This page contains affiliate links. We may earn commissions when readers interact with or purchase items through these links. For more information, see our affiliate disclosures here.

Tournament Result Automation

Discuss the Heavy Metal War game, report bugs, challenge opponents, and talk some smack! Play the Heavy Metal War game here.

Tournament Result Automation

Postby Wingspan » Sun Nov 09, 2008 8:09 pm

Motto: "Death is not the end."
A few other threads have discussed the need to automate tournament results; that's something we can do on our side of the game and not just by the site developers. In the past (pre-crash) I worked out regular expressions would completely parse a Mission or Arena result so that if run by an automated piece of code the code could know (a) damage dealt per hit, (b) know weapon or tactic used, (c) capture stats of the bots at mission time, etc. In short the HTML Seibertron generates is done via PHP scripts so its possible (and frankly easy) to reverse engineer those results.

I share this for tournament organizers as an option to collect statistics; my personal limitation is in developing the processing code - but if co-volunteers could help I can provide workflow and the expressions. Collecting statistics / validating results could be done then by feeding a URL to a piece of automated software which rips out the necessary pieces of the HTML and knows how to make sense of the results.

So, if this conversation is worth pursuing, my first question would be "What combat results would be most useful to pick out?" Results will be determined by the processing code - but the expressions need to provide the needed data. For instance, automation to calculate 100%+ strafe takes some extra effort as it's not a single hit against a single target so it needs planned for. If the conversation is not worthwhile, I'll just return to slagging and being slagged.

Last Note: My planning / processing has been done entirely by using specific URLs out of respect for site performance. I would not feel it appropriate to do anything more (e.g. iterating over all missions between X and Y and tabulating results for characters in list Z) without site approval.
Omnis enim, qui mala agit, odit lucem et non venit ad lucem, ut non arguantur opera eius; qui autem facit veritatem, venit ad lucem, ut manifestentur eius opera, quia in Deo sunt facta. Translation

XBox 360: BrandedByFlame
User avatar
Wingspan
Gestalt Team Leader
Posts: 983
News Credits: 2
Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2005 12:12 am
Location: Empyrean

Re: Tournament Result Automation

Postby Tammuz » Sun Nov 09, 2008 8:53 pm

the majority of tournemants i've run have been based on mission numbers, whichever side wins the most number of even numbered missions or missions ending in 0, or 5 or a combinations, and generally go off who won the mission, so only 4 regex to parse, but the hard bit is going through all the bloody mission logs to check for that sentence.
Image
User avatar
Tammuz
Faction Commander
Posts: 4354
Joined: Fri Aug 01, 2003 4:49 pm

Re: Tournament Result Automation

Postby Hoistimus » Sun Nov 09, 2008 9:09 pm

Weapon: Twin Photon Blasters
Well, the reason we were doing missions that only ended in 0 or 5 (or in some cases even numbers) was to cut down in the amount of work done by the scorekeeper(s). If it was automated to check each mission for the results needed for the purpose of the tournament, then we would not be confined by the restriction we implemented before.
Image
TF Collection: It has come time to start looking to sell instead of buy, I'll be posting details in the b/s/t forum.
Hoistimus
Minibot
Posts: 193
News Credits: 1
Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2005 1:42 pm
Location: Prince Edward Island, Canada
Buy from Hoistimus on eBay
Strength: 9
Intelligence: 6
Speed: 5
Endurance: 8
Rank: 8
Courage: 8
Firepower: 7
Skill: 10

Re: Tournament Result Automation

Postby Dr. Caelus » Mon Nov 10, 2008 12:29 am

Hoistimus wrote:Well, the reason we were doing missions that only ended in 0 or 5 (or in some cases even numbers) was to cut down in the amount of work done by the scorekeeper(s).


It also added a bit of strategy to the game.

Of course, it also added a bit of frustration, when you could go 3hrs without getting a 0 or 5 mission. Less of an issue now with our narrow level range though.
Check out my books, Titanomachies and Divine Retribution, on my blog!
Dr. Caelus
Faction Commander
Posts: 4632
News Credits: 6
Joined: Tue Jun 24, 2003 10:32 pm
Location: Knoxville, TN

Re: Tournament Result Automation

Postby Psychout » Mon Nov 10, 2008 7:11 am

Motto: "This post clearly was meant to offend, and if you are affected by it in any way please close your browser and discuss it with someone who knows not to take the internet seriously."
Weapon: Black Magic
A way to automate tourneys so you could pick a mission type, number or even target faction is hypothetically possible, it has been done in the past for those who remember the '05/'06 xmas tourney, but it would a involve a lot of programmer-heavy work which we are currently trying to avoid, but thats not to say it wont ever be considered.

