Difference between revisions of "SoC2012 LineDefenceStrategy"

From The Battle for Wesnoth Wiki
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=Description=
 
=Description=
−
<h4>Nikolay Agafonov - Line Defence Strategy</h4>
+
<h4>Geoffrey Hart - Maximizing Utility</h4>
−
The idea of this strategy is to stick together the troops and create the defencive line. All the units
+
A good offense is made by identifying an opponents vulnerabilities and exploiting them. As such, a good defense is made by reducing the number of weak spots. Since there is no perfect unit and all have their own imperfections, the idea is send them out in groups of units that compliment each others strengths and weaknesses. This will allow them to rearrange themselves in a way most suitable to handle nearby enemies. Since the number of predictive steps the AI can make is limited, it can become "surprised" rather easily. Therefore, it's a good choice to maximize utility and the ability to be flexible in order to handle these surprises. Then, within action-packed skirmishes, raw processing power can be brought to bear more effectively.
−
should be put on hexes where they would be on the defensive in most effective way. THere would be some kinds of AI's behaviour (full retreat, banking, passive attack etc.) depending on on game factors.
 
−
 
 
−
=Main Idea=
 
−
To make full defence mostly effective as it is (i mean just protection of area, not scouts'  breakthrows during the enemy's attack and such things) it is neccessary to decrease the number of hexes from which any unit could be hitted. Because of zone of control factor the best way would be to make defencive line with units.
 
−
 
 
−
=Line creation=
 
−
All the units, which protect the area should find the best position for defence (for example, dwarves should search for hills/mountains, elves for forests etc.). In the case when units can be put in different positions with same avarege defence, te unit factor comes.
 
−
 
 
−
==Line condition==
 
−
First of all, the line should be created. Let make a definition of line:
 
−
'''Line - the sequence of hexes on which the available units would make maximal summary zone of control with minimal attacked area'''. The attacked area would be defined depending on danger of unit wave. For example a lot of units are going to attack the AI's forces from north while a couple of scouts stand in south. So the defencive line would be directed to the groups of units by priorities: high priority would be given against the most dangerous wave, lesser priority - to the smaller group and so on. The hexes which satisfy this conditions would be marked as defencive line area.
 
−
 
 
−
==Unit factor==
 
−
Let's imagine the situation when some support unit (elfish shaman for example) and fight unit (orcish grunt for example) should divide hexes, one of which is bad for protecting for both of them and another is good for fighter and very good for support unit (lets take forest and sand as an example: grunt and shaman have 70% chanses to take a hit on sand while in the forest grunt has 50% and shaman has 30%). In such a case the defencive coefficients should be counted. The number of coefficients would be K = (n-1)!m! where n is number of units and m is number of avaible hexes which satisfy the line condition. Each coefficient would be equal the summary of multiplying of current units'hitponts and the persent of defense for each other on hexes where they can be put where. In simple example with 2 units - shaman (lets say with 30 hitpoints) and grunt (let it has 40 hitpoints) - and 2 hexes - sand and forest - coefficient q1 = 30*0.3 + 40*0.5 = 29; q2 = 40*0.3 + 30*0.7 = 33. So q2 > q1 which means that putting shaman to the forest and grunt on sand would be better than in reversal case.
 
−
 
 
−
=AI's behaviour=
 
−
''This part has the lesser priority than pervous''
 
−
 
 
−
Depending on the game situation AI would change it's behavior. For example, retreating to the leader or the keep (if the leader is far away from it) before the daytime if there is a real danger (superior opponent's forces near the AI's forces where the majority is chaotic but its daytime for example) from opponent. Another example is the passive attack, when attack is going with slow movement of all the defencive line. Such a tactic could be good with strong expensive units against opponents' weaker and cheaper troops - holding of the area with small group of units and collect the gold, 'cause decrease would be lesser than the opponent which should spend more money for upkeep of all the count of his weak units.
 
