Robocode: using games to teach artificial intelligence

Abstract

This paper describes a game called Robocode that allows the development of virtual robots using the Java language. By incorporating an enjoyable game into an artificial intelligence class and providing students with tools for developing practical versions of the algorithms discussed in class, the students should be able to better appreciate the theory and develop greater confidence in their understanding of it. KEEPING CLASSES INTERESTING Small academic programs are often concerned with issues of student retention. Many such programs would like to encourage students enrolled in a freshman class to consider extending that class into a major. At the other end of the major, professors would like to encourage students to enroll in courses that are interesting to teach. Professors teaching seniorlevel courses, especially those not explicitly required by students ' degree plans, may have to wait until the last minute to discover whether the course will have enough students. Many modern computer science students consider whether a course will have practical benefit for them and often do not appreciate the benefits of a theoretical framework on which to build greater