Competitive Programming Games

About

Students explore algorithmic challenges through competitive programming games where they write code that competes autonomously. Teams of three research and present games like SuperCodingBall, Robocode, and TORCS, and support the others in implementing solutions.

Each team leads a full-day session for the other students: a presentation of the day’s game challenge, practical assistance, and an afternoon tournament. The course covers three implementation paradigms: manual algorithm design, machine learning (for the iterated prisoner’s dilemma), and prompt-based programming. Students develop both technical skills (algorithmic problem solving, AI) and pedagogical abilities through peer teaching.

Course leader

Till Zoppke

Target group

Computer Science, Mathematics, Software engineering and similar studies

Course aim

-Design and implement algorithms for competitive multi-agent environments
-Apply different implementation paradigms: manual coding, machine learning, prompt-based programming
-Develop pedagogical skills through peer teaching and technical presentations
-Practice project management and teamwork in intensive development cycles
-Analyze algorithm performance in competitive scenarios

Fee info