Robocode

could only cut and paste a bit of it…..copyright and all that!

‘Space invasion that generation took to its heart

The 30th anniversary of seminal arcade game Space Invaders is to be marked, writes Karlin Lillington

IF YOU are in Tipperary next week and see someone walking around in a Space Invaders costume, rest assured: you aren’t hallucinating. The legendary arcade game with its familiar pixelated aliens and red flying saucer turns 30-years-old this year, and the Tipperary Institute of Technology is officially endorsed by Space Invader parent company Taito in Japan to celebrate the event.

Event organiser and programme director for the institute’s new degree in game design, Phil Bourke, confesses that there will indeed be costumes – he’s already had a fitting – as well as plenty of Space Invaders gameplay, games workshops, and some special commemorative 100 yen coins.

The original Japanese arcade machines used 100 yen coins and, when the game was released in 1978, it was so popular that it caused a drastic shortage in the currency, requiring the Japanese government to quadruple production, he says. So minting a commemorative coin is an insider’s nod to the game’s history (see panel).

While there will be of plenty of fun – and yes, games – the centrepiece of the celebration is the institute’s annual XNA game coding competition next week, which will honour Space Invaders by making it the key element of the challenge.

Third-level student competitors nationally have downloaded a basic version of the game, and will use it to inspire and further develop their own game. These will be scrutinised by judges from several major gaming companies, including sponsors Microsoft and Disney Interactive’s Blitz Games.

Bourke says Space Invaders is the perfect choice for the competition because it is simple in construction and is familiar to just about everyone. In addition, as a model of perfect gameplay, Space Invaders has iconic status.

He considers it so central to a gaming mindset that he began to plan two years ago to have the game be part of this year’s competition to celebrate the game’s 30th anniversary. "It’s one of the first games that nailed the right game balance, and made you want to play it again and again and again and again," says Bourke. "It’s such an iconic game. Everyone knows it, everyone knows how to play it. It’s one of the games that hasn’t been corrupted."….and on it goes….

well what a day yesterday – I have pictures and lots I am sure I could write up when I get time but just want to congratulate all involved in Robocode and the XNA event yesterday in Tipp Institute. It was completely mad – go, go, go all day.

those of us involved in judging the XNA competition are probably completely wrecked today….six teams, doing through all aspects of their games and finally the winner is a secondary school student from Gort Community College – Finn Krewer. Congrats to all the teams who competed….

Phil knows how to work his judges!

Aphra.

socks up if have you seen any news reports etc. of Robocode you can point us to send us on the links.

I know there was something in Metro….we should link to them here and if you have photos etc. send us links…

Aphra.