−
 
 
−
=Conclusion=
 
−
The idea of the defencive line let to achieve position game from AI's side. not agressive but grueling - the way how many serious players are playing
 
  
 
=IRC=
 
=IRC=
−
nagafono
+
ghart2010
 
=SoC Application=
 
=SoC Application=
−
Submitted to google
+
Submitted to Google
  
 
=Questionnaire=
 
=Questionnaire=
Line 38: Line 16:
 
===Write a small introduction to yourself.===
 
===Write a small introduction to yourself.===
  
−
My name is Nikolay Agafonov, I am a 3rd-year-student and study on Departament of Computer Science, Math faculty. Relatively to Wesnoth: I'm well-experienced player which is often play serious ladder games (my current position is between 30 and 40 places)
+
My name is Geoffrey Hart. I have interests based in math and computing, and history has shown I am very motivated when working with games, as they have problems which are naturally interesting. Also, I am very friendly, and love the friendly atmosphere of game development.
  
  
 
===State your preferred email address.===
 
===State your preferred email address.===
  
−
nagafono (at) gmail (dot) com
+
ghart2010@my.fit.edu This is my student email.
 +
 
  
 
===If you have chosen a nick for IRC and Wesnoth forums, what is it?===
 
===If you have chosen a nick for IRC and Wesnoth forums, what is it?===
  
−
nagafono
+
ghart2010
  
  
 
===Why do you want to participate in summer of code?===
 
===Why do you want to participate in summer of code?===
  
−
Because I want to implement the stuff which would be really useful for me and, I hope, for all the players too. Also a lot of imagination and some math skills should be used here and that's the things i like to do. And Google's stimulation of such a work makes summer of code the main priority thing on summer for me.
+
The experience mainly. Although I'd pursue my own projects during the summer, I find it all too easy to put those off. When the project is collaborative though, I'm much more productive, as a matter of pride.
  
  
 
===What are you studying, subject, level and school?===
 
===What are you studying, subject, level and school?===
  
−
I'm studying IT and math in Petrozavodsk State University (Russia): 3rd grade, Departament of computer Science. Before that, almost 2 years my Departament was Applied Mathematics.  
+
I'm a sophomore attending Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Florida, currently pursuing a degree in Computer Science.
  
  
 
===What country are you from, at what time are you most likely to be able to join IRC?===
 
===What country are you from, at what time are you most likely to be able to join IRC?===
  
−
Russian Federation 16:00-00:00 GTM.
+
I'm from the US (GMT -4:00), and am most likely to be on later in the day, after 8 pm my time.
  
  
 
===Do you have other commitments for the summer period ? Do you plan to take any vacations ? If yes, when.===
 
===Do you have other commitments for the summer period ? Do you plan to take any vacations ? If yes, when.===
  
−
I'm planning to make 1-week vacation on the last week of June, nothing more.
+
I have no current commitments, and no plans for vacations. Therefore, I should be able to fully commit myself to the project, if chosen.
  
  
Line 73: Line 52:
 
===What programs/software have you worked on before?===
 
===What programs/software have you worked on before?===
  
−
Languages/frameworks (good knowledge): C++, Qt framework
+
The languages I've used most frequently are Java and C++. However, I have experience with several others (php, html, flash, haskell, to name a few) and can pick up new languages fairly well. The only "serious" program I've done work on to date was fixing some bugs in Notepad++; everything else I've done for fun, such as modding games.
−
Languages/frameworks (avarege knowledge/rare usage): C, Python (+Django framework), PHP
 
−
Languages/frameworks (low knowledge/basics): C#, Java
 
  
  
 
===Have you developed software in a team environment before? (As opposed to hacking on something on your own)===
 
===Have you developed software in a team environment before? (As opposed to hacking on something on your own)===
  
−
Yes I am (4 projects experience). Prefer to use git but have knowledge about SVN and CVS also.
+
I'm currently part of a team working on fixing bugs in Notepad++. I am also part of another group trying to make our own game. It is early in the making, but I've already contributed to our sizable idea pool, coded our physics, made our art, and am planning out how to structure our data to best meet our needs.
  
