     2262    Qscan -> bomber
 2  Impfinity v4g1         Planar            1993    Stone/ imp
 3  Jack in the box        Beppe Bezzi       1620    P-warrior
 4  Tornado 3.0            Beppe Bezzi       1567    Bomber
 5  Torch t18              P.Kline           1539    Bomber
 6  Chameleon              Myer R Bremer     1437    P-warrior
 7  Frontwards v2          Steven Morrell    1420    One shot scanner
 8  Evol Cap 6.6           John Wilkinson    1299    Imp / stone
 9  quiz                   Schitzo           1262    Scanner/ bomber
10  T.N.T.                 Maurizio Vittuari 1204    Bomber
11  Grilled Octopus v0.5   David Boeren      1154    P-warrior
12  Hazy Shade II          John Wilkinson    1102    P-warrior
13  Stepping Stone         Kurt Franke       1049    Qscan -> Vampire
14  Iron Gate 1.5          Wayne Sheppard     926    CMP scanner
15  Agony II               Stefan Strack      912    CMP scanner
16  Barrage                Anton Marsden      876    Qscan -> replicator
17  Blue Funk              Steven Morrell     869    Stone/ imp
18  Flurry                 Anton Marsden      835    Qscan -> pwarrior
19  Thermite 1.0           Robert Macrae      802    Qscan -> bomber
20  Blue Funk 3            Steven Morrell     766    Stone/ imp
21  Night Train            Karl Lewin         755    Replicator
22  T.N.T. pro             Maurizio Vittuari  748 *  Bomber
23  Mirage 1.5             Anton Marsden      736    Scanner/ bomber
24  Blizzard               Anton Marsden      713    Qscan -> replicator
25  Rosebud                Beppe              703 *  Stone/ imp

Rosebud enters the Hall, pushing HeremScimitar off; T.N.T. pro begins
climbing the standings. No new warrior is near entering being the historian
still far from the threshold, now at more than 700 age.
______________________________________________________________________________
Current Status of the Internet Pizza Server Beginner's Hill:

Hill Specs:
   coresize: 8000
  max. processes: 8000
   duration: after 80,000 cycles, a tie is declared.
max. entry length: 100
 minimum distance: 100
    maximum age: At age 100, warriors are retired.
   rounds fought: 200
  instruction set: ICWS '94 Draft

 #   %W /  %L /  %T                       Name               Author Score  Age
 1  63.3/ 19.5/ 17.3                    Yet 4b           Justin Kao 207.0   36
 2  56.3/ 25.3/ 18.4             Sandwich Bags       Andy Nevermind 187.4   99
 3  53.5/ 21.6/ 24.9           Versatility 1.5   Ross Morgan-Linial 185.3   26
 4  55.2/ 26.2/ 18.6          Velveeta Shift-F                 shar 184.2   34
 5  50.6/ 19.0/ 30.4                  (-:  :-)                 Ross 182.2   59
 6  53.5/ 27.2/ 19.3            Saboteur v0.4k                 shar 179.9   67
 7  46.4/ 26.5/ 27.1               Inferno 1.0       Philip Kendall 166.3   49
 8  43.6/ 27.9/ 28.5                 Antivenin                 Ross 159.2   98
 9  31.3/ 12.7/ 55.9    Ties, Ties, Ties! (+2)                 Ross 150.0   61
10  31.3/ 25.7/ 43.0             Utility Knife     Robert J. Street 137.0   69
11  23.8/ 10.7/ 65.5                 Wasps 1.3                 Ross 137.0   60
12  23.3/ 12.6/ 64.1            Ties and Wasps                 Ross 133.9   13
13  23.8/ 14.9/ 61.3              more testing            Anonymous 132.8   20
14  20.1/  8.6/ 71.2            Nematode v1.4b       Jonathan Stott 131.6   33
15  22.4/ 20.2/ 57.4                 Fork 4/13    Christoph C. Birk 124.5   53
16  18.7/ 29.6/ 51.8                 Handy Man     Robert J. Street 107.7   27
17  17.6/ 36.7/ 45.7              silken stomp             harleyQ2  98.6    9
18   6.9/ 16.8/ 76.3           Impy Stalker II                Edgar  96.9   15
19   9.3/ 24.3/ 66.3                silkbombQ2             harleyQ2  94.4   32
20   8.0/ 22.2/ 69.8                Mama's Boy     Robert J. Street  93.7   14
21  13.5/ 38.9/ 47.7                        b3             harleyQ2  88.0    1
22  13.2/ 38.8/ 47.9              silken train             harleyQ2  87.6    2
23   6.7/ 36.4/ 56.9                         b             harleyQ2  77.1    8
24  19.3/  7.4/  9.3            Centurion 2.01                Edgar  67.3   19
25  10.6/ 54.5/ 34.9                        b2             harleyQ2  66.6    3

The three leaders of last week died for old age. Kao is new King with a good
lead over the others even if it proved unable to stay on the 94 hill.
______________________________________________________________________________
The Hint
Bomb dodgers
by Ian Oversby

Since the advent of P-space it has been possible to write components, 
specifically to beat certain warrior classes.  For example, that small stone
which would have been no use before as it loses really badly to papers and
imps can be very good against bombers and scanners.  One component, which was
designed specifically to beat a certain class of warriors is the bomb dodger.

The bomb dodger is based on a very simple principle:  A bomber usually produces 
many bombs in a regular pattern and only bombs each location once before 
entering the core-clear.  Therefore, if we scan for the bombs, we are far more
likely to find a bomb, before that bomb finds us.  Then, we can place a small
component over the bomb where we are safe from attack.  Here is the dodger from
Wind-up Toy v0.4.

spt	equ	(dodge-130)

safe	DAT.F	$0,	$0

...	...	...	...

dodge	JMN.F	dboot,	safe	; monitor for one-shots
	JMZ.F	dodge,	<spt	; 0.5c scan for bombs
dboot	ADD.AB	#3,	spt
	MOV.I	dptr+4,	<spt
	MOV.I	dptr+3,	<spt
	MOV.I	dptr+2,	<spt
	MOV.I	dptr+1,	<spt
	MOV.I	dptr,	<spt
	JMP.B	@spt
dptr	SPL.B	#0,	<-10
dloop	MOV.I	lline,	{dptr
	MOV.I	lline,	{dptr
	JMP.B	dloop,	<-13
lline	DAT.F	<-12,	<-11

The implementation is not very efficient but it basically scans backwards for
bombs and then places a 66%c DAT clear over the bomb.  The copying is done at
light speed which is fairly pointless as we have already spent many cycles
looking for a bomb.  The additional few cycles to do 0.5c copy are not 
important but the larger code size makes it more likely for a bomb to hit us 
before we find a bomb.  The location we are copied to looks like this:

Code:			SPL	MOV	MOV	JMP	DAT

Core locations:		 .	 .	 X	 .	 .

Where X is the found bomb.

The reason it scans backwards and clears backwards is that most bombers clear
forwards and if we start clearing first, unless the bomber is clearing faster
than we are, we are guaranteed to clear it away first.  Also, most one-shots
attack forwards so when we discover a one-shot attack, the fairly random value
of spt will be behind the one-shot's clear and safe from attack.

If I remember correctly, this scores quite well against most bombers and 
one-shots like Derision and Frontwards but doesn't do very well against 
anything with imps in it despite setting up a perfect gate after the clear.
It also has problems with stones which I'll explain later.

The problem with imps is that when the stones accompanying the imps is cleared
away, the imps advance at increased speed.  Now there is a race between the
clear finishing and the imps reaching the clear.  Against a light imp-spiral, 
we often lose.  Also, imps are often paired with classic stones which dodgers
have difficulty with.

The problem with classic stones is that they use (mostly) invisible DAT bombs
and decrements.  There are two possibilities:  The DATs hit the same locations
as the decrements, or they don't.  If they do, then when we are placed over the
decrement, we are usually bombed anyway and the clear becomes 33% of c.  If it
is offset then the other code could be bombed, the worst case being the first
MOV as we are then a sitting duck.  I haven't found a suitable solution to
this problem.

So, to summarize the problems with this dodger:

1)  It has problems with imps
2)  The copying routine is wasteful
3)  Classic stones (usually paired with imps) are often damaging
4)  It is not effective against double stones with irregular bombing patterns 
    like Impfinity and Ompega (?) or single bombers with irregular patterns
    like Thermite.


The solution to the first two problems is easy.  D-clear is very good against
imps (Thank you Bjoern) and slimming the copying routine is no problem.  Using
D-clear also reduces problem 3 as being faster, we are more likely to find the
stone before it bombs us again.  Here is the bomb dodger from Dura.

spt	equ	(scan+130)

scan	JMZ.F	scan,	>spt	; linear bomb-scan
	SUB.AB	#2,	spt	; 2 seems to be good 
cloop	MOV.I	>bptr,	>spt
	DJN.B	cloop,	#5
	SUB.AB	#3,	spt
bptr	JMP.B	@spt,	#gat

gat	DAT.F	#0,	#5
bomb	DAT.F	#0,	#5
	SPL.B	#0,	>gat+2667
dloop	MOV.I	bomb,	>gat
dlt	DJN.F	dloop,	>gat

The location that this is copied over looks like this:

Code:			DAT	DAT	SPL	MOV	DJN	

Core locations:		 .	 X	 .	 .	 .

Why this is better than any other pattern, I don't know.  I tried placing
the SPL and the MOV over the X, all with worse results.  Other differences
between this and the old dodger are, this does not monitor for one-shots
attacks.  Then, the bomb that I find is closer to the enemy bomber.

We now no longer have a problem with imps, even Rosebud with MOV  #2667, *0 
style imps seems to succumb.  This also scored very well against Thermite, I 
believe the reason is that the clear is functioning so fast, we hit Thermite 
before another bomb lands near us.  Also, there are only three vulnerable 
locations for the bomb to land.  If the gate is overwritten, we merely start 
clearing from somewhere else.  This dodger, when submitted on its own actually 
got to number 8!  However, that was when there was no paper on the hill.  It 
no longer stands a chance on its own.

Finally, here is a complete warrior including the dodger.  An earlier version
reached number 1 when the hill was a little more receptive to the dodger.  I'm
not sure how it would do now.  The p-space brain is also very susceptible to 
brainwashing with 0.

;redcode-94
;name Manfred v0.3
;author Ian Oversby
;strategy P-Spacer
;strategy v0.1  Imps/Imp gates/...
;strategy v0.2  Stronger gate
;strategy v0.3  Updated components
;kill Manfred
;assert 1

org str

plc     equ     5		; Not really

dval	equ	800
spt	equ	(last+300)

gate1	equ	(stone-3)
impstep equ     2667
sval    equ     1900

;;------------------------------------------------------------

str     LDP.A   #plc,   pval    ;load wins/losses
        ADD.A   pval,   check
        MOD.A   #13,    check
        JMN.A   boot,   check   ;permanent switch

res     LDP.AB  #0,     #0
sec     SNE.AB  #0,     res     ;check for loss
lost    ADD.A   #13,    pval
        SNE.AB  #1,     res     ;check for win
won     SUB.A   #13,    pval
        STP.AB  pval,   #plc
jump    JMP.B   dboot,	<-100

pval    DAT.F   $0,     $0
check   DAT.F   $7904,  $0	; 13 / 8

;;---------------------- Dodger , 11 lines ------------------------

for 15
        DAT.F   $0,     $0
rof

dboot	MOV.I	{dptr,	<dptr
for 10
	MOV.I	{dptr,	<dptr
rof
	SPL.B	@dptr,	<-300
	MOV.I	pval,	dptr
dptr	DAT.F	#dl+1,	#dval

scan	JMZ.F	scan,	>spt	; linear bomb-scan
	SUB.AB	#2,	spt	; Try 2, 3 and 4
cloop	MOV.I	>bptr,	>spt
	DJN.B	cloop,	#5
	SUB.AB	#3,	spt
bptr	JMP.B	@spt,	#gat

gat	DAT.F	#0,	#5
bomb	DAT.F	>2667,	#5	
	SPL.B	#0,	>gat+2667
dloop	MOV.I	bomb,	>gat	; anti-imping dirty core-clear
dl	DJN.F	dloop,	>gat	; Thank you Bjoern.

;;---------- Simple v0.2a with 16 process, point spiral -----------

for 20
	DAT.F	$0,	$0
rof

mimp    SPL.B   1,      <-500	; 16 process 3 point imp
        SPL.B   1,      {-500	; and decoy-maker :-)
        SPL.B   1,      <-500        
        SPL.B   1,      <-500        

        SPL.B   2,      {-500
        JMP.B   imp
        ADD.A   #impstep, -1
die     DAT.F   $0,     $0
imp     MOV.I   #-5,    impstep

boot    MOV.I   {sptr,  <sptr
for 6
        MOV.I   {sptr,  <sptr
rof
        SPL.B   @sptr,	<-300
        MOV.I   die,    sptr
        JMP.B   mimp,	<-300
sptr    DAT.F   gate+1,	sval

stone	SPL.B   #95,    >-95
	SPL.B   #0,     >gate1-hit
loop	MOV.I   {0+95,	2-95
	ADD.F   stone,  loop
hit	DJN.F   loop,   <1900
last    MOV.I   gate,	}gate1
gate	DAT.F	gate-gate1+2,	>gate1

end

Further work:

I wanted to alter it so I placed a multi-pass clear over the bomb.  This, I
hoped, would give me wins against Ompega and Impfinity style imp/stones.  So
far, I have been unable to get it to work.

______________________________________________________________________________
Extra Extra
myVamp 5.4
by Magnus Paulsson


Hi there, thought I should publish myVamp 5.4 now that it has
been on (I mean near, that fu..ing Blur and Miro!) top for a while,
and when I'm at it, I might as well write a lot of rubbish :-)

myVamp 3.7's engine was like this:

fang    jmp             *trap,0
next    add.f   step,fang
                mov.i   @0,@fang
                jmz.a   next,*fang
                mov.i   fang,*fang
                mov.x   *fang,*fang
                jmp             next
It also had a spl/spl/dat coreclear and boot.

When I had optimized 3.7 I thought that there wasen't anything more
to improve, how wrong I was! After a while I learned a much better
coreclear that was a lot better and faster while still as small :
ptr             dat.f   0,0
                dat             -20,20
                dat             -20,20
cclear  spl             #-20,20
                mov.i   @bmbp,>ptr
                mov.i   @bmbp,>ptr
                djn.b   -2,{cclear

I tried to get this coreclear into myVamp 4.? several times but the
result was always worse than 3.7, very anoying....

Then came Stepping Stone by K.Franke which improved myVamp removing
the unnessesary "mov.x *fang,*fang" (egg on my face, having a line
of code that isn't realy needed!) and now Stepping Stone is the
leader (competitive thinking, can't stand that someone else wrote a
better vampire, but I will get past SteppingStone in the hall of
fame this authum (Praing for it at least)).

Then came d-clear (my first favorite on the naming, the second is:
the clear that is VERY god against imps and stones and scanners but
VERY bad against papers, tctiVgaiasasbVbap?) and that was that thing
that got me started with myVamp5.0. I'm sure that everyone playing (?
ARE WE PLAYING ?) Corewar has some inferior complex against some of
the wariors, my favorite complex is Torcht18 which beats myVamp3.7,
this brings me to the second improvement in myVamp5.0, the ability
to take a hit of a spl bomb (YES, myVamp now beats Torch!!), this
give 4-5 points against my test series (se below)!

fang            jmp             *trap+st,-st
check           dat.f   0,0                             ;*******
                        dat.f   0,0
ptr                     dat.f   0,100
                        dat.f   0,0
                        dat.f   0,0
                        jmp             cclear
next            add.f   step,fang               ;The engine from SteppingStone
start           mov.i   @0,>fang
                        jmz.a   next,*fang
                        mov.i   <check,*fang    ;*******
stop            jmn.b   next,>check             ;*******
step            spl             #st,-st-1               ;d-clear
cclear          mov.i   bmb,>ptr
                        djn.f   cclear,>ptr

Look at the lines marked with *******, normal operation is timed to
work like normal, if there is a hit with a spl bomb the timing will
be off and the d-clear will be executed. There is some thought put
into the engine and clear that makes the d-clear execute if a djn
stream overruns the code.

The above warior(?) "drops like a stone" against paper, because of
the d-clear. This made me put in a spl/spl/dat clear that is only
run when myVamp has catched something. This increases the score
against papers and lowers it against stones. Then I had some
trouble with one-shot scanners and I added a decoy maker since there
is a lot of code to boot. I still don't lose to q-scans but my luck
might run out ...

To test my wariors I've written the ugglies unix script ever
(I'll mail it to anyone who wants a realy god laugh) that
runs 100 battles against the 17 wariors below.

Armory-A5      Impfinityv4g1  SteppingStone  Twister
Chameleon      Jackinthebox   T.N.T..tx      YogiBear       thehistorian
Frontwardsv2   NightTrain     ThermiteII     bluecandle
GemOfTheOcean  Rosebud        Torcht18       stoninc

myVamp 5.4              :       154.5
Stepping stone  :       145
myVamp3.7               :       133

And finaly after all the talk about how good I am here is myVamp5.4:
(If you did understand any of the above congratulations, I reread it
and it's not very pretty with a lot of weird () comments).

-Magnus Paulsson

************************************************************

;redcode-94
;name myVamp5.4
;author Paulsson
;strategy 5.0, Chasing SteppingStone
;strategy 5.1, Spl/Spl/Dat CoreClear
;strategy 5.2 small changes, + some points...
;strategy 5.3&4 Decoy, small changes
;strategy July, 1996
;kill myVamp
;for Planar, vamp,scan,coreclear,decoy(?)
st              equ             912
org decoy
trap            jmp     pit,#0
                dat.f   0,0
                dat.f   0,0
                dat.f   0,0
                dat.f   0,0
                dat.f   0,0
                dat.f   0,0
                dat.f   0,0
fang            jmp     *trap+st,-st    ;hit
check           dat.f   0,0
                dat.f   0,0
ptr             dat.f   0,100
                dat.f   -20,0
                dat.f   0,0
                jmp     cclear
next            add.f   step,fang
start           mov.i   @0,>fang                ;scan
                jmz.a   next,*fang
                mov.i   <check,*fang
stop            jmn.b   next,>check
step            spl     #st,-st-1
cclear          mov.i   bmb,>ptr
                djn.f   cclear,>ptr
                dat.f   0,0
                dat.f   0,0                             ;hit
                dat.f   0,0
                dat.f   0,0
                dat.f   0,0
                dat.f   0,0
                dat.f   0,18
bmb             dat.f   0,18

for 32
                dat.f   0,0
rof

ptr2            dat.f   0,20
                dat.f   0,20            ;hit
                dat.f   -10,20
                dat.f   -10,20
cclear2         spl     #4000,20
                mov.i   @2,>ptr2
                mov.i   @1,>ptr2
                djn.b   -2,{cclear2
                dat.f   0,0
                dat.f   0,0
stop2           jmp     cclear2-stop,stop

offsA           equ    (start-4000)
offsB           equ    (start-2005)
stepD           equ    127

decoy           mov    <offsA+decoy*stepD,{offsB+decoy*stepD
                mov    <offsA+decoy*stepD,{offsB+decoy*stepD
                mov    <offsA+decoy*stepD,{offsB+decoy*stepD
                mov    <offsA+decoy*stepD,{offsB+decoy*stepD
                mov    <offsA+decoy*stepD,{offsB+decoy*stepD
                mov    <offsA+decoy*stepD,{offsB+decoy*stepD
                mov    <offsA+decoy*stepD,{offsB+decoy*stepD
                mov    <offsA+decoy*stepD,{offsB+decoy*stepD
                jmp     start

pit             mov.i   stop2,@stop2
                spl     #0,0
for 10
                spl     #0,0
rof

______________________________________________________________________________
Questions?  Concerns?  Comments?  Complaints?  Mail them to people who care.
authors: Beppe Bezzi <bezzi@nemo.it> or Myer Bremer <bremermr@ecn.purdue.edu>
or Anton Marsden <amarsden@comp.vuw.ac.nz>




From: SKI Koth Server <koth@koth.org>
Subject: SKI-ICWS: Status - ICWS Tournament 07/15/96
Date: 1996/07/15
Message-ID: <199607151229.IAA06711@odin.stormking.com>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


			Weekly Status on  07/15/96

******
NOTICE
******

	We have changed our name to koth.org

******
NOTICE
******

See up to the second scores and the latest Core War information at :

		http://www.koth.org/~koth
	  *FAQ* http://www.koth.org/~koth/corewar-faq.html

Current Status of the StormKing Industries Annual ICWS Tournament CoreWar Hill:

Last battle concluded at : Tue Jun 4 06:47:05 EDT 1996
 
 #  %W/ %L/ %T                      Name               Author   Score     Age
 1  45/ 11/ 44                 Cannonade           Paul Kline     180      91
 2  51/ 34/ 16             Miss Carefree           Derek Ross     167      23
 3  46/ 33/ 20              Giskard v0.5           Ken Mitton     159      64
 4  33/ 15/ 52           Nothing Special             G. Eadon     151       6
 5  33/ 18/ 49                    Turkey          Beppe Bezzi     149       7
 6  47/ 45/  8                   Agony T        Stefan Strack     149      92
 7  39/ 29/ 32      Pommes-Ketchup V1.35         S. Schroeder     149       4
 8  43/ 42/ 14                    test88              P.Kline     144      10
 9  41/ 41/ 18            Old Tire Swing         Randy Graham     142      48
10  39/ 38/ 23          Yop La Boum v2.1         P.E.M & E.C.     140      21
11  40/ 44/ 16                Miss Carry           Derek Ross     135      55
12  29/ 24/ 47              One Fat Lady        Robert Macrae     134       8
13  39/ 46/ 14                 Traper3_t    Waldemar Bartolik     132       1
14  39/ 47/ 14              Slaver v1.1i    Christoph C. Birk     131      52
15  37/ 46/ 17                  Illusion         Randy Graham     127      50
16  37/ 49/ 15          DoubleStone v0.7    Christoph C. Birk     125      34
17  30/ 36/ 33                     Chris       Steven Morrell     124      13
18  38/ 54/  7                       xtc      stefan roettger     121      96
19  35/ 52/ 13                   Traper3    Waldemar Bartolik     117       3
20  35/ 52/ 13                   Traper3    Waldemar Bartolik     117       2

21  32/ 49/ 19              WhirlWind-88         Randy Graham     114      28



From: SKI Koth Server <koth@koth.org>
Subject: SKI-ICWS: Status - ICWS Experimental 94 07/15/96
Date: 1996/07/15
Message-ID: <199607151229.IAA06723@odin.stormking.com>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


			Weekly Status on  07/15/96

******
NOTICE
******

	We have changed our name to koth.org

******
NOTICE
******

See up to the second scores and the latest Core War information at :

		http://www.koth.org/~koth
	  *FAQ* http://www.koth.org/~koth/corewar-faq.html

Current Status of the StormKing Industries ICWS Experimental 94 CoreWar Hill:

Last battle concluded at : Thu Jul 11 15:21:01 EDT 1996
 
 #  %W/ %L/ %T                      Name               Author   Score     Age
 1  33/  4/ 63              Evol Cap 4 X       John Wilkinson     162      22
 2  36/ 11/ 53                   Rosebud                Beppe     162       1
 3  44/ 39/ 17            Illusion-94/55         Randy Graham     149       4
 4  44/ 40/ 17             Frontwards v2       Steven Morrell     148      52
 5  44/ 42/ 14                  Memories          Beppe Bezzi     146      29
 6  39/ 32/ 29               Lithium X 8     John K Wilkinson     146      13
 7  42/ 40/ 19        Stepping Stone 94x          Kurt Franke     144       8
 8  40/ 35/ 25                    BigBoy        Robert Macrae     144      47
 9  40/ 37/ 23                  Derision           M R Bremer     143      39
10  31/ 22/ 47             Variation M-1              Jay Han     139       2
11  43/ 47/ 10              S.E.T.I. 4-X                  JKW     139      23
12  40/ 46/ 14                     Pagan             John K W     135       7
13  35/ 36/ 29             Tornado 2.0 x          Beppe Bezzi     134      46
14  37/ 43/ 20           Fire Master Xv1            JS Pulido     132      44
15  28/ 24/ 48                   Aleph 1              Jay Han     131      12
16  26/ 24/ 49                  Hector 2          Kurt Franke     128      42
17  35/ 47/ 19                   Watcher          Kurt Franke     123      45
18  35/ 48/ 17                 Watcher-h          Kurt Franke     122      41
19  36/ 53/ 11        Withershins Thrice              P.Kline     120       5
20  27/ 37/ 36                  Nice Try           M R Bremer     116      51

21  29/ 42/ 29                      Riff       Steven Morrell     116       3



From: SKI Koth Server <koth@koth.org>
Subject: SKI-ICWS: Status - Multiwarrior Experimental 94 07/15/96
Date: 1996/07/15
Message-ID: <199607151229.IAA06719@odin.stormking.com>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


			Weekly Status on  07/15/96

******
NOTICE
******

	We have changed our name to koth.org

******
NOTICE
******

See up to the second scores and the latest Core War information at :

		http://www.koth.org/~koth
	  *FAQ* http://www.koth.org/~koth/corewar-faq.html

Current Status of the StormKing Industries MultiWarrior Experimental 94 CoreWar Hill:

Last battle concluded at : Fri Jul 12 18:24:04 EDT 1996
 
 #                      Name               Author   Score     Age
 1          TimeScapeX (0.1)       J. Pohjalainen    5729      60
 2             This is Test1          Kurt Franke    5729      25
 3                     Test2         George Eadon    5729      20
 4                    Paper8             G. Eadon    5729      26
 5                     jaded           M R Bremer    5707      31
 6          Fork v0.2-9p/51b    Christoph C. Birk    5707       2
 7                  Paperone          Beppe Bezzi    5680      45
 8                   Shwing!         T. H. Davies    5563      56
 9                  Gluttony             J E Long    5490      18
10           Wait A Lot v0.1           Justin Kao    5397       5
11                Saat V2.01         S. Schroeder    5225      14
12                      life        Nandor Sieben    5203      61
13                 Anthill 5               Planar    5130      22
14                Leviathan2             harleyQ2    4983      12
15      Pommes-Ketchup V1.35         S. Schroeder    4929       9
16                 lifedwarf        Nandor Sieben    4802      37
17                    Hidden M.C.Diskett Bullfrog    4703      30
18             Variation M-1              Jay Han    4661       7
19                 Leviathan             harleyQ2    4421      13
20                   Bigring       Jonathan Stott    4030       1

21                   Piggy 3              Bob Uhl    4022      33



From: iltzu@sci.fi (Ilmari Karonen)
Subject: Cannon Fodder
Date: 1996/07/15
Message-ID: <15199646.Amiga@sci.fi>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


Well, here is Cannon Fodder, my first attempt to create an aggressive
paper. This is the unmodified code, even the constants are as bad as they
really were. =) Thanks for ideas everybody, I might've even used some
but I got totally fed up with papers for a while..

(This'll certainly be the last time I ever use 'verbose'! I go on a
vacation while the hill is being tested, and when I come back I get
"You have 346 new mails!")

;redcode-b verbose
;name Cannon Fodder
;version 0.1
;kill Cannon Fodder
;author Ilmari Karonen
;strategy Aggressive paper with crappy constants. :(
;comments Use as many kinds of bombs as possible.
;comments Idea from Toxin..
;history 0.1 - works?
;date June 19, 1996
;planar paper
;assert CORESIZE == 8000

step1   equ     -1718
step2   equ     2524
step3   equ     2841

hit1    equ     (bomb1+4024)
hit2    equ     (2667)
hit3    equ     (-2666)
hit4    equ     (bomb2+1)
hit5    equ     (-501)

        org     start

start   spl     1, {500         ; \.
        spl     1, {1500        ; -\ create 16
        spl     1, {2000        ; -/ inline processes
        spl     1, {2500        ; /

split1  spl     @0, <step1
        mov.i   }split1, >split1
split2  spl     @0, <step2
        mov.i   }split2, >split2
split3  spl     @0, <step3
        mov.i   }split3, >split3
        mov.i   #1, }hit2
        mov.i   bomb2, }hit3
foo1    mov.i   {hit4, <hit5
        mov.i   bomb2, <(-10*step3)+split1
        mov.i   bomb1, {hit1
        mov.i   bomb1, {hit1+2667
        mov.i   bomb1, {hit1+(2*2667)
        mov.i   bomb2, }foo1
bomb1   dat     <2667, <2*2667
bomb2   dat     1, 1

dc      for     (MAXLENGTH-CURLINE)/7
        dat     #1, *1
        dat     $1, #1
        dat     @1, $1
        dat     *1, @1
        dat     #1, *1
        dat     $1, #1
        dat     @1, $1
        rof
dc      for     (MAXLENGTH-CURLINE)
        dat     1, 1
        rof

        end





From: PK6811S@ACAD.DRAKE.EDU
Subject: bomb dodgers
Date: 1996/07/15
Message-ID: <01I73S9GCPLK00312B@ACAD.DRAKE.EDU>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


A good scanning sequence for a dodger:

          sne    {watch1,{watch1      
          jmz.f  -1,watch2

where 'watch1' is the pointer searching for bombs and 'watch2' is
located to detect a forward-bombing attack on your code.  Or use

          jmz.f  -1,@watch2

where watch2 is located +N locations away and points back -2N locations.
So you can detect forward attacks and backward djn's.

Paul Kline
pk6811s@acad.drake.edu



From: SKI Koth Server <koth@koth.org>
Subject: SKI-ICWS: Status - MultiWarrior 94 07/15/96
Date: 1996/07/15
Message-ID: <199607151229.IAA06715@odin.stormking.com>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


			Weekly Status on  07/15/96

******
NOTICE
******

	We have changed our name to koth.org

******
NOTICE
******

See up to the second scores and the latest Core War information at :

		http://www.koth.org/~koth
	  *FAQ* http://www.koth.org/~koth/corewar-faq.html

Current Status of the StormKing Industries Multiwarrior 94 CoreWar Hill:

Last battle concluded at : Thu Jul 11 23:58:49 EDT 1996
 
 #                      Name               Author   Score     Age
 1                Son of Imp       Steven Morrell    5026      41
 2                60% Cotton            Wilkinson    5026      24
 3                     TESTI    Maurizio Vittuari    5026      16
 4               Evol Cap --       John Wilkinson    5026       7
 5                        TJ    Maurizio Vittuari    5026      17
 6            Super Evol Cap       John Wilkinson    5026       5
 7            Nematode v1.4e       Jonathan Stott    5002       1
 8            90% Cotton v5c            Wilkinson    5000      23
 9                  Die Hard              P.Kline    4990      28
10                  sisyphus                Kafka    4990       6

11              rhodium v1.4   Martin M. Pedersen    4976       2



From: PK6811S@ACAD.DRAKE.EDU
Subject: myVamp
Date: 1996/07/15
Message-ID: <01I73RJ6Y28Y00312B@ACAD.DRAKE.EDU>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


One of the happy sidebars to d-clear is the ability to turn a weak
anti-paper performer into a very strong one.  Just a little stun/vamping
and launch d-clear.  By leaving half the spl-zero's in place during the
first pass the paper never really gets unglued and d-clear can eventually
kill it.

The main reason vampires disappeared from the 94x hill was Silk replication,
which just overwhelmed the mediocre stun-effect of a vampire pit.  Now
d-clear seems to re-balance the equation.  Watch out for post-increment
bombing on the a-operand however :-)

Blur and Mist also depend on this attribute, combining short scan times
with lengthy d-clear.  Previous scanners depended on extended scanning
or very wide bombs to sufficiently stun the opponent.

Against a stone-imp it is very useful to go to d-clear after
a short scan pass, you can catch the stone before he gets you, then
kill the imps when they come in.

The way things stand now, a program using d-clear should commit to it
early.  Several opponents will be doing that and whoever starts first will
have the best chance.  If your strategy requires a late start to the
clear, you don't need d-clear and a spl-dat wipe may work better.

