Page 279 - The Ultimate Palm Robot

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Bots / The Ultimate Palm Robot/ Mukhar & Johnson / 222880-6 / Chapter 10

262 The Ultimate Palm Robot

Iron Strategy

Some of the best strategy games have involved programming virtual robots.
Another entry in this long and distinguished lineage is Iron Strategy, which,
while not groundbreaking in any fundamental way, is a fun way to pass the
time with a friend. With each of you controlling a side, you take turns maneu-
vering robots into position to defeat the other side. Each robot in your small
army can move a limited number of spaces, fire a weapon, or perform some
other action such as effect repairs to another unit.

There’s a real sense of strategy in the game, since you need to eliminate all of
the other robots or blow up the enemy base, all without sacrificing your own re-
sources. Most robots are limited to just two or three squares of movement in
each turn, and since the game is turn-based, you don’t know exactly what your
opponent will do based on your own movements. The downside? You can’t
play against the computer, so it’s fun only if you play against someone else.

On the PC
In addition to all of the robot-oriented apps on the Palm, you can take part in
robot goodness on your desktop computer as well. Depending upon how
much of a programmer you liken yourself to be, you might want to try either
AT-Robots 3 or MindRover.

AT-Robots3
AT-Robots3isaWindowsapplicationthatletsyoudesign,build,andbattlevirtual
robots based on a simplified version of assembly language. Interested? You can
find the program (it’s free) at the author’s web page, www.nw.fmph.uniba.sk/
~9bartelt, or from Dave’s web site at www.bydavejohnson.com.

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Monday, May 12, 2003 1:22:35 PM