  
 
===Have you participated to the Google Summer of Code before? As a mentor or a student? In what project? Were you successful? If not, why?===
 
===Have you participated to the Google Summer of Code before? As a mentor or a student? In what project? Were you successful? If not, why?===
  
−
Nope, didnt know about it before
+
This is my first time participating in the Google Summer of Code.
  
  
 
===Are you already involved with any open source development projects? If yes, please describe the project and the scope of your involvement.===
 
===Are you already involved with any open source development projects? If yes, please describe the project and the scope of your involvement.===
  
−
I was working on next projects:
+
Again, the Notepad++ project. I am not terribly involved, and have been tasked with fixing a few bugs. Just last night I fixed a problem with replacement involving regular expressions, where Notepad++ would get stuck in a loop and freeze. This change has not been committed.
−
- Transfomail (SMTP client for mobile platforms) - my own project. Long time ago took 4th place in local Nokia apps competition but was stopped long time ago.
 
−
- QMF-vkontakte - messaging plug-in for a big student (separated from university) project "MySocials" (crossplatform client of  popular social networks for Maemo 5/MeeGo platform) provided by Nokia - teamwork here, i was a simple coder with some easy design tasks.
 
−
- Mobile Battery Predictor - charge predictor (with graphs and other cool stuff) for Maemo 5/MeeGo. Here I was main designer and coder.
 
−
- VochMee - TV-shows program for mobile devices. On hold for now. Here I was main designer and coder also.
 
  
  
 
===Gaming experience - Are you a gamer?===
 
===Gaming experience - Are you a gamer?===
  
−
Yep, prefer to playing ladder (my elo is 1900+ for current moment) and wanna hope that i'm not the bad one
+
I am.
  
  
 
====What type of gamer are you?====
 
====What type of gamer are you?====
  
−
Grand strategy gamer.  
+
I'm a fairly casual gamer, enjoying several types of games. I try to have as much fun as possible, instead of focusing on winning. I will frequently go for 100% completion, though.
  
  
 
====What type of games?====
 
====What type of games?====
  
−
Wesnoth, Civilization 5, Europa Universalis 3, Crusader Kings 2 - the chess of XXI century. some RPG when my brain wants to take a rest.
+
I've played lots of puzzle games, and games which are relatively short in length. With games that are longer, I prefer ones that allow me to express some creativity. The last games I got heavily involved with are Minecraft and Terraria.
  
  
 
====What type of opponents do you prefer?====
 
====What type of opponents do you prefer?====
  
−
Wesnoth: In serious ladder games - the players with 1700+ elo. In all other the cases i dont really care - they just should not leave the game too early.
+
Assuming this means human opponents, I prefer ones that are friendly, and I gravitate towards games that have a higher concentration of these good-mannered types.
−
All other the games: I prefer to play offline.
 
  
  
 
====Are you more interested in story or gameplay?====
 
====Are you more interested in story or gameplay?====
  
−
Relatively Wesnoth gameplay is on the main place because of its uniqueness.  
+
Gameplay, simply because story is an exhaustible resource. I've definitely enjoyed games with rich story before, but always felt wanting when they end. A game with good gameplay has a mucher higher replay value for me.
  
  
 
====Have you played Wesnoth? If so, tell us roughly for how long and whether you lean towards single player or multiplayer.====
 
====Have you played Wesnoth? If so, tell us roughly for how long and whether you lean towards single player or multiplayer.====
  
−
Singleplayer experience is about 5 years when multiplayer about 1-2.
+
I've played Wesnoth before, which is why it stood out for me. I stayed within single player.
 +
 
 +
We do not plan to favor Wesnoth players as such, but some particular projects require a good feeling for the game which is hard to get without having played intensively.
  
  
 
===If you have contributed any patches to Wesnoth, please list them below. You can also list patches that have been submitted but not committed yet and patches that have not been specifically written for GSoC. If you have gained commit access to our SVN (during the evaluation period or earlier) please state so.===
 
===If you have contributed any patches to Wesnoth, please list them below. You can also list patches that have been submitted but not committed yet and patches that have not been specifically written for GSoC. If you have gained commit access to our SVN (during the evaluation period or earlier) please state so.===
  
−
No development activity until now. Until application period is not over i will try code one of the required patches
+
I've not.
  