On the other hand, Clisson's dodger seems quite capable of defeating
some of the d-clearing programs.  After all, his core-clear is also
100% - but backward, so whoever starts first will get the win :-)  Just
don't use it against an imp :-(

Paul Kline
pk6811s@acad.drake.edu



From: jklewis@ren.us.itd.umich.edu (John K. Lewis)
Subject: Re: wy hill temporarily down
Date: 1996/07/16
Message-ID: <4sgqps$rsk@lastactionhero.rs.itd.umich.edu>#1/1
references: <4sgonr$ras@lastactionhero.rs.itd.umich.edu>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


I believe the hill is back up.

John K. Lewis



From: Justin Kao <102741.2022@CompuServe.COM>
Subject: Yet 4b
Date: 1996/07/16
Message-ID: <960716023915_102741.2022_GHT113-1@CompuServe.COM>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


I'm stuck on the beginner's hill! The top of the hill though :->

Well anyway, this is Yet 4b.  Does mixing up the qscans like I did help any?
It's more random this way, instead of proceeding from top to bottom.  I've 
also tried Anders qscan(in Yet 4c) but it didn't do as well, maybe because it
covers less places?

The djn.a switches the clear to dats after about 2 spl passes and allows 
1s in b, slowing down a lot of warriors.

Yet does even or worse against all the warriors on the 94 hill except for one
bomb dodger...any help will be very much appreciated.  :-)

;redcode-94b
;name Yet 4b
;author Justin Kao
;strategy This is Yet Another core clear w/quickscan
;assert CORESIZE == 8000

;put the pointers a bit farther away to hide in the spots between?
;#:0123456789012345678901234567890
;4:x   x   x   x   x   x   x   x
;5:x    x    x    x    x    x    x
;me:xx                 xxxxx
;a bit big for avoiding bombs now....

sep     equ 17
bootdist equ 6000

        org     scan

        ;begin quick scan

space   equ     (CORESIZE/81)   ; Step when scanning for code.
qbomb   equ     6               ; Step when bombing.

scan    sne.X   space*1+bottom, space*3+bottom
	seq.X   space*2+bottom, space*4+bottom
	mov     #space*1+bottom-found, found
	sne.X   space*45+bottom, space*47+bottom
	seq.X   space*46+bottom, space*48+bottom
	mov     #space*45+bottom-found, found
	sne.X   space*65+bottom, space*67+bottom
	seq.X   space*66+bottom, space*68+bottom
	mov     #space*65+bottom-found, found
	jmn.B   found, found    ; Get out early if found something.

	sne.X   space*13+bottom, space*15+bottom
	seq.X   space*14+bottom, space*16+bottom
	mov     #space*13+bottom-found, found
	sne.X   space*57+bottom, space*59+bottom
	seq.X   space*58+bottom, space*60+bottom
	mov     #space*57+bottom-found, found
	sne.X   space*69+bottom, space*71+bottom
	seq.X   space*70+bottom, space*72+bottom
	mov     #space*69+bottom-found, found
	jmn.B   found, found    ; Get out early if found something.

	sne.X   space*5+bottom, space*7+bottom
	seq.X   space*6+bottom, space*8+bottom
	mov     #space*5+bottom-found, found
	sne.X   space*25+bottom, space*27+bottom
	seq.X   space*26+bottom, space*28+bottom
	mov     #space*25+bottom-found, found
        sne.X   space*73+bottom, space*75+bottom
	seq.X   space*74+bottom, space*76+bottom
	mov     #space*73+bottom-found, found
	jmn.B   found, found    ; Get out early if found something.

	sne.X   space*17+bottom, space*19+bottom
	seq.X   space*18+bottom, space*20+bottom
	mov     #space*17+bottom-found, found
	sne.X   space*37+bottom, space*39+bottom
	seq.X   space*38+bottom, space*40+bottom
	mov     #space*37+bottom-found, found
	sne.X   space*77+bottom, space*79+bottom
	seq.X   space*78+bottom, space*80+bottom
	mov     #space*77+bottom-found, found
	jmn.B   found, found    ; Get out early if found something.

	sne.X   space*9+bottom, space*11+bottom
	seq.X   space*10+bottom, space*12+bottom
	mov     #space*9+bottom-found, found
	sne.X   space*29+bottom, space*31+bottom
	seq.X   space*30+bottom, space*32+bottom
	mov     #space*29+bottom-found, found
	sne.X   space*49+bottom, space*51+bottom
	seq.X   space*50+bottom, space*52+bottom
	mov     #space*49+bottom-found, found
        jmn.B   found, found    ; Get out early if found something.

	sne.X   space*21+bottom, space*23+bottom
	seq.X   space*22+bottom, space*24+bottom
	mov     #space*21+bottom-found, found
	sne.X   space*41+bottom, space*43+bottom
	seq.X   space*42+bottom, space*44+bottom
	mov     #space*41+bottom-found, found
	sne.X   space*61+bottom, space*63+bottom
	seq.X   space*62+bottom, space*64+bottom
	mov     #space*61+bottom-found, found
	jmn.B   found, found    ; Get out early if found something.

	sne.X   space*33+bottom, space*35+bottom
	seq.X   space*34+bottom, space*36+bottom
	mov     #space*33+bottom-found, found
	sne.X   space*53+bottom, space*55+bottom
	seq.X   space*54+bottom, space*56+bottom
	mov     #space*53+bottom-found, found

	jmn.B   found, found    ; Quick-bomb if found something.
        jmp     warrior         ; Execute regular code, because nothing found.

	add     #space, found
found   jmz.F   -1, 0           ; Goto the location where we found something.

	mov.B   found, backwd   ; Save this value for use in backward bomb.

forward mov.I   b1, >found
        mov.I   b2, @found
	add     #(qbomb-1), found
	jmn.F   forward, @found

	sub     #(2*qbomb), backwd      ; Don't re-bomb over forward-scan.

backwd  mov.I   b2, 0
        mov.I   b1, <backwd
	sub     #(qbomb-1), backwd
	jmn.F   backwd, @backwd

        ;boot away clear and start it
warrior mov     movptr, movptr+bootdist
        mov     djnptr, djnptr+bootdist
        mov     clear-1,    clear+bootdist+sep-1
        mov     clear,      clear+bootdist+sep
        mov     clear+1,    clear+bootdist+sep+1
        mov     clear+2,    clear+bootdist+sep+2
        mov     clear+3,    clear+bootdist+sep+3

        jmp     clear+bootdist+sep

;core clear
movptr  dat     {4000,   {200
djnptr  dat     {4000,   {200

;when booted there are sep(=17) spaces here

        dat     {sep+9,    {1
clear   spl     #sep+12,    1
        mov     clear,   }-2-sep-2	;== mov clear, }movptr
        mov     clear,   }-3-sep-2
        djn.a   -2,     >-4-sep-1	;== djn.a -2, >djnptr

;qscan bombs
b1      spl     #2,     0
b2      mov     -1,     }-1

bottom  end




Justin Kao




From: PK6811S@ACAD.DRAKE.EDU
Subject: Re: Indirect Jumps
Date: 1996/07/17
Message-ID: <01I76AY7K0MG002LOR@ACAD.DRAKE.EDU>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


Criss wrote:

>Years ago I programed some Core-Warriors.
>
>Standard '86 or '88 can't remember. I used inderect jumps
>to 'catch' the other program.
>
>I 'poked' into the other program something like:
>
>jmp @3
>jmp @2
>jmp @1
>dat -3128
>
>the 'DAT' pointed to some pit of mine.
>
>A direct jump was not possible back that days, since you couldn't
>mix the A and B fields, so calculating the right jump address was
>sort of tricky.

Check out this '88 vampire to see how to use direct jumping:

;redcode verbose
;name Sucker 3
;kill Sucker
;author Stefan Strack
;strategy Self-splitting, pattern-bombing vampire
;strategy 2: with confusion
;strategy 3: merger of Union and Sucker: much denser, mod-2 bomb-pattern
;strategy Submitted: @date@

mark    equ start-1-4+10+44+350+44 ;development history mess

jump    jmp clear-mark,mark

start   spl 0
loop    sub clear,jump           ;'jump' will land here after 12,000 cycles
        mov jump,@jump
        djn loop,<4003           ;mutagenize core/confuse scanners

clear   mov 34,<-34              ;entry for captured processes
        spl clear
        jmp clear

        end start
--------------------------------------------

>OK my problem now. I downloaded PMARS (MSDOS) version 0.8.
>
>When I compile my old version the above sequence doesn't work the way it
>used to work. The jump instructions 'JUMP' to the DAT instruction
>rather then to the address it is pointing to. Why is that?
>I checked the papers (instruction) I downloaded as well and in my
>opinion the above SHOULD work allright.
>
>I just did some other testing, a program like
>
>-------------------------------------------------------------
>mov #1,1
>jmp @this_is_changing
>dat -2
>-------------------------------------------------------------
>
>would have been an infinite loop.

Under any proper implementation this would never have worked, and the '94
standard is 100% backward compatible.  Your code actually looks like this:

mov #1,1
jmp @this_is_changing,0
dat 0,-2

The #1 gets moved to the b-field of the jmp under any of the standards,
and the jmp has always jumped to the address pointed to by it's a-operand.

We're not getting any younger Criss, and they say memory is the first to
go :-)  Welcome back to CoreWars.

Paul Kline
pk6811s@acad.drake.edu



From: Beppe Bezzi <bezzi@nemo.it>
Subject: Re: Indirect Jumps
Date: 1996/07/17
Message-ID: <B0000189692@nemont.nemo.it>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


PK6811S@acad.drake.edu wrote:
>Criss wrote:
...
>
>Check out this '88 vampire to see how to use direct jumping:
>
>;redcode verbose
>;name Sucker 3
...
>
>mark    equ start-1-4+10+44+350+44 ;development history mess
>
...
>Under any proper implementation this would never have worked, and the '94
>standard is 100% backward compatible.  Your code actually looks like this:
>

That's not exact. As Planar pointed out we have to add () around old equ to
make old warriors work properly, and Sucker 3 is an example of 88 warrior
not working under pmars08

>
>Paul Kline
>pk6811s@acad.drake.edu
>

-Beppe Bezzi

<bezzi@nemo.it>




From: ngreen@plains.nodak.edu (Nathan D Green)
Subject: Re: Indirect Jumps!
Date: 1996/07/17
Message-ID: <4sjidu$1rj@daily-planet.nodak.edu>#1/1
references: <4shscl$9nm@newsbf02.news.aol.com> <4siva0$pi6@sparcserver.lrz-muenchen.de>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


Bjoern Guenzel (guenzel@extern.lrz-muenchen.de) wrote:
: chrissalo@aol.com (Chrissalo) wrote:

[problem with old warrior and new standard.]

: >I 'poked' into the other program something like:

: >jmp @3
: >jmp @2
: >jmp @1
: >dat -3128

: '@' is b-field indirect, you have dat -3128,0, therefore the jump goes to the
: dat.
: Use '*' instead of '@', that is a-field indirect, or put the value in the
: b-field of the dat.
: Perhaps in the old standard dat -3128 was compiled to dat 0,-3128?

The current standard (and pmars 0.8) compiles it to dat #0,$-3128.

From icws94.0202:

0256 final value.  If there is only one operand associated with a DAT
0257 instruction, this operand is assembled into the B-mode and B-address
0258 fields, while #0 is assembled into the A-mode and A-address fields.

: >It just doesn't work anymore :-(.

: >Any clue why it doesn't work anymore?

It seems to work fine for me...

Script started on Wed Jul 17 14:53:34 1996
$ cat x.red
jmp @3
jmp @2
jmp @1
dat -3128
$ pmars x.red -e
Warning:
        Missing ';assert'. Warrior may not work with the current setting

Source: filename 'x.red'
Number of warnings: 1

Program "Unknown" (length 4) by "Anonymous"

       ORG      START
START  JMP.B  @     3, $     0     
       JMP.B  @     2, $     0     
       JMP.B  @     1, $     0     
       DAT.F  #     0, $ -3128     

00000   JMP.B  @     3, $     0     
(cdb) s
04875   
(cdb) s
Unknown by Anonymous scores 0
$ exit

Script done on Wed Jul 17 14:54:02 1996

The jmp instruction jumps -3128 from the dat instruction at location 3.
3 + (-3128) + 8000 = 4875.

--
Nathan Green			(ngreen@plains.nodak.edu)
GCS d? s: a21.6>21.7 C+++ UV P>+ L++>+++ E W N++ o++ K+ 
w---(--) !O M- V PS PE Y PGP- t+ 5 X R tv-(--) b++>+++ DI++>+++ D+ 
G+>++++ e(*)>+ h!>++ !r !y+ (Version 3.12)



From: guenzel@extern.lrz-muenchen.de (Bjoern Guenzel)
Subject: hill features?
Date: 1996/07/17
Message-ID: <4sj1op$t20@sparcserver.lrz-muenchen.de>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


Hello!

My next vacation is getting closer, and after that I willl move and lose my
e-mail address. Not that I really expect my warriors would stay on the hill for
that long...

Anyway, I wonder how far the 'change attributes' features on the pizza hills
have come? It would be really nice to have them.

Thank's for all the work!

Bjoern




From: guenzel@extern.lrz-muenchen.de (Bjoern Guenzel)
Subject: Re: Indirect Jumps!
Date: 1996/07/17
Message-ID: <4siva0$pi6@sparcserver.lrz-muenchen.de>#1/1
references: <4shscl$9nm@newsbf02.news.aol.com>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


chrissalo@aol.com (Chrissalo) wrote:

>Hi!

>New to Core 94 standard!

>Years ago I programed some Core-Warriors.

>Standard '86 or '88 can't remember. I used inderect jumps
>to 'catch' the other program.

>I 'poked' into the other program something like:

>jmp @3
>jmp @2
>jmp @1
>dat -3128

'@' is b-field indirect, you have dat -3128,0, therefore the jump goes to the
dat.
Use '*' instead of '@', that is a-field indirect, or put the value in the
b-field of the dat.
Perhaps in the old standard dat -3128 was compiled to dat 0,-3128?

>It just doesn't work anymore :-(.

>Any clue why it doesn't work anymore?

only the a-field/b-field problem.

>Chris

Bjoern




From: jklewis@ren.us.itd.umich.edu (John K. Lewis)
Subject: Re: Indirect Jumps!
Date: 1996/07/17
Message-ID: <4sipsg$h7b@lastactionhero.rs.itd.umich.edu>#1/1
references: <4shscl$9nm@newsbf02.news.aol.com>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


Subject: Re: Indirect Jumps!
Newsgroups: rec.games.corewar
References: <4shscl$9nm@newsbf02.news.aol.com>
Distribution: 
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Subject: Re: Indirect Jumps!
Newsgroups: rec.games.corewar
References: <4shscl$9nm@newsbf02.news.aol.com>
Distribution: 
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Subject: Re: Indirect Jumps!
Newsgroups: rec.games.corewar
References: <4shscl$9nm@newsbf02.news.aol.com>
Distribution: 
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Chrissalo (chrissalo@aol.com) wrote:

: jmp @3
: jmp @2
: jmp @1
: dat -3128
: 
: the 'DAT' pointed to some pit of mine.

Change either of the following:

jmp @3		jmp *3
jmp @2		jmp *2
jmp @1		jmp *1
dat 0,-3128	dat -3128

The dat now has an effective a and b field.  In your previous example the
jmp's were looking into the b field of the dat, which was empty (0).  The
solution is to either point to a significant b field (column one) or point
to the a field (column two).

: -------------------------------------------------------------
: goto_next_instruction equ 1
: start
: 	mov.AB 	#goto_next_instruction	,poke_to
: poke_to	jmp.B 	@is_not_changing	,@this_is_changing
: 	dat.F 	is_not_relevant		,start
: -------------------------------------------------------------

mov.A #1,1
jmp @this number now changes
dat this number is important now.

The addressing mode AB moves the content of the A field to the target B
field.  The addressing mode A moves the content of the A field to the
target A field.


: It just doesn't work anymore :-(.
: Chris

John K. Lewis   :-)

It works, just need to define the modes and modifiers with care til in
becomes second nature.



From: jdk@subzero.us.itd.umich.edu (John Kintz)
Subject: test
Date: 1996/07/17
Message-ID: <4sippa$h5j@lastactionhero.rs.itd.umich.edu>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


Just a test for a user.
-- 
[ john kintz ][ umce support ][ jr. news admin ][ jdk@umich.edu ]



From: chrissalo@aol.com (Chrissalo)
Subject: Indirect Jumps!
Date: 1996/07/17
Message-ID: <4shscl$9nm@newsbf02.news.aol.com>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


Hi!

New to Core 94 standard!

Years ago I programed some Core-Warriors.

Standard '86 or '88 can't remember. I used inderect jumps
to 'catch' the other program.

I 'poked' into the other program something like:

jmp @3
jmp @2
jmp @1
dat -3128

the 'DAT' pointed to some pit of mine.

A direct jump was not possible back that days, since you couldn't
mix the A and B fields, so calculating the right jump address was
sort of tricky.
OK my problem now. I downloaded PMARS (MSDOS) version 0.8.

When I compile my old version the above sequence doesn't work the way it
used to work. The jump instructions 'JUMP' to the DAT instruction
rather then to the address it is pointing to. Why is that?
I checked the papers (instruction) I downloaded as well and in my
opinion the above SHOULD work allright.

I just did some other testing, a program like

-------------------------------------------------------------
mov #1,1
jmp @this_is_changing
dat -2
-------------------------------------------------------------

would have been an infinite loop.

'94 it probably would have to be written like:

-------------------------------------------------------------
goto_next_instruction equ 1
start
	mov.AB 	#goto_next_instruction	,poke_to
poke_to	jmp.B 	@is_not_changing	,@this_is_changing
	dat.F 	is_not_relevant		,start
-------------------------------------------------------------

It just doesn't work anymore :-(.

Any clue why it doesn't work anymore?

Chris



From: sd@ecst.csuchico.edu (Lord Kymbote)
Subject: Pizza Hills closed again
Date: 1996/07/18
Message-ID: <4sm8sd$pjo@charnel.ecst.csuchico.edu>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar



The pizza hills will be closed this weekend from friday july 19th at 12:00
noon PDT until sometime around sunday july 21st at 18:00 PDT.  All relevant
machines will be down, including the web server and mail server.  We are
sorry for the inconvenience, but you should notice improved performance
after sunday night.

Thank you for your patience.

Thos

--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\/~~\ /~~~\/\  / \  \ / /~\ /~~~~~YY~~~\\   /~~
Thomas "Thos" Davies             V       \/\ /\  V /   V    |\/\/|  V\ /
sd@ecst.csuchico.edu                        V  \  /         |  / |    V
                     Internet Pizza Server      \/          | /\ |
  Member C.W.M.    Corewar King of the Hill information     |/oo\| CAVE ON
   Since 1987    http://www.ecst.csuchico.edu/~pizza/koth/   |/\|



From: howard@aimla.com (Howard Soroka)
Subject: History of Multi-Player Gaming
Date: 1996/07/18
Message-ID: <howard-1807961002240001@howards.slip.netcom.com>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.netrek,rec.games.corewar,rec.games.design,rec.games.mud.admin,rec.games.mud.moo,rec.games.trivia,rec.games.video.misc


(Forgive me if you've seen an earlier version of this message, I think my
first attempt failed but I'm not sure...)

Netizens:

I am trying to establish some facts about the origins of multi-player
games on computers.

I need to know the names of specific games which meet a simple set of
criteria (below), and which existed prior to the early 1980's. The
earlier, the better, but anything up to 1984 might be appropriate. The
games need not be commercial products, though they can be. Anything
created at a research facility (educational or otherwise) or anywhere else
(on planet Earth), is fine.

The criteria are:

The game must have the capability of involving at least two players
(though it's fine if it has a single-user version as well).

Each player must have his/her own form of input device(s), such as
keyboard, joystick, mouse, or buttons.

Each player must have his/her own form of video display. For purposes of
the discussion, a true graphics display (bitmapped or vector) is
preferable to an alphanumeric terminal, but even games using old-fashioned
dumb ASCII terminals are acceptable, especially if the terminal is used to
simulate graphic imagery (no matter how simplistic) using plain
characters.

If possible, I would like to know:

Who created it, where, and when (actual names, if possible).
What computing environment it ran on (hardware, software).
How to get in touch with the creator(s).
Any other pertinent information you might know would be very much appreciated!

If you can respond to this request, feel free to post it to Usenet, but
please send your responses directly to me as well by return email.

I work for a game publishing company, and we need this information for an
important current project.

If someone out there comes up with some good solid information about early
multi-player gaming, I'll bet I could pry loose a few copies of good
current product to send out as rewards ;-).

Many thanks,

Howard Soroka



From: guenzel@extern.lrz-muenchen.de (Bjoern Guenzel)
Subject: d-clear '2', only for the archive...
Date: 1996/07/18
Message-ID: <4sjr8f$o5q@sparcserver.lrz-muenchen.de>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


This is only for Planars archive, the principle is exactly the same as d-clear.
It only has a better shape against bombers (at least I think so).
THerefore it should score a bit better in the benchmarks, and that's the only
reason I post it...

Hm, perhaps it could do a decrement-protection?

I wonder if it would be better to have no '>' in the spl?
Perhaps I should do some more tests...

Bjoern

;redcode-94
;name d-clear II
;author bjoern guenzel
;strategy d-clear
;assert CORESIZE==8000
;release 30.5.96
;kill d-clear


shift		equ -3000




ptr		dat 0,#-shift+1003
		dat 0,0
		dat 0,0
		spl #0,>ptr
loop		mov.i bomb,>ptr
		djn.f loop,>ptr
		dat 0,0
		dat 0,0
bomb		dat >1,>bomb-ptr+2
bsource		dat 0,-3

boot		mov.i }ptr,>booptr
		mov.i }ptr,>booptr
for 6
		mov.i {bsource,{booptr
rof
booptr	spl bsource+shift,ptr+shift
		mov.f #0,-1
		dat >2000,>2500

z for (MAXLENGTH-CURLINE)/2
		spl #z*100,#z*101
		stp.a >0,#1
rof

		end boot
			




From: guenzel@extern.lrz-muenchen.de (Bjoern Guenzel)
Subject: justice 2
Date: 1996/07/18
Message-ID: <4sjr8d$o5q@sparcserver.lrz-muenchen.de>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


Here is justice 2, probably my best bomber so far. It is defenseless against
paper and probably some other things, though, and doesn't make the hill on it's
own these days :-(

It is derived from the self-justice engine, the differences are a mod 4 bombing
pattern instead of mod 5, a torch-style djn-stream protection instead of a
djn-stream, a d-clear, and also the switch to the clear is more stable than in
self-justice.

Bjoern  


;redcode-94
;name justice 2
;author bjoern guenzel
;strategy bomber
;strategy v2: test new clear
;assert CORESIZE==8000 
;kill justice

jstep		equ 3364
jshift		equ -1234

jcptr		dat >jstart,#jbomb+2
jcb		dat <-2668,#jbomb+2-jcptr
		dat 0,0	
jstart		spl #0,>jcptr-2
jptr		mov.i jbomb,*(jhit+3*jstep)	
		mov.i jbomb,@jptr		;this bomb hits
jhit		add.ab #2*jstep,jptr
		jmz.b jptr,#0
		mov.i jcb,>jcptr
		djn.f -1,>jcptr
jbsource	dat 0,0
jsplit		spl #0,<0
for 3
		stp.ab >0,#0
rof
jbomb		mov.i jstep,1

jboot		mov.i jsplit,@jbooptr		;move spl to jhit+jstep
		mov.i jbomb,*jbbooptr
for 10
		mov.i {jbsource,{jbooptr
rof
jbooptr		spl *jbsource+jshift,jhit+jstep+jshift	
		mov.f 0,jbooptr
jbbooptr	div.f #jbomb+jshift,#0
		dat 0,0	
		

z for (MAXLENGTH-CURLINE)/2
		spl #z*102,#z*101
		stp >0,#1
rof

		end jboot





From: guenzel@extern.lrz-muenchen.de (Bjoern Guenzel)
Subject: Re: Core Warrior 36
Date: 1996/07/19
Message-ID: <4so003$don@sparcserver.lrz-muenchen.de>#1/1
references: <4rc6rb$nd6@mozo.cc.purdue.edu>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar



>The Mirage/Blur Scanner Series
>by Anton Marsden

>Mirage 1.5 was my first successful warrior. It was a 33% scanner with
>continuous 33% carpet in the scanning loop. It did quite well against 
>imp-type warriors and papers but was thrashed by bombers. I wrote several
>similar warriors similar to Mirage 1.5 and didn't want to publish them
>immediately - I was still experimenting. But now I'm quite happy with my
>latest version and have decided to release them all now, including the Hill 
>version. I haven't included the booting code and decoy but they're nothing 
>special. If there's enough demand for the full versions I'll post them in the 
>newsgroup at a later date.

Hello!

Yes, I would appreciate the versions with boot and decoy!

Bjoern




From: vlouie@acs.ryerson.ca (Vincent Louie - AERE/F92)
Subject: Re: History of Multi-Player Gaming
Date: 1996/07/19
Message-ID: <4soamv$ghr@ns2.ryerson.ca>#1/1
references: <howard-1807961002240001@howards.slip.netcom.com>
newsgroups: rec.games.netrek,rec.games.corewar,rec.games.design,rec.games.mud.admin,rec.games.mud.moo,rec.games.trivia,rec.games.video.misc


Howard Soroka (howard@aimla.com) wrote:
: If you can respond to this request, feel free to post it to Usenet, but
: please send your responses directly to me as well by return email.

Okay...you click on the Net Search icon in Netscape, and in the little box 
that says search topic, you enter (without the quotes) "history netrek", 
"history mud", "history bolo", "history xtrek", "history moo", "history 
empire internet" etc.

Magellan seems to suck, but Infoseek works well.


Netrek:

-- http://www.ecst.csuchico.edu/~netrek/history/History.html gives a pretty 
good description.  It doesn't go into how Steve Sheldon is such a 
supergenius for figuring out that RSA keys were not randomly generated, 
but otherwise, it's pretty informative.

MUD:

-- http://www.iscs.nus.sg/~limyeech/interest/mudorigin.html and
-- http://www.iscs.nus.sg/~limyeech/interest/mudhist.html look pretty 
informative too.  No pictures either, so it's superfast (wheee)

---
Vincent Louie



From: "Andrew D. Janssen" <bil@primenet.com>
Subject: Re: Sony PlayStation **#1** 1.25 million Units sold, Sega Saturn distant #2 with only .75 million units sold
Date: 1996/07/20
Message-ID: <31F1C91F.192F@primenet.com>#1/1
references: <4spd29$nge@news.snfc21.pacbell.net>
newsgroups: rec.games.computer.quake.playing,rec.games.computer.quake.servers,rec.games.computer.stars,rec.games.computer.ultima-dragons,rec.games.computer.xpilot,rec.games.corewar,rec.games.design,rec.games.diplomacy,rec.games.empire


This is completely irrelevant to the subject of this group. Read the d*mn 
FAQ!


Rick Jonathan Merin wrote:
> 
> Sony PlayStation **#1** 1.25 million Units sold, Sega Saturn distant #2
> with only .75 million units sold
> 
> Contrary to the beliefs of the mis-informed, Sega will have to postpone
> its plans for "World Domination" for some time.  Read the following
> information taken from the San Jose Mercury Newspaper:
> 
> *************************************************************************> 
> Source: San Jose Mercury News, Business Section, Tuesday July 16th 1996
> 
> "Sega of America Inc. in Redwood City, after failing to entice its
> adolescent audience into buying the Sega Saturn game system, is getting a
> new management team that includes a boss from the company's headquarters
> in Japan."
> 
> "The 32-bit Sega Saturn has fallen far behind Sony's playstation.  For the
> fiscal year ended in March, Sega reported a loss of $170 million..."
> 
> "The Company (Sega) recently formed a separate subsidiary in Redwood City
> called Sega Entertainment to focus on expanding its franchise into
> personal computer games."
> 
> Lee Isgur, a video game industry analyst with investment firm Jeffries &
> Co., estimates that Sony has sold about 1.25 million PlayStations in the
> United States since their introduction last year, compared with Sega's
> sales of about 750,000 Saturns.
> 
> "Sega is a very poor No. 2 relative to Sony and they have to be worried
> that Nintendo will relegate them to No. 3", Lee Isgur.
> 
> *************************************************************************> 
> My commentary:
> 
> Tom Kalinske, Sega of America's president, is leaving.  To join the
> convicted felon Michael Milken, who ripped off people in a junk bond scam
> that landed his but in jail on a felony conviction, to form Education
> Technologies.
> 
> Good riddence Mr. Kalinske, SEGA's way better off without him!!!  Have fun
> selling investments, with the other old men on Wall Street.
> 
> You have to wonder, if SEGA gets hooked creating games for the PC, what's
> gonna happen to the Saturn.  While PC's are all upwardly compatible and
> have been around for decades, why should SEGA continue to support a single
> use, and probably disposable, machine like the Sega Saturn?
> 
> Could this be the death knell for the Saturn?
> 
> My most sincere reccomendation is that SEGA not spread its resources thin
> across several platforms.  But rather put all its resources into
> supporting the hard working people who buy their latest systems (at a
> premium), with top-quality hardware and top-quality games.
> 
> As a whole Sony is many times larger than SEGA, pouring billions into the
> video game industry is just a drop in the bucket for SONY.
> 
> SEGA's could let a lot of people down if they are not totally committed
> supporting their own systems.
> 
> Sincerely
> Rick Merin



From: rscott@kalypso.cybercom.net (Ralph Scott)
Subject: Rars Races results for 7-14
Date: 1996/07/20
Message-ID: <4srtq3$20l@kalypso.cybercom.net>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar,comp.ai.games,comp.programming.contests,rec.games.programmer,sci.engr.mech,sci.engr.control,sci.engr,rec.autos.simulators,comp.robotics.misc,comp.programming,comp.ai.neural-nets,comp.ai.fuzzy,comp.ai.genetic


           RARS Bi-weekly Race Report
           & News About Upcoming Races
               July 14, 1996

RARS is the Robot Auto Racing Simulation, a competition for
programmers and an on-going challenge for practicioners of Artificial
Intelligence and real-time adaptive optimal control.  It consists of
a simulation of the physics of cars racing on a track, a graphic
display of the race, and a separate control program (robot "driver")
for each car.  All RARS software and activities are free and open to
the public.  It runs on DOS, Windows, OS/2, UNIX, Linux, and several
other platforms.  For more information e-mail to mindwarp@cftnet.com or
rscott@cybercom.net.

                 Contents

          Submissions
          Todays Races
          Preliminary lap times
          Race Report
          Authors Point Standings
          Upcoming Races
          Comments

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Submissions

Please!  Any people who want to submit for the first time please
give yourselves more than a day or two (I made that mistake when
I started).  Submissions are to be SOURCE CODE only (unless in
the unlikely event you use Borland C++ for OS/2).

Buenos.trk----------------------------------------------------------
 33
  3570.00   2200.00
    75.00 
  1000      1800.80
  1500.00   2625.00 
  1968.50   1220.00 
  1969.00    750.00 
  2000.00   1400.00 
     0.10
     0                2049.5
     -105.234302      0.986111028
     -176.307379      1.59861463
     0                304.819000
     -181.437050      0.70859900
     0                673.903000
     163.555156      2.81361366
     0               582.170000
     265.479092      1.53588974
     -331.137753     0.56449274
     0               250.853000
     -225.425725      3.14367766
     0               1338.12900
     -504.936235      1.37863500
     0               594.241000
     -106.134760      3.18518665
     0               222.310000
     274.153801      0.523598776
     -170.685215      0.604048776
     0               158.708000
     181.735976      1.459300
     0               262.231000
     181.431653      2.13478965
     0               986.653000
     118.578162      2.07454966
     0               94.788000
     -59.4199639      1.68704066
     0               203.728000
     -229.070094      0.61407200
     0                932
     -153.081285      2.82249965
     0               480.922000
     491.464079      0.468051

Buenos Aries
by RScott@cybercom.net
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is a repeat of the announcement about todays races:

July 14th,  S2 and Stef2 Midget Division Races, 30 laps
            Alternate: Silverstone
           One of the top two races will be 'rained out' and will be
           replaced by Silverstone (which is being run that day).  I will
           flip a coin that day to figure out which race is to be
           'rained out'.
           No. of races        Depends on number drivers (minimum 6)
                               2 preliminary (half lap count)
                               2 novice(bottom half of preliminarys)
                               2 expert(top half of preliminarys)
           Laps:               30 each race(15 for preliminary)
           Software version:   0.64
           Surface Type:       1
           no practice, random starting order.

