Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Tell me again - how do I enter? (Note: entries have now closed)

You need to do the following things:

  1. Obtain a retail copy of Unreal Tournament 2004
  2. Download and install GameBots2004 from the Pogamut 3 site (we suggest you also download and install Pogamut 3). We will use the GameBots2004 version the version that is distributed with version 3.0.11 of Pogamut.
  3. Develop your bot that uses the GameBots2004 interface (we suggest you develop your bot using Pogamut 3). There are sample bots on Pogamut.
  4. Advise your intention to enter by emailing the competition organisers by June 15, 2010
  5. If necessary, take part in pre-final qualification trials.
  6. Be prepared to take part in the finals in Copenhagen. In 2010 it is a condition of entry that a team member must register for and attend the IEEE Conference on Computational Intelligence and Games, where the finals will be run.

Q2. How is the winner determined?

The testing protocol for 2010 is yet to be finalised. Details of the evaluation method and winning criteria will be announced before June 15, 2010.

We have set up a server with an automated scoring system so that teams can test their bots in the same environment and using the same system that will be used for the final judging. Point your UT2004 client or your bots at the BotPrize server (195.242.237.18).

Q3. And how much do I win?

The major prize winners share a A$7,000 cash and a trip to 2K Marin's Canberra studios. If there is no major prize winner, then the minor prize winners share A$2,000 cash and a trip to 2K Marin's studios.

Q4. What will be changed in the mod used for the final?

General

Some mods will be made to enable the new automated judging system. Others are to prevent bots from interfering with the game, or to remove things that would be obvious giveaways for bots.

Bots will communicate with the game server via the GameBots2004 interface as distributed with Pogamut 3.0.11.

The major change this year is the introduction of an in-game judging system using the Link Gun. The Link Gun will be modified so that the primary fire mode kills a bot with a single hit, and scores 10 points for the shooter, whereas if a human is hit with the primary fire mode, the shooter instantly dies and loses 10 points. Contrariwise, the alternate fire mode kills a human with a single hit, and scores 10 points for the shooter, whereas if a bot is hit with the alternate fire mode, the shooter instantly dies and loses 10 points.

These effects only apply the first time that particular shooter hits that particular opponent. After this first hit, subsequent hits simply have no effect.

Here is a summary of all the changes:

  • The effects of the Link Gun will be changed as described above. The Link Gun has infinite ammo.
  • Some GameBots commands will not have any effect. The affected commands are: ADDINV, ADDBOT, CHANGEMAP, CHATTR, CLEAR, CONF, CONFGAME, CONSOLE, DIALOG, KICK, MESSAGE, PAUSE, REC, SETGAMESPEED, SETLOCK, SETPASS, SETSKIN, SPAWNACTOR, SPEECH, STOPREC, TEST
  • The CHANGEWEAPON command with the argument "Best" will return a randomly selected weapon.
  • None of the GameBots2004 debugging text or images will appear on screen.
  • When a new player (human or bot) enters the game, their name will be changed to a randomly chosen name.
  • When a human player enters the game, they will be given a randomly chosen skin.
  • When a player enters or leaves, epic bots may be automatically added to or removed from the game to keep the numbers of humans and bots roughly balanced.
  • The Redeemer is removed from the game.
  • Damage levels are reduced to 40% of normal.
  • All pings will be set to 0.
  • In-game chat will be disabled.
  • Data on which bots/humans have been correctly and incorrectly identified, and by whom, will be logged.

Differences from previous competitions

There are a number of changes from previous years, the major ones being:

  1. A new GameBots version (released with Pogamut 3.0.11) will be used.
  2. Map names and hints will not be removed from maps.
  3. Judging will be done in game by means of the players' use of the Link Gun.