  
Line 136: Line 110:
 
===Though most of our developers are not native English speakers, English is the project's working language. Describe your fluency level in written English.===
 
===Though most of our developers are not native English speakers, English is the project's working language. Describe your fluency level in written English.===
  
−
Seems like this questionnaire should already give an answer :) I think my level is avarege: less skils in grammar, more - in talks
+
English is my native language.
  
  
 
===What spoken languages are you fluent in?===
 
===What spoken languages are you fluent in?===
  
−
Russian and English. Also i understand almost all the slavs' languages (ukrainian, polish etc.)
+
English is the only language I speak.
  
  
 
===Are you good at interacting with other players? Our developer community is friendly, but the player community can be a bit rough.===
 
===Are you good at interacting with other players? Our developer community is friendly, but the player community can be a bit rough.===
  
−
Unlike the RNG, I am. Real life people from my country are much more rougher so wesnothian players are friendly enough for me anyway.
+
I certainly am. When around friendly people, I only respond in kind. When around anyone who seems less friendly, I tend to joke more, in a way I'm finding hard to explain. But it works.
  
  
 
===Do you give constructive advice?===
 
===Do you give constructive advice?===
  
−
If there is a need and the guy which this advices should be responsed is want to hear it
+
I only give constructive advice.
  
  
 
===Do you receive advice well?===
 
===Do you receive advice well?===
  
−
Depends on problem. In professional meaning - only from specialists or people whose really know something about this area. In all other the cases - again, depends on the problem and person.
+
I certainly do. If I don't understand the other person's view though, I prefer discussing the problem until I do.
  
  
 
===Are you good at sorting useful criticisms from useless ones?===
 
===Are you good at sorting useful criticisms from useless ones?===
  
−
Absolutely yes
+
Definitely. Useless criticisms seem pretty easy to spot.
  
  
 
===How autonomous are you when developing ? Would you rather discuss intensively changes and not start coding until you know what you want to do or would you rather code a proof of concept to "see how it turn out", taking the risk of having it thrown away if it doesn't match what the project want===
 
===How autonomous are you when developing ? Would you rather discuss intensively changes and not start coding until you know what you want to do or would you rather code a proof of concept to "see how it turn out", taking the risk of having it thrown away if it doesn't match what the project want===
  
−
Well, I want to see the mentor in manager's role. So when i would have the design plan, it should be approved by, same thing with all other the stages
+
This really depends on the problem. I prefer discussion if I've yet to come up with any idea that satisfies me. I will still do several proof of concepts if it takes a short time to code them though, so as to emphasize any problems I couldn't think of during conception.
  
  
Line 172: Line 146:
 
4.1) Did you select a project from our list? If that is the case, what project did you select? What do you want to especially concentrate on?
 
4.1) Did you select a project from our list? If that is the case, what project did you select? What do you want to especially concentrate on?
  
−
In this application - yes. AI's total defence strategy. I want to concentrate on "passive-playing" tactics.
+
I selected the 'Total Defense' AI project.
  
  
 
===If you have invented your own project, please describe the project and the scope.===
 
===If you have invented your own project, please describe the project and the scope.===
  
−
Lets call it "Line Defence Strategy". its relating to AI's strategies
+
Most projects I've worked on have been of my own invention. A majority of these are experiments though, and couldn't be considered a complete product on their own. I have heavily experimented with game concepts though, and am working on my own game now.
  
  
 
===Why did you choose this project?===
 
===Why did you choose this project?===
  
−
'cause i have a need in this :) and i'm sure that other players also have. Also, interesting task for brainwork - some math here.
+
It seems the most interesting. I don't like problems that have a straight-forward, perfect solution.
  
  
 
===Include an estimated timeline for your work on the project. Don't forget to mention special things like "I booked holidays between A and B" and "I got an exam at ABC and won't be doing much then".===
 
===Include an estimated timeline for your work on the project. Don't forget to mention special things like "I booked holidays between A and B" and "I got an exam at ABC and won't be doing much then".===
  
−
As my task is not designed yet there is no reason to plan something for "active coding" time. When
+
I'll likely be working on this during the Summer, since classes are starting to get busy. Since the problem seems so interesting though, I can invest a lot of time during this period.
−
everything would be designed by, there would be priorities and timeline for each priority.
 