This is a modified .64 where all cars must cross the finish line
once before the race is over.

The drivers will be uploaded to ftp.ijs.com to a file called
driv0714.zip in 1-3 days.  All drivers will be there.

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Preliminary lap times

SilverStone
         Car      Laps       Avg MPH     Damage    Fuel    Notes
-------------------------------------------------------------
         RS                    80.32
         OG                    76.47


S2
         Car      Laps       Avg MPH     Damage    Fuel    Notes
-------------------------------------------------------------
         RS        7           62.14
         OG                    59.77
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Race Reports

mv0714r1.zip
2 cars for 30 laps.  The track was silver2.trk.  The drivers were:
OG, and RS.

The initial RVG seed was 42028.

   results of race 1:
starting positions:
RS, and OG.

 1       RS  avg spd 80.51    30 laps   2293 damage   12 fuel   10 pts accum
 2       OG  avg spd 76.25    29 laps   2793 damage  145 fuel    6 pts accum


mv0714r2.zip
2 cars for 30 laps.  The track was s2.trk.  The drivers were:
OG, and RS.

The initial RVG seed was 62886.

   results of race 1:
starting positions:
OG, and RS.

 1       RS  avg spd 62.27    30 laps    438 damage   52 fuel   10 pts accum
 2       OG  avg spd 59.89    29 laps    755 damage   41 fuel    6 pts accum
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Points for Day
         Pr eli mi na ry                      Todays   Seasons
Driver   Race 1, 2   Total  Novice   Expert   Total     Total(Nov, Exp)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
OG         6, 6       12             na  na    10N       10,0
Ra        10,10       20    na  na             10E        0,10
----------------------------------------------------------------------

This is the point standings for the Midget Division. (last 5 outings)

Randy Saint        0,10    0, 0   0, 0   0, 0   0, 0       (U.S.A)
Oscar Gustafsson  10, 0    0, 0   0, 0   0, 0   0, 0       (U.S.A)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
This is the RARS address book.
Randy & Marianne Saint   <saint@phoenix.net>
Oscar Gustafsson         <oscar@lysator.liu.se>


            Upcoming RARS Race Meets

RACING SCHEDULE (all races track surface 1)

July 28th,  R.A. and Adelaid2 Unlimited Division Races, 80 laps
            Alternate: Hockenheim

Aug  11th,  S2 and Stef2 Midget Division Races, 30 laps
           No. of races        Depends on number drivers (minimum 6)
                               2 preliminary (half lap count)
                               2 novice(bottom half of preliminarys)
                               2 expert(top half of preliminarys)
            Alternate: Hungary
           One of the top two races will be 'rained out' and will be
           replaced by Silverstone (which is being run that day).  I will
           flip a coin that day to figure out which race is to be
           'rained out'.

TENTATIVE RACING SCHEDULE (all races track surface 1)
Aug  25th,  R.A. and Adelaid2 Unlimited Division Races, 80 laps
            Alternate: Spa

Alternates:
Spt 8  Monza-76
Spt 22 Estoril
Oct 13 Suzuka
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Comments from Ralph

Small turnout.  Probably my fault.  You MUST resubmit your car
for the season.  After that I'll resubmit it myself.  I will
give this division ample time to build up.

Enclosed is my rendition of Buenos Ares.  Get used to it.  It will
replace Adelaid2 within a month or so.  Someone please post a new
copy to the list with the instruments properly placed.

***TENTATIVE***
I will be restarting the Unlimited division soon.  You will have to
send me a letter or a car stating your intentions on continuing
to race.  In addition, you must state the division you wish to
compete in, novice or expert.  I will no longer promote cars
automatically.  If you want to stay in novice, fine.  If you
think you're ready for expert, fine.  Once you declare your
status as an expert, you cannot go back to novice.  In addition,
EXPERT cars will be made public after they've aged 2 races.
Please read the cars header as to whether you can use the authors
ideas.

Hopefully, there will be some prestige to being expert as there
are plenty of negatives to go with it.

Comments?  Anybody NOT like it?
***TENTATIVE***

Good luck and see you in two weeks.




From: rscott@kalypso.cybercom.net (Ralph Scott)
Subject: Rars Race results for 7-14
Date: 1996/07/20
Message-ID: <4srtjp$1rh@kalypso.cybercom.net>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


           RARS Bi-weekly Race Report
           & News About Upcoming Races
               July 14, 1996

RARS is the Robot Auto Racing Simulation, a competition for
programmers and an on-going challenge for practicioners of Artificial
Intelligence and real-time adaptive optimal control.  It consists of
a simulation of the physics of cars racing on a track, a graphic
display of the race, and a separate control program (robot "driver")
for each car.  All RARS software and activities are free and open to
the public.  It runs on DOS, Windows, OS/2, UNIX, Linux, and several
other platforms.  For more information e-mail to mindwarp@cftnet.com or
rscott@cybercom.net.

                 Contents

          Submissions
          Todays Races
          Preliminary lap times
          Race Report
          Authors Point Standings
          Upcoming Races
          Comments

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Submissions

Please!  Any people who want to submit for the first time please
give yourselves more than a day or two (I made that mistake when
I started).  Submissions are to be SOURCE CODE only (unless in
the unlikely event you use Borland C++ for OS/2).

Buenos.trk----------------------------------------------------------
 33
  3570.00   2200.00
    75.00 
  1000      1800.80
  1500.00   2625.00 
  1968.50   1220.00 
  1969.00    750.00 
  2000.00   1400.00 
     0.10
     0                2049.5
     -105.234302      0.986111028
     -176.307379      1.59861463
     0                304.819000
     -181.437050      0.70859900
     0                673.903000
     163.555156      2.81361366
     0               582.170000
     265.479092      1.53588974
     -331.137753     0.56449274
     0               250.853000
     -225.425725      3.14367766
     0               1338.12900
     -504.936235      1.37863500
     0               594.241000
     -106.134760      3.18518665
     0               222.310000
     274.153801      0.523598776
     -170.685215      0.604048776
     0               158.708000
     181.735976      1.459300
     0               262.231000
     181.431653      2.13478965
     0               986.653000
     118.578162      2.07454966
     0               94.788000
     -59.4199639      1.68704066
     0               203.728000
     -229.070094      0.61407200
     0                932
     -153.081285      2.82249965
     0               480.922000
     491.464079      0.468051

Buenos Aries
by RScott@cybercom.net
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is a repeat of the announcement about todays races:

July 14th,  S2 and Stef2 Midget Division Races, 30 laps
            Alternate: Silverstone
           One of the top two races will be 'rained out' and will be
           replaced by Silverstone (which is being run that day).  I will
           flip a coin that day to figure out which race is to be
           'rained out'.
           No. of races        Depends on number drivers (minimum 6)
                               2 preliminary (half lap count)
                               2 novice(bottom half of preliminarys)
                               2 expert(top half of preliminarys)
           Laps:               30 each race(15 for preliminary)
           Software version:   0.64
           Surface Type:       1
           no practice, random starting order.

This is a modified .64 where all cars must cross the finish line
once before the race is over.

The drivers will be uploaded to ftp.ijs.com to a file called
driv0714.zip in 1-3 days.  All drivers will be there.

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Preliminary lap times

SilverStone
         Car      Laps       Avg MPH     Damage    Fuel    Notes
-------------------------------------------------------------
         RS                    80.32
         OG                    76.47


S2
         Car      Laps       Avg MPH     Damage    Fuel    Notes
-------------------------------------------------------------
         RS        7           62.14
         OG                    59.77
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Race Reports

mv0714r1.zip
2 cars for 30 laps.  The track was silver2.trk.  The drivers were:
OG, and RS.

The initial RVG seed was 42028.

   results of race 1:
starting positions:
RS, and OG.

 1       RS  avg spd 80.51    30 laps   2293 damage   12 fuel   10 pts accum
 2       OG  avg spd 76.25    29 laps   2793 damage  145 fuel    6 pts accum


mv0714r2.zip
2 cars for 30 laps.  The track was s2.trk.  The drivers were:
OG, and RS.

The initial RVG seed was 62886.

   results of race 1:
starting positions:
OG, and RS.

 1       RS  avg spd 62.27    30 laps    438 damage   52 fuel   10 pts accum
 2       OG  avg spd 59.89    29 laps    755 damage   41 fuel    6 pts accum
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Points for Day
         Pr eli mi na ry                      Todays   Seasons
Driver   Race 1, 2   Total  Novice   Expert   Total     Total(Nov, Exp)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
OG         6, 6       12             na  na    10N       10,0
Ra        10,10       20    na  na             10E        0,10
----------------------------------------------------------------------

This is the point standings for the Midget Division. (last 5 outings)

Randy Saint        0,10    0, 0   0, 0   0, 0   0, 0       (U.S.A)
Oscar Gustafsson  10, 0    0, 0   0, 0   0, 0   0, 0       (U.S.A)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
This is the RARS address book.
Randy & Marianne Saint   <saint@phoenix.net>
Oscar Gustafsson         <oscar@lysator.liu.se>


            Upcoming RARS Race Meets

RACING SCHEDULE (all races track surface 1)

July 28th,  R.A. and Adelaid2 Unlimited Division Races, 80 laps
            Alternate: Hockenheim

Aug  11th,  S2 and Stef2 Midget Division Races, 30 laps
           No. of races        Depends on number drivers (minimum 6)
                               2 preliminary (half lap count)
                               2 novice(bottom half of preliminarys)
                               2 expert(top half of preliminarys)
            Alternate: Hungary
           One of the top two races will be 'rained out' and will be
           replaced by Silverstone (which is being run that day).  I will
           flip a coin that day to figure out which race is to be
           'rained out'.

TENTATIVE RACING SCHEDULE (all races track surface 1)
Aug  25th,  R.A. and Adelaid2 Unlimited Division Races, 80 laps
            Alternate: Spa

Alternates:
Spt 8  Monza-76
Spt 22 Estoril
Oct 13 Suzuka
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Comments from Ralph

Small turnout.  Probably my fault.  You MUST resubmit your car
for the season.  After that I'll resubmit it myself.  I will
give this division ample time to build up.

Enclosed is my rendition of Buenos Ares.  Get used to it.  It will
replace Adelaid2 within a month or so.  Someone please post a new
copy to the list with the instruments properly placed.

***TENTATIVE***
I will be restarting the Unlimited division soon.  You will have to
send me a letter or a car stating your intentions on continuing
to race.  In addition, you must state the division you wish to
compete in, novice or expert.  I will no longer promote cars
automatically.  If you want to stay in novice, fine.  If you
think you're ready for expert, fine.  Once you declare your
status as an expert, you cannot go back to novice.  In addition,
EXPERT cars will be made public after they've aged 2 races.
Please read the cars header as to whether you can use the authors
ideas.

Hopefully, there will be some prestige to being expert as there
are plenty of negatives to go with it.

Comments?  Anybody NOT like it?
***TENTATIVE***

Good luck and see you in two weeks.




From: Rick Jonathan Merin <Merin@ix.netcom.com>
Subject: Sony PlayStation **#1** 1.25 million Units sold, Sega Saturn distant #2 with only .75 million units sold
Date: 1996/07/20
Message-ID: <4spd29$nge@news.snfc21.pacbell.net>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.computer.quake.playing,rec.games.computer.quake.servers,rec.games.computer.stars,rec.games.computer.ultima-dragons,rec.games.computer.xpilot,rec.games.corewar,rec.games.design,rec.games.diplomacy,rec.games.empire


Sony PlayStation **#1** 1.25 million Units sold, Sega Saturn distant #2 
with only .75 million units sold


Contrary to the beliefs of the mis-informed, Sega will have to postpone 
its plans for "World Domination" for some time.  Read the following 
information taken from the San Jose Mercury Newspaper:

*************************************************************************

Source: San Jose Mercury News, Business Section, Tuesday July 16th 1996

"Sega of America Inc. in Redwood City, after failing to entice its 
adolescent audience into buying the Sega Saturn game system, is getting a 
new management team that includes a boss from the company's headquarters 
in Japan."

"The 32-bit Sega Saturn has fallen far behind Sony's playstation.  For the 
fiscal year ended in March, Sega reported a loss of $170 million..."

"The Company (Sega) recently formed a separate subsidiary in Redwood City 
called Sega Entertainment to focus on expanding its franchise into 
personal computer games."

Lee Isgur, a video game industry analyst with investment firm Jeffries & 
Co., estimates that Sony has sold about 1.25 million PlayStations in the 
United States since their introduction last year, compared with Sega's 
sales of about 750,000 Saturns.

"Sega is a very poor No. 2 relative to Sony and they have to be worried 
that Nintendo will relegate them to No. 3", Lee Isgur.

*************************************************************************

My commentary:

Tom Kalinske, Sega of America's president, is leaving.  To join the 
convicted felon Michael Milken, who ripped off people in a junk bond scam 
that landed his but in jail on a felony conviction, to form Education 
Technologies.  

Good riddence Mr. Kalinske, SEGA's way better off without him!!!  Have fun 
selling investments, with the other old men on Wall Street.

You have to wonder, if SEGA gets hooked creating games for the PC, what's 
gonna happen to the Saturn.  While PC's are all upwardly compatible and 
have been around for decades, why should SEGA continue to support a single 
use, and probably disposable, machine like the Sega Saturn?  

Could this be the death knell for the Saturn?

My most sincere reccomendation is that SEGA not spread its resources thin 
across several platforms.  But rather put all its resources into 
supporting the hard working people who buy their latest systems (at a 
premium), with top-quality hardware and top-quality games.

As a whole Sony is many times larger than SEGA, pouring billions into the 
video game industry is just a drop in the bucket for SONY.  

SEGA's could let a lot of people down if they are not totally committed 
supporting their own systems.

Sincerely
Rick Merin



















From: jamesl@netcom.com (James Logajan)
Subject: Re: History of Multi-Player Gaming
Date: 1996/07/20
Message-ID: <jameslDuttKr.Any@netcom.com>#1/1
references: <howard-1807961002240001@howards.slip.netcom.com> <4soamv$ghr@ns2.ryerson.ca>
newsgroups: rec.games.netrek,rec.games.corewar,rec.games.design,rec.games.mud.admin,rec.games.trivia,rec.games.video.misc


Vincent Louie - AERE/F92 (vlouie@acs.ryerson.ca) wrote:
: Howard Soroka (howard@aimla.com) wrote:
: : If you can respond to this request, feel free to post it to Usenet, but
: : please send your responses directly to me as well by return email.

: Okay...you click on the Net Search icon in Netscape, and in the little box 
: that says search topic, you enter (without the quotes) "history netrek", 
: "history mud", "history bolo", "history xtrek", "history moo", "history 
: empire internet" etc.

This assumes, of course, that all the history worth covering has already
been compiled and is on the Internet somewhere. An assumption that, it turns
out, is simply wrong.




From: David Forthoffer <dforthof@adobe.com>
Subject: Re: History of Multi-Player Gaming
Date: 1996/07/21
Message-ID: <31F2AA74.37D0@adobe.com>#1/1
references: <howard-1807961002240001@howards.slip.netcom.com>
newsgroups: rec.games.netrek,rec.games.corewar,rec.games.design,rec.games.mud.admin,rec.games.mud.moo,rec.games.trivia,rec.games.video.misc


Howard Soroka wrote:
> 
> I need to know the names of specific games which meet a simple set of
> criteria (below), and which existed prior to the early 1980's.

I remember two such games.

One was a Star Trek game written in the late 70's by a co-worker
at Control Data Corporation in Sunnyvale, California. I forget his name.
He did work in Customer Support; it might be "Ron". It ran on a text-based 
monitor, and redrew the screen every move to "graphically" display the 
current quadrant. You could play against other players. It ran on the CDC
SCOPE 3.4 operating system, on the CDC 6000 series computers.
It was written FORTRAN, and used a shared permanent file system for
inter-player communications. It was very popular, and was eventually
banned during normal business hours.

The other was a game called "Empire", also written in the late 70's.
I don't know who wrote it; I think it was a Control Data employee
in Arden Hills, Minnesota. It ran on the Control Data PLATO network.
The terminals were the latest graphics terminals -- large bitmapped
amber plasma displays, with a Z-80 CPU inside. I don't know what the
server was; it was probably a CDC 6000. Each player operated a simple
space ship that could fire a dumb rocket, drop bombs on a planet, or
land soldiers/settlers. The universe had dozens of planets. A game started
with a planet belonging to each of four teams. A player had to choose a
team when logging on. The goal was for one team to conquer the universe.
A game typically lasted between a half day and three days. The game
involved considerable skill due to the discrete nature of time;
this lead to the ships effectively jumping from one spot to another
without travelling between them. Rockets did the same. The skill
involved the right combination of knowledge of game mechanics,
skill in maneuvering, and anticipating opponents' actions.
We often had over a hundred people on at one time.

-- 
David Forthoffer
cc: Both



From: pjii@ix.netcom.com (Peter Jamison II)
Subject: AFFORD ALL THE GAMES YOU EVER WANT!
Date: 1996/07/21
Message-ID: <4ssca0$53a@dfw-ixnews6.ix.netcom.com>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


ATTENTION EVERYONE:
Take the time to read this and you will be on your way to the easiest
way to make money since winning the state lottery  This detailed, yet
simple program will allow you to make a small fortune in under 2
months with starting costs of 5 dollars!  I am talking about money
around $10,000-20,000 depending on how much time you put in to it.
Print this article out now!

JUST TRY THIS--ALL YOU HAVE TO LOSE IS ABOUT $8!!!!!

All you have to do is give this a try and judge for yourself.  You
will definitely be satisfied with the conclusion you will reach.
Here's the program.

1. Mail $1 to each of the five names you see on the list at the end of
the letter.

2. Send a note on a piece of paper saying "Please add me to your list"

Remember to wrap 
the paper around the bill, so postal workers won't steal it. 
Also mention what slot or number the person was in when you mailed
them $1.  For example, if John Doe was in slot #1, you would write,
"John, you were in slot #1".

3. Move the names on the list up one increment.  This means the number
#1 person will no longer be on the list and everyone will move "up"
one number.  PLACE YOUR NAME IN SLOT #5 RIGHT NOW!!

4. Take this letter with your name added to the list and post it in as
many newsgroups and BBS as you can.  Re-post the letter after a week
has passed to as many newsgroups as you can.  Re-post as many times as
you like in the initial three weeks.  THE MORE THE BETTER.  The
more newsgroups you post this to means the more money you will make.
You want to expose this to as many people as possible.

5. Post a catchy subject line in each newsgroup to attract people to
reading your letter.

6. Just sit back and relax.  If you have followed the instructions and
posted to enough groups, you are going to have a new car or whatever
else you want to buy in less than two months.  There will be money
coming in slowly until the third week when you will get a FLOOD of
letters with $1 in them!  If you're like me, you'll have a stack of
one's over ten feet high.  You'll be laughing all the way to the bank
with your newly acquired 10,000 one dollar bills.

7. The last thing to remember is to save the pieces of paper you
received from people with the $1 in it to be legal and avoid hassles
with the IRS.

8. This business is totally legal under title 18, Section 1302 and
1341 of the U.S. Postal Lottery Laws.

9. Make sure to remain honest at all times and to keep the integrity
of the list intact.  We are all working for each other!

HERE IS THE LIST OF NAMES:

#1.  Kenneth Jay
       17 Pappagallo Point
       Aliso Viejo, CA 92656    *USA*

#2.  Dynamic Computers
       P.O. Box 317
       West Springfield,  MA  01090    *USA*

#3.  Scott Gagnon
       217 Morgan Street
       South Hadley,  MA  01075   *USA*

 #4. Shawn Neil
       901-1424 Nelson St.
       Vancouver, BC V6G 1L9   *Canada* 
*** I HAVE MADE $2856.00 LAST WEEK ALONE!!!! ***

 #5 Peter Jamison II
      18955 Ridgeview Circle
      Villa Park, Ca 92861 *USA*
-- 
SLTG





From: Derek Sorensen <Derek@bumblbee.demon.co.uk>
Subject: Re: Sony PlayStation **#1** 1.25 million Units sold, Sega Saturn distant #2 with only .75 million units sold
Date: 1996/07/21
Message-ID: <837940669snz@bumblbee.demon.co.uk>#1/1
references: <4spd29$nge@news.snfc21.pacbell.net> <31F1C91F.192F@primenet.com>
newsgroups: rec.games.computer.quake.playing,rec.games.computer.quake.servers,rec.games.computer.stars,rec.games.computer.ultima-dragons,rec.games.computer.xpilot,rec.games.corewar,rec.games.design,rec.games.diplomacy,rec.games.empire


In article <31F1C91F.192F@primenet.com>
           bil@primenet.com "Andrew D. Janssen" writes:

> 
> This is completely irrelevant to the subject of this group. Read the d*mn 
> FAQ!
> 

But you then went on to quote the whole of the off-topic article.

Hmm ... I suggest you subscribe to news.newusers for a while.

Derek Sorensen
-- 
WARNING-> If you are someone running their business by sending junk
email, be advised, any unsolicited junk mail received in response to my
usenet posts will be forwarded to your postmaster <-WARNING
NOTE-> I used to have a friendly .sig!



From: SKI Koth Server <koth@koth.org>
Subject: SKI-ICWS: Status - Multiwarrior Experimental 94 07/22/96
Date: 1996/07/22
Message-ID: <199607220400.AAA06209@odin.stormking.com>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


			Weekly Status on  07/22/96

******
NOTICE
******

	We have changed our name to koth.org

******
NOTICE
******

See up to the second scores and the latest Core War information at :

		http://www.koth.org/~koth
	  *FAQ* http://www.koth.org/~koth/corewar-faq.html

Current Status of the StormKing Industries MultiWarrior Experimental 94 CoreWar Hill:

Last battle concluded at : Fri Jul 12 18:24:04 EDT 1996
 
 #                      Name               Author   Score     Age
 1          TimeScapeX (0.1)       J. Pohjalainen    5729      60
 2             This is Test1          Kurt Franke    5729      25
 3                     Test2         George Eadon    5729      20
 4                    Paper8             G. Eadon    5729      26
 5                     jaded           M R Bremer    5707      31
 6          Fork v0.2-9p/51b    Christoph C. Birk    5707       2
 7                  Paperone          Beppe Bezzi    5680      45
 8                   Shwing!         T. H. Davies    5563      56
 9                  Gluttony             J E Long    5490      18
10           Wait A Lot v0.1           Justin Kao    5397       5
11                Saat V2.01         S. Schroeder    5225      14
12                      life        Nandor Sieben    5203      61
13                 Anthill 5               Planar    5130      22
14                Leviathan2             harleyQ2    4983      12
15      Pommes-Ketchup V1.35         S. Schroeder    4929       9
16                 lifedwarf        Nandor Sieben    4802      37
17                    Hidden M.C.Diskett Bullfrog    4703      30
18             Variation M-1              Jay Han    4661       7
19                 Leviathan             harleyQ2    4421      13
20                   Bigring       Jonathan Stott    4030       1

21                   Piggy 3              Bob Uhl    4022      33



From: SKI Koth Server <koth@koth.org>
Subject: SKI-ICWS: Status - ICWS Experimental 94 07/22/96
Date: 1996/07/22
Message-ID: <199607220400.AAA06214@odin.stormking.com>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


			Weekly Status on  07/22/96

******
NOTICE
******

	We have changed our name to koth.org

******
NOTICE
******

See up to the second scores and the latest Core War information at :

		http://www.koth.org/~koth
	  *FAQ* http://www.koth.org/~koth/corewar-faq.html

Current Status of the StormKing Industries ICWS Experimental 94 CoreWar Hill:

Last battle concluded at : Fri Jul 19 09:45:45 EDT 1996
 
 #  %W/ %L/ %T                      Name               Author   Score     Age
 1  35/  4/ 61              Evol Cap 4 X       John Wilkinson     167      28
 2  38/ 11/ 51                   Rosebud                Beppe     164       7
 3  47/ 35/ 18            Illusion-94/55         Randy Graham     160      10
 4  41/ 26/ 33             Falcon v0.3 X          Ian Oversby     155       1
 5  47/ 40/ 13              Tsunami v0.1          Ian Oversby     154       6
 6  42/ 30/ 28               Lithium X 8     John K Wilkinson     154      19
 7  42/ 33/ 25                    BigBoy        Robert Macrae     151      53
 8  46/ 41/ 13                  Memories          Beppe Bezzi     150      35
 9  44/ 39/ 17        Stepping Stone 94x          Kurt Franke     150      14
10  44/ 39/ 17             Frontwards v2       Steven Morrell     148      58
11  40/ 37/ 23                  Derision           M R Bremer     143      45
12  33/ 24/ 43             Variation M-1              Jay Han     142       8
13  43/ 44/ 14                     Pagan             John K W     142      13
14  44/ 47/  9              S.E.T.I. 4-X                  JKW     140      29
15  36/ 35/ 29             Tornado 2.0 x          Beppe Bezzi     137      52
16  31/ 25/ 44                   Aleph 1              Jay Han     137      18
17  38/ 43/ 19           Fire Master Xv1            JS Pulido     133      50
18  27/ 28/ 45                  Hector 2          Kurt Franke     126      48
19  35/ 48/ 16                 Watcher-h          Kurt Franke     122      47
20  35/ 48/ 18                   Watcher          Kurt Franke     122      51

21   2/ 98/  0              Just Looking            Anonymous       7       0



From: SKI Koth Server <koth@koth.org>
Subject: SKI-ICWS: Status - MultiWarrior 94 07/22/96
Date: 1996/07/22
Message-ID: <199607220400.AAA06204@odin.stormking.com>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


			Weekly Status on  07/22/96

******
NOTICE
******

	We have changed our name to koth.org

******
NOTICE
******

See up to the second scores and the latest Core War information at :

		http://www.koth.org/~koth
	  *FAQ* http://www.koth.org/~koth/corewar-faq.html

Current Status of the StormKing Industries Multiwarrior 94 CoreWar Hill:

Last battle concluded at : Tue Jul 16 14:13:10 EDT 1996
 
 #                      Name               Author   Score     Age
 1                60% Cotton            Wilkinson    5071      24
 2               Evol Cap --       John Wilkinson    5071       7
 3                        TJ    Maurizio Vittuari    5071      17
 4            Super Evol Cap       John Wilkinson    5071       5
 5            90% Cotton v5c            Wilkinson    5071      23
 6                     TESTI    Maurizio Vittuari    5059      16
 7                  Die Hard              P.Kline    5059      28
 8                Son of Imp       Steven Morrell    5058      41
 9                  sisyphus                Kafka    4999       6
10            Nematode v1.4e       Jonathan Stott    4987       1

11                 Fork 4/13    Christoph C. Birk    4830       0



From: SKI Koth Server <koth@koth.org>
Subject: SKI-ICWS: Status - Standard 07/22/96
Date: 1996/07/22
Message-ID: <199607220400.AAA06196@odin.stormking.com>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


			Weekly Status on  07/22/96

******
NOTICE
******

	We have changed our name to koth.org

******
NOTICE
******

See up to the second scores and the latest Core War information at :

		http://www.koth.org/
	  *FAQ* http://www.koth.org/corewar-faq.html

Current Status of the StormKing Industries Standard KotH CoreWar Hill :

Last battle concluded at : Sun Jul 21 21:27:50 EDT 1996
 
 #  %W/ %L/ %T                      Name               Author   Score     Age
 1  45/ 35/ 20                 PacMan v5          David Moore     154       6
 2  37/ 25/ 37          Yop La Boum v2.1         P.E.M & E.C.     150      38
 3  42/ 38/ 20                    Stasis          David Moore     146      14
 4  29/ 14/ 57                      ttti        nandor sieben     145      88
 5  32/ 20/ 48   CAPS KEY IS STUCK AGAIN       Steven Morrell     144     104
 6  42/ 44/ 14                 Iron Gate       Wayne Sheppard     140     232
 7  40/ 40/ 20       Beholder's Eye V1.7         W. Mintardjo     139     182
 8  29/ 20/ 51                     Hydra      Stephen Linhart     139     212
 9  27/ 16/ 56                 Cannonade              P.Kline     137     138
10  29/ 20/ 51              Blue Funk 88       Steven Morrell     137     102
11  28/ 19/ 53                    K-test                P.E.M     137      10
12  38/ 41/ 21                Gisela 3G6   Andrzej Maciejczak     136       1
13  24/ 12/ 64               Imperfic II       John Wilkinson     135      24
14  29/ 24/ 47                      Test       Wayne Sheppard     135     127
15  26/ 19/ 54                     Peace            Mr. Jones     133     112
16  35/ 38/ 27              Keystone t21              P.Kline     132     125
17  35/ 38/ 27              Giskard v0.5           Ken Mitton     132      76
18  30/ 30/ 40           Big Bang Theory           Zul Nadzri     130       2
19  34/ 38/ 29               Christopher      Stephen Morrell     130     103
20  36/ 42/ 22                   Tuctest        Elmer J. Fudd     129      32

21   2/ 98/  0                      test            Anonymous       7       0



From: SKI Koth Server <koth@koth.org>
Subject: SKI-ICWS: Status - ICWS Tournament 07/22/96
Date: 1996/07/22
Message-ID: <199607220400.AAA06200@odin.stormking.com>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


			Weekly Status on  07/22/96

******
NOTICE
******

	We have changed our name to koth.org

******
NOTICE
******

See up to the second scores and the latest Core War information at :

		http://www.koth.org/~koth
	  *FAQ* http://www.koth.org/~koth/corewar-faq.html

Current Status of the StormKing Industries Annual ICWS Tournament CoreWar Hill:

Last battle concluded at : Mon Jul 15 21:31:04 EDT 1996
 
 #  %W/ %L/ %T                      Name               Author   Score     Age
 1  43/ 11/ 45                 Cannonade           Paul Kline     175      92
 2  49/ 34/ 16             Miss Carefree           Derek Ross     164      24
 3  47/ 34/ 19              Giskard v0.5           Ken Mitton     159      65
 4  48/ 44/  8                   Agony T        Stefan Strack     152      93
 5  37/ 29/ 33      Pommes-Ketchup V1.35         S. Schroeder     146       5
 6  31/ 16/ 53           Nothing Special             G. Eadon     145       7
 7  32/ 19/ 49                    Turkey          Beppe Bezzi     145       8
 8  43/ 42/ 15                    test88              P.Kline     145      11
 9  40/ 41/ 19            Old Tire Swing         Randy Graham     139      49
10  41/ 45/ 15                 Traper3_t    Waldemar Bartolik     137       2
11  37/ 38/ 25          Yop La Boum v2.1         P.E.M & E.C.     136      22
12  39/ 44/ 17                Miss Carry           Derek Ross     134      56
13  28/ 25/ 47              One Fat Lady        Robert Macrae     131       9
14  38/ 47/ 15              Slaver v1.1i    Christoph C. Birk     129      53
15  40/ 53/  7                       xtc      stefan roettger     126      97
16  35/ 46/ 18                  Illusion         Randy Graham     124      51
17  36/ 49/ 15          DoubleStone v0.7    Christoph C. Birk     123      35
18  29/ 36/ 34                     Chris       Steven Morrell     123      14
19  28/ 36/ 36           Big Bang Theory           Zul Nadzri     121       1
20  35/ 50/ 14                   Traper3    Waldemar Bartolik     120       4

21  35/ 50/ 14                   Traper3    Waldemar Bartolik     120       3



From: howards@netcom.com (Howard Soroka)
Subject: Further question about Multi-Player History
Date: 1996/07/22
Message-ID: <howards-2207962311290001@0.0.0.0>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.netrek,rec.games.corewar,rec.games.design,rec.games.mud.admin,rec.games.mud.moo,rec.games.trivia,rec.games.video.misc


Netizens:

Many of you have responded to my earlier post asking about early
multi-player games. Most of the information points to the PLATO system,
but some others are also mentioned.

All of this information is very helpful, and I thank you all for your
willingness to share information.

Having digested the results, I would now like to ask the question again,
with a slight modification of the criteria.