What would it need to look for, if it was automated though?
    Mission #id ranges and results (0&5's, odd/even, etc.)
    Player/team #id's and kills
    Individual bot #id's and kills
    Specific alt types or classes
    Highest scoring bot id#
    Mission winning faction
    Who kills Who
    Number of kills gained by character id#

...any others you guys can think of?



What Id prefer to do for now is recruit a couple of 'counters' from all 4 factions who would be willing to step in help the organiser score tourneys, and in return for their time be given a reward for their efforts (details can be determined, in the past it has been an alt attached to their profile.)
Image
“I like to think that my arrogance, impetuosity,
impatience, selfishness and greed are the qualities
that make me the lovable chap I am.”
Psychout
HMW Moderator
Posts: 9687
News Credits: 42
Joined: Tue Aug 17, 2004 7:04 am
Location: Vatican City
Alt Mode: Cassette. The 80s ROCKED
Strength: 1
Intelligence: 1
Speed: 1
Endurance: 1
Rank: 10
Courage: 1
Firepower: 1
Skill: 10

Re: Tournament Result Automation

Postby Tammuz » Mon Nov 10, 2008 7:14 am

could we add "who wins the mission" to that list psych?
Image
User avatar
Tammuz
Faction Commander
Posts: 4354
Joined: Fri Aug 01, 2003 4:49 pm

Re: Tournament Result Automation

Postby Psychout » Mon Nov 10, 2008 7:23 am

Motto: "This post clearly was meant to offend, and if you are affected by it in any way please close your browser and discuss it with someone who knows not to take the internet seriously."
Weapon: Black Magic
Yeah.

Edit: ive added
    Highest scoring bot id#
    Mission winning faction
    Who kills Who
    Number of kills gained by character id#
Image
“I like to think that my arrogance, impetuosity,
impatience, selfishness and greed are the qualities
that make me the lovable chap I am.”
Psychout
HMW Moderator
Posts: 9687
News Credits: 42
Joined: Tue Aug 17, 2004 7:04 am
Location: Vatican City
Alt Mode: Cassette. The 80s ROCKED
Strength: 1
Intelligence: 1
Speed: 1
Endurance: 1
Rank: 10
Courage: 1
Firepower: 1
Skill: 10

Re: Tournament Result Automation

Postby Psychout » Wed Nov 12, 2008 10:30 am

Motto: "This post clearly was meant to offend, and if you are affected by it in any way please close your browser and discuss it with someone who knows not to take the internet seriously."
Weapon: Black Magic
Wingspan, on a sidenote and using your idea above, would you be able to create something that could follow Caelus' Zombie plague idea here?
Image
“I like to think that my arrogance, impetuosity,
impatience, selfishness and greed are the qualities
that make me the lovable chap I am.”
Psychout
HMW Moderator
Posts: 9687
News Credits: 42
Joined: Tue Aug 17, 2004 7:04 am
Location: Vatican City
Alt Mode: Cassette. The 80s ROCKED
Strength: 1
Intelligence: 1
Speed: 1
Endurance: 1
Rank: 10
Courage: 1
Firepower: 1
Skill: 10

Re: Tournament Result Automation

Postby Wingspan » Wed Nov 12, 2008 12:51 pm

Motto: "Death is not the end."
Psychout wrote:Wingspan, on a sidenote and using your idea above, would you be able to create something that could follow Caelus' Zombie plague idea here?

You're just interested in last-character standing right? And that the characters are in enough missions so they are risking infection? If I understand the above then - Yes (short answer)

It requires processing each mission in order (by number) and tracking the results (who's infected / not infected) at the end; those results go into the processing of the next mission. The automation would have to specifically handle the repair check and would need to know what hits count (weapons, tactics, or all). Naturally, strafe is more interesting and more evil in this scenario - but feasible (long answer)

Key things needed up-front
- List of teams / characters participating (to ignore the rabble)
- Mission Start / End #s
- Schedule for when the community should be updated (daily, twice a day, etc....)
- What kind of "back end" we store all the data in (e.g. who wants to stand up a MySQL DB or do we really try and cludge Excel)
- Volunteer(s) to help with writing the HTML parsing and data processing
(consultant / geek answer)
Omnis enim, qui mala agit, odit lucem et non venit ad lucem, ut non arguantur opera eius; qui autem facit veritatem, venit ad lucem, ut manifestentur eius opera, quia in Deo sunt facta. Translation

XBox 360: BrandedByFlame
User avatar
Wingspan
Gestalt Team Leader
Posts: 983
News Credits: 2
Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2005 12:12 am
Location: Empyrean

Re: Tournament Result Automation

Postby Redimus » Fri Nov 14, 2008 12:34 pm

Motto: "Better than Michael Bay..."
Weapon: Null-Ray Rifle
Caelus wrote:
Hoistimus wrote:Well, the reason we were doing missions that only ended in 0 or 5 (or in some cases even numbers) was to cut down in the amount of work done by the scorekeeper(s).