  
  
 
===Include as much technical detail about your implementation as you can===
 
===Include as much technical detail about your implementation as you can===
  
−
C++ as a language, what can i add else? The main work would go on logics, not on the technical features
+
I'm not sure implementation is too important for this kind of project. I tend to develop algorithms in my head with a sort of pseudocode, and translate it into whatever language I need to.
  
  
 
===What do you expect to gain from this project?===
 
===What do you expect to gain from this project?===
  
−
Everything what it provides: knowledge, experience, fun and same stuff. Also, my idea would be useful for
+
Experience with AI. I'm not a complete stranger to it, but I certainly lean towards other areas of game design. Graphics, and gameplay, primarily.
−
me so i'm going to just improve Wesnoth in the i want to see. And sure, all the promotions like diploma and all oher the things that Google donates also would be a nice addition :)
 
  
  
 
===What would make you stay in the Wesnoth community after the conclusion of SOC?===
 
===What would make you stay in the Wesnoth community after the conclusion of SOC?===
  
−
I'm going to working serioulsy on unofficial wesnoth ladder, so it will be high priority. dont know about official Wesnoth - its all depend on time.
+
Since the the main idea of Wesnoth seems to be creating a interesting gameplay experience with the application of simple rules, I think coding for the AI will give me a greater appreciation of the strategy required to play. This will undoubtedly get me more interested.
  
  
Line 210: Line 182:
 
=== Are you familiar with any of the following tools or languages?===
 
=== Are you familiar with any of the following tools or languages?===
 
==== Subversion (used for all commits)====
 
==== Subversion (used for all commits)====
−
 
−
Yep, i know the basics, but use git.
 
−
 
  
 
====C++ (language used for all the normal source code)====
 
====C++ (language used for all the normal source code)====
−
 
−
Absolutely yes
 
−
 
  
 
====STL, Boost, Sdl (C++ libraries used by Wesnoth)====
 
====STL, Boost, Sdl (C++ libraries used by Wesnoth)====
−
 
−
SDL a bit
 
−
 
  
 
====Python (optional, mainly used for tools)====
 
====Python (optional, mainly used for tools)====
−
 
−
There is some experience but mostly for web apps
 
−
 
  
 
====build environments (eg cmake/scons)====
 
====build environments (eg cmake/scons)====
−
 
−
Yep
 
−
 
  
 
====WML (the wesnoth specific scenario language)====
 
====WML (the wesnoth specific scenario language)====
−
 
−
Not really
 
−
 
  
 
====Lua (used in combination with WML to create scenarios)====
 
====Lua (used in combination with WML to create scenarios)====
  
−
Nope
+
The order I know these best are C++, Python, and Lua. The rest I'd learn.
  
  
 
===Which tools do you normally use for development? Why do you use them?===
 
===Which tools do you normally use for development? Why do you use them?===
  
−
Qt Creator because of substitution :)
+
Really, anything that's available. I'm never afraid to learn how to use a new tool. If I have something I'm more comfortable with though, that's what I tend to default with. This is because I develop for myself. I'm currently most comfortable using Eclipse.
  
  
 
===What programming languages are you fluent in?===
 
===What programming languages are you fluent in?===
−
copy of 2.1:
+
Java, Haskell, Actionscript, C++, PHP, and HTML, and so forth.
−
 
 
−
Languages/frameworks (good knowledge): C++, Qt framework
 
−
Languages/frameworks (avarege knowledge/rare usage): C, Python (+Django framework), PHP
 
−
Languages/frameworks (low knowledge/basics): C#, Java
 
−
and all this html/css stuff also well known
 
  
  
 
===Would you mind talking with your mentor on telephone / internet phone? We would like to have a backup way for communications for the case that somehow emails and IRC do fail.===
 