Specifically, I would like to know about EARLY multi-player games in which
the individual users' stations have some local processing power (memory
and CPU), beyond mere terminal capabilities. Presumably, the game(s) would
make some use of this local capability. In all likelihood, this implies
some form of microcomputer for each user (perhaps TRS-80. Apple II, or
other), as opposed to a simple terminal (graphics or ASCII). However, a
game played between two or more users, each using a larger machine (such
as a minicomputer), somehow connected by network or phone lines would also
qualify.

If you know of any such beast, please respond via return email, and thank
you very much!

Howard Soroka

===========================================

The text of my original post appears below...

===========================================

Netizens:

I am trying to establish some facts about the origins of multi-player
games on computers.

I need to know the names of specific games which meet a simple set of
criteria (below), and which existed prior to the early 1980's. The
earlier, the better, but anything up to 1984 might be appropriate. The
games need not be commercial products, though they can be. Anything
created at a research facility (educational or otherwise) or anywhere else
(on planet Earth), is fine.

The criteria are:

The game must have the capability of involving at least two players
(though it's fine if it has a single-user version as well).

Each player must have his/her own form of input device(s), such as
keyboard, joystick, mouse, or buttons.

Each player must have his/her own form of video display. For purposes of
the discussion, a true graphics display (bitmapped or vector) is
preferable to an alphanumeric terminal, but even games using old-fashioned
dumb ASCII terminals are acceptable, especially if the terminal is used to
simulate graphic imagery (no matter how simplistic) using plain
characters.

If possible, I would like to know:

Who created it, where, and when (actual names, if possible). What
computing environment it ran on (hardware, software). How to get in touch
with the creator(s). Any other pertinent information you might know would
be very much appreciated!

If you can respond to this request, feel free to post it to Usenet, but
please send your responses directly to me as well by return email.

I work for a game publishing company, and we need this information for an
important current project.

If someone out there comes up with some good solid information about early
multi-player gaming, I'll bet I could pry loose a few copies of good
current product to send out as rewards ;-).

Many thanks,

Howard Soroka



From: acc4636@tam2000.tamu.edu (Anthony C.)
Subject: Re: History of Multi-Player Gaming
Date: 1996/07/22
Message-ID: <4t0qbm$6jn@news.tamu.edu>#1/1
references: <howard-1807961002240001@howards.slip.netcom.com> <31F2AA74.37D0@adobe.com> <4t09n1$mv4@onramp.arc.nasa.gov>
newsgroups: rec.games.netrek,rec.games.corewar,rec.games.design,rec.games.mud.admin,rec.games.mud.moo,rec.games.trivia,rec.games.video.misc


In article <4t09n1$mv4@onramp.arc.nasa.gov>,
Dave Darling  <darling@simlab.arc.nasa.gov> wrote:
:"father" of the PLATO system...  Began with a B.  Last I heard (about
:10 years ago) he was working for the U of Del.

Don Bitzer :).  

:--DD
--
Anthony C.



From: Magnus Paulsson <mpn@ifm.liu.se>
Subject: airBag Technology
Date: 1996/07/22
Message-ID: <199607220918.LAA20914@watt.ifm.liu.se>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


Since airBag is soon going to drop of the hill I might as well publish it :-(

airBag is a renewed atempt to make a bomber that can get a hit in the engine
and then go into coreclear (or as in airBag a imps/d-clear). (airBag lessens the impact)
The whole idea is to use clever timing and decrement/increment to enable the
bombing engine to know when it has ben hit by some bomb.

In airBag I use two processes running in different loops giving a 1/2 c bombing
performance in 6 bytes.

start	spl 	two
one 	add.f	step,ptr
ptr	mov.i	hit,@hit+step
	jmz.f	one,<check
	jmp cclear
...
two	mov.i	bmb,@ptr
	mov.i	bmb,*ptr
	jmz.f	two,>check
	jmp cclear
...
	dat.f	10,32
check	dat.f	0,1		;first changed by process in one to dat.f 0,0 (predec),
				;then by two to dat.f 0,1 (postinc). If by some reason
				;the timing is changed the jmz.f will fall through into cclear
	dat.f	10,32

The code for the complete airBag is below (I've added a d-clear and two continous imp launchers).

Now I continued on the same line, the above code is more or less a Tornado engine divided up
in two parts, making it 3 lines longer and 1/2 c instead of 3/5c. Wouldn't it be perfect if 
I could have both the speed and size of Tornado and the airBag feature. There is some ways to
make this. First attempt was something like:

start	spl	#0,0
	spl	3
next	add.f	step,ptr
	mov.i	<check,@ptr
	mov.i	bmb,@ptr
	jmz.f	next,>check	

which is worthless because of the timing doesn't fit and a lot of time is wasted on bombing the same spot
twice and scipping spots...

Second attempt was a vector launched tornado bomber! :-) Launch it like:
add			;5
mov			;4,9
mov			;3,8
mov.i	>check,@ptr	;2,7
jmz.f	next,<check	;1,6
jmp cclear

and a hit can be taken everywhere but in the jmz.f and the cclear will be executed.
This should be competetive as a bomber (I hope) but I can't get it into the 94-hill. :-(

Third attepth was to improve the launch of the engine by using the normal spl #0,0
to increase the number of processes to 9 and then self bombing the spl with a dat and then
making a clever choise of where the check position to get the airBag function after the selfbombing.
(It seems that it suffers against paper, but I don't know, newer been any good with bombers)

Enough, I hope someone can make any use of this thoughts, I think I'll wait until myVamp drops of
again before making anything new.... Mabee I should learn p-space, there must be some new ideas to 
investigate......

-Magnus Paulsson

airBag
--------------------------------
;redcode-94
;name airBag
;author Paulsson
;strategy First vers., I'm realy supprised over the scores :-)
;strategy 1/2 c bomber, d-clear and airbag (?)
;strategy July 7, 1996
;kill airBag
;for Planar, stone,imp,cclear,other
org start
step		equ	85		;taken from T.N.T
cptr		dat.f	0,start
		dat.f	-20,20
cbmb		dat.f	-20,20
		dat.f	0,0
		dat.f	0,0				;h(it)
finish		
st		spl	#step*3,step*3			;cclear
		mov.i	cbmb,>cptr
		djn.f	-1,>cptr		
		dat.f	0,0
		dat.f	0,0				;h
for 14
		dat.f	0,0
rof
start		spl	two				;h
one 		add.f	st,ptr				;first part
ptr		mov.i	hit,*hit+step
		jmz.f	one,>check
		jmp	imps1
		dat.f	0,0				;h
for 18
		dat.f	0,0
rof
		dat.f	1,2
hit
check		dat.f	0,0				;airBag check!
bmb		dat.f	step,1
for 14
		dat.f	0,0
rof
two		mov.i	bmb,@ptr			;second part
		mov.i	bmb,*ptr
		jmz.f	two,<check	
		jmp	imps2	
		dat.f	0,0				;h
for 15
		dat.f	0,0
rof
imps2		spl	finish				;two continous imp launchers that are killed by the
		spl	#0				;dclear (if it is working!)
		add.a	#2668,1
		jmp	imp2-2668
		dat.f	0,0				;h
imps1		spl	finish
		spl	#0
		add.a	#2668,1
		jmp	imp1-2668
		dat.f	0,0				;h
imp1		mov.i	#2667,*0
imp2		mov.i	#2667,*0
		mov.i	#2667,*0
		mov.i	#2667,*0



From: stst@vuse.vanderbilt.edu (Stefan Strack)
Subject: Core War Frequently Asked Questions (rec.games.corewar FAQ)
Date: 1996/07/22
Message-ID: <games/corewar-faq_838053796@rtfm.mit.edu>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar,rec.answers,news.answers


Archive-name: games/corewar-faq
Last-Modified: 95/10/12
Version: 3.6

   These are the Frequently Asked Questions (and answers) from the Usenet
   newsgroup rec.games.corewar. A plain text version of this document is
   posted every two weeks. The hypertext version is available as
   <URL:http://www.stormking.com/~koth/corewar-faq.html>
     _________________________________________________________________
   
Table of Contents

    1. What is Core War
    2. Is it Core War or Core Wars?
    3. Where can I find more information about Core War?
    4. Core War has changed since Dewdney's articles. Where do I get a
       copy of the current instruction set?
    5. What is ICWS'94? Which simulators support ICWS'94?
    6. What is the ICWS?
    7. What is TCWN?
    8. How do I join?
    9. What is the EBS?
   10. Where are the Core War archives?
   11. Where can I find a Core War system for ...?
   12. I do not have FTP. How do I get all this great stuff?
   13. I do not have access to Usenet. How do I post and receive news?
   14. Are there any Core War related WWW sites?
   15. When is the next tournament?
   16. What is KotH? How do I enter?
   17. Is it DAT 0, 0 or DAT #0, #0? How do I compare to core?
   18. How does SLT (Skip if Less Than) work?
   19. What is the difference between in-register and in-memory
       evaluation?
   20. What does (expression or term of your choice) mean?
   21. Other questions?
       
   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
What is Core War?

   Core War is a game played by two or more programs (and vicariously by
   their authors) written in an assembly language called Redcode and run
   in a virtual computer called MARS (for Memory Array Redcode
   Simulator). The object of the game is to cause all processes of the
   opposing program to terminate, leaving your program in sole posession
   of the machine.
   
   There are Core War systems available for most computer platforms.
   Redcode has been standardized by the ICWS, and is therefore
   transportable between all standard Core War systems.
   
   [ToC]
     _________________________________________________________________
   
Is it "Core War" or "Core Wars"?

   Both terms are used. Early references were to Core War. Later
   references seem to use Core Wars. I prefer "Core War" to refer to the
   game in general, "core wars" to refer to more than one specific
   battle.
   
   [ToC]
     _________________________________________________________________
   
Where can I find more information about Core War?

   Core War was first described in the Core War Guidelines of March, 1984
   by D. G. Jones and A. K. Dewdney of the Department of Computer Science
   at The University of Western Ontario (Canada). Dewdney wrote several
   "Computer Recreations" articles in Scientific American which discussed
   Core War, starting with the May 1984 article. Those articles are
   contained in two anthologies:
   
   Author: Dewdney, A. K.
   Title: The Armchair Universe: An Exploration of Computer Worlds
   Published: New York: W. H. Freeman (c) 1988
   ISBN: 0-7167-1939-8
   Library of Congress Call Number: QA76.6 .D517 1988
   
   
   Author: Dewdney, A. K.
   Title: The Magic Machine: A Handbook of Computer Sorcery
   Published: New York: W. H. Freeman (c) 1990
   ISBN: 0-7167-2125-2 (Hardcover), 0-7167-2144-9 (Paperback)
   Library of Congress Call Number: QA76.6 .D5173 1990
   
   
   A.K. Dewdney's articles are still the most readable introduction to
   Core War, even though the Redcode dialect described in there is no
   longer current.
   
   [ToC]
     _________________________________________________________________
   
Core War has changed since Dewdney's articles. Where do I get a copy of the
current instruction set?

   A draft of the official standard (ICWS'88) is available as
   <URL:http://ftp.csua.berkeley.edu/pub/corewar/documents/standards/re
   dcode-icws-88> . This document is formatted awkwardly and contains
   ambiguous statements. For a more approachable intro to Redcode, take a
   look at Mark Durham's tutorial,
   <URL:http://ftp.csua.berkeley.edu/pub/corewar/documents/tutorial.1>
   and
   <URL:http://ftp.csua.berkeley.edu/pub/corewar/documents/tutorial.2>.
   
   
   Steven Morrell (morrell@math.utah.edu) is preparing a more practically
   oriented Redcode tutorial that discusses different warrior classes
   with lots of example code. Mail him for a preliminary version. Michael
   Constant (mconst@csua.berkeley.edu) is reportedly working on a
   beginner's introduction.
   
   [ToC]
     _________________________________________________________________
   
What is ICWS'94? Which simulators support ICWS'94?

   There is an ongoing discussion about future enhancements to the
   Redcode language. A proposed new standard, dubbed ICWS'94, is
   currently being evaluated. A major change is the addition of
   "instruction modifiers" that allow instructions to modify A-field,
   B-field or both. Also new is a post-increment indirect addressing mode
   and unrestricted opcode and addressing mode combination ("no illegal
   instructions"). ICWS'94 is backwards compatible; i.e. ICWS'88 warriors
   will run correctly on an ICWS'94 system. Take a look at the ICWS'94
   draft
   <URL:ftp://ftp.csua.berkeley.edu/pub/corewar/documents/icws94.0202.Z
   > for more information. You can try out the new standard by
   submitting warriors to the '94 hills of the KotH servers. Two corewar
   systems currently support ICWS'94, pMARS (many platforms) and Redcoder
   (Mac), both available at ftp.csua.berkeley.edu.
   
   [ToC]
     _________________________________________________________________
   
What is the ICWS?

   About one year after Core War first appeared in Sci-Am, the
   "International Core War Society" (ICWS) was established. Since that
   time, the ICWS has been responsible for the creation and maintenance
   of Core War standards and the running of Core War tournaments. There
   have been six annual tournaments and two standards (ICWS'86 and
   ICWS'88).
   
   [ToC]
     _________________________________________________________________
   
What is TCWN?

   Since March of 1987, "The Core War Newsletter" (TCWN) has been the
   official newsletter of the ICWS. It is published quarterly and recent
   issues are also available as Encapsulated PostScript files.
   
   [ToC]
     _________________________________________________________________
   
How do I join?

   For more information about joining the ICWS (which includes a
   subscription to TCWN), or to contribute an article, review, cartoon,
   letter, joke, rumor, etc. to TCWN, please contact:
   

   Jon Newman
   13824 NE 87th Street
   Redmond, WA 98052-1959
   email: jonn@microsoft.com  (Note: Microsoft has NO affiliation with
                                     Core War.  Jon Newman just happens
                                     to work there, and we want to keep
                                     it that way!)

   Current annual dues are $15.00 in US currency.
   
   [ToC]
     _________________________________________________________________
   
What is the EBS?

   The Electronic Branch Section (EBS) of the ICWS is a group of Core War
   enthusiasts with access to electronic mail. There are no fees
   associated with being a member of the EBS, and members do reap some of
   the benefits of full ICWS membership without the expense. For
   instance, the ten best warriors submitted to the EBS tournament are
   entered into the annual ICWS tournament. All EBS business is conducted
   in the rec.games.corewar newsgroup.
   
   The current goal of the EBS is to be at the forefront of Core War by
   writing and implementing new standards and test suites.
   
   [ToC]
     _________________________________________________________________
   
Where are the Core War archives?

   Many documents such as the guidelines and the ICWS standards along
   with previous tournament Redcode entries and complete Core War systems
   are available via anonymous ftp from
   <URL:ftp://ftp.csua.berkeley.edu/pub/corewar/systems>
   (128.32.149.19) in the /pub/corewar directories. Also, most of past
   rec.games.corewar postings (including Redcode source listings) are
   archived there. Jon Blow (blojo@csua.berkeley.edu) is the archive
   administrator. When uploading to /pub/corewar/incoming, ask Jon to
   move your upload to the appropriate directory and announce it on the
   net.
   
   Much of what is available on soda is also available on the German
   archive at iraun1.ira.uka.de (129.13.10.90) in the /pub/x11/corewars
   directory.
   
   The plain text version of this FAQ is automatically archived by
   news.answers.
   
   [ToC]
     _________________________________________________________________
   
Where can I find a Core War system for . . . ? 

   Core War systems are available via anonymous ftp from
   ftp.csua.berkeley.edu in the /pub/corewar/systems directory.
   Currently, there are UNIX, IBM PC-compatible, Macintosh, and Amiga
   Core War systems available there. It is a good idea to check
   <URL:ftp://ftp.csua.berkeley.edu/pub/corewar/incoming> for program
   updates first.
   
   CAUTION! There are many, many Core War systems available which are NOT
   ICWS'88 (or even ICWS'86) compatible available at various archive
   sites other than ftp.csua.berkeley.edu. Generally, the older the
   program - the less likely it will be ICWS compatible.
   
   Reviews of Core War systems would be greatly appreciated in the
   newsgroup and in the newsletter.
   
   Below is a not necessarily complete or up-to-date list of what's
   available at ftp.csua.berkeley.edu:
   

    MADgic41.lzh    - corewar for the Amiga, v4.1
    MAD4041.lzh     - older version?
    MAD50B.lha      - corewar for the Amiga, beta version 5.0
    Redcoder-21.hqx - corewar for the Mac, supports ICWS'88 and '94 (without
                      extensions)
    core-11.hqx     - corewar for the Mac
    core-wars-simulator.hqx - same as core-11.hqx?
    corewar_unix_x11.tar.Z - corewar for UNIX/X-windows, ICWS'86 but
                      not ICWS'88 compatible
    koth31.tar.Z    - corewar for UNIX/X-windows. This program ran the
                      former KotH server at intel.com
    koth.shar.Z     - older version
    kothpc.zip      - port of older version of KotH to the PC
    deluxe20c.tar.Z - corewar for UNIX (broken X-windows or curses) and PC
    mars.tar.Z      - corewar for UNIX, likely not ICWS'88 compatible
    icons.zip       - corewar icons for MS-Windows
    macrored.zip    - a redcode macro-preprocessor (PC)
    c88v49.zip      - PC corewar, textmode display
    mars88.zip      - PC corewar, graphics mode display
    corwp302.zip    - PC corewar, textmode display, slowish
    mercury2.zip    - PC corewar written in assembly, fast!
    mtourn11.zip    - tournament scheduler for mercury (req. 4DOS)
    pmars08s.zip    - portable system, ICWS'88 and '94, runs on UNIX,
                      PC, Mac, Amiga. C source archive
    pmars08s.tar.Z  - same as above
    pmars08.zip    - PC executables with graphics display, req 386+
    macpmars02.sit.hqx - pMARS executable for Mac (port of version 0.2)
                      buggy, no display
    MacpMARS1.99a.cpt.hqx - port of v0.8 for the Mac, with display and
                      debugger
    MacpMARS1.0s.cpt.hqx - C source (MPW, ThinkC) for Mac frontend
    ApMARS03.lha    - pMARS executable for Amiga (port of version 0.3.1)
    wincor11.zip    - MS-Windows system, shareware ($15)

   
   
   [ToC]
     _________________________________________________________________
   
I do not have FTP. How do I get all this great stuff? 

   There is an ftp email server at ftpmail@decwrl.dec.com. Send email
   with a subject and body text of "help" (without the quotes) for more
   information on its usage. If you don't have access to the net at all,
   send me a 3.5 '' diskette in a self-addressed disk mailer with postage
   and I will mail it back with an image of the Core War archives in PC
   format. My address is at the end of this post.
   
   [ToC]
     _________________________________________________________________
   
I do not have access to Usenet. How do I post and receive news?

   To receive rec.games.corewar articles by email, join the COREWAR-L
   list run on the Stormking.Com list processor. To join, send the
   message

        SUB COREWAR-L FirstName LastName

   to listproc@stormking.com. You can send mail to
   corewar-l@stormking.com to post even if you are not a member of the
   list. Responsible for the listserver is Scott J. Ellentuch
   (tuc@stormking.com).
   
   Another server that allows you to post (but not receive) articles is
   available. Email your post to rec-games-corewar@cs.utexas.edu and it
   will be automatically posted for you.
   
   [ToC]
     _________________________________________________________________
   
Are there any Core War related WWW sites?

   You bet. Each of the two KotH sites sport a world-wide web server.
   Stormking's Core War page is <URL:http://www.stormking.com/~koth>;
   pizza's is <URL:http://www.ecst.csuchico.edu/~pizza/koth> . A third
   WWW site is in Koeln, Germany:
   <URL:http://www.khm.uni-koeln.de/~wbi/Index/Smoking/CWBH>. Last but
   not least, Stephen Beitzel's "Unofficial Core War Page" is
   <URL:http://www2.eworld.com/aos/people/beitzel/core.html>.
   All site are in varying stages of construction, so it would be futile
   to list here what they have to offer.
   
   [ToC]
     _________________________________________________________________
   
When is the next tournament?

   The ICWS holds an annual tournament. Traditionally, the deadline for
   entering is the 15th of December. The EBS usually holds a preliminary
   tournament around the 15th of November and sends the top finishers on
   to the ICWS tournament.
   
   Informal double-elimination and other types of tournaments are held
   frequently among readers of the newsgroup; watch there for
   announcements or contact me.
   
   [ToC]
     _________________________________________________________________
   
What is KotH? How do I enter?

   King Of The Hill (KotH) is an ongoing Core War tournament available to
   anyone with email. You enter by submitting via email a Redcode program
   (warrior) with special comment lines. You will receive a reply
   indicating how well your program did against the current top programs
   "on the hill".
   
   There are two styles of KotH tournaments, "classical" and
   "multi-warrior". The "classical" KotH is a one-on-one tournament, that
   is your warrior will play 100 battles against each of the 20 other
   programs currently on the Hill. You receive 3 points for each win and
   1 point for each tie. (The existing programs do not replay each other,
   but their previous battles are recalled.) All scores are updated to
   reflect your battles and all 21 programs are ranked from high to low.
   If you are number 21 you are pushed off the Hill, if you are higher
   than 21 someone else is pushed off.
   
   In "multi-warrior" KotH, all warriors on the hill fight each other at
   the same time. Score calculation is a bit more complex than for the
   one-on-one tournament. Briefly, points are awarded based on how many
   warriors survive until the end of a round. A warrior that survives by
   itself gets more points than a warrior that survives together with
   other warriors. Points are calculated from the formula (W*W-1)/S,
   where W is the total number of warriors and S the number of surviving
   warriors. The pMARS documentation has more information on
   multi-warrior scoring.
   
   The idea for an email-based Core War server came from David Lee. The
   original KotH was developed and run by William Shubert at Intel
   starting in 1991, and discontinued after almost three years of
   service. Currently, KotHs based on Bill's UNIX scripts but offering a
   wider variety of hills are are running at two sites:
   "koth@stormking.com" is maintained by Scott J. Ellentuch
   (tuc@stormking.com) and "pizza@ecst.csuchico.edu" by Thomas H. Davies
   (sd@ecst.csuchico.edu). Up until May '95, the two sites provided
   overlapping services, i.e. the some of the hill types were offered by
   both "pizza" and "stormking". To conserve resources, the different
   hill types are now divided up among the sites. The way you submit
   warriors to both KotHs is pretty much the same. Therefore, the entry
   rules described below apply to both "pizza" and "stormking" unless
   otherwise noted.
   
   Entry rules for King of the Hill Corewar:
   
   1) Write a corewar program. KotH is fully ICWS '88 compatible, EXCEPT
   that a comma (",") is required between two arguments.
   
   2) Put a line starting with ";redcode" (or ";redcode-94, etc., see
   below) at the top of your program. This MUST be the first line.
   Anything before it will be lost. If you wish to receive mail on every
   new entrant, use ";redcode verbose". Otherwise you will only receive
   mail if a challenger makes it onto the hill. Use ";redcode quiet" if
   you wish to receive mail only when you get shoved off the hill. (Also,
   see 5 below).
   
   Additionally, adding ";name " and ";author " will be helpful in the
   performance reports. Do NOT have a line beginning with ";address" in
   your code; this will confuse the mail daemon and you won't get mail
   back.
   
   In addition, it would be nice if you have lines beginning with
   ";strategy" that describe the algorithm you use.
   
   There are currently seven separate hills you can select by starting
   your program with ;redcode-b, ;redcode-94, ;redcode-94x, ;redcode,
   ;redcode-icws, ;redcode-94m or ;redcode-94xm. The former three run at
   "pizza", the latter four at "stormking". More information on these
   hills is listed below.
   
   3) Mail this file to koth@stormking.com or pizza@ecst.csuchico.edu.
   "Pizza" requires a subject of "koth" (use the -s flag on most
   mailers).
   
   4) Within a few minutes you should get mail back telling you whether
   your program assembled correctly or not. If it did assemble correctly,
   sit back and wait; if not, make the change required and re-submit.
   
   5) In an hour or so you should get more mail telling you how your
   program performed against the current top 20 (or 10) programs. If no
   news arrives during that time, don't worry; entries are put in a queue
   and run through the tournament one at a time. A backlog may develop.
   Be patient.
   
   If your program makes it onto the hill, you will get mail every time a
   new program makes it onto the hill. If this is too much mail, you can
   use ";redcode[-??] quiet" when you first mail in your program; then
   you will only get mail when you make it on the top 20 list or when you
   are knocked off. Using ";redcode[-??] verbose" will give you even more
   mail; here you get mail every time a new challenger arrives, even if
   they don't make it onto the top 20 list.
   
   Often programmers want to try out slight variations in their programs.
   If you already have a program named "foo V1.0" on the hill, adding the
   line ";kill foo" to a new program will automatically bump foo 1.0 off
   the hill. Just ";kill" will remove all of your programs when you
   submit the new one. The server kills programs by assigning an
   impossibly low score; it may therefore take another successful
   challenge before a killed program is actually removed from the hill.
   

SAMPLE ENTRY:
;redcode
;name Dwarf
;author A. K. Dewdney
;strategy Throw DAT bombs around memory, hitting every 4th memory cell.
;strategy This program was presented in the first Corewar article.
bomb  DAT   #0
dwarf ADD   #4,    bomb
      MOV   bomb, @bomb
      JMP   dwarf
      END   dwarf          ; Programs start at the first line unless
                           ; an "END start" pseudo-op appears to indicate
                           ; the first logical instruction.  Also, nothing
                           ; after the END instruction will be assembled.

Here are the Specs for the various hills:

ICWS'88 Standard Hill Specs: (Accessed with ";redcode", available at
"stormking")
         hillsize: 20 warriors
           rounds: 100
         coresize: 8000
   max. processes: 8000
         duration: after 80,000 cycles, a tie is declared.
max. entry length: 100
 minimum distance: 100
  instruction set: ICWS '88

ICWS Annual Tournament Hill Specs: (Accessed with ";redcode-icws",
available at "stormking")
         hillsize: 20 warriors
           rounds: 100
         coresize: 8192 instructions
   max. processes: 8000 per program
         duration: After 100,000 cycles, a tie is declared.
max. entry length: 300
 minimum distance: 300
  instruction set: ICWS '88

ICWS'94 Draft Hill Specs: (Accessed with ";redcode-94", available at
"pizza")
         hillsize: 20 warriors
           rounds: 100
         coresize: 8000
   max. processes: 8000
         duration: after 80,000 cycles, a tie is declared.
max. entry length: 100
 minimum distance: 100
  instruction set: extended ICWS '94 Draft

ICWS'94 Beginner's Hill Specs: (Accessed with ";redcode-b", available
at "pizza")
         hillsize: 20 warriors
           rounds: 100
         coresize: 8000
   max. processes: 8000
         duration: after 80,000 cycles, a tie is declared.
max. entry length: 100
 minimum distance: 100
  instruction set: extended ICWS '94 Draft
         max. age: after 100 successful challenges, warriors are retired.

ICWS'94 Experimental (Big) Hill Specs: (Accessed with ";redcode-94x",
available at "pizza")
         hillsize: 20 warriors
           rounds: 100
         coresize: 55440
   max. processes: 10000
         duration: after 500,000 cycles, a tie is declared.
max. entry length: 200
 minimum distance: 200
  instruction set: extended ICWS '94 Draft

ICWS'94 Draft Multi-Warrior Hill Specs: (Accessed with ";redcode-94m",
available at "stormking")
         hillsize: 10 warriors
           rounds: 200
         coresize: 8000
   max. processes: 8000
         duration: after 80,000 cycles, a tie is declared.
max. entry length: 100
 minimum distance: 100
  instruction set: extended ICWS '94 Draft

ICWS'94 Experimental (Big) Multi-Warrior Hill Specs:
(Accessed with ";redcode-94xm", available at "stormking")
         hillsize: 20 warriors
           rounds: 100
         coresize: 55440
   max. processes: 10000
         duration: after 500,000 cycles, a tie is declared.
max. entry length: 200
 minimum distance: 200
  instruction set: extended ICWS '94 Draft

   If you just want to get a status report without actually challenging
   the hills, send email with ";status" as the message body (and don't
   forget "Subject: koth" for "pizza"). If you send mail to "pizza" with
   "Subject: koth help" you will receive instructions that may be more up
   to date than those contained in this document.
   
   At stormking, a message body with ";help" will return brief
   instructions. If you submit code containing a ";test" line, your
   warrior will be assembled but not actually pitted against the warriors
   on the hill.
   
   All hills run portable MARS (pMARS) version 0.8, a
   platform-independent corewar system available at
   ftp.csua.berkeley.edu.
   
   The '94 and '94x hills allow three experimental opcodes and addressing
   modes currently not covered in the ICWS'94 draft document:

        SEQ - Skip if EQual (synonym for CMP)
        SNE - Skip if Not Equal
        NOP - (No OPeration)

        *   - indirect using A-field as pointer
        {   - predecrement indirect using A-field
        }   - postincrement indirect using A-field

   
   
   [ToC]
     _________________________________________________________________
   
Is it DAT 0, 0 or DAT #0, #0? How do I compare to core? 

   Core is initialized to DAT 0, 0. This is an "illegal" instruction
   under ICWS'88 rules and strictly compliant assemblers (such as KotH or
   pmars -8) will not let you write a DAT 0, 0 instruction - only DAT #0,
   #0. So this begs the question, how to compare something to see if it
   is empty core. The answer is, most likely the instruction before your
   first instruction and the instruction after your last instruction are
   both DAT 0, 0. You can use them, or any other likely unmodified
   instructions, for comparison. Note that under ICWS'94, DAT 0, 0 is a
   legal instruction.
   
   [ToC]
     _________________________________________________________________
   
How does SLT (Skip if Less Than) work?

   SLT gives some people trouble because of the way modular arithmetic
   works. It is important to note that all negative numbers are converted
   to positive numbers before a battles begins. Example: (-1) becomes (M
   - 1) where M is the memory size.
   
   Once you realize that all numbers are treated as positive, it is clear
   what is meant by "less than". It should also be clear that no number
   is less than zero.
   
   [ToC]
     _________________________________________________________________
   
What is the difference between in-register and in-memory evaluation?

   These terms refer to the way instruction operands are evaluated. The
   '88 Redcode standard ICWS'88 is unclear about whether a simulator
   should "buffer" the result of A-operand evaluation before the
   B-operand is evaluated. Simulators that do buffer are said to use
   in-register evaluation, those that don't, in-memory evaluation.
   ICWS'94 clears this confusion by mandating in-register evaluation.
   Instructions that execute differently under these two forms of
   evaluation are MOV, ADD, SUB, MUL, DIV and MOD where the effective
   address of the A-operand is modified by evaluation of the B-operand.
   This is best illustrated by an example:

   L1  mov L2,<L2
   L2  dat #0,#1

   Under in-register evaluation, the 'L2' instruction is saved in a
   buffer before the 'L2' memory location is decremented by evaluation of
   the B-operand of 'L1'. The saved 'dat #0,#1' instruction is then
   written to 'L2', leaving it unchanged.
   
   Under in-memory evaluation, the 'L2' instruction is not buffered and
   thus decremented by evaluation of the B-operand. After execution of
   'L1', 'L2' changes to "dat #0,#0".
   
   [ToC]
     _________________________________________________________________
   
What does (expression or term of your choice) mean?

   Here is a selected glossary of terms. If you have a definition and/or
   term you wish to see here, please send it to me.
   
   (References to an X-like program mean that the term X is derived from
   the specific program X and has become a generic term).
   
   Binary launch
          one of several means to start an imp-spiral running. The
          fastest launch technique, but requires the most code. See also
          JMP/ADD Launch and Vector Launch.
          


    impsize   equ 2667
    example   spl 4               ; extend by adding spl 8, spl 16, etc.
              spl 2
              jmp imp+(0*impsize) ; jmp's execute in order
              jmp imp+(1*impsize)
              spl 2
              jmp imp+(2*impsize)
              jmp imp+(3*impsize)
    imp       mov 0,impsize       ; in '94 use -> mov.i #0,impsize

   Bootstrapping
          Strategy of copying the active portion of the program away from
          the initial location, leaving a decoy behind and making the
          relocated program as small as possible.
          
   B-Scanners
          Scanners which only recognize non-zero B-fields.
          

    example   add #10,scan
    scan      jmz example,10

   C
          Measure of speed, equal to one location per cycle. Speed of
          light.
          
