{"author_name":"martinw89","cat":"October Challenge 2010","comments":[{"author_name":"","time":"September 30, 2010 12:08 pm","epoch":1285866480,"text":"I’m insanely curious: what is a `somewhat decent AI’ in the context of Pong?","spam":"N"},{"author_name":"martinw89","time":"September 30, 2010 4:07 pm","epoch":1285880820,"text":"Here’s the thing, when I whipped it up I forgot that there was always a space between the paddles and the borders. So I had to make the computer make mistakes, otherwise a single human player would never win. I tried to get the computer to simulate how I played. Instead of tracking the ball, it would make an “OK” guess at where the ball would be, and then adjust as the ball got closer. But I had to make it lose sometimes also. That balance is tough to get, hence “somewhat decent”.","spam":"N"}],"epoch":1285824060,"likes":0,"metadata":{"p_key":"69177","p_author":"martinw89","p_authorkey":"0","p_urlkey":"104980","p_title":"October: I Finally Learn the Android Platform","p_cat":"October Challenge 2010","p_event":"LD18","p_time":"1285824060","p_likes":"0","p_comments":"2","p_status":"UPD5","us_key":null,"us_name":null,"us_username":null,"event_start":"1282262400","event_key":"4","event_name":"LD18"},"text":"

Well, I guess I’m in. This is a great idea for a challenge, and a little spare cash would be nice for a strapped-for-cash student like myself. Even if I lose<\/em> money, the experience alone will be worth it.<\/p>\n

I’ve purchased a developer membership on the Android market and I’ve got a Google Checkout merchant account in the works (still need to wait for that verification deposit to show up). Right now, I’m getting the eclipse ADT plugin setup and getting a Hello World program going. My first impressions are pretty positive.<\/p>\n

As far as the game goes, it’s going to involve bubblewrap, and it’s going to be awesome. I don’t want to give too much a way, but let’s just say that the focus on bubblewrap is a bit tongue-in-cheek and the actual gameplay should be pretty enjoyable.<\/p>\n

As far as my skillset goes, neither games or Java are my strong points. Ouch! I’ve used Java in school, but never in my personal time. I have spent a lot of personal time in game development, both in SDL and SDL\/OpenGL, but I never really accomplished a big project (my biggest being a Pong clone with decent artwork and a somewhat decent AI). So October is going to be a challenge, but these are all things I’ve really wanted an excuse to learn so I’m looking forward to the rest of this month.<\/p>\n

Stay tuned! And good luck everyone!<\/p>\n

Afterthought of 9\/30: Damn, I need a decent host if I want an online high score system.<\/p>\n

Edit: Got one of those silly twitter things going: http:\/\/twitter.com\/martinw89<\/p>","time":"September 30th, 2010 12:21 am","title":"October: I Finally Learn the Android Platform"}