It also added a bit of strategy to the game.


Yes, exactly.

All my recent tournies have been intentended to generate more strategic play (becuase it's far more fun for me as a player, so i asume it'd be the same of others), with (admitedly) only minor success.
The point still stands though, frankly if a tournie was run with every mission counting, the beast factions wouldnt stand a chance, and the Bots would probably be backside bothered by the Cons too.


-----------------------------------------------------

As for automated tournie results generating, Im personaly not a fan. The reason I run my tourniments and games is cuase I love gathering in the results and marking everyhting and putting nicly formated results tables up (I really miss HTML posts for that).

I wouldnt stand against it, but I wouldnt use it.
Image
Duly Appointed Representative in Chief of the Decpeticon Coprophage Accord.
Second class scavenger.
Better RED than DEAD!
Better still
RDD!
User avatar
Redimus
Guardian Of Seibertron
Posts: 5729
News Credits: 1
Joined: Mon Apr 25, 2005 5:44 am
Location: Neo Kaon, planing the domination of HMW:GD.
Strength: 6
Intelligence: 10
Speed: 6
Endurance: 7
Rank: 7
Courage: 8
Firepower: 6
Skill: 10


Return to Heavy Metal War Forum

Transformers and More @ The Seibertron Store

Visit our store on eBay
These are affiliate links. We may earn commissions when you purchase items or services through these links.
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "SS-118 OPTIMUS PRIMAL Transformers Studio Series Leader Rise Beasts ROTB Takara"
NEW!
SS-118 OPTIMUS PRI ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "BUMBLEBEE Transformers Studio Series 100 Deluxe ROTB Rise Beasts Hasbro 2023 New"
BUMBLEBEE Transfor ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "CORONATION STARSCREAM Transformers Studio Series 86-12 Leader 2022 King 220907A"
CORONATION STARSCR ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "N.E.S.T. BONECRUSHER Transformers Studio Series 95 Buzzworthy Bumblebee Voyager"
N.E.S.T. BONECRUSH ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "FRENZY (RED) Transformers Studio Series 86 SS-115 Core Takara Tomy 2024 New"
NEW!
FRENZY (RED) Trans ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "NOVAKANE Transformers Studio Series Core Class Terrorcon Hasbro 2023 New"
NEW!
NOVAKANE Transform ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "WHEELIE Transformers Studio Series 86 Core Class Hasbro 2022 New"
WHEELIE Transforme ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "BARRICADE Transformers Studio Series Gamer Edition +02 Deluxe WFC 2023 New"
BARRICADE Transfor ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "NOAH DIAZ EXO-SUIT Transformers Studio Series Core Class DÍAZ Hasbro 2023 New"
NEW!
NOAH DIAZ EXO-SUIT ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "BRAWN Transformers Studio Series 80 Deluxe Bumblebee Hasbro 2022 New"
BRAWN Transformers ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "KUP Transformers Studio Series 86-02 Animated Movie Deluxe Hasbro 2021 New"
KUP Transformers S ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "THE FALLEN Transformers Studio Series 91 Revenge of ROTF Leader Hasbro 2022 New"
THE FALLEN Transfo ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "BUMBLEBEE Transformers Studio Series Gamer Edition +01 Deluxe WFC 2023 New"
BUMBLEBEE Transfor ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "MEGATRON Transformers Studio Series Gamer Edition +04 Voyager WFC IN-STOCK 08/08"
MEGATRON Transform ...
* Price and quantities subject to change. Shipping costs, taxes and other fees not included in cost shown. Refer to listing for current price and availability.
Find the items above and thousands more at the Seibertron Store on eBay
Transformers Podcast: Twincast / Podcast #346 - Gas Station Jamboree
Twincast / Podcast #346:
"Gas Station Jamboree"
MP3 · iTunes · RSS · View · Discuss · Ask
Posted: Saturday, March 23rd, 2024

Featured Products on Amazon.com

These are affiliate links. We may earn commissions when you purchase items or services through these links.
Buy "Transformers: Generations Power of The Primes Legends Class Roadtrap" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Authentics Grimlock Action Figure" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers: Generations Power of The Primes Leader Evolution Rodimus Prime" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Deluxe 20 Mercenary Action Figure" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers: Generations Power of The Primes Leader Evolution Rodimus Unicronus" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers: Generations Power of the Primes Titan Class Predaking" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers: Bumblebee -- Energon Igniters Nitro Series Optimus Prime" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Studio Series Number 14 Voyager Class Autobot Ironhide" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Generations Titans Return Titan Master Skytread" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Legends Class Chop Shop Figure" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Deluxe Class Protectobot First Aid Figure" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers: Generations Titans Return Legends Class Autobot Cosmos" on AMAZON