   CMP-Scanner
          A Scanner which uses a CMP instruction to look for opponents.
          

    example   add step,scan
    scan      cmp 10,30
              jmp attack
              jmp example
    step      dat #20,#20

   Color
          Property of bombs making them visible to scanners, causing them
          to attack useless locations, thus slowing them down.
          

    example   dat #100

   Core-Clear
          code that sequentially overwrites core with DAT instructions;
          usually the last part of a program.
          
   Decoys
          Bogus or unused instructions meant to slow down Scanners.
          Typically, DATs with non-zero B-fields.
          
   DJN-Stream (also DJN-Train)
          Using a DJN command to rapidly decrement core locations.
          

    example   ...
              ...
              djn example,<4000

   Dwarf
          the prototypical small bomber.
          
   Gate-busting (also gate-crashing)
          technique to "interweave" a decrement-resistant imp-spiral
          (e.g. MOV 0, 2668) with a standard one to overrun imp-gates.
          
   Hybrids
          warriors that combine two or more of the basic strategies,
          either in sequence (e.g. stone->paper) or in parallel (e.g.
          imp/stone).
          
   Imp
          Program which only uses the MOV instruction.
          

    example   MOV 0, 1
  or
    example   MOV 0, 2
              MOV 0, 2

   Imp-Gate
          A location in core which is bombed or decremented continuously
          so that an Imp can not pass. Also used to describe the
          program-code which maintains the gate.
          

    example   ...
              ...
              SPL 0, <example
              DAT <example, #0

   Imp-Ring
          A minimal Imp-Spiral.
          

    d         EQU (coresize+1)/3
    A         MOV 0,d   ; copy self to B
    B         MOV 0,d   ; copy self to C
    C         MOV 0,d   ; copy self to A+1

   Imp-Spiral
          An Imp-like program with two or more processes supporting each
          other. A three-point spiral, with six processes running in this
          sequence:
          

    d         EQU (coresize+1)/3
    A         MOV 0,d   ; copy self to B
    B         MOV 0,d   ; copy self to C
    C         MOV 0,d   ; copy self to A+1
    A+1       MOV 0,d   ; copy self to B+1
    B+1       MOV 0,d   ; copy self to C+1
    C+1       MOV 0,d   ; copy self to A+2

   Incendiary Bomb
          A type of Stun bomb which creates a SPL 0 carpet.
          

    example   SPL 0, 8
              MOV -1, <-1

   JMP/ADD Launch
          one of several means to start an imp-spiral running. The
          slowest launch technique, but requires the least code. See also
          Binary Launch and Vector Launch.
          

    impsize   equ 2667
    example   spl 1               ; extend by adding more spl 1's
              spl 1
              spl 2
              jmp @0,imp
              add #impsize,-1     ; bump address by impsize after each jmp
              dat #0,#0           ; excess processes must die!
    imp       mov 0,impsize       ; in '94 use -> mov.i #0,impsize

   Mirror
          see reflection.
          
   On-axis/off-axis
          On-axis scanners compare two locations M/2 apart, where M is
          the memory size. Off-axis scanners use some other separation.
          
   Optimal Constants
          (also optima-type constants) Bomb or scan increments chosen to
          cover core most effectively, i.e. leaving gaps of uniform size.
          Programs to calculate optimal constants and lists of optimal
          numbers are available at ftp.csua.berkeley.edu.
          
   Paper
          A Paper-like program. One which replicates itself many times.
          Part of the Scissors (beats) Paper (beats) Stone (beats
          Scissors) analogy.
          
   Pit-Trapper
          (also Slaver, Vampire). A program which enslaves another.
          Usually accomplished by bombing with JMPs to a SPL 0 pit with
          an optional core-clear routine.
          
   Quick Scan
          2c scan of a set group of core locations with bombing if
          anything is found. Both of the following codes snips scan 16
          locations and check for a find. If anything is found, it is
          attacked, otherwise 16 more locations are scanned. Example:
          

     start
     s1 for 8    ;'88 scan
            cmp  start+100*s1, start+100*s1+4000  ;check two locations
            mov  #start+100*s1-found, found  ;they differ so set pointer
     rof
            jmn  attack,     found     ;if we have something, get it
     s2 for 8
            cmp  start+100*(s2+6), start+100*(s2+6)+4000
            mov  #start+100*(s2+6)-found, found
     rof
     found  jmz  moveme,  #0        ;skip attack if qscan found nothing
     attack cmp  @found,  start-1   ;does found points to empty space?
            add  #4000,   found     ;no, so point to correct location
            mov  start-1, @found    ;move a bomb
     moveme jmp  0,       0

   In ICWS'94, the quick scan code is more compact because of the SNE
          opcode:
          


     start       ;'94 scan
     s1 for 4
            sne  start+400*s1, start+400*s1+100  ;check two locations
            seq  start+400*s1+200, start+400*s1+300  ;check two locations
            mov  #start+400*s1-found, found  ;they differ so set pointer
     rof
            jmn  which,   found     ;if we have something, get it
     s2 for 4
            sne  start+400*(s2+4), start+400*(s2+4)+100
            seq  start+400*(s2+4)+200, start+400*(s2+4)+300
            mov  #start+400*(s2+4)-found-100, found
     rof
     found  jmz  moveme,  #0        ;skip attack if qscan found nothing
            add  #100,    -1        ;increment pointer till we get the
     which  jmn  -1,      @found    ;right place
            mov  start-1, @found    ;move a bomb
     moveme jmp  0,       0

   Reflection
          Copy of a program or program part, positioned to make the
          active program invisible to a CMP-scanner.
          
   Replicator
          Generic for Paper. A program which makes many copies of itself,
          each copy also making copies.
          
   Self-Splitting
          Strategy of amplifying the number of processes executing a
          piece of code.
          

    example    SPL 0
    loop       ADD #10, example
               MOV example, @example
               JMP loop

   Scanner
          A program which searches through core for an opponent rather
          than bombing blindly.
          
   Scissors
          A program designed to beat replicators, usually a (B-field
          scanning) vampire. Part of the Paper-Scissors-Stone analogy.
          
   Self-Repair
          Ability of a program to fix it's own code after attack.
          
   Silk
          A replicator which splits off a process to each new copy before
          actually copying the code. This allows it to replicate
          extremely quickly. This technique is only possible under the
          '94 draft, because it requires post-increment indirect
          addressing. Example:
          

                spl     1
                mov.i   -1,     0
                spl     1               ;generate 6 consecutive processes
    silk        spl     3620,   #0      ;split to new copy
                mov.i   >-1,    }-1     ;copy self to new location
                mov.i   bomb,   >2000   ;linear bombing
                mov.i   bomb,   }2042   ;A-indirect bombing for anti-vamp
                jmp     silk,   {silk   ;reset source pointer, make new copy
    bomb        dat.f   >2667,  >5334   ;anti-imp bomb

   Slaver
          see Pit-Trapper.
          
   Stealth
          Property of programs, or program parts, which are invisible to
          scanners, accomplished by using zero B-fields and reflections.
          
   Stone
          A Stone-like program designed to be a small bomber. Part of the
          Paper-Scissors-Stone analogy.
          
   Stun
          A type of bomb which makes the opponent multiply useless
          processes, thus slowing it down. Example is referred to as a
          spl-jmp bomb.
          

    example    spl 0
               jmp -1

   Two-Pass Core-Clear (also spl/dat Core-Clear)
          core clear that fills core first with SPL instructions, then
          with DATs. This is very effective in killing paper and certain
          imp-spiral variations.
          
   Vampire
          see Pit-Trapper.
          
   Vector Launch
          one of several means to start an imp-spiral running. As fast as
          Binary Launch, but requiring much less code. See also JMP/ADD
          Launch and Binary Launch. This example is one form of a Vector
          Launch:
          

    impsize   equ 2667
    example   spl 1                       ; extend by adding more spl 1's
              spl 1
              djn.a   @imp,#0             ; jmp @ a series of pointers
              dat     #0,imp+(3*impsize)
              dat     #0,imp+(2*impsize)
              dat     #0,imp+(1*impsize)
              dat     #0,imp+(0*impsize)
    imp       mov.i   #0,impsize

   
   
   [ToC]
     _________________________________________________________________
   
Other questions?

   Just ask in the rec.games.corewar newsgroup or contact me (address
   below). If you are shy, check out the Core War archives first to see
   if your question has been answered before.
   
   [ToC]
     _________________________________________________________________
   
Credits

   Additions, corrections, etc. to this document are solicited. Thanks in
   particular to the following people who have contributed major portions
   of this document: Paul Kline, Randy Graham.
   Mark Durham wrote the first version of the FAQ.
   
   The rec.games.corewar FAQ is Copyright 1995 and maintained by:
   

Stefan Strack, PhD                          stst@vuse.vanderbilt.edu
Dept. Molecular Physiol. and Biophysics     stst@idnsun.gpct.vanderbilt.edu
Rm. 762, MRB-1                              stracks@vuctrvax.bitnet
Vanderbilt Univ. Medical Center             Voice: +615-322-4389
Nashville, TN 37232-6600, USA               FAX:   +615-322-7236

   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
   $Id: corewar-faq.html,v 3.6 1995/10/12 22:44:37 stst Exp stst $



From: Philip Kendall <pak21@kendalls.demon.co.uk>
Subject: Syzygy 1.0
Date: 1996/07/22
Message-ID: <fKPv$BAHQ48xEwfp@kendalls.demon.co.uk>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


Here is Syzygy 1.0, my first successful warrior, a one-shot scanner
followed by a core-clear, which died of old age after a successful run
on the b-hill - this is the version posted to the hill. Any comments,
etc always welcome.

Phil

;redcode-b verbose
;name Syzygy 1.0
;author Philip Kendall
;strategy Scan / spl carpet -> spl/dat coreclear
;strategy Based on Core Warrior 2
;assert CORESIZE==8000

SCAN1   equ     104
SEP     equ     5
STEP    equ     15
BOMBLEN equ     10
STREAM  equ     -305
CSTART  equ     last+5                  ; where to start the coreclear
GAPLEN  equ     70

loop    add.f   sbomb,scan              ; a one-pass scan
scan    sne.i   SCAN1,SCAN1+SEP
        djn.f   loop,<(STREAM-loop)
        mov.ab  #BOMBLEN,count
bloop   mov.i   sbomb,}scan
count   djn.b   bloop,#0
        sub.a   #BOMBLEN,scan
        cmp.a   loop,sbomb              ; loop will be bombed
        djn.f   loop,<(STREAM-loop)
        jmp.a   csplit,<(STREAM-loop)+1
sbomb   spl.a   #STEP,#STEP
space   for     GAPLEN          ; \
        dat.f   0,0             ;  > space to help against scanners
        rof                     ; /
ptr     dat.f   cbomb1,CSTART
cbomb0  dat.f   #cbomb0-ptr,CSTART-ptr
cbomb1  spl.a   #cbomb0-ptr,CSTART-ptr
csplit  spl.a   #0,<(STREAM-loop)+1
clear   mov.i   *ptr,>ptr               ; repeated spl/dat coreclear
        mov.i   *ptr,>ptr
        mov.i   *ptr,>ptr
last    djn.f   clear,<(STREAM-loop)
        end     scan

-- 
 Philip Kendall (pak21@cam.ac.uk pak21@kendalls.demon.co.uk)



From: Dave Darling <darling@simlab.arc.nasa.gov>
Subject: Re: History of Multi-Player Gaming
Date: 1996/07/22
Message-ID: <4t09n1$mv4@onramp.arc.nasa.gov>#1/1
references: <howard-1807961002240001@howards.slip.netcom.com> <31F2AA74.37D0@adobe.com>
newsgroups: rec.games.netrek,rec.games.corewar,rec.games.design,rec.games.mud.admin,rec.games.mud.moo,rec.games.trivia,rec.games.video.misc


In article <31F2AA74.37D0@adobe.com> David Forthoffer, dforthof@adobe.com
writes:
>The other was a game called "Empire",
[snip]
> It ran on the Control Data PLATO network.
>The terminals were the latest graphics terminals -- large bitmapped
>amber plasma displays, with a Z-80 CPU inside. I don't know what the
>server was; it was probably a CDC 6000.

        Holy cats!  Someone else who remembers "empire" on PLATO.
PLATO was a large multiuser time-shared system that ran on a network
of CDC "CYBER" systems (three big boxes in that early tour I took).
I don't know exactly what they were, but they said "CYBER" on the
front...
        Anyway, PLATO was developed at the University of Illinois
back in the 70's, and I *think* (not sure) that empire was written
by a team of programmers at the U of I.  There was a different version
runnin on the U of Delaware PLATO system that was loosely based on
"Battlestar Galactica" but was otherwise fairly similar to "empire".
        Other early multiplayer computer games on PLATO included
"avathar" and "oubliette", which were the first of the first-person-
viewpoint dungeon games I remember.  I saw Wizardry when it came out
and thought, "Gee, like Avathar, but no other people!"
        Now if I could just remember the name of the guy who was the
"father" of the PLATO system...  Began with a B.  Last I heard (about
10 years ago) he was working for the U of Del.

--DD

Dave Darling                            darling@simlab.arc.nasa.gov



From: dnelson@netcom.com (Nelson )
Subject: Re: Further question about Multi-Player History
Date: 1996/07/23
Message-ID: <dnelsonDv0q20.3o1@netcom.com>#1/1
references: <howards-2207962311290001@0.0.0.0>
newsgroups: rec.games.netrek,rec.games.corewar,rec.games.design,rec.games.mud.admin,rec.games.trivia,rec.games.video.misc



 There was an old article in Byte on how to build your own.
 It ran between any Apple ][ or coco or atari (I think).

 Also, the old Bolo was multiplayer on Apple II's or Atari's or
 BBN micros.

 Forgive my ancient memory...





From: bremermr@cartoon.ecn.purdue.edu (Myer R. Bremer)
Subject: Core Warrior 39
Date: 1996/07/23
Message-ID: <4t3g2f$2sj@mozo.cc.purdue.edu>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


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  `$$$$$$$'    $$$P'   `$$b    `$$$P      `P  `$'  `Y'k. $.   $.  $. $$'  $.

Issue 39                                                         July 22, 1996
______________________________________________________________________________
Core Warrior is a weekly newsletter promoting the game of corewar.  Emphasis
is placed on the most active hills--currently the '94 draft hill and the
beginner hill.  Coverage will follow where ever the action is.  If you have
no clue what I'm talking about then check out these five-star internet locals
for more information:

FAQs are available by anonymous FTP from rtfm.mit.edu as
pub/usenet/news.answers/games/corewar-faq.Z
FTP site is: ftp.csua.berkeley.edu /pub/corewar
Web pages are at: (Please note new Stormking's address)
http://www.koth.org/                            ;Stormking
http://www.ecst.csuchico.edu/~pizza/koth        ;Pizza
http://pauillac.inria.fr/~doligez/corewar/      ;Planar

Newbies should check the stormking page for the FAQ, language specification,
guides, and tutorials.  Post questions to rec.games.corewar.  All new players
are infinitely welcome!

If ftp.csua.berkeley.edu is unreachable, you can download pMARS at:
Terry's web page--http://www.infi.net/~wtnewton/corewar/
Planar ftp site--ftp://ftp.inria.fr/INRIA/Projects/para/doligez/cw/pmars
Fechter ftp site--ftp://members.aol.com/ofechner/corewar
______________________________________________________________________________
Greetings.

The '94 draft hill is quiet this week, as Pizza was (is?) down.  My mail is
currently bouncing off the server.  Hopefully the problems will be fixed soon
and service restored.  All the Stormking hills are open and with noticeably
faster response times.  You can satisfy your corewar craving there.  Enjoy.

--M R Bremer
______________________________________________________________________________
Current Status of the Internet Pizza Server ICWS '94 Draft Hill:

Hill Specs:
   coresize: 8000
   max. processes: 8000
   duration: after 80,000 cycles, a tie is declared.
   max. entry length: 100
   minimum distance: 100
   rounds fought: 200
   instruction set: ICWS '94 Draft

 #   %W /  %L /  %T                       Name               Author Score  Age
 1  39.6/ 25.6/ 34.8              Simple v0.4b          Ian Oversby 153.7   12
 2  29.3/ 13.1/ 57.6      Return Of The Jedimp             John K W 145.4   49
 3  41.2/ 37.8/ 21.0                     Probe        Anton Marsden 144.7   61
 4  33.2/ 23.7/ 43.1                 Armory II             John K W 142.8  200
 5  43.4/ 45.8/ 10.8                  Q^2 Miro         Anders Ivner 141.1  111
 6  39.4/ 38.7/ 21.9                 Yogi Bear              P.Kline 140.1  265
 7  41.4/ 42.8/ 15.8                 Goldfinch              P.Kline 140.1    2
 8  41.5/ 43.2/ 15.4                      Mist              P.Kline 139.8    1
 9  41.6/ 43.6/ 14.8                    Blur 2        Anton Marsden 139.7   60
10  33.1/ 28.1/ 38.8                 Pulp v0.2          Ian Oversby 138.2  156
11  40.7/ 43.6/ 15.7                 myVamp5.4             Paulsson 137.7  109
12  40.1/ 43.4/ 16.5           Earthquake v0.2         Bjoern & Ian 136.8   18
13  30.6/ 24.4/ 45.0                   Rosebud                Beppe 136.7  734
14  37.8/ 39.4/ 22.8                T.N.T. pro    Maurizio Vittuari 136.2  779
15  26.4/ 17.0/ 56.6                    ompega       Steven Morrell 135.8  176
16  37.1/ 39.3/ 23.6                 Dura v0.1          Ian Oversby 135.0   90
17  29.9/ 26.9/ 43.2          blue flame c1/10       bjoern guenzel 133.0   45
18  31.5/ 30.8/ 37.7        Jack in the box II          Beppe Bezzi 132.1  418
19  36.2/ 40.7/ 23.2 Paper, Scissors and Stone        David van Dam 131.6  189
20  36.8/ 43.3/ 19.9                   Twister          Beppe Bezzi 130.3  515
21  35.4/ 40.9/ 23.7                    airBag             Paulsson 129.9  102
22  31.7/ 33.4/ 34.9            the historian        bjoern guenzel 129.9  534
23  35.2/ 40.7/ 24.1                Scimitar 2              P.Kline 129.7  127
24  36.9/ 46.2/ 16.9                   Harmony              P.Kline 127.5   26
25  37.3/ 49.4/ 13.3                 test mef2          Beppe Bezzi 125.2    9


Weekly age: 31 ( 84 last week, 90 the week before )
New warriors:  6 Turnover/age rate 19%
Average age:   191 ( 184 last week, 158 the week before )
Average score: 137 ( 141 last week, 141 the week before )
The top 25 warriors are represented by 11 authors: Kline with 5; Bezzi, 
and Oversby with 4; Guenzel with 3; JKW, Marsden, and Paulsson with 2.

King Report: The top 3 warriors have all been vying for the top slot, but
Ian's new Simple version 0.4b is slightly more effective than the previous
version giving Oversby a commanding 8 point lead over second place.  Other
warriors seen on the top of the hill include Mist (quite a few times) and
Q^2 Miro and Blur 2 (once each).

Most of the veterans are in the middle of the pack.  Twister and the
historian have not recovered and are in danger of being pushed off.  Armory
gets a nice boost since last week moving up to the 4th position.

Question of the day:  Is Macrae going to put a Q^2 scan on Thermite and take
up space on the hill for months to come?  Or has someone already beat him to
it?
______________________________________________________________________________
94 - What's New

 #   %W /  %L /  %T                       Name               Author Score  Age
 6  42.1/ 42.3/ 15.6                 Goldfinch              P.Kline 141.9    1
 8  41.5/ 43.2/ 15.4                      Mist              P.Kline 139.8    1
 1  36.4/ 26.0/ 37.5              Simple v0.4b          Ian Oversby 146.8    1
18  38.9/ 44.1/ 16.9                   Harmony              P.Kline 133.7    1
25  38.0/ 49.9/ 12.1                 test mef2          Beppe Bezzi 126.1    1
13  41.4/ 42.2/ 16.4           Earthquake v0.2         Bjoern & Ian 140.6    1

Goldfinch was hanging around in the middle of the pack until Paul decided to
replace it.  The new warrior is holding its place well in the top ten.
______________________________________________________________________________
94 - What's No More

 #   %W /  %L /  %T                       Name               Author Score  Age
26   1.8/  2.1/  0.0                 Goldfinch              P.Kline   5.5  206
26   1.3/  1.5/  1.2                   Harmony              P.Kline   5.1    8
26   1.6/  1.7/  0.7                      Mist              P.Kline   5.4   30
26   1.2/  1.3/  1.6               Simple v0.4          Ian Oversby   5.1  146
26  24.0/ 23.7/ 52.3    Ties, Ties, Ties! (+3)   Ross Morgan-Linial 124.4    2
26  33.5/ 42.4/ 24.1                   Goliath        David van Dam 124.7  181

Kline revamps three of his warriors while Oversby updates sometime-king
Simple.  The only real loss is van Dam's Goliath.
______________________________________________________________________________
94 - What's Old

 #   %W /  %L /  %T                       Name               Author Score  Age
14  37.8/ 39.4/ 22.8                T.N.T. pro    Maurizio Vittuari 136.2  779
13  30.6/ 24.4/ 45.0                   Rosebud                Beppe 136.7  734
22  31.7/ 33.4/ 34.9            the historian        bjoern guenzel 129.9  534
20  36.8/ 43.3/ 19.9                   Twister          Beppe Bezzi 130.3  515
18  31.5/ 30.8/ 37.7        Jack in the box II          Beppe Bezzi 132.1  418

No new entries.  No losses.
______________________________________________________________________________
HALL OF FAME
* means the warrior is still active.

Pos    Name                  Author          Age     Strategy
 1  Thermite II            Robert Macrae     2262    Qscan -> bomber
 2  Impfinity v4g1         Planar            1993    Stone/ imp
 3  Jack in the box        Beppe Bezzi       1620    P-warrior
 4  Tornado 3.0            Beppe Bezzi       1567    Bomber
 5  Torch t18              P.Kline           1539    Bomber
 6  Chameleon              Myer R Bremer     1437    P-warrior
 7  Frontwards v2          Steven Morrell    1420    One shot scanner
 8  Evol Cap 6.6           John Wilkinson    1299    Imp / stone
 9  quiz                   Schitzo           1262    Scanner/ bomber
10  T.N.T.                 Maurizio Vittuari 1204    Bomber
11  Grilled Octopus v0.5   David Boeren      1154    P-warrior
12  Hazy Shade II          John Wilkinson    1102    P-warrior
13  Stepping Stone         Kurt Franke       1049    Qscan -> Vampire
14  Iron Gate 1.5          Wayne Sheppard     926    CMP scanner
15  Agony II               Stefan Strack      912    CMP scanner
16  Barrage                Anton Marsden      876    Qscan -> replicator
17  Blue Funk              Steven Morrell     869    Stone/ imp
18  Flurry                 Anton Marsden      835    Qscan -> pwarrior
19  Thermite 1.0           Robert Macrae      802    Qscan -> bomber
20  T.N.T. pro             Maurizio Vittuari  779 *  Bomber
21  Blue Funk 3            Steven Morrell     766    Stone/ imp
22  Night Train            Karl Lewin         755    Replicator
23  Mirage 1.5             Anton Marsden      736    Scanner/ bomber
24  Rosebud                Beppe              734 *  Stone/ imp
25  Blizzard               Anton Marsden      713    Qscan -> replicator

T.N.T. pro moves up two spots while Rosebud climbs to 24th position.
______________________________________________________________________________
Current Status of the Internet Pizza Server Beginner's Hill:

Hill Specs:
   coresize: 8000
  max. processes: 8000
   duration: after 80,000 cycles, a tie is declared.
max. entry length: 100
 minimum distance: 100
    maximum age: At age 100, warriors are retired.
   rounds fought: 200
  instruction set: ICWS '94 Draft

 #   %W /  %L /  %T                       Name               Author Score  Age
 1  58.3/ 20.9/ 20.8                    Yet 4b           Justin Kao 195.8   48
 2  45.5/ 16.5/ 38.0                  (-:  :-)                 Ross 174.6   71
 3  49.6/ 29.0/ 21.5          Velveeta Shift-F                 shar 170.1   46
 4  45.4/ 23.2/ 31.4           Versatility 1.5   Ross Morgan-Linial 167.6   38
 5  46.1/ 26.2/ 27.7            Saboteur v0.4k                 shar 165.9   79
 6  40.3/ 27.8/ 31.9               Inferno 1.0       Philip Kendall 152.8   61
 7  29.5/ 11.0/ 59.5            Microsoft v1.0           Justin Kao 148.0    4
 8  22.7/ 10.7/ 66.7    Ties, Ties, Ties! (+2)                 Ross 134.6   73
 9  26.2/ 23.2/ 50.6             Utility Knife     Robert J. Street 129.2   81
10  19.8/ 13.8/ 66.4                   HAL 204           Justin Kao 125.7    1
11  14.0/  8.5/ 77.6                 Wasps 1.3                 Ross 119.5   72
12  15.0/ 10.8/ 74.2              more testing            Anonymous 119.2   32
13  11.9/  6.9/ 81.2            Nematode v1.4e       Jonathan Stott 116.8   12
14  13.2/  9.6/ 77.3            Ties and Wasps                 Ross 116.7   25
15  11.5/  7.0/ 81.4            Nematode v1.4b       Jonathan Stott 116.0   45
16  16.0/ 16.9/ 67.1                 Fork 4/13    Christoph C. Birk 115.1   65
17  11.6/ 27.7/ 60.8                 Handy Man     Robert J. Street  95.5   39
18   2.5/ 16.9/ 80.5                Mama's Boy     Robert J. Street  88.2   26
19  11.3/ 35.2/ 53.6              silken stomp             harleyQ2  87.4   21
20   3.5/ 19.8/ 76.6                silkbombQ2             harleyQ2  87.3   44
21   3.3/ 21.4/ 75.2                     Snail                Edgar  85.2   10
22  10.1/ 36.8/ 53.1              silken train             harleyQ2  83.4   14
23   6.4/ 38.6/ 55.0                        b3             harleyQ2  74.1   13
24   3.8/ 33.8/ 62.4                         b             harleyQ2  73.7   20
25   3.2/ 33.8/ 63.0                     abc.i             harleyQ2  72.6    2

I see a lot of familiar names on the beginner's hill.  Is Kao implying the
Microsoft programs are really just big viruses with his warrior Microsoft
v1.0 or is he predicting Gates and Co. will dominate KotH as the do the
desktop?  (-:  :-), very cute.
______________________________________________________________________________
The Hint

In a weak attempt to gain a foothold on the hill, I thought I would develop
a new type of p-brain (pea-brain as it turns out).  I usually use the basic
switch on loss or tie p-logic like Chameleon's.

res     ldp.ab  _RES,   #0
str     ldp.a   _STR,   str1    ;load strategy in use
        seq.ab  #1,     res     ;check result
lost    add.a   #1,     str1    ;lost change 
	mod.a   #2,     str1    ;secure result
win     stp.ab  str1,   _STR
str1    jmp     @0,     strat1
        dat     0,      strat2

The p-logic is quick and doesn't self destruct when brainwashed.  Quickness
is especially important now with the new Q^2 quickscans flooding the hill.
The downside is no matter what _effective_ strategy you are using, a spurious
loss will switch you to a less effective one.  It may take even another loss
to return to the optimal strategy if you are switching more than one
component.  To combat this phenomena, I developed a switch on two consecutive
tie/loss combinations.  Strategies will only change on a loss loss, tie loss,
loss tie, or tie tie.

A loss or tie will advance the table pointer contained in _STRAT.  If the
_STRAT pointer is 0 or 2, that strategy will get its 'second chance'.  If the
index is 1 or 3, strategies will switch.  A win should reset the pointer to
either 0 or 3 depending on what strategy is currently in use.  I do this by
taking the index modulo 2 and subtracting the result from the current index.

_RES EQU #0
_STRAT EQU #1

result  ldp.ab _RES, wlt
strat   ldp.a _STRAT, choice
wlt     sne.ab #1, #0
        jmp win                 ; win has occured
        add.a #1, choice        ; loss or tie has occured
        mod.a #4, choice
        stp.a choice, _STRAT
choice  jmp @0, strat1          ; _STRAT = 0, choose strat1
        nop 0, strat1           ; _STRAT = 1, choose strat1
        nop 0, strat2           ; _STRAT = 2, choose strat2
        nop 0, strat2           ; _STRAT = 3, choose strat2
win     mov.ab choice, #0       ; reset index becuase of win
        mod.ab #2, win          
        sub.ba win, choice      
        jmp choice-1            

strat1  jmp 0
strat2  jmp 0

All in all, the brain is much bigger (8 vs. 15) and a bit slower.  But I
thought it had the smarts necessary to defeat non-pspace programs quite
handily.  However this wasn't the case.  When switching the components in
Chameleon (mod 5 bomber and .66c scanner), the new logic performed similarly
or worse!  The optimal strategy would win for awhile, but the occasional loss
tie combination would cause it to switch.  The secondary strategy (being a
somewhat general purpose strategy) would not switch out as fast due to the
new switching rules.  This seemed to balance the extra wins gained.  I
believe the p-logic would be much more effective if the secondary strategy
is very specialized against one type of program and losses quickly against
everything else.  But don't take my word for it.  Use your nifty cut and
paste and try a few components.
______________________________________________________________________________
Extra Extra
by Beppe Bezzi

Here is Jack in the box II, there is nothing really innovative in it. 
The bomber is in practice the same published in Twister, there is a little
variation in the bomb pattern, but nothing worth mention.
The replicator is a part of that in the old Jack, just booted away to have a
faster reaction time against qscanners, even if not fast enough against Q^2
(It would need a lighter paper)
The switcher is exacltly the same of old Jack, no need to change it being
safe and brainwash resistant.

Overall I don't expect it to live much longer than old version, even if
nobody knows :-)

;redcode-94
;name Jack in the box II
;author Beppe Bezzi
;kill Jack
;strategy Same old strategy, improved components
;strategy p-switching Tornado and silk

;assert CORESIZE == 8000
org     think			;v 2.03

PIN     3371

_RES    equ     #0
_STR    equ     #1              ;more or less 500 :-)

step    equ     -45               
DIST
away    equ     4000            ;more or less 3900 :-)
gate1   equ     (gate-4)

A0      equ     3488
A1      equ     1860
A2      equ     3740
   
marcia
	
	spl     1,      <300    ;\
	spl	1,	<400	;-\ generate 15
	spl     1,      <500    ;-/ parallel processes
	mov	-1,	0	;/

	mov	<bootslk,{bootslk
bootslk	spl	4000,	silk+15       ;more or less 4000

silk    spl     @0,     }A0     ;split 
	mov.i   }-1,    >-1     ;copy 
	mov.i   bomb1,  >123    ;bombing
silk2   spl     @0,     }A1     ;split
	mov.i   }-1,    >-1     ;copy
	mov.i   bomb1,  >1001   ;bombing
	mov.i   bomb ,  }2042   ;A-indirect bombing
	mov.i   {silk2, <silk3  ;copy
silk3   jmp     @0,     >A2     ;jmp new copy 
bomb    dat.f   >2667,  >5334   ;anti-imp bomb
bomb1   dat     >1,     }1      ;anti clear bomb

for 12
	dat     0,0
rof

think
res     ldp.ab  _RES,   #0
str     ldp.a   _STR,   str1    ;load strategy in use
	sne.ab  #0,     res     ;check result
lost    add.a   #1,     str1    ;lost change 
	mod.a   #2,     str1    ;secure result
win     stp.ab  str1,   _STR
str1    jmp     @0,     tornado
	dat     0,      marcia


for 12
	dat     0,0
rof

tornado 
	mov     gate,   }pt2
	mov     gate,   *pt2
	mov     last,   <pt1
	spl     1,      1
	mov     {pt1,   <pt1
	mov     {pt1,   <pt1
	mov     {pt1,   <pt1
	mov     {pt1,   <pt1
	mov     {pt1,   <pt1

go      djn.b	@pt1,   #2      ;start Tornado
	mov     gate,   <pt1


pt1     div.f   #last,	#last+1+away
pt2     div.f   #gate+away-5,#1


;--- Tornado 3.8
for MAXLENGTH-CURLINE-14
	dat     0,0
rof

start
	
	dat     -25,    last-gate1+5
warr
gate    
	dat     -25,    last-gate1+15
bombs   spl     #(step+1),  -step           ;hit spl
start1  sub     incr,   @b1           
stone   mov     (0*step)+jump+1,*(1*step)+jump
b2      mov     bombs,  @stone
b1      mov     bombm,  *stone
jump    jmz.b   start1, #0         ;hit by spl
clr     mov     @djmp,  >gate1
	mov     @djmp,  >gate1
djmp    djn.b   clr,    {bombs
incr    dat     >-3*step,>-3*step      
last
bombm   dat     <1,     {1


end
______________________________________________________________________________
Questions?  Concerns?  Comments?  Complaints?  Mail them to people who care.
authors: Beppe Bezzi <bezzi@nemo.it> or Myer Bremer <bremermr@ecn.purdue.edu>
or Anton Marsden <amarsden@comp.vuw.ac.nz>





From: mattack@eskimo.com (Matt Ackeret)
Subject: Re: History of Multi-Player Gaming
Date: 1996/07/23
Message-ID: <DuyzJ0.Bp1@eskimo.com>#1/1
references: <howard-1807961002240001@howards.slip.netcom.com> <31F2AA74.37D0@adobe.com> <4t09n1$mv4@onramp.arc.nasa.gov> <4t0qbm$6jn@news.tamu.edu>
newsgroups: rec.games.netrek,rec.games.corewar,rec.games.design,rec.games.mud.admin,rec.games.mud.moo,rec.games.trivia,rec.games.video.misc



Can anyone give me any information on a game called Conquest?