===Would you mind talking with your mentor on telephone / internet phone? We would like to have a backup way for communications for the case that somehow emails and IRC do fail.===
  
−
why not, my skype is on!
+
(850) 417-9178 I don't mind talking at all, so long as it is closer to after 8 pm. (GMT -4:00)

Revision as of 04:44, 5 April 2012


This page is related to Summer of Code 2012
See the list of Summer of Code 2012 Ideas



This is a Summer of Code 2012 student page


Contents

Description

Geoffrey Hart - Maximizing Utility

A good offense is made by identifying an opponents vulnerabilities and exploiting them. As such, a good defense is made by reducing the number of weak spots. Since there is no perfect unit and all have their own imperfections, the idea is send them out in groups of units that compliment each others strengths and weaknesses. This will allow them to rearrange themselves in a way most suitable to handle nearby enemies. Since the number of predictive steps the AI can make is limited, it can become "surprised" rather easily. Therefore, it's a good choice to maximize utility and the ability to be flexible in order to handle these surprises. Then, within action-packed skirmishes, raw processing power can be brought to bear more effectively.

IRC

ghart2010

SoC Application

Submitted to Google

Questionnaire

Basics

Write a small introduction to yourself.

My name is Geoffrey Hart. I have interests based in math and computing, and history has shown I am very motivated when working with games, as they have problems which are naturally interesting. Also, I am very friendly, and love the friendly atmosphere of game development.


State your preferred email address.

ghart2010@my.fit.edu This is my student email.


If you have chosen a nick for IRC and Wesnoth forums, what is it?

ghart2010


Why do you want to participate in summer of code?

The experience mainly. Although I'd pursue my own projects during the summer, I find it all too easy to put those off. When the project is collaborative though, I'm much more productive, as a matter of pride.


What are you studying, subject, level and school?

I'm a sophomore attending Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Florida, currently pursuing a degree in Computer Science.


What country are you from, at what time are you most likely to be able to join IRC?

I'm from the US (GMT -4:00), and am most likely to be on later in the day, after 8 pm my time.


Do you have other commitments for the summer period ? Do you plan to take any vacations ? If yes, when.

I have no current commitments, and no plans for vacations. Therefore, I should be able to fully commit myself to the project, if chosen.


Experience

What programs/software have you worked on before?

The languages I've used most frequently are Java and C++. However, I have experience with several others (php, html, flash, haskell, to name a few) and can pick up new languages fairly well. The only "serious" program I've done work on to date was fixing some bugs in Notepad++; everything else I've done for fun, such as modding games.


Have you developed software in a team environment before? (As opposed to hacking on something on your own)

I'm currently part of a team working on fixing bugs in Notepad++. I am also part of another group trying to make our own game. It is early in the making, but I've already contributed to our sizable idea pool, coded our physics, made our art, and am planning out how to structure our data to best meet our needs.


Have you participated to the Google Summer of Code before? As a mentor or a student? In what project? Were you successful? If not, why?

This is my first time participating in the Google Summer of Code.


Are you already involved with any open source development projects? If yes, please describe the project and the scope of your involvement.

Again, the Notepad++ project. I am not terribly involved, and have been tasked with fixing a few bugs. Just last night I fixed a problem with replacement involving regular expressions, where Notepad++ would get stuck in a loop and freeze. This change has not been committed.


Gaming experience - Are you a gamer?

I am.


What type of gamer are you?

I'm a fairly casual gamer, enjoying several types of games. I try to have as much fun as possible, instead of focusing on winning. I will frequently go for 100% completion, though.


What type of games?

I've played lots of puzzle games, and games which are relatively short in length. With games that are longer, I prefer ones that allow me to express some creativity. The last games I got heavily involved with are Minecraft and Terraria.


What type of opponents do you prefer?

Assuming this means human opponents, I prefer ones that are friendly, and I gravitate towards games that have a higher concentration of these good-mannered types.


Are you more interested in story or gameplay?

Gameplay, simply because story is an exhaustible resource. I've definitely enjoyed games with rich story before, but always felt wanting when they end. A game with good gameplay has a mucher higher replay value for me.


