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Write Code, Crush Foes, Get Hired – Multiplayer Programming Tournament

blog.codecombat.com

41–50 of 50 posts

Re: Write Code, Crush Foes, Get Hired – Multiplayer Programming Tournament

#42

Funny I just started to learn Clojure 2 days ago and dropped it because I lost interest in it. I always wanted to join some AI competition and this might actually be fun. The sad part is, there are no game rules. Yes he explained them a little bit in the blog but it was way too broad. Also there is no tutorial on how to get started anywhere. I am assuming I need this https://github.com/codecombat/codecombat

[deleted]

Re: Write Code, Crush Foes, Get Hired – Multiplayer Programming Tournament

#43

Is there an API you can use to submit code and get back simulation results and stats?

That's a great idea! I'll add it to my todo list.

Right now, there isn't a nice and well documented way to do this as we haven't ever had demand for an API like that. You can reverse engineer the POST for the code ranking to submit your code and the GET for the leaderboard information.

Re: Write Code, Crush Foes, Get Hired – Multiplayer Programming Tournament

#44
post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hey pj, sorry you feel that way. I can assure that our intent here is not to get cheap labor, the code that people write won't be usable to use in any way by us or third parties, so as pdenya mentioned you should only enter the contest if you think it's fun!

The part about "let us help you find a job" sounds condescending, as if the industry wasn't begging for developers that can actually write code. I would argue any developer that understands the Traveling Salesman Problem is turning down job opportunities left and right. Call me a skeptic but if you don't care about the code, then sounds like the ulterior motive is to screen/recruit young developers and get some publi…

Ah, didn't mean to condescend to people, we've actually met with quite a few great developers who just aren't good at marketing themselves or who aren't aware of the opportunities in the field. People on HN might not fall into that category for sure, but we feel really good about matching good developers with great companies.

Screening is definitely a motive for us, but it's entirely opt in and we don't bother people who don't respond (or ask us to remove them entirely). We're developers and understand the issue with LinkedIn spam.

Contests are risky for sure, which is why we spoke with some friends/advisers/lawyers about it before launching. There is a critical difference between randomly won prizes and games of contest (legal term). After discussing it, we thought it was worth the risk.

Re: Write Code, Crush Foes, Get Hired – Multiplayer Programming Tournament

#45
post #18

I wonder if the marketing copy of this is inherently biasing it away from women. This isn't to say that there aren't plenty of women who like to "crush foes" - but societal norms are definitely still in the realm of associating that with men.

This comment does not deserve to be downvoted. It's thoughtful and asks a legit question.

All: when you see substantive, civil comments in faded-out territory, please give them a corrective upvote.

Re: Write Code, Crush Foes, Get Hired – Multiplayer Programming Tournament

#46
post #40

Funny I just started to learn Clojure 2 days ago and dropped it because I lost interest in it. I always wanted to join some AI competition and this might actually be fun. The sad part is, there are no game rules. Yes he explained them a little bit in the blog but it was way too broad. Also there is no tutorial on how to get started anywhere. I am assuming I need this https://github.com/codecombat/codecombat

Hey Maikklein, did you start playing? We built a mini-tutorial into the level itself, along with documentation and API details. We also have a rules tab on the ladder page that describes how the tournament works in broad strokes. If you still have questions, drop us a line at team@codecombat.com

Oh, then it was my fault! I didn't even think to press the play button because I haven't written any code yet.

Now I am seeing the interactive tutorial. Thanks

Re: Write Code, Crush Foes, Get Hired – Multiplayer Programming Tournament

#49
post #33

Have some self-respect. If this was any other profession, a contest like this would not be tolerated. If people get the idea programmers work for free, as long as you have a clever contest, that idea becomes popular and it's bad for all of us in the long run. The fact there's lots of prizes here doesn't change the underlying problem. Contests, in any field, devalue the profession. Even if I was a high school teacher…

No. You may be borrowing this stance from graphic design, which has a (mistakenly) rigid position on "spec work", complete with a "no-spec!" movement that generates complaints in any forum where the notion of a design contest is introduced. Graphic designers feel victimized by "contests" that were actual thinly-veiled attempts to solicit actual uncompensated work. When thinking about no-spec, you should remember that…

I do understand where this no spec movement is coming from, but I have lots of problems with that.

First, it's like the big players (and the opinion leaders) are telling the small ones how to behave.

I'm reading a bit in a designer's forum, especially the parts about work and jobs, and the situation for "normal designers" is dismal. Everytime I've visited that forum I'm happy I'm working in tech. Really.

So most small firms and single person freelancers don't have a choice. They really don't.

Of course it's easy for EdenSpiekermann to reject such spec work. They are booked. Others aren't.

Second, speaking of Spiekermann, he's strictly on the no spec side. And his old company, FontShop, is as well.

If you're reading (German) discussions on the Fontblog, you'll learn that spec workj is disgusting and you're traitor to your fellow designers if you do that.

No exceptions! Spec work for a charity that cannot pay a dime anyway is the same. Never!

Well... unless Spiekermann is on the jury himself. Like for some design competition somehow affiliated with the United Nations. Then it's all okay, because, hey UN!

And this hypocrisy is pervasive.

Re: Write Code, Crush Foes, Get Hired – Multiplayer Programming Tournament

#50
post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The part about "let us help you find a job" sounds condescending, as if the industry wasn't begging for developers that can actually write code. I would argue any developer that understands the Traveling Salesman Problem is turning down job opportunities left and right. Call me a skeptic but if you don't care about the code, then sounds like the ulterior motive is to screen/recruit young developers and get some publi…

Ah, didn't mean to condescend to people, we've actually met with quite a few great developers who just aren't good at marketing themselves or who aren't aware of the opportunities in the field. People on HN might not fall into that category for sure, but we feel really good about matching good developers with great companies. Screening is definitely a motive for us, but it's entirely opt in and we don't bother people…

One thing I believe is that artificial limitations sometimes bring the most out of us -- contests are unique in this sense, if well designed. You deal with problems you wouldn't deal with otherwise, and more than make you good at solving those specific problems, they entice your creativity and tact for principles.

Just noting that I'm thoroughly codecombat (just started), amazing work.

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