I played it around '85 on a system in San Jose, CA called MindLink.. it wasn't
around too long, the place ended up being torched for the insurance money.

Anyhow, Conquest is one of the most fun games I've ever played, and I 
really hope I'm not *completely* looking through rose colored glasses.  It
is a multi-player space game that's realtime and ASCII-based.. You choose
to be a member of some group (Federation, Klingons, etc.. remember this was
pre-TNG)..  and then you basically go out and try to conquer planets, by 
attacking the planets and beaming your passengers down to planets..

You also fight other ships "real time".. I mean, you shoot, and *s come out
of your ship in the direction you're aiming, etc..  It sure seemed 
playable even at 1200 bps.

I am under the *impression* that this ran on VMS, but I could be wrong... Is
source for this game available, and/or has it ever been ported to UNIX systems
(or at least using TCP) to run on the Internet, a la NetTrek?  (I'm under
the impression that NetTrek is somehow related to Conquest but they don't seem
the same from the little I've seen of NetTrek).

Thanks for any information...
-- 
unknown@apple.com		Apple II Forever
These opinions are mine, not Apple's.



From: Anders Ivner <d91andiv@und.ida.liu.se>
Subject: program for evaluating steps
Date: 1996/07/23
Message-ID: <9607231912.AA19035@su2-6.ida.liu.se>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


Here's a program I've written to calculate caracteristics
for steps. I used to use Paul Kline's num8000 file, but it does
not list find numbers for all interesting mods, and also it's
awkward to use sort and join to get the relevant lines from it.
I'm not sure exactly how the find numbers were calculated, but I
believe that the concept I use here is equivalent.

Any comments will be greatly appreciated.

/Anders

-------- Modfinder c code begins here ----------
/*
   Modfinder - a program for finding good steps for corewar warriors.
   by Anders Ivner, July 1996.

   Modfinder creates a 'profile' for a given step by calculating
   how many steps it will take for it to hit position p, -n < p < n,
   i.e. solving the diofantine equation step*i = p + coresize*j.
   A step is concidered to approximate (be) a mod-p number if
   it hits position p (or -p) before hitting any of the positions
   -p+1,...,-1,0,1,...,p-1.

   flags:  -c [CORESIZE]       : should always be specified
           -s [STEP]           : test single step
           -r [MIN] [MAX]      : test range of steps, ]MIN, MAX]
           -p [LENGTH]         : output profiles of length [LENGTH]
           -m [MOD]            : filter for steps that approximate [MOD]
	   -l                  : output lengths of specified mods
           -h                  : print this text
   If neither -s nor -r is specified steps are read from stdin.

   Input can be given as a single step (-s), a range of steps (-r)
   or on stdin as numbers separated by newline (default).

   Steps can be filtered by specifying which mods it should approximate
   (-m). Multiple -m flags can be given to specify more than one mod.

   Output can be given as profiles (-p), lengths of the specified mods
   (-l) or as steps only (default).

   Example of profile output:
   
   > modfinder -c 8000 -s 17 -p 10
   step 17
   2353         : 17 is mod-1 and hits 1 or -1 in 2353 steps
   0            : 17 does not approximate mod-2 
   941          : 17 is mod-3 and hits 3 or -3 in 941 steps
   0            : 17 does not approximate mod-4
   0            : 17 does not approximate mod-5
   0            : 17 does not approximate mod-6
   471          : 17 is mod-7 and hits 7 or -7 in 471 steps
   0            : 17 does not approximate mod-7
   0            : 17 does not approximate mod-8
   470          : 17 is mod-9 and hits 9 or -9 in 740 steps

   Example of mod filter and mod length output:

   > modfinder -c 8000 -r 0 100 -m 7 -m 1 -l
   7, 1, 1143        : step 7 is mod-7 and mod-1 and hits 7 or -7 in
   17, 471, 2353     :  1 step and 1 or -1 in 1143 steps
   47, 681, 2383     : The steps between 1 and 100 which approximate
   51, 157, 3451     : mod-7 and mod-1 are 7, 17, 47, 51 and 61
   61, 787, 3541

   Modfinder currently does not perform any error checking. It's
   boring to write and does not sereve any purpose since I know
   how to use it anyway.

   Modfinder was written to be easy to modify. You can add your
   own filters and input and output formats. 
   Note to programmers: the profile array starts at 1, i.e. pf[0]
   contains the mod-1 length, pf[1] contains the mod-2 length and
   so on.

*/

#include <stdio.h>

typedef struct pair {
 int first;
 int second;
} pair;

pair solve( int step, int size, int pos )
{
  pair result;
  pair res;
  int newsize,newstep,newpos,y,z;
  if ( pos == 0 )
    {
      result.first = 0;
      result.second = 0;
      return result;
    }
  else
    {
      if ( step == 0 )
	{
	  printf("ERROR \n");
	  result.first = 0;
	  result.second = 0;
	  return result;
	}
      newsize = step;
      newstep = size % newsize;
      if ( pos > 0 )
	{
	  newpos = -(pos%newsize);
	  z = pos / newsize;
	}
      else
	{
	  newpos = (-pos) % newsize;
	  z = ((-pos)/newsize) * -1;
	}
      y = size/newsize;
      res = solve( newstep, newsize, newpos );
      result.first = res.second + res.first*y + z;
      result.second = res.first;
      return result;
    }
}

/* stolen from corestep */
unsigned int gcd (unsigned int a, unsigned int b)
{
	unsigned int r, c;

	if (a<b) {c=a; a=b; b=c;}
	if (b == 0 || b == 1) return b;

	do
	{
		r = a%b;
		a = b;
		b = r;
	} while (r);
	return a;
}

int howlong( step, size, pos )
{
  pair res;
  int c;
  c = gcd( size, step );
  if ( pos%c == 0 )
    {
      res = solve( step/c, size/c, pos/c );
      if (res.first < 0) res.first += size/c;
      return res.first;
    }
  else return (size+1);
}

void profile( int step, int size, int range, int *pf )
{
  int pos, min, length, length2;
  min = size+1;
  for ( pos = 1; pos<=range; pos++ )
    {
      length = howlong( step, size, pos );
      length2 = howlong( step, size, -pos );
      if (length2 < length) length = length2;
      if (length < min)
	{
	  min = length;
	  pf[pos-1] = length;
	}
      else pf[pos-1] = 0;
    }
}

void engine( int size, int range,
	    int (*instream) (), 
	    int (*filter) ( int, int, int *),
	    void (*outstream) ( int, int, int *) )
{
  int step;
  int *pf;
  pf = (int *) malloc( range*sizeof(int) );
  step = instream();
  while( step != 0 )
    {
      profile( step, size, range, pf );
      if ( filter( step, range, pf ) ) outstream( step, range, pf );
      step = instream();
    }
  free(pf);
}

int modcnt;
int mods[10]; /* Arbitrary limit */

int in_range_cnt;
int in_range_max;
static int in_range()
{
  if (in_range_cnt<in_range_max)
    {
      in_range_cnt++;
      return in_range_cnt;
    }
  else return (0);
}

static int in_stdin()
{
  int step;
  if ( feof( stdin ) ) return 0;
  scanf("%u\n", &step);
  return step;
}

static int f_always( int step, int range, int *pf )
{
  return 1;
}

static int f_mod( int step, int range, int *pf )
{
  int i;
  i = 0;
  while ( (i<modcnt) && (pf[mods[i]-1]) ) i++;
  return (i==modcnt);
}

static void out_step( int step, int range, int *pf )
{
  printf("%d\n", step);
}

static void out_profile( int step, int range, int *pf )
{
  int i;
  printf("step %d\n", step);
  for (i=0;i<range;i++)
    {
      printf("%d\n", pf[i] );
    }
  printf("\n");
}

static void out_modlen( int step, int range, int *pf )
{
  int i;
  printf("%d", step);
  for (i=0; i<modcnt; i++)
    {
      printf(", %d", pf[mods[i]-1] );
    }
  printf("\n");
}

void help()
{
  printf("flags:  -c [CORESIZE]       : should always be specified\n");
  printf("        -s [STEP]           : test single step\n");
  printf("        -r [MIN] [MAX]      : test range of steps, ]MIN, MAX]\n");
  printf("        -p [LENGTH]         : output profiles of length [LENGTH]\n");
  printf("        -m [MOD]            : filter for steps that approximate [MOD]\n");
  printf("        -l                  : output lengths of specified mods\n");
  printf("        -h                  : print this text\n");
  printf("If neither -s nor -r is specified steps are read from stdin.\n");
}

int main(int argc, char **argv )
{
  int size, step, range, i;
  int maxmod;

  int (*instream) ();
  int (*filter) ( int, int, int * );
  void (*outstream) ( int, int, int * );

  size = 0;
  step = -1;
  range = 0;
  modcnt = 0;
  maxmod = 0;
  instream = in_stdin;
  filter = f_always;
  outstream = out_step;

  i = 1;
  while( i<argc )
    {
      if (argv[i][0] == '-')
	{
	  switch (argv[i++][1])
	    {
	    case 'p':
	      sscanf( argv[i++], "%u", &range );
	      outstream = out_profile;
	      break;
	    case 's':
	      sscanf( argv[i++], "%u", &step );
	      instream = in_range;
	      in_range_cnt = step-1;
	      in_range_max = step;
	      break;
	    case 'c':
	      sscanf( argv[i++], "%u", &size );
	      break;
	    case 'm':
	      sscanf( argv[i++], "%u", &(mods[modcnt]) );
	      if (mods[modcnt] > maxmod) maxmod = mods[modcnt];
	      modcnt++;
	      filter = f_mod;
	      break;
	    case 'r':
	      sscanf( argv[i++], "%u", &in_range_cnt );
	      sscanf( argv[i++], "%u", &in_range_max );
	      instream = in_range;
	      break;
	    case 'l':
	      outstream = out_modlen;
	      break;
	    case 'h':
	      help();
	      exit(0);
	    }
	}
    }
  if (maxmod > range) range = maxmod;
  engine( size, range, instream, filter, outstream);
}



From: dark@xs4all.nl (Richard Braakman)
Subject: Re: Further question about Multi-Player History
Date: 1996/07/23
Message-ID: <4t3i1u$r4u@news.xs4all.nl>#1/1
references: <howards-2207962311290001@0.0.0.0>
newsgroups: rec.games.netrek,rec.games.corewar,rec.games.design,rec.games.mud.admin,rec.games.mud.moo,rec.games.trivia,rec.games.video.misc


In <howards-2207962311290001@0.0.0.0> howards@netcom.com (Howard Soroka) writes:


>Having digested the results, I would now like to ask the question again,
>with a slight modification of the criteria.

[... modified criteria snipped ...]

You know, this _does_ look like a search for prior art.

If it is, then this guy want to get a patent on some
blindingly obvious aspect of multiplayer games, and
needs to know about these early games (the "prior art")
so that he can write his patent just carefully enough
to get around them.  

I suggest you don't reply to him until he explains why
he needs the information.

--
Richard Braakman
Boredom may be the ultimate expression of intelligence.



From: bob@raf.atd.ucar.edu (Bob Campbell)
Subject: Re: Further question about Multi-Player History
Date: 1996/07/23
Message-ID: <4t3adp$gdd@ncar.ucar.edu>#1/1
references: <howards-2207962311290001@0.0.0.0>
newsgroups: rec.games.netrek,rec.games.corewar,rec.games.design,rec.games.mud.admin,rec.games.mud.moo,rec.games.trivia,rec.games.video.misc


In article <howards-2207962311290001@0.0.0.0>, howards@netcom.com (Howard Soroka) writes:
>
>Specifically, I would like to know about EARLY multi-player games in which
>the individual users' stations have some local processing power (memory
>and CPU), beyond mere terminal capabilities. Presumably, the game(s) would
>make some use of this local capability. In all likelihood, this implies
>some form of microcomputer for each user (perhaps TRS-80. Apple II, or
>other), as opposed to a simple terminal (graphics or ASCII). However, a
>game played between two or more users, each using a larger machine (such
>as a minicomputer), somehow connected by network or phone lines would also
>qualify.


Well, now that you've narrowed it down, this really does
smack of an attempt to patent "multi-player games where at least
some of the game code is actually executed on the local node".
And as such, frankly, I hope it is NOT awarded to anyone.

The fact of the matter is, though, that before the mid 80's,
if you weren't sitting at a terminal on a large central system,
you were sitting on a lone micro.  Not really enough demand to
make multiplayer, independant-node games.  


-- 
Bob Campbell




From: ptsbill@crl.com (William Rapp)
Subject: Re: Further question about Multi-Player History
Date: 1996/07/23
Message-ID: <4t20lu$no@crl13.crl.com>#1/1
references: <howards-2207962311290001@0.0.0.0>
newsgroups: rec.games.netrek,rec.games.corewar,rec.games.design,rec.games.mud.admin,rec.games.mud.moo,rec.games.trivia,rec.games.video.misc


Howard Soroka (howards@netcom.com) wrote:
: Netizens:

: Many of you have responded to my earlier post asking about early
: multi-player games. Most of the information points to the PLATO system,
: but some others are also mentioned.

: All of this information is very helpful, and I thank you all for your
: willingness to share information.

: Having digested the results, I would now like to ask the question again,
: with a slight modification of the criteria.

: Specifically, I would like to know about EARLY multi-player games in which
: the individual users' stations have some local processing power (memory
: and CPU), beyond mere terminal capabilities. Presumably, the game(s) would
: make some use of this local capability. In all likelihood, this implies
: some form of microcomputer for each user (perhaps TRS-80. Apple II, or
: other), as opposed to a simple terminal (graphics or ASCII). However, a
: game played between two or more users, each using a larger machine (such
: as a minicomputer), somehow connected by network or phone lines would also
: qualify.

: If you know of any such beast, please respond via return email, and thank
: you very much!

: Howard Soroka



A while ago when the mainframe company I worked for was switching to
Unix + RISC systems I saw a game that must've been around for a
while (prob written at some university):

Spy (or something like it) played on terminals hooked to unix
     character based graphics  2d map maze  2+ players
     keyboard input.

Have you found the original MUD (multi user dungeon), Im not sure
how far back they go (prob started on a Unix platform.
-AS



From: shadowz0@ix.netcom.com
Subject: Shadow
Date: 1996/07/23
Message-ID: <199607230317.UAA00447@dfw-ix5.ix.netcom.com>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar



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S.H.A.D.O.W. is the Alpha and Omega of all things in RPGs,
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Realms of Role-Playing, if you need to know about the present and future of
RPGs, if you want to become a S.H.A.D.O.W. GAMER,
then the solution is simple...just say "Yes!"


For more info and an application, hit "Reply", and type in "Yes!"
If you wish to be deleted from this E-mail, just type in "Remove"
We appologize for any inconvienence this may have caused, all we ever
intended to do is bring some fun to you, if Fantasy is your cup of tea...  :)

((Check us out on AOL too! Nightly from 9pm-3am est.. 
   Member Room "Shadow Keep" in Town Square))



From: jstott@poly.phys.cwru.edu (Jonathan Stott)
Subject: nematode13e.red
Date: 1996/07/24
Message-ID: <4t5q2u$6e8@madeline.INS.CWRU.Edu>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar



This is my first program to make it onto the beginner's hill and stay
there and now I figured I'll send it out into the world.  It is a
highly defensive pair of papers that replicate and then fall into
either impring or self-bombing code.  It has very little chance of
killing a self-splitting opponent, but is extremely difficult to kill
in turn.  Pspacing with a more aggressive module though makes this into
(in my novice eye) a reasonably good warrior.

As usually, comments/improvements are always welcome.

-JS

;-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
;redcode
;name     Nematode v1.3e+
;author   Jonathan Stott <jstott@poly.phys.cwru.edu>
;strategy A paper/stone blend with defensive imp rings to help it along
;strategy Really needs to be pspaced with a fast bomber to be effective.
;strategy [07/24/96 release]
;assert   CORESIZE==8000
;-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

; Paper constants
ASTEP   equ     100              ; No, this is not a good constant to use.
BSTEP   equ     225              ; Nor is this.

; Ring constants
D3      equ     2667             ; distance between the 3 points
D7      equ     1143             ; distance between the 7 points
SKIP7   equ     (jtbl+200)       ; where to drop the 7-pt ring

;--------------------------------------------------------------------------

        org     start

;--------------------------------------------------------------------------

start   spl     imp7,           <0770   ; random decrements of core
        spl.a   1,              <1640
        spl.a   1,              <2410
        spl.a   1,              <3180
        spl.a   silk2,          <3950

;--------------------------------------------------------------------------

silk    spl.a   @0,             {ASTEP  ;split forward, dec't because I can
        mov.i   }silk,          >silk   ;copy (main)

cel2    spl.a   @cel2,          {BSTEP  ;split forward, dec't because I can
cel2a   mov.i   }cel2,          >cel2   ;copy (secondary)

;--------------------------------------------------------------------------

        mov.i   bomb,           {bomb           ;clear (self)
        mov.i   bomb,           {silk           ;clear (behind self)
        mov.i   bomb,           >bomb           ;clear (matched paper)
bomb    dat     #cel2+1+1,	#(cel4-bomb)    ; suicide

;--------------------------------------------------------------------------

j1      for     16
         dat    0,       0              ; spacer
        rof

;--------------------------------------------------------------------------

imp7    spl.a   1,              <4720   ; split 7 processes + 1 suicide
        spl.a   1,              <5490   ; more random decrements
        spl.a   1,              <6260

vec     jmp.a   *jtbl,          }0      ; vector launch a 7-pt impring

imp     mov.i   0,              D7      ; the actual code

imp1    mov.i   imp,            *jtbl+1 ; start it, then suicide on dat's

jtbl    dat     imp1,           0       ; vector table for all 7 points
        dat     SKIP7+0*D7,     0
        dat     SKIP7+1*D7,     0
        dat     SKIP7+2*D7,     0
        dat     SKIP7+3*D7,     0
        dat     SKIP7+4*D7,     0
        dat     SKIP7+5*D7,     0
        dat     SKIP7+6*D7,     0

;--------------------------------------------------------------------------

k       for     (MAXLENGTH-CURLINE-24)
          dat   1,      1               ; decoy code
        rof

;--------------------------------------------------------------------------

j2      for     16
          dat   0,      0               ; spacer
        rof

;--------------------------------------------------------------------------

silk2   spl.a   @0,             {ASTEP  ;split forward, dec't because I can
        mov.i   }silk2,         >silk2  ;copy (main)

cel3    spl.a   @cel3,          {BSTEP  ;split forward, dec't because I can
cel3a   mov.i   }cel3,          >cel3   ;copy (secondary)

;--------------------------------------------------------------------------

rlnch2  spl.a   c2,             >c2+8   ;standard 3-pt ring.
        spl.a   rimp2+1*D3,     >c2+12  ; decrement a few bytes of core
rimp2   mov.i   rimp2,          D3
c2      jmp.a   rimp2+2*D3,     >c2+16

;--------------------------------------------------------------------------

-- 
Jonathan Stott                      O-                      jjs17@po.cwru.edu
CWRU Dept. of Physics                               jstott@poly.phys.cwru.edu
School of Graduate Studies            http://poly.phys.cwru.edu:8080/~jstott/



From: jamesl@netcom.com (James Logajan)
Subject: Re: Further question about Multi-Player History
Date: 1996/07/24
Message-ID: <jameslDv17J0.CJE@netcom.com>#1/1
references: <howards-2207962311290001@0.0.0.0>
newsgroups: rec.games.netrek,rec.games.corewar,rec.games.design,rec.games.mud.admin,rec.games.trivia,rec.games.video.misc


Howard Soroka (howards@netcom.com) wrote:
[elided]
: Specifically, I would like to know about EARLY multi-player games in which
: the individual users' stations have some local processing power (memory
: and CPU), beyond mere terminal capabilities.
[elided]

*SIGH* As someone who has always believed in the basic integrity of his
fellow humans, I did not even consider the possibility that the Mr. Soroka
was doing anything other than what he claimed: putting together a history
of multiplayer games. I scoffed when someone posted otherwise.

But the line of questioning pursued by Mr. Soroka is not one that a historian
would pursue; in my humble opinion, he is a liar. His intent is a search
for prior art for the sole purpose of filing a patent and I suggest that
people not cooperate. For those who have not paid attention, the U.S. Patent
Office has issued an enormous number of undeserved patents since it started
issuing software patents. It looks like Mr. Soroka's firm is about to add to
that list.

I only regret that I actually e-mailed Mr. Soroka some helpful information.
May the Internet have mercy on my soul.....




From: Jlundell@JLphoto.com (Treker L)
Subject: Re: Further question about Multi-Player History
Date: 1996/07/24
Message-ID: <4t5hiq$lcl@news-old.tiac.net>#1/1
references: <howards-2207962311290001@0.0.0.0> <4t3adp$gdd@ncar.ucar.edu>
newsgroups: rec.games.netrek,rec.games.corewar,rec.games.design,rec.games.mud.admin,rec.games.mud.moo,rec.games.trivia,rec.games.video.misc


bob@raf.atd.ucar.edu (Bob Campbell) wrote:

>In article <howards-2207962311290001@0.0.0.0>, howards@netcom.com (Howard Soroka) writes:


>The fact of the matter is, though, that before the mid 80's,
>if you weren't sitting at a terminal on a large central system,
>you were sitting on a lone micro.  Not really enough demand to
>make multiplayer, independant-node games.  

Of Coarse there are lots of games like this out there NOW and being
put out either as freeware or from a varity of diferent companys, We
have monopoly, Meridian, Netreks a bit like that isn't it? and we have
a mess of java based multi-player games they have most of the code
entirly on the user's end. And of coarse we have Microsoft and the
Gaming Zone. I don't think anyone would get a patent on multiplayer
games...but with the patent office today you never know.

                             </\> Treker L =/\=





From: Justin Kao <102741.2022@CompuServe.COM>
Subject: Re: Core Warrior 39
Date: 1996/07/24
Message-ID: <960724045915_102741.2022_GHT46-4@CompuServe.COM>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


>Is Kao implying the
>Microsoft programs are really just big viruses with his warrior Microsoft
>v1.0 or is he predicting Gates and Co. will dominate KotH as the do the
>desktop?

I'm hoping for the latter... though Microsoft _is_ a descendant of 
HAL xxxx  :->




Justin Kao



From: bryan@sgl.ists.ca (Bryan Feir)
Subject: Re: Further question about Multi-Player History
Date: 1996/07/24
Message-ID: <bryan.838219400@sgl.ists.ca>#1/1
references: <howards-2207962311290001@0.0.0.0> <4t3adp$gdd@ncar.ucar.edu>
newsgroups: rec.games.netrek,rec.games.corewar,rec.games.design,rec.games.mud.admin,rec.games.mud.moo,rec.games.trivia,rec.games.video.misc


bob@raf.atd.ucar.edu (Bob Campbell) writes:

>In article <howards-2207962311290001@0.0.0.0>, howards@netcom.com (Howard Soroka) writes:
>>
>>Specifically, I would like to know about EARLY multi-player games in which
>>the individual users' stations have some local processing power (memory
>>and CPU), beyond mere terminal capabilities. Presumably, the game(s) would

>The fact of the matter is, though, that before the mid 80's,
>if you weren't sitting at a terminal on a large central system,
>you were sitting on a lone micro.  Not really enough demand to
>make multiplayer, independant-node games.  

   Hmmm...  I have a vague recollection of multiplayer games before that.
There were a few games, including at least one Battleship-like game, that
ran on the TRS-80 model I back more to the late 70's.  They connected two
computers together via the cassette ports on each: the audio out to cassette
on one machine was connected to the audio in on the other, and the games
would send data to each other via the usual 'PRINT #-1,...' for cassettes.

   If anyone has access to copies of 80 Micro they should be able to verify
that.  Heck, I'm reasonably sure that a program to do this was published in
the magazine as a BASIC listing.  Was certainly nothing fancy, but it would
fit the qualifications as given.  Unfortunately it was a friend of mine that
had the 80 Micro subscription, so I don't have copies of the magazines.

---------------------------+---------------------------------------------------
Bryan Feir           VE7GBF|"A wrangle is the disinclination of two boarders to
bryan@sgl.ists.ca          | each other that meet together but are not in the
                           | same line."              -- Stephen Leacock
---------------------------+---------------------------------------------------



From: Paul Anderson <panderso@ebtech.net>
Subject: Corewar for linux?
Date: 1996/07/24
Message-ID: <31F6EB3D.31DBCF0E@ebtech.net>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


I was wondering if Corewar has been ported to Linux?  TTYL!

-- 
-----------------------------------
Hal 9000 - "Put down those Windows disks Dave....  Dave?  DAVE!!"
The plagarized quote brought to you by: LINUX!!!
-----------------------------------



From: skang@rohan.sdsu.edu (SK)
Subject: Re: A New " America Online"......$19.96\month Unlimited access!!!
Date: 1996/07/25
Message-ID: <4t8tdm$2st@hole.sdsu.edu>#1/1
references: <4t8q0t$2cr@ns1.autonet.net>
newsgroups: rec.games.computer.xpilot,rec.games.corewar,rec.games.design,rec.games.diplomacy


??????????



From: Jlundell@JLphoto.com (Treker L)
Subject: Re: Further question about Multi-Player History
Date: 1996/07/25
Message-ID: <4t8eeh$cki@news-old.tiac.net>#1/1
references: <howards-2207962311290001@0.0.0.0> <4t3i1u$r4u@news.xs4all.nl>
newsgroups: rec.games.netrek,rec.games.corewar,rec.games.design,rec.games.mud.admin,rec.games.mud.moo,rec.games.trivia,rec.games.video.misc


dark@xs4all.nl (Richard Braakman) wrote:

>In <howards-2207962311290001@0.0.0.0> howards@netcom.com (Howard Soroka) writes:
>>Having digested the results, I would now like to ask the question again,
>>with a slight modification of the criteria.
>[... modified criteria snipped ...]

>You know, this _does_ look like a search for prior art.

Yup. And he's useing us so he doesn't have to hire a lawyer.

                               </\> Treker L =/\=




From: logon@my.bbs (Cyber Millionair)
Subject: A New " America Online"......$19.96\month Unlimited access!!!
Date: 1996/07/25
Message-ID: <4t8q0t$2cr@ns1.autonet.net>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.computer.xpilot,rec.games.corewar,rec.games.design,rec.games.diplomacy


Access our network NOW!!!
FREE Windows  Software!! Complete Easy System.!! Automatic Update!!
Full UNLIMITED Internet Access for $19.96 ,Chat, Forums, Classified ,Usenet
Business forums , Family forums,Online games!! and more!!
BETTER THAN  Prodigy , ComuServe and America Online!!

For more Info: Log on my BBS (312)247-9051 and download the file "pwr1.txt"
BUT HURRY UP before it is too late!!!
( If the line is busy, try again later )




From: juggler@aschamhs.demon.co.uk (John Wright)
Subject: Re: A New " America Online"......$19.96\month Unlimited access!!!
Date: 1996/07/26
Message-ID: <19960726.190221.70@aschamhs.demon.co.uk>#1/1
references: <4t8q0t$2cr@ns1.autonet.net>
newsgroups: rec.games.computer.xpilot,rec.games.corewar,rec.games.design,rec.games.diplomacy


We've all heard/read the stories about America Online. ;)

-- 
jug.gler \'j*g-(*-)l*r\ n [ME jogelour, fr. OE geogelere, fr. OF jogleour,
   fr. L joc]ulator, fr. joculatus, pp. of joculari 1a: one who performs 
   tricks or acts of magic ...



From: "Scott J. Ellentuch" <tuc@koth.org>
Subject: Re: Corewar for linux?
Date: 1996/07/26
Message-ID: <31F96D28.E16AC84@koth.org>#1/1
references: <31F6EB3D.31DBCF0E@ebtech.net>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


Paul Anderson wrote:
> 
> I was wondering if Corewar has been ported to Linux?  TTYL!
> 
Actually, the KOTH.ORG (Stormking) hills are running on a Pentium 133,
Linux 1.2.13 and pMARS 0.8 (http://www.koth.org/pmars.html

Tuc



From: Lockeed@msn.com (Andrew Cybularz)
Subject: Re: A New " America Online"......$19.96\month Unlimited access!!!
Date: 1996/07/27
Message-ID: <00001f35+00000866@msn.com>#1/1
references: <4t8q0t$2cr@ns1.autonet.net> <19960726.190221.70@aschamhs.demon.co.uk>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


Hey is this True please E-mail me if so!!!!!!!!!!! please Address 
lockeed@msn.com



From: dick@buckosoft.com (Dick Balaska)
Subject: Re: A New " America Online"......$19.96\month Unlimited access!!!
Date: 1996/07/27
Message-ID: <4tc3u2$k@client2.news.psi.net>#1/1
references: <4t8q0t$2cr@ns1.autonet.net> <19960726.190221.70@aschamhs.demon.co.uk>
newsgroups: rec.games.computer.xpilot,rec.games.corewar,rec.games.design,rec.games.diplomacy


juggler@aschamhs.demon.co.uk (John Wright) wrote:

>We've all heard/read the stories about America Online. ;)

Tell me the one about trademark infringement again daddy?





From: Keith Lucas <sillywiz@wardrobe.demon.co.uk>
Subject: Re: A New " America Online"......$19.96\month Unlimited access!!!
Date: 1996/07/28
Message-ID: <Dv8Izz.8Lz@wardrobe.demon.co.uk>#1/1
references: <4t8q0t$2cr@ns1.autonet.net> <19960726.190221.70@aschamhs.demon.co.uk> <4tc3u2$k@client2.news.psi.net>
newsgroups: rec.games.computer.xpilot,rec.games.corewar,rec.games.design,rec.games.diplomacy


In article <4tc3u2$k@client2.news.psi.net>,
Dick Balaska <dick@buckosoft.com> wrote:
>juggler@aschamhs.demon.co.uk (John Wright) wrote:
>
>>We've all heard/read the stories about America Online. ;)

Not only heard, we've seen them in action.. "Call **FREE** 1-800...."
as if everyone on the planet lives in the US. No-one would mind if
they posted the stuff if they set the distribution to US only, but
such acts are a lost art on Usenet these days. No doubt "Lost Dog"
postings from teeny.tiny.town.in.wisconsin will get sent globally.

>Tell me the one about trademark infringement again daddy?

It runs like this "Once there was a great dream of a world
communications system that would liberate and make all men equal. It
was destroyed by America Online and their rampant spammers."

Tell me the one about a government attempting pass legislation to
govern what citizens of other countries can do in their own
jurisdictions when it got revoked by their own court !!!