Have you played Wesnoth? If so, tell us roughly for how long and whether you lean towards single player or multiplayer.

I've played Wesnoth before, which is why it stood out for me. I stayed within single player.

We do not plan to favor Wesnoth players as such, but some particular projects require a good feeling for the game which is hard to get without having played intensively.


If you have contributed any patches to Wesnoth, please list them below. You can also list patches that have been submitted but not committed yet and patches that have not been specifically written for GSoC. If you have gained commit access to our SVN (during the evaluation period or earlier) please state so.

I've not.


Communication skills

Though most of our developers are not native English speakers, English is the project's working language. Describe your fluency level in written English.

English is my native language.


What spoken languages are you fluent in?

English is the only language I speak.


Are you good at interacting with other players? Our developer community is friendly, but the player community can be a bit rough.

I certainly am. When around friendly people, I only respond in kind. When around anyone who seems less friendly, I tend to joke more, in a way I'm finding hard to explain. But it works.


Do you give constructive advice?

I only give constructive advice.


Do you receive advice well?

I certainly do. If I don't understand the other person's view though, I prefer discussing the problem until I do.


Are you good at sorting useful criticisms from useless ones?

Definitely. Useless criticisms seem pretty easy to spot.


How autonomous are you when developing ? Would you rather discuss intensively changes and not start coding until you know what you want to do or would you rather code a proof of concept to "see how it turn out", taking the risk of having it thrown away if it doesn't match what the project want

This really depends on the problem. I prefer discussion if I've yet to come up with any idea that satisfies me. I will still do several proof of concepts if it takes a short time to code them though, so as to emphasize any problems I couldn't think of during conception.


Project

4.1) Did you select a project from our list? If that is the case, what project did you select? What do you want to especially concentrate on?

I selected the 'Total Defense' AI project.


If you have invented your own project, please describe the project and the scope.

Most projects I've worked on have been of my own invention. A majority of these are experiments though, and couldn't be considered a complete product on their own. I have heavily experimented with game concepts though, and am working on my own game now.


Why did you choose this project?

It seems the most interesting. I don't like problems that have a straight-forward, perfect solution.


Include an estimated timeline for your work on the project. Don't forget to mention special things like "I booked holidays between A and B" and "I got an exam at ABC and won't be doing much then".

I'll likely be working on this during the Summer, since classes are starting to get busy. Since the problem seems so interesting though, I can invest a lot of time during this period.


Include as much technical detail about your implementation as you can

I'm not sure implementation is too important for this kind of project. I tend to develop algorithms in my head with a sort of pseudocode, and translate it into whatever language I need to.


What do you expect to gain from this project?

Experience with AI. I'm not a complete stranger to it, but I certainly lean towards other areas of game design. Graphics, and gameplay, primarily.


What would make you stay in the Wesnoth community after the conclusion of SOC?

Since the the main idea of Wesnoth seems to be creating a interesting gameplay experience with the application of simple rules, I think coding for the AI will give me a greater appreciation of the strategy required to play. This will undoubtedly get me more interested.


Practical considerations

Are you familiar with any of the following tools or languages?

Subversion (used for all commits)

C++ (language used for all the normal source code)

STL, Boost, Sdl (C++ libraries used by Wesnoth)

Python (optional, mainly used for tools)

build environments (eg cmake/scons)

WML (the wesnoth specific scenario language)

Lua (used in combination with WML to create scenarios)

The order I know these best are C++, Python, and Lua. The rest I'd learn.


Which tools do you normally use for development? Why do you use them?

Really, anything that's available. I'm never afraid to learn how to use a new tool. If I have something I'm more comfortable with though, that's what I tend to default with. This is because I develop for myself. I'm currently most comfortable using Eclipse.


What programming languages are you fluent in?

Java, Haskell, Actionscript, C++, PHP, and HTML, and so forth.


Would you mind talking with your mentor on telephone / internet phone? We would like to have a backup way for communications for the case that somehow emails and IRC do fail.

(850) 417-9178 I don't mind talking at all, so long as it is closer to after 8 pm. (GMT -4:00)

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