 --------------------------------------------+---------------------------------
"It's not a personality.. it's a bulldozer." | My pet goldfish knows more
Keith Lucas -- sillywiz@wardrobe.demon.co.uk.| science than Andre Bormanis !
 --------------------------------------------+---------------------------------



From: wtnewton@nc5.infi.net (Terry)
Subject: Re: Further question about Multi-Player History
Date: 1996/07/28
Message-ID: <4tg2il$6vs@nw101.infi.net>#1/1
references: <howards-2207962311290001@0.0.0.0> <4t3i1u$r4u@news.xs4all.nl> <4t8eeh$cki@news-old.tiac.net> <31FB273E.649F@ugcs.caltech.edu>
newsgroups: rec.games.netrek,rec.games.corewar,rec.games.design,rec.games.mud.admin,rec.games.mud.moo,rec.games.trivia,rec.games.video.misc


The Fugitive <fugitive@ugcs.caltech.edu> wrote:

>Treker L wrote:
>> 
>> dark@xs4all.nl (Richard Braakman) wrote:
>> 
>> >In <howards-2207962311290001@0.0.0.0> howards@netcom.com (Howard Soroka) writes:
>> >>Having digested the results, I would now like to ask the question again,
>> >>with a slight modification of the criteria.
>> >[... modified criteria snipped ...]
>> 
>> >You know, this _does_ look like a search for prior art.
>> 
>> Yup. And he's useing us so he doesn't have to hire a lawyer.
>> 
>>                                </\> Treker L =/\=
>Stop fucking posting
>Nobody but you gives a fuck about what you have to say in 90% of your
>posts [masses of offensive stuff deleted]
>-Jitesh

What's the problem? Treker L's comment seems valid enough. Seeing how
this is a spam post to begin with, consider all the people who don't care
for what you have to say either. There is no need for such profanity.





From: The Fugitive <fugitive@ugcs.caltech.edu>
Subject: Re: Further question about Multi-Player History
Date: 1996/07/28
Message-ID: <31FC568A.205A@ugcs.caltech.edu>#1/1
references: <howards-2207962311290001@0.0.0.0> <4t3i1u$r4u@news.xs4all.nl> <4t8eeh$cki@news-old.tiac.net> <31FB273E.649F@ugcs.caltech.edu> <4tg2il$6vs@nw101.infi.net>
newsgroups: rec.games.netrek,rec.games.corewar,rec.games.design,rec.games.mud.admin,rec.games.mud.moo,rec.games.trivia,rec.games.video.misc


Terry wrote:
> 
> The Fugitive <fugitive@ugcs.caltech.edu> wrote:
> 
> >Treker L wrote:
> >>
> >> dark@xs4all.nl (Richard Braakman) wrote:
> >>
> >> >In <howards-2207962311290001@0.0.0.0> howards@netcom.com (Howard Soroka) writes:
> >> >>Having digested the results, I would now like to ask the question again,
> >> >>with a slight modification of the criteria.
> >> >[... modified criteria snipped ...]
> >>
> >> >You know, this _does_ look like a search for prior art.
> >>
> >> Yup. And he's useing us so he doesn't have to hire a lawyer.
> >>
> >>                                </\> Treker L =/\=
> >Stop fucking posting
> >Nobody but you gives a fuck about what you have to say in 90% of your
> >posts [masses of offensive stuff deleted]
> >-Jitesh
> 
> What's the problem? Treker L's comment seems valid enough. Seeing how
> this is a spam post to begin with, consider all the people who don't care
> for what you have to say either. There is no need for such profanity.
2 Words
FUCK YOU
-Jitesh
PS: I have no idea why this thread is attached to so many news groups ;
my comments are relevant to rec.games.netrek only.



From: myrddin@iosys.net (Myrddin Emrys)
Subject: Re: Further question about Multi-Player History
Date: 1996/07/28
Message-ID: <31fbd9a0.44758873@news.inc.net>#1/1
references: <howards-2207962311290001@0.0.0.0> <4t3i1u$r4u@news.xs4all.nl> <4t8eeh$cki@news-old.tiac.net> <31FB273E.649F@ugcs.caltech.edu>
newsgroups: rec.games.netrek,rec.games.corewar,rec.games.design,rec.games.mud.admin,rec.games.mud.moo,rec.games.trivia,rec.games.video.misc


We intercepted this transmission from The Fugitive
<fugitive@ugcs.caltech.edu>
on Sun, 28 Jul 1996 01:39:26 -0700:

:Treker L wrote:
:> 
:> dark@xs4all.nl (Richard Braakman) wrote:
:> 
:> >In <howards-2207962311290001@0.0.0.0> howards@netcom.com (Howard Soroka) writes:
:> >>Having digested the results, I would now like to ask the question again,
:> >>with a slight modification of the criteria.
:> >[... modified criteria snipped ...]
:> 
:> >You know, this _does_ look like a search for prior art.
:> 
:> Yup. And he's useing us so he doesn't have to hire a lawyer.
:> 
:>                                </\> Treker L =/\=
:Stop fucking posting

<blah blah blah, rant rant rant, snip>

:-Jitesh

Jitesh, this ain't r.g.n. Go spew somewhere else. Take it to r.g.n where
people seem to listen to that stuff.

If you don't like how someone flies a DD, send a message to God or the All
board... somehow, I doubt the majority of this group cares.


Myrddin Emrys



From: The Fugitive <fugitive@ugcs.caltech.edu>
Subject: Re: Further question about Multi-Player History
Date: 1996/07/28
Message-ID: <31FB273E.649F@ugcs.caltech.edu>#1/1
references: <howards-2207962311290001@0.0.0.0> <4t3i1u$r4u@news.xs4all.nl> <4t8eeh$cki@news-old.tiac.net>
newsgroups: rec.games.netrek,rec.games.corewar,rec.games.design,rec.games.mud.admin,rec.games.mud.moo,rec.games.trivia,rec.games.video.misc


Treker L wrote:
> 
> dark@xs4all.nl (Richard Braakman) wrote:
> 
> >In <howards-2207962311290001@0.0.0.0> howards@netcom.com (Howard Soroka) writes:
> >>Having digested the results, I would now like to ask the question again,
> >>with a slight modification of the criteria.
> >[... modified criteria snipped ...]
> 
> >You know, this _does_ look like a search for prior art.
> 
> Yup. And he's useing us so he doesn't have to hire a lawyer.
> 
>                                </\> Treker L =/\=
Stop fucking posting
Nobody but you gives a fuck about what you have to say in 90% of your
posts
I don't fucking read this news group to read your bland one line fucking
messages.
What kind of name is "Treker L" ? Why the fuck don't you lern to play
the game if your so interested in it ? You fly thast fucking DD of shit
and all you do i blow up on people at best 50 % of the time the other
50% your staring at the MOTD wondering why you keep dying to people that
simply phaser you 4X at 50 point range.
Your not fucking funny, deal with it.
Man I got that fucking pea-brain zerkle to stop posting about his clue
god status ; I hope I flame this fucker enuff so that he will stop
replying to every fucking thread in rgn.
I admit I am a computer illiterate moron who uses Netscape to read r.g.n
, but I don't fucking send you one line posts that have ZERO content.
Fuck even sheldon could at least phaser and get kills every so often you
fucking moron. Go post on some cooking newsgroup, or
alt.fans.usenet.morons
That all I wanted to fuckign say about this moron
-Jitesh



From: jeffsj@execpc.com (Jeffery S. Jones)
Subject: Re: Further question about Multi-Player History
Date: 1996/07/29
Message-ID: <2166.6784T935T666@execpc.com>#1/1
references: <jameslDv17J0.CJE@netcom.com>
newsgroups: rec.games.netrek,rec.games.corewar,rec.games.design,rec.games.mud.admin,rec.games.trivia,rec.games.video.misc


On 24-Jul-96 05:06:35, James Logajan <jamesl@netcom.com> wrote:
>Howard Soroka (howards@netcom.com) wrote:
>[elided]
>: Specifically, I would like to know about EARLY multi-player games in which
>: the individual users' stations have some local processing power (memory
>: and CPU), beyond mere terminal capabilities.
>[elided]

>*SIGH* As someone who has always believed in the basic integrity of his
>fellow humans, I did not even consider the possibility that the Mr. Soroka
>was doing anything other than what he claimed: putting together a history
>of multiplayer games. I scoffed when someone posted otherwise.

>But the line of questioning pursued by Mr. Soroka is not one that a historian
>would pursue; in my humble opinion, he is a liar. His intent is a search for
>prior art for the sole purpose of filing a patent and I suggest that people
>not cooperate. For those who have not paid attention, the U.S. Patent Office
>has issued an enormous number of undeserved patents since it started issuing
>software patents. It looks like Mr. Soroka's firm is about to add to that
>list.

>I only regret that I actually e-mailed Mr. Soroka some helpful information.
>May the Internet have mercy on my soul.....

  Distributed processing games predate micros, and development on them took off
nicely once micros hit the scene.  Finding history on this will take some work,
but it is out there.  I sincerely doubt that anyone can claim to own this
"technology", and proof will be hard to dig up for conclusive claims.  As soon
as smart terminal graphics processing became possible, people figured out games
for them.

  At a guess, I'd think that the spacewar (netrek-like) games were first, and
the smart graphics processors were memory and CPU designs, even fairly
early on, though nothing like current computer technology.  That most of
these didn't get mass-market attention is understandable, but where do you
think video games came from?


--
*-__________________________ | *Starfire* | _________________________-*
Jeff Jones email:jeffsj@execpc.com *//* Amiga Lives! |Born Again 1996
*TFG* *Starfire* Design Studio      \\//http://www.task-force-games.com
--




From: Jlundell@JLphoto.com (Treker L)
Subject: Re: Further question about Multi-Player History
Date: 1996/07/29
Message-ID: <4tiliv$geq@news-old.tiac.net>#1/1
references: <howards-2207962311290001@0.0.0.0> <4t3i1u$r4u@news.xs4all.nl> <4t8eeh$cki@news-old.tiac.net> <31FB273E.649F@ugcs.caltech.edu>
newsgroups: rec.games.netrek,rec.games.corewar,rec.games.design,rec.games.mud.admin,rec.games.mud.moo,rec.games.trivia,rec.games.video.misc


The Fugitive <fugitive@ugcs.caltech.edu> wrote:


>Nobody but you gives a fuck about what you have to say in 90% of your
>posts
Of coarse since you posted this to 6 irrelivant newsgroups you
shouldn't talk.

>I don't fucking read this news group to read your bland one line fucking
>messages.
Then don't. 

>Why the fuck don't you lern to play
>the game if your so interested in it ? 
Hmm...Participateing in a news group completly dedicated to it seems a
good place to start.



>You fly thast fucking DD of shit
>and all you do i blow up on people at best 50 % of the time the other
>50% your staring at the MOTD wondering why you keep dying to people that
>simply phaser you 4X at 50 point range.
If you wanted to critise my style of play why didn't just say so. Yes
I know I've got to fly less DD and more CA I'm wokring on that. But
90% of the time I know exactly why I died. Usualy I either made a real
dumb move or was trying to use a DD to play defence. Bad habits are
hard to break.

                                 </\> Treker L =/\=





From: Ross Morgan-Linial <rmorganl@fhcrc.org>
Subject: Re: Further question about Multi-Player History
Date: 1996/07/29
Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.3.93.960729150103.1806P-100000@fred>#1/1
references: <howards-2207962311290001@0.0.0.0> <4t3i1u$r4u@news.xs4all.nl> <4t8eeh$cki@news-old.tiac.net> <31FB273E.649F@ugcs.caltech.edu>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


Hmmm... I'm suprised this guy isn't from AOL.

On Sun, 28 Jul 1996, The Fugitive <fugitive@ugcs.caltech.edu> wrote:

// Treker L wrote:
// > 
// > dark@xs4all.nl (Richard Braakman) wrote:
// > 
// > >In <howards-2207962311290001@0.0.0.0> howards@netcom.com (Howard Soroka) writes:
// > >>Having digested the results, I would now like to ask the question again,
// > >>with a slight modification of the criteria.
// > >[... modified criteria snipped ...]
// > 
// > >You know, this _does_ look like a search for prior art.
// > 
// > Yup. And he's useing us so he doesn't have to hire a lawyer.
// > 
// >                                </\> Treker L =/\=
// Stop fucking posting
// Nobody but you gives a fuck about what you have to say in 90% of your
// posts
// I don't fucking read this news group to read your bland one line fucking
// messages.
// What kind of name is "Treker L" ? Why the fuck don't you lern to play
// the game if your so interested in it ? You fly thast fucking DD of shit
// and all you do i blow up on people at best 50 % of the time the other
// 50% your staring at the MOTD wondering why you keep dying to people that
// simply phaser you 4X at 50 point range.
// Your not fucking funny, deal with it.
// Man I got that fucking pea-brain zerkle to stop posting about his clue
// god status ; I hope I flame this fucker enuff so that he will stop
// replying to every fucking thread in rgn.
// I admit I am a computer illiterate moron who uses Netscape to read r.g.n
// , but I don't fucking send you one line posts that have ZERO content.
// Fuck even sheldon could at least phaser and get kills every so often you
// fucking moron. Go post on some cooking newsgroup, or
// alt.fans.usenet.morons
// That all I wanted to fuckign say about this moron
// -Jitesh
// 
// 

      ********************
      *Ross Morgan-Linial*         
      *rmorganl@fhcrc.org*         
      ********************

Tragedy is when I cut my finger.  
Comedy is when _you_ walk into    
an open sewer and die.            
                   -- Mel Brooks 









From: kafka <bike@rice.edu>
Subject: ;test option
Date: 1996/07/29
Message-ID: <31FD03F6.41C67EA6@rice.edu>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


hey,
       could anybody tell me if the new ;test option on pizza is working
yet?  If so, how do I use it?  You have probably noticed that I have
been doing some extensive testing on the hill, and I am probably
starting to annoy people with my "testing warriors".  Thanks.

		kafka



From: Anton Marsden <amarsden@news.comp.vuw.ac.nz>
Subject: Core Warrior 40
Date: 1996/07/29
Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.3.91.960729210653.16303A-100000@regent.comp.vuw.ac.nz>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


    .xX$$x.
  .x$$$$$$$x.
  d$$$$$$$$$$$
,$$$$$$$P' `P'                             ,    .
$$$$$$P'   '                             .d      b
$$$$$P    b     ,$$x     ,$$x    ,$$x   ,$$b     $$.
Y$$$$'    `$.  $$$$$$.  $$$$$$  $$P~d$. d$$$b d d$$$
`$$$$     ,$$ $$$$$$$b $$$P `$ $$$b.$$b `Y$$$d$d$$$'   . . a  . a  a .aa  . a
 `$$$    ,$$$,$$' `$$$ $$$'  ' $$P$XX$'  `$$$$$$$$$ .dP' `$'$ `$'$ , $''$ `$'$
  `Y$b ,d$$$P `$b,d$P' `$$.    `$$.  ,    `$$P $$$' Y $.  $    $   $ Y..P  $
  `$$$$$$$'    $$$P'   `$$b    `$$$P      `P  `$'  `Y'k. $.   $.  $. $$'  $.

Issue 40                                                         July 29, 1996
______________________________________________________________________________
Core Warrior is a weekly newsletter promoting the game of corewar.  Emphasis
is placed on the most active hills--currently the '94 draft hill and the
beginner hill.  Coverage will follow where ever the action is.  If you have
no clue what I'm talking about then check out these five-star internet locals
for more information:

FAQs are available by anonymous FTP from rtfm.mit.edu as
pub/usenet/news.answers/games/corewar-faq.Z
FTP site is: ftp.csua.berkeley.edu /pub/corewar
Web pages are at: (Please note new Stormking's address)
http://www.koth.org/                            ;Stormking
http://www.ecst.csuchico.edu/~pizza/koth        ;Pizza
http://pauillac.inria.fr/~doligez/corewar/      ;Planar

Newbies should check the stormking page for the FAQ, language specification,
guides, and tutorials.  Post questions to rec.games.corewar.  All new players
are infinitely welcome!

If ftp.csua.berkeley.edu is unreachable, you can download pMARS at:
Terry's web page--http://www.infi.net/~wtnewton/corewar/
Planar ftp site--ftp://ftp.inria.fr/INRIA/Projects/para/doligez/cw/pmars
Fechter ftp site--ftp://members.aol.com/ofechner/corewar
______________________________________________________________________________
Greetings.

Not much action this week - only 7 challenges (there were actually more but
the Hill was reset for some reason). There were quite a few challenges in the
weekend though so not everyone's asleep.

This issue contains a hint list and Probe.

--Anton Marsden
______________________________________________________________________________
Current Status of the Internet Pizza Server ICWS '94 Draft Hill:

Hill Specs:
   coresize: 8000
   max. processes: 8000
   duration: after 80,000 cycles, a tie is declared.
   max. entry length: 100
   minimum distance: 100
   rounds fought: 200
   instruction set: ICWS '94 Draft

 #   %W /  %L /  %T                       Name               Author Score  Age
 1  38.4/ 24.0/ 37.6              Simple v0.4b          Ian Oversby 152.8   19
 2  45.6/ 39.4/ 15.0                    Blur 2        Anton Marsden 151.7   67
 3  46.3/ 43.0/ 10.7                  Q^2 Miro         Anders Ivner 149.5  118
 4  42.3/ 36.4/ 21.3                     Probe        Anton Marsden 148.3   68
 5  43.9/ 40.0/ 16.1                 Goldfinch              P.Kline 147.9    9
 6  44.2/ 41.9/ 14.0                      Mist              P.Kline 146.5    8
 7  28.7/ 12.0/ 59.3      Return Of The Jedimp             John K W 145.5   56
 8  42.7/ 42.4/ 15.0                 myVamp5.4             Paulsson 143.0  116
 9  33.0/ 23.2/ 43.9                 Armory II             John K W 142.8  207
10  33.8/ 25.7/ 40.5                 Pulp v0.2          Ian Oversby 141.9  163
11  41.8/ 42.2/ 16.1           Earthquake v0.2         Bjoern & Ian 141.3   25
12  39.5/ 37.7/ 22.9                 Yogi Bear              P.Kline 141.3  272
13  41.4/ 42.0/ 16.7                   Harmony              P.Kline 140.7   33
14  38.9/ 37.5/ 23.6                 Dura v0.1          Ian Oversby 140.4   97
15  38.6/ 38.0/ 23.4                T.N.T. pro    Maurizio Vittuari 139.3  786
16  30.9/ 23.1/ 46.0          blue flame c1/10       bjoern guenzel 138.7   52
17  30.2/ 22.1/ 47.7                   Rosebud                Beppe 138.3  741
18  32.9/ 27.6/ 39.6        Jack in the box II          Beppe Bezzi 138.2  425
19  38.2/ 39.2/ 22.6 Paper, Scissors and Stone        David van Dam 137.3  196
20  25.9/ 15.3/ 58.8                    ompega       Steven Morrell 136.4  183
21  30.8/ 25.5/ 43.6      Forked Lightning 2.0       Philip Kendall 136.2    1
22  36.4/ 38.4/ 25.2                    airBag             Paulsson 134.4  109
23  37.5/ 42.0/ 20.6                   Twister          Beppe Bezzi 133.0  522
24  36.1/ 39.5/ 24.4                Scimitar 2              P.Kline 132.8  134
25  29.1/ 29.4/ 41.5           unrequited love                kafka 128.9    2

Weekly age: 7 ( 31 last week, 84 the week before )
New warriors: 2 Turnover/age rate 29%
Average age:   176 ( 191 last week, 184 the week before )
Average score: 141 ( 137 last week, 141 the week before )
The top 25 warriors are represented by 13 authors: Kline with 5; Oversby with
4; Bezzi with 3; Guenzel, JKW, Marsden, and Paulsson with 2.

King Report: Simple v0.4b and Blur 2 were both on top this week.
Kendall makes an appearance on the '94 Hill and kafka's warrior will soon
disappear. The only significant loss was the historian. What more can I say?
This week wasn't very exciting.
______________________________________________________________________________
94 - What's New

 #   %W /  %L /  %T                       Name               Author Score  Age
25  27.4/ 30.3/ 42.3           unrequited love                kafka 124.5    1
16  29.9/ 26.2/ 43.9      Forked Lightning 2.0       Philip Kendall 133.7    1
______________________________________________________________________________
94 - What's No More

 #   %W /  %L /  %T                       Name               Author Score  Age
26  37.6/ 49.8/ 12.5                 test mef2          Beppe Bezzi 125.4   10
26   1.6/  1.6/  0.8                  Nephrite             John K W   5.6    2
26   1.8/  2.1/  0.0                  Nephrite             John K W   5.5    2
26  29.4/ 35.7/ 34.9            the historian        bjoern guenzel 123.1  538
26  36.1/ 53.8/ 10.1          dodger component          M R Bremer  118.5    2
26   0.4/  0.5/  3.1           unrequited love                kafka   4.2    2
26  36.9/ 50.8/ 12.4        pavement lb0.1+400       bjoern guenzel 123.0    5

the historian departs.
______________________________________________________________________________
94 - What's Old

 #   %W /  %L /  %T                       Name               Author Score  Age
15  38.6/ 38.0/ 23.4                T.N.T. pro    Maurizio Vittuari 139.3  786
17  30.2/ 22.1/ 47.7                   Rosebud                Beppe 138.3  741
23  37.5/ 42.0/ 20.6                   Twister          Beppe Bezzi 133.0  522
18  32.9/ 27.6/ 39.6        Jack in the box II          Beppe Bezzi 138.2  425

No new entries, one loss.
______________________________________________________________________________
HALL OF FAME
* means the warrior is still active.

Pos    Name                  Author          Age     Strategy
 1  Thermite II            Robert Macrae     2262    Qscan -> bomber
 2  Impfinity v4g1         Planar            1993    Stone/ imp
 3  Jack in the box        Beppe Bezzi       1620    P-warrior
 4  Tornado 3.0            Beppe Bezzi       1567    Bomber
 5  Torch t18              P.Kline           1539    Bomber
 6  Chameleon              Myer R Bremer     1437    P-warrior
 7  Frontwards v2          Steven Morrell    1420    One shot scanner
 8  Evol Cap 6.6           John Wilkinson    1299    Imp / stone
 9  quiz                   Schitzo           1262    Scanner/ bomber
10  T.N.T.                 Maurizio Vittuari 1204    Bomber
11  Grilled Octopus v0.5   David Boeren      1154    P-warrior
12  Hazy Shade II          John Wilkinson    1102    P-warrior
13  Stepping Stone         Kurt Franke       1049    Qscan -> Vampire
14  Iron Gate 1.5          Wayne Sheppard     926    CMP scanner
15  Agony II               Stefan Strack      912    CMP scanner
16  Barrage                Anton Marsden      876    Qscan -> replicator
17  Blue Funk              Steven Morrell     869    Stone/ imp
18  Flurry                 Anton Marsden      835    Qscan -> pwarrior
19  Thermite 1.0           Robert Macrae      802    Qscan -> bomber
20  T.N.T. pro             Maurizio Vittuari  786 *  Bomber
21  Blue Funk 3            Steven Morrell     766    Stone/ imp
22  Night Train            Karl Lewin         755    Replicator
23  Rosebud                Beppe              741 *  Stone/ imp
24  Mirage 1.5             Anton Marsden      736    Scanner/ bomber
25  Blizzard               Anton Marsden      713    Qscan -> replicator

Rosebud moves up a slot.
______________________________________________________________________________
Current Status of the Internet Pizza Server Beginner's Hill:

Hill Specs:
   coresize: 8000
  max. processes: 8000
   duration: after 80,000 cycles, a tie is declared.
max. entry length: 100
 minimum distance: 100
    maximum age: At age 100, warriors are retired.
   rounds fought: 200
  instruction set: ICWS '94 Draft

 #   %W /  %L /  %T                       Name               Author Score  Age
 1  59.4/ 23.3/ 17.3                    Yet 4b           Justin Kao 195.6   54
 2  51.4/ 26.4/ 22.2                  Ick v1.5           Justin Kao 176.4    3
 3  51.2/ 26.6/ 22.2                  Ick v1.5           Justin Kao 175.8    4
 4  51.6/ 28.2/ 20.3          Velveeta Shift-F                 shar 175.0   52
 5  45.9/ 20.7/ 33.4                  (-:  :-)                 Ross 171.2   77
 6  47.3/ 28.6/ 24.1            Saboteur v0.4k                 shar 166.0   85
 7  45.4/ 24.9/ 29.7           Versatility 1.5   Ross Morgan-Linial 165.8   44
 8  42.4/ 28.0/ 29.6               Inferno 1.0       Philip Kendall 156.7   67
 9  31.9/ 14.0/ 54.2            Microsoft v1.0           Justin Kao 149.8   10
10  25.8/ 14.2/ 60.0    Ties, Ties, Ties! (+2)                 Ross 137.4   79
11  22.0/ 11.5/ 66.5         Ties and Wasps -s   Ross Morgan-Linial 132.6    1
12  23.2/ 14.2/ 62.6            Ties and Wasps                 Ross 132.2    2
13  20.2/ 10.2/ 69.7                 Wasps 1.3                 Ross 130.2   78
14  26.5/ 28.1/ 45.4             Utility Knife     Robert J. Street 124.9   87
15  16.8/ 10.7/ 72.5            Nematode v1.4b       Jonathan Stott 122.9   51
16  16.5/ 10.6/ 72.9            Nematode v1.4e       Jonathan Stott 122.3   18
17  18.7/ 15.7/ 65.7              more testing            Anonymous 121.7   38
18  18.1/ 19.9/ 62.0                 Fork 4/13    Christoph C. Birk 116.2   71
19  15.3/ 38.2/ 46.4              silken stomp             harleyQ2  92.5   27
20   6.5/ 22.6/ 70.8                Mama's Boy     Robert J. Street  90.4   32
21  12.3/ 34.5/ 53.3                 Handy Man     Robert J. Street  90.1   45
22   7.8/ 25.8/ 66.4                silkbombQ2             harleyQ2  89.7   50
23   5.9/ 28.5/ 65.5                     Snail                Edgar  83.4   16
24  10.6/ 38.3/ 51.1                        b3             harleyQ2  82.9   19
25  11.5/ 40.4/ 48.1              silken train             harleyQ2  82.5   20

Top 25 Averages:
    27.4/ 23.4/ 49.3                                                131.4   41

An average of 49% draws on this Hill indicates there are a lot of papers/imps
on it which explains why Yet 4b (qscan -> core clear) is doing so well. A one
shot scanner could also obtain a good ranking.
______________________________________________________________________________
The Hint List (001-040)

This list was created so that people could easily find what they wanted (and
more) without reading every issue of CW. It may be incomplete in parts but
does contain most hints/warriors/articles.

001.  Replicators (part 1): basic silk
         [Paperone by Beppe Bezzi]

002.  Improving beginner warriors: code compression
         [Mutagen by Scott Manley]

003.  Replicators (part 2): timescape silk, optimising constants (cdb)
         [paper01o by Beppe Bezzi]

004.  Mutagen improved again (improved scanner)
      Scanners: JMZ, CMP
         [Iron Gate by Wayne Sheppard]
         [Agony II by Stefan Strack]
      Continuously launching imp spirals

005.  PSpace basics, brainwashing
         [juliet and paper by Myer Bremer/Beppe Bezzi]
      [Thermite 1.0 by Robert Macrae]
      [Phq by Maurizio Vittuari]

006.  Bombers
         [Blue Funk 3 by Steven Morrell]
         [juliet storm by Myer Bremer]
      Mutagen improved yet again (pspaced with small bomber)
      Continuously launching imp spirals

007.  Bombers: bomb types
         [Ike v.21 by Paul Kilroy]
      Continuously launching imp spirals
         [Impfinity v3i by Planar]
      QScans: where to scan, what order to scan, how to attack, area to
         attack

008.  Imp steps
      Vampires
         [myVamp v3.7 by Magnus Paulsson]

009.  Improving beginner warriors
         [Provascan by Beppe Bezzi]
      [La Bomba by Beppe Bezzi]
      [A5 by John Wilkinson]
      CDB tutorial (part 1)

010.  Improving beginner warriors: (no) boot, anti-imp clears
      CDB tutorial (part 2)

011.  Bombing/scanning steps
      [Impfinity v4g1 by Planar]

012.  Scanning
         [Taking Names by Paul Kline]
      [seventyfive by Anders Ivner]
      [Porch Swing by Randy Graham]
      CDB tutorial (part 3)

013.  Anti-imp clears

014.  Old warriors vs. current warriors
      CDB tutorial (part 4)

015.  Self bombing -> clear

016.  Defence: self splitting, adding imps, boot and decoy, active decoys,
         PSpace, DJN defence.

017.  Spiral clears, 100% C DJN stream
      CDB tutorial (part 5)

018.  Bomb effectiveness: SPL, SSJ, S..S, SPL -1, SPL/MOV, etc.

019.  Scanners
      [Memories by Beppe Bezzi]

020.  Handshaking

021.  How to live longer: score distribution, boot, bombs, brainwashing,
         imp protection, QScans
         [Jack in the box by Beppe Bezzi]

022.  JMZ scans: A/B/I

023.  Wilkinson's beginner's benchmark (warrior review)

024.  [Thermite II by Robert Macrae]

025.  [Tornado 3.0 by Beppe Bezzi]
      [Stepping Stone by Kurt Franke]

026.  Switching techniques and brainwash recovery
      [Grilled Octopus v0.5 by David Boeren]

027.  Multi boot routines
         [Grilled Octopus v0.7 by David Boeren]
      Advanced benchmark scores

028.  Bomber killers

029.  Imps (launching)
      [Scanny Boy by David van Dam]

030.  Imp killing
      -F numbers

031.  [Rosebud by Beppe Bezzi]
      [Flurry by Anton Marsden]

032.  [P-clear by Paul Kline]
      mopt tutorial

033.  Decoy makers
         [stoninc by Maurizio Vittuari]

034.

035.  A new p-switcher
      [Twister by Beppe Bezzi]

036.  Mirage/Blur scanner series

037.  QScans: fast response
      [Q^2 by Anders Ivner]
      Mirrored imps

038.  Bomb dodgers
         [Manfred v0.3 by Ian Oversby]
      [myVamp 5.4 by Magnus Paulsson]

039.  A new p-brain
      [Jack in the Box II by Beppe Bezzi]

040.  THIS HINT LIST
      [Probe by Anton Marsden]
______________________________________________________________________________
Extra Extra
Probe
by Anton Marsden

Probe is a fast response QScan similar to Q^2 followed by the Tornado bomber.
It took me a while to put the QScan together but then I just grabbed Tornado
from Twister, made a few modifications, named it, and it was complete.

;redcode-94
;name Probe
;author Anton Marsden
;strategy QScan -> Tornado
;assert CORESIZE==8000
;kill Probe

ORG start

QB EQU (start+400)
QS EQU 200
QD EQU 100
COUNT EQU 6

GAP EQU 15
REP EQU 6

         dat    10*QS, 2*QS ; can get 21 values from this table
table:   dat     4*QS, 1*QS ; and can also use the initial value
         dat    23*QS, 3*QS ; of fnd
qbomb:   jmp    -200,GAP
qinc:    dat    GAP,-GAP

tab:     add.a  table,table
slow:    add.ab @tab,fnd
fast:    add.b  *tab,@slow
which:   sne.i  datz,@fnd
         add.ab #QD,fnd

         mov.i  qbomb,@fnd
fnd:     mov.i  -GAP/2,@QB
         add.ba fnd,fnd
         mov.i  qbomb,*fnd
         add.f  qinc,fnd
         mov.i  qbomb,@fnd
         djn.b  -3,#REP
         jmp    boot,}-300

start:
         seq.i  QB+QS*0,QB+QS*0+QD
         jmp    which,}QS*13 ; qinc+GAP

         seq.i  QB+QS*1,QB+QS*1+QD
         jmp    fast,}QB+QS*1+QD/2
         seq.i  QB+QS*2,QB+QS*2+QD
         jmp    fast,{tab
         seq.i  QB+QS*3,QB+QS*3+QD
         jmp    fast,}tab

         seq.i  QB+QS*13,QB+QS*13+QD
         jmp    fast,{fast

         seq.i  QB+QS*4,QB+QS*4+QD
         jmp    >fast,}QB+QS*4+QD/2
         seq.i  QB+QS*5,QB+QS*5+QD
         jmp    slow,}QB+QS*5+QD/2
         seq.i  QB+QS*6,QB+QS*6+QD
         jmp    slow,{tab
         seq.i  QB+QS*7,QB+QS*7+QD
         jmp    slow,}tab

         seq.i  QB+QS*10,QB+QS*10+QD
         jmp    >fast,<tab
         seq.i  QB+QS*11,QB+QS*11+QD
         jmp    slow,<tab
         seq.i  QB+QS*12,QB+QS*12+QD
         djn.f  slow,tab

         seq.i  QB+QS*23,QB+QS*23+QD
         jmp    >fast,>tab
         seq.i  QB+QS*24,QB+QS*24+QD
         jmp    slow,>tab

         seq.i  QB+QS*17,QB+QS*17+QD
         jmp    slow,{fast

         seq.i  QB+QS*8,QB+QS*8+QD
         jmp    <fast,}QB+QS*8+QD/2
         seq.i  QB+QS*9,QB+QS*9+QD
         jmp    tab,}QB+QS*9+QD/2

         seq.i  QB+QS*15,QB+QS*15+QD
         jmp    tab,<tab
         seq.i  QB+QS*16,QB+QS*16+QD
         jmp    tab,{tab
         seq.i  QB+QS*20,QB+QS*20+QD
         djn.f  <fast,tab
         seq.i  QB+QS*21,QB+QS*21+QD
         jmp    tab,{fast
         seq.i  QB+QS*22,QB+QS*22+QD
         djn.f  tab,tab
         seq.i  QB+QS*27,QB+QS*27+QD
         jmp    <fast,>tab
         seq.i  QB+QS*28,QB+QS*28+QD
         jmp    tab,>tab

         seq.i  QB+QS*30,QB+QS*30+QD
         jmp    tab,}tab

; TORNADO BOMBER

step    equ     -45
away    equ     4000 ; not really
gate1   equ     (gate-4)

boot
   mov     gate,   }pt2
   mov     gate,   *pt2
pt1 mov    last,   <pt2
   spl     1,      1
   mov     {pt1,   <pt2
   mov     {pt1,   <pt2
   mov     {pt1,   <pt2
   mov     {pt1,   <pt2
   mov     {pt1,   <pt2

go      djn.b   @pt2,   #2      ;start Tornado
   mov     gate,   <pt2
pt2     div.f   #gate+away-5,#last+1+away
   dat     -25,    last-gate1+5
warr
gate
   dat     -25,    last-gate1+15
bombs   spl     #(step+1),  -step           ;hit spl
start1  sub     incr,   @b1
stone   mov     (0*step)+jump,*(1*step)+jump
b2      mov     bombs,  @stone
b1      mov     bombm,  *stone
jump    jmz.b   start1, #0         ;hit by spl
clr     mov     @djmp,  >gate1
   mov     @djmp,  >gate1
djmp    djn.b   clr,    {bombs
incr    dat     >-3*step,>-3*step
last

bombm   dat     <1,     {1
      dat 0,0
datz: dat 0,0
FOR 5
      dat 0,0
ROF
END
______________________________________________________________________________
Questions?  Concerns?  Comments?  Complaints?  Mail them to people who care.
authors: Beppe Bezzi <bezzi@nemo.it> or Myer Bremer <bremermr@ecn.purdue.edu>
or Anton Marsden <amarsden@comp.vuw.ac.nz>





From: SKI Koth Server <koth@koth.org>
Subject: SKI-ICWS: Status - Multiwarrior Experimental 94 07/29/96
Date: 1996/07/29
Message-ID: <199607290400.AAA18437@odin.stormking.com>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


			Weekly Status on  07/29/96

******
NOTICE
******

	We have changed our name to koth.org

******
NOTICE
******

See up to the second scores and the latest Core War information at :

		http://www.koth.org/~koth
	  *FAQ* http://www.koth.org/~koth/corewar-faq.html

Current Status of the StormKing Industries MultiWarrior Experimental 94 CoreWar Hill:

Last battle concluded at : Wed Jul 24 03:11:22 EDT 1996
 
 #                      Name               Author   Score     Age
 1          TimeScapeX (0.1)       J. Pohjalainen    5677      61
 2             This is Test1          Kurt Franke    5677      26
 3                     jaded           M R Bremer    5677      32
 4          Fork v0.2-9p/51b    Christoph C. Birk    5677       3
 5                  Evolve X       John Wilkinson    5677       1
 6                     Test2         George Eadon    5654      21
 7                    Paper8             G. Eadon    5653      27
 8                  Paperone          Beppe Bezzi    5652      46
 9                  Gluttony             J E Long    5630      19
10           Wait A Lot v0.1           Justin Kao    5485       6
11                Saat V2.01         S. Schroeder    5340      15
12                   Shwing!         T. H. Davies    5329      57
13                 Anthill 5               Planar    5143      23
14                      life        Nandor Sieben    5072      62
15      Pommes-Ketchup V1.35         S. Schroeder    4926      10
16                 lifedwarf        Nandor Sieben    4920      38
17                Leviathan2             harleyQ2    4768      13
18                    Hidden M.C.Diskett Bullfrog    4444      31
19             Variation M-1              Jay Han    4431       8
20                 Leviathan             harleyQ2    4105      14

21                   Bigring       Jonathan Stott    3560       2



From: SKI Koth Server <koth@koth.org>
Subject: SKI-ICWS: Status - ICWS Experimental 94 07/29/96
Date: 1996/07/29
Message-ID: <199607290400.AAA18443@odin.stormking.com>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


			Weekly Status on  07/29/96

******
NOTICE
******

	We have changed our name to koth.org

******
NOTICE
******

See up to the second scores and the latest Core War information at :

		http://www.koth.org/~koth
	  *FAQ* http://www.koth.org/~koth/corewar-faq.html

Current Status of the StormKing Industries ICWS Experimental 94 CoreWar Hill:

Last battle concluded at : Thu Jul 25 11:26:51 EDT 1996
 
 #  %W/ %L/ %T                      Name               Author   Score     Age
 1  33/  5/ 63              Evol Cap 4 X       John Wilkinson     161      29
 2  34/ 14/ 52                   Rosebud                Beppe     155       8
 3  39/ 27/ 33             Falcon v0.3 X          Ian Oversby     151       2
 4  44/ 38/ 18            Illusion-94/55         Randy Graham     151      11
 5  46/ 41/ 13              Tsunami v0.1          Ian Oversby     151       7
 6  45/ 42/ 13                  Memories          Beppe Bezzi     148      36
 7  41/ 35/ 25                    BigBoy        Robert Macrae     146      54
 8  43/ 40/ 17             Frontwards v2       Steven Morrell     145      59
 9  38/ 34/ 28               Lithium X 8     John K Wilkinson     143      20
10  41/ 42/ 17        Stepping Stone 94x          Kurt Franke     141      15
11  39/ 38/ 24                  Derision           M R Bremer     139      46
12  41/ 45/ 14                     Pagan             John K W     137      14
13  42/ 49/  9              S.E.T.I. 4-X                  JKW     136      30
14  30/ 26/ 44             Variation M-1              Jay Han     135       9
15  29/ 27/ 45                   Aleph 1              Jay Han     131      19
16  36/ 45/ 19           Fire Master Xv1            JS Pulido     127      51
17  33/ 38/ 29             Tornado 2.0 x          Beppe Bezzi     127      53
18  26/ 28/ 46                  Hector 2          Kurt Franke     123      49
19  38/ 56/  6          dodger component           M R Bremer     119       1
20  33/ 50/ 16                 Watcher-h          Kurt Franke     116      48

21  33/ 50/ 18                   Watcher          Kurt Franke     116      52



From: SKI Koth Server <koth@koth.org>
Subject: SKI-ICWS: Status - ICWS Tournament 07/29/96
Date: 1996/07/29
Message-ID: <199607290400.AAA18428@odin.stormking.com>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


			Weekly Status on  07/29/96

******
NOTICE
******

	We have changed our name to koth.org

******
NOTICE
******

See up to the second scores and the latest Core War information at :

		http://www.koth.org/~koth
	  *FAQ* http://www.koth.org/~koth/corewar-faq.html

Current Status of the StormKing Industries Annual ICWS Tournament CoreWar Hill:

Last battle concluded at : Mon Jul 15 21:31:04 EDT 1996
 
 #  %W/ %L/ %T                      Name               Author   Score     Age
 1  43/ 11/ 45                 Cannonade           Paul Kline     175      92
 2  49/ 34/ 16             Miss Carefree           Derek Ross     164      24
 3  47/ 34/ 19              Giskard v0.5           Ken Mitton     159      65
 4  48/ 44/  8                   Agony T        Stefan Strack     152      93
 5  37/ 29/ 33      Pommes-Ketchup V1.35         S. Schroeder     146       5
 6  31/ 16/ 53           Nothing Special             G. Eadon     145       7
 7  32/ 19/ 49                    Turkey          Beppe Bezzi     145       8
 8  43/ 42/ 15                    test88              P.Kline     145      11
 9  40/ 41/ 19            Old Tire Swing         Randy Graham     139      49
10  41/ 45/ 15                 Traper3_t    Waldemar Bartolik     137       2
11  37/ 38/ 25          Yop La Boum v2.1         P.E.M & E.C.     136      22
12  39/ 44/ 17                Miss Carry           Derek Ross     134      56
13  28/ 25/ 47              One Fat Lady        Robert Macrae     131       9
14  38/ 47/ 15              Slaver v1.1i    Christoph C. Birk     129      53
15  40/ 53/  7                       xtc      stefan roettger     126      97
16  35/ 46/ 18                  Illusion         Randy Graham     124      51
17  36/ 49/ 15          DoubleStone v0.7    Christoph C. Birk     123      35
18  29/ 36/ 34                     Chris       Steven Morrell     123      14
19  28/ 36/ 36           Big Bang Theory           Zul Nadzri     121       1
20  35/ 50/ 14                   Traper3    Waldemar Bartolik     120       4

21  35/ 50/ 14                   Traper3    Waldemar Bartolik     120       3



From: SKI Koth Server <koth@koth.org>
Subject: SKI-ICWS: Status - MultiWarrior 94 07/29/96
Date: 1996/07/29
Message-ID: <199607290400.AAA18432@odin.stormking.com>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


			Weekly Status on  07/29/96

******
NOTICE
******

	We have changed our name to koth.org

******
NOTICE
******

See up to the second scores and the latest Core War information at :

		http://www.koth.org/~koth
	  *FAQ* http://www.koth.org/~koth/corewar-faq.html

Current Status of the StormKing Industries Multiwarrior 94 CoreWar Hill:

Last battle concluded at : Thu Jul 25 21:05:12 EDT 1996
 
 #                      Name               Author   Score     Age
 1                Son of Imp       Steven Morrell    5512      41
 2                  sisyphus                Kafka    5486       6
 3                  Die Hard              P.Kline    5481      28
 4               Evol Cap --       John Wilkinson    5459       7
 5                        TJ    Maurizio Vittuari    5430      17
 6            Super Evol Cap       John Wilkinson    5408       5
 7                     TESTI    Maurizio Vittuari    5345      16
 8                60% Cotton            Wilkinson    5294      24
 9            90% Cotton v5c            Wilkinson    5261      23
10            Nematode v1.4e       Jonathan Stott    5204       1

11                   Yet 3mw           Justin Kao    3328       0



From: SKI Koth Server <koth@koth.org>
Subject: SKI-ICWS: Status - Standard 07/29/96
Date: 1996/07/29
Message-ID: <199607290400.AAA18424@odin.stormking.com>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


			Weekly Status on  07/29/96

******
NOTICE
******

	We have changed our name to koth.org

******
NOTICE
******

See up to the second scores and the latest Core War information at :

		http://www.koth.org/
	  *FAQ* http://www.koth.org/corewar-faq.html

Current Status of the StormKing Industries Standard KotH CoreWar Hill :

Last battle concluded at : Fri Jul 26 08:53:18 EDT 1996
 
 #  %W/ %L/ %T                      Name               Author   Score     Age
 1  34/ 23/ 43          Yop La Boum v2.1         P.E.M & E.C.     145      45
 2  40/ 35/ 24                 PacMan v5          David Moore     145      13
 3  38/ 40/ 22                    Stasis          David Moore     137      21
 4  27/ 19/ 53   CAPS KEY IS STUCK AGAIN       Steven Morrell     135     111
 5  25/ 14/ 61                      ttti        nandor sieben     135      95
 6  39/ 44/ 17                 Iron Gate       Wayne Sheppard     133     239
 7  18/  5/ 77                Evolve '88     John K Wilkinson     132       1
 8  23/ 15/ 63                 Cannonade              P.Kline     130     145
 9  36/ 42/ 22       Beholder's Eye V1.7         W. Mintardjo     130     189
10  25/ 20/ 55                     Hydra      Stephen Linhart     129     219
11  23/ 18/ 59                    K-test                P.E.M     129      17
12  24/ 19/ 57              Blue Funk 88       Steven Morrell     128     109
13  19/ 12/ 69               Imperfic II       John Wilkinson     127      31
14  22/ 17/ 60                     Peace            Mr. Jones     126     119
15  25/ 24/ 51                      Test       Wayne Sheppard     126     134
16  34/ 43/ 23                Gisela 3G6   Andrzej Maciejczak     124       8
17  26/ 30/ 44           Big Bang Theory           Zul Nadzri     122       9
18  30/ 39/ 31              Keystone t21              P.Kline     121     132
19  30/ 39/ 31              Giskard v0.5           Ken Mitton     121      83
20  29/ 40/ 31               Christopher      Stephen Morrell     119     110

21  18/ 48/ 34               Beauty 2000                Pedro      89       0



From: akemi@netcom.com (David Boeren)
Subject: Re: P-space problems
Date: 1996/07/30
Message-ID: <akemiDvDBp9.FJ4@netcom.com>#1/1
references: <30199659.Amiga@r2d2.sci.fi>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


Ilmari Karonen (iltzu@sci.fi) wrote:
: Does anyone know exactly how the LDP instruction is supposed to behave?
: As far as I can see the following instruction, when executed on the
: first round, should chnge like this:

:         ldp.f   #10, #0

: should become

:         ldp.f   #0, #-1

: However this is not the case. The instruction instead becomes

:         ldp.f   #10, #-1

: It's as if the instruction was LDP.B instead of LDP.F! Is this a bug in
: pmars or have I once again misunderstood some feature in '94 code??

P-space only stores a single number, not a pair as you are thinking.
You can load it in A or B, but I think anything except "A" will load it
into B.  Actaully, I think it would be nice if .F loaded it into BOTH
fields, but it's not a big deal...





From: Robert Macrae <ff95@dial.pipex.com>
Subject: Re: nematode13e.red
Date: 1996/07/30
Message-ID: <4tlbfb$id3@soap.news.pipex.net>#1/1
references: <4t5q2u$6e8@madeline.INS.CWRU.Edu>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


jstott@poly.phys.cwru.edu (Jonathan Stott) wrote:
>
>This is my first program to make it onto the beginner's hill and stay
>there and now I figured I'll send it out into the world.  It is a
>highly defensive pair of papers that replicate and then fall into
>either impring or self-bombing code.
..
>
>imp7    spl.a   1,              <4720   ; split 7 processes + 1 suicide
>        spl.a   1,              <5490   ; more random decrements
>        spl.a   1,              <6260
>
>vec     jmp.a   *jtbl,          }0      ; vector launch a 7-pt impring
>
>imp     mov.i   0,              D7      ; the actual code
>
>imp1    mov.i   imp,            *jtbl+1 ; start it, then suicide on dat's
>
>jtbl    dat     imp1,           0       ; vector table for all 7 points
>        dat     SKIP7+0*D7,     0
>        dat     SKIP7+1*D7,     0
>        dat     SKIP7+2*D7,     0
>        dat     SKIP7+3*D7,     0
>        dat     SKIP7+4*D7,     0
>        dat     SKIP7+5*D7,     0
>        dat     SKIP7+6*D7,     0

Why only 7 processes? As it stands, the ring is rather easy to kill for 
most coreclears, but a 14+ process spiral would be very hard. You could 
use the .b field of jtbl to store the second set of locations, so the 
extra length would be small.


This is a very defensive warrior; given the combination of imps and 
replicators, you will be hard to kill AFTER the launches are complete -- 
but this takes a rather long time. Is it worth launching the imp before 
the papers? At least that way you are likely to start one component 
before anything gets bombed...




From: dick@buckosoft.com (Dick Balaska)
Subject: Re: A New " America Online"......$19.96\month Unlimited access!!!
Date: 1996/07/30
Message-ID: <4tk7su$gg0@client2.news.psi.net>#1/1
references: <4t8q0t$2cr@ns1.autonet.net> <19960726.190221.70@aschamhs.demon.co.uk> <4tc3u2$k@client2.news.psi.net> <Dv8Izz.8Lz@wardrobe.demon.co.uk>
newsgroups: rec.games.computer.xpilot,rec.games.corewar,rec.games.design,rec.games.diplomacy


Keith Lucas <sillywiz@wardrobe.demon.co.uk> wrote:

>In article <4tc3u2$k@client2.news.psi.net>,
>Dick Balaska <dick@buckosoft.com> wrote:
>>juggler@aschamhs.demon.co.uk (John Wright) wrote:
>>
>>>We've all heard/read the stories about America Online. ;)

>Not only heard, we've seen them in action.. "Call **FREE** 1-800...."
>as if everyone on the planet lives in the US. 

Worse.  As a Yank working in London last winter/spring, I had
desparate need of sagely advise from the IRS.  However, all lines to
the states are 1-800-TAX-100%.  The London embassy was as big a joke
as any bureaucracy programming an automated phone system could be.

>No-one would mind if
>they posted the stuff if they set the distribution to US only, but
>such acts are a lost art on Usenet these days. No doubt "Lost Dog"
>postings from teeny.tiny.town.in.wisconsin will get sent globally.

Don't you be pickin' on Wisconsin.

>>Tell me the one about trademark infringement again daddy?

>It runs like this "Once there was a great dream of a world
>communications system that would liberate and make all men equal. It
>was destroyed by America Online and their rampant spammers."

Nah.  This guy is a 2 bit hacker.  Amazing he even spelled America
Online correctly.  I guess Comuserve is for Eastern European access.
He probably has a 386 and one modem "If the +1.312... number is busy,
call again."  (must be 14.4K)  He is also advertising access to people
who already have access. *duh*  I'll even wager it's his mother's
phone number.

>Tell me the one about a government attempting pass legislation to
>govern what citizens of other countries can do in their own
>jurisdictions when it got revoked by their own court !!!

Never stopped us before.  There's a distinct advantage to controlling
the largest military complex known to exist.

dik





From: gryphon@IAEhv.nl
Subject: Re: Further question about Multi-Player History
Date: 1996/07/30
Message-ID: <4tkelm$fgt@iaehv.IAEhv.nl>#1/1
references: <howards-2207962311290001@0.0.0.0> <4t3i1u$r4u@news.xs4all.nl> <4t8eeh$cki@news-old.tiac.net> <31FB273E.649F@ugcs.caltech.edu>
newsgroups: rec.games.netrek,rec.games.corewar,rec.games.design,rec.games.mud.admin,rec.games.mud.moo,rec.games.trivia,rec.games.video.misc


In article <31FB273E.649F@ugcs.caltech.edu>,
The Fugitive  <fugitive@ugcs.caltech.edu> wrote:

[All lines containing excessive expletives snipped]

And this guy complains about zero content?
At least he's doing it in more than one line, though if you remove
all the expletives from his post there isn't much left but a single
line of random words.



From: iltzu@sci.fi (Ilmari Karonen)
Subject: P-space problems
Date: 1996/07/30
Message-ID: <30199659.Amiga@r2d2.sci.fi>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


Does anyone know exactly how the LDP instruction is supposed to behave?
As far as I can see the following instruction, when executed on the
first round, should chnge like this:

        ldp.f   #10, #0

should become

        ldp.f   #0, #-1

However this is not the case. The instruction instead becomes

        ldp.f   #10, #-1

It's as if the instruction was LDP.B instead of LDP.F! Is this a bug in
pmars or have I once again misunderstood some feature in '94 code??

--
Ilmari Karonen





From: iltzu@sci.fi (Ilmari Karonen)
Subject: Re: P-space problems
Date: 1996/07/31
Message-ID: <01199626.Amiga@sci.fi>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


>: It's as if the instruction was LDP.B instead of LDP.F! Is this a bug in
>: pmars or have I once again misunderstood some feature in '94 code??
>
>P-space only stores a single number, not a pair as you are thinking.
>You can load it in A or B, but I think anything except "A" will load it
>into B.  Actaully, I think it would be nice if .F loaded it into BOTH
>fields, but it's not a big deal...

I know that P-space only stores a single number. However according to
the general rules of the '94 draft, an instruction like LDP.F should
AFAIK load the p-space field(s) referenced by the A-value into the
instruction pointed to by the B-pointer. Like this:

;redcode-94theoretical
;name LDP.F
;author Ilmari Karonen
;strategy This is how LDP _should_ behave if it was a standard
;strategy '94 Draft instruction like MOV or ADD.

_PS1    equ     10
_PS2    equ     20

        org start

dest    dat.f   #0, #0          ; should become "dat.f #7, #11"
ptr     dat.f   #_PS1, #_PS2

start   stp.ab  #7, #_PS1
        stp.ab  #11, #_PS2
        ldp.f   ptr, dest       ; doesn't really work!

        end

This is *not* how LDP behaves in pmars 0.8, of course. Instead, it
will only load 11 into the b-field but will leave the a-field 0. This
actually seems pretty logical, since accessing p-space is supposed to
be slow. A similar decision to allow only a single target was made for
JMP and SPL. I just wish someone had bothered to document this
'feature'..

It would be fun to have it, though. Instructions like
"LDP.X #_STR, @dest" would allow some really cryptic code.. =)


--
Ilmari Karonen





From: iltzu@sci.fi (Ilmari Karonen)
Subject: Re: P-space problems
Date: 1996/07/31
Message-ID: <01199641.Amiga@sci.fi>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


Paul Anderson wrote:
>>Does anyone know exactly how the LDP instruction is supposed to behave?
>
>It has been quite some time since I have been dealing with core wars.
>Glad to see it is still alive. I've been reading this group for 5 days
>now and while trying to re-wet my feet, have never seen this
>instruction or coding convention. Would someone please direct me to or
>mail to me the current instruction list, coding convention, and
>executable?
>
>I got started with this shortly after the first article in SciAm and
>wrote several red-code simulators/compilers on everything from
>Atari's to IBM's in ASM to BAS. It was a nice hobby, then it seemed to
>disappear. Later, it showed up again as an international competition,
>they added an instruction, and life was good again, but unless you knew
>someone, had no way to continue.
>
>I'd like to get back into this, and would really like to get the SOTA
>of the current red-code spec, gaming rules, etc.
(text reformatted)

Well, if you don't know the '94 standard, you should certainly read
the ICWS'94 Draft, found for example at
http://www.ecst.csuchico.edu/~pizza/koth/icws94.html. It doesn't
contain the nonstandard pMARS 0.8 extensions, which are included in the
pMARS documentation, but otherwise completely describes the current
redcode syntax.

AFAIK, there are no other documents that explain all the basic features
of the '94 standard. You should probably read the draft through, making
sure you understand each and every line. The ICWS'94 syntax is
extremely logical, simple, versatile, and unbelievably
counter-intuitive. :( One of the most confusing things is that the
operation of '#', although compatible and apparently similar to the
previous standards, is actually *completely* different from them or any
other assembly languages I've seen.


--
Ilmari Karonen





From: sd@ecst.csuchico.edu (Alfalfa Male)
Subject: Pizza down again
Date: 1996/07/31
Message-ID: <4toggk$2lr@charnel.ecst.csuchico.edu>#1/1
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar



Pizza will be down again this weekend due to more upgrades to the
fileserver.  The web server will continue to function, but mail
will be unavailable from 5pm PDT friday Aug 2 to 6pm PDT sunday Aug 4.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

Thos

--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\/~~\ /~~~\/\  / \  \ / /~\ /~~~~~YY~~~\\   /~~
Thomas "Thos" Davies             V       \/\ /\  V /   V    |\/\/|  V\ /
sd@ecst.csuchico.edu                        V  \  /         |  / |    V
                     Internet Pizza Server      \/          | /\ |
  Member C.W.M.    Corewar King of the Hill information     |/oo\| CAVE ON
   Since 1987    http://www.ecst.csuchico.edu/~pizza/koth/   |/\|



From: Keith Lucas <sillywiz@wardrobe.demon.co.uk>
Subject: Re: A New " America Online"......$19.96\month Unlimited access!!!
Date: 1996/07/31
Message-ID: <DvEC7D.5C@wardrobe.demon.co.uk>#1/1
references: <4t8q0t$2cr@ns1.autonet.net> <4tc3u2$k@client2.news.psi.net> <Dv8Izz.8Lz@wardrobe.demon.co.uk> <4tk7su$gg0@client2.news.psi.net>
newsgroups: rec.games.computer.xpilot,rec.games.corewar,rec.games.design,rec.games.diplomacy


In article <4tk7su$gg0@client2.news.psi.net>,
Dick Balaska <dick@buckosoft.com> wrote:
>Keith Lucas <sillywiz@wardrobe.demon.co.uk> wrote:

>Don't you be pickin' on Wisconsin.

Sorry -- it was the first state to spring to mind...

>Never stopped us before.  There's a distinct advantage to controlling
>the largest military complex known to exist.

You _control_ your military -- you mean all that stuff is _intended_ ?!?!

 --------------------------------------------+---------------------------------
"It's not a personality.. it's a bulldozer." | My pet goldfish knows more
Keith Lucas -- sillywiz@wardrobe.demon.co.uk.| science than Andre Bormanis !
 --------------------------------------------+---------------------------------



From: Richard Rognlie <rrognlie@erols.com>
Subject: C++Robots is down (semi-permanently)  8^(
Date: 1996/07/31
Message-ID: <32000DC1.2214679D@erols.com>#1/1
newsgroups: comp.programming.contests,comp.lang.c,comp.lang.c++,rec.games.corewar


Due to a variety of circumstances, Richard's C++Robots Server is off the
air.  I was forced to move the server from a Sun SPARC to my home
machine recently, and unfortunately, C++Robots was dependent on the Sun
SPARC architecture.  It will remain down until I get a chance to do a
complete rewrite.

The remainder of the server *is* back on-line however.  For info, see
http://eiss.erols.com/~pbmserv/

I apologize for any inconvenience this has caused anyone.

Richard

-- 
  /\/\/\  | Richard Rognlie / Internet Developer / Erols.COM               
 /  \ \ \ | E-Mail: rrognlie@erols.com
 \  / / / | Phone:  (Home) (703) 361-4764
  \/\/\/  | WWW:    http://eiss.erols.com/~rrognlie/



From: RFC822@poly.phys.cwru.edu (Jonathan Stott)
Subject: Re: nematode13e.red
Date: 1996/07/31
Message-ID: <4to96n$h4r@madeline.INS.CWRU.Edu>#1/1
references: <4t5q2u$6e8@madeline.INS.CWRU.Edu> <4tlbfb$id3@soap.news.pipex.net>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


In article <4tlbfb$id3@soap.news.pipex.net>,
Robert Macrae  <ff95@dial.pipex.com> wrote:
>jstott@poly.phys.cwru.edu (Jonathan Stott) wrote:
>
>Why only 7 processes? As it stands, the ring is rather easy to kill for 
>most coreclears, but a 14+ process spiral would be very hard. You could 
>use the .b field of jtbl to store the second set of locations, so the 
>extra length would be small.

This impring (as opposed to the ones carried in the replicators) tends
to get overwritten fairly quickly unless I'm facing a very fast/lucky
scanner/bomber.  I used 7 because it gave fairly quick boot more than
the size (although size matters more now that I'm p-spacing it).  It's
been a while, but I don't remember gaining any Wilkies by going to a
larger ring size.  Didn't know about mirrored imps though...

>This is a very defensive warrior; given the combination of imps and 
>replicators, you will be hard to kill AFTER the launches are complete -- 
>but this takes a rather long time. Is it worth launching the imp before 
>the papers? At least that way you are likely to start one component 
>before anything gets bombed...

Hmm, good point... I'm going to have to think about this one....

-JS

-- 
Jonathan Stott                      O-                      jjs17@po.cwru.edu
CWRU Dept. of Physics                               jstott@poly.phys.cwru.edu
School of Graduate Studies            http://poly.phys.cwru.edu:8080/~jstott/




From: Bjoern Guenzel <gzl@mmk.e-technik.tu-muenchen.de>
Subject: Re: P-space problems
Date: 1996/07/31
Message-ID: <31FF6462.1B14@mmk.e-technik.tu-muenchen.de>#1/1
references: <30199659.Amiga@r2d2.sci.fi> <4tmbr8$h4l@unix.newnorth.net>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


Paul Anderson wrote:

> It has been quite some time since I have been dealing with core wars. Glad to see it
> is still alive. I've been reading this group for 5 days now and while trying to
> re-wet my feet, have never seen this instruction or coding convention. Would someone
> please direct me to or mail to me the current instruction list, coding convention,
> and executable?
> 
> I got started with this shortly after the first article in SciAm and wrote several
> red-code simulators/compilers on everything from Atari's to IBM's in ASM to BAS. It
> was a nice hobby, then it seemed to disappear. Later, it showed up again as an
> international competition, they added an instruction, and life was good again, but
> unless you knew someone, had no way to continue.
> 
> I'd like to get back into this, and would really like to get the SOTA of the current
> red-code spec, gaming rules, etc.

I am not sure, but I assume the most complete description is the 
pmars08 documentation, which is included in pmars08.zip. Otherwise I am
afraid you'll have to gather the information from various sources, eg
get the documents provided at pizza and see which one suits you best.

Don't forget to check out the Core Warrior hints for many a good idea
for successful warriors...:-)


Bjoern



From: myrddin@iosys.net (Myrddin Emrys)
Subject: Re: A New " America Online"......$19.96\month Unlimited access!!!
Date: 1996/07/31
Message-ID: <31ff0377.1274356@news.inc.net>#1/1
references: <4t8q0t$2cr@ns1.autonet.net> <19960726.190221.70@aschamhs.demon.co.uk> <4tc3u2$k@client2.news.psi.net> <Dv8Izz.8Lz@wardrobe.demon.co.uk>
newsgroups: rec.games.computer.xpilot,rec.games.corewar,rec.games.design,rec.games.diplomacy


We intercepted this transmission from Keith Lucas
<sillywiz@wardrobe.demon.co.uk>
on Sun, 28 Jul 1996 03:57:35 GMT:

:No doubt "Lost Dog"
:postings from teeny.tiny.town.in.wisconsin will get sent globally.

Hey, I happen to get my e-mail at teeny.tiny.town.in.winconsin.net! Don't
you go badmouthin' my home!

Myrddin Emrys; Fond du Lac, WI ;)



From: Paul Anderson <pander@newnorth.net>
Subject: Re: P-space problems
Date: 1996/07/31
Message-ID: <4tmbr8$h4l@unix.newnorth.net>#1/1
references: <30199659.Amiga@r2d2.sci.fi>
newsgroups: rec.games.corewar


>Does anyone know exactly how the LDP instruction is supposed to behave?
>As far as I can see the following instruction, when executed on the
>first round, should chnge like this:
>
>        ldp.f   #10, #0
>
>should become
>
>        ldp.f   #0, #-1
>
>However this is not the case. The instruction instead becomes
>
>        ldp.f   #10, #-1
>
>It's as if the instruction was LDP.B instead of LDP.F! Is this a bug in
>pmars or have I once again misunderstood some feature in '94 code??


It has been quite some time since I have been dealing with core wars. Glad to see it 
is still alive. I've been reading this group for 5 days now and while trying to 
re-wet my feet, have never seen this instruction or coding convention. Would someone 
please direct me to or mail to me the current instruction list, coding convention, 
and executable?

I got started with this shortly after the first article in SciAm and wrote several 
red-code simulators/compilers on everything from Atari's to IBM's in ASM to BAS. It 
was a nice hobby, then it seemed to disappear. Later, it showed up again as an 
international competition, they added an instruction, and life was good again, but 
unless you knew someone, had no way to continue.

I'd like to get back into this, and would really like to get the SOTA of the current 
red-code spec, gaming rules, etc.