[Brad]

FWIW, here's what 20 TNT and 11 chests will look like, roughly, using one seed from my new randomizing plotter:



Red blocks are TNT. White blocks are chests.

Do you think that's too many of either? Not enough?

[Bryson]

I think it's a bit heavily weighted towards one end. Can we fix that?

But hang on - you aren't going to bury the blocks entirely? ie: so you can't even tell where there is or isn't a block? I thought the idea was to keep it 1 layer deep but put an extra block above each one (so the floor isn't completely smooth). Otherwise we may be a while.

[Maciej]

I think we should bury lava, so that is a person is digging straight down by accident they might fall in... muahahahah

[Brad]

Originally Posted by Bryson I think it's a bit heavily weighted towards one end. Can we fix that?

It's truly random. Well, as "random" as computers can get. That seed just happened to be weighted to one end. Here are a few others:



My algorithm seeks only to be random, not attempting for any sort of even distribution.

I see what you mean about the blocks being buried. So, the idea is to dig once, plant, and set a block of sand immediately over top of the goods?

[Bryson]

That was my thought yes.

I think iterating the random generator a few times until you get one that looks kind of even would be a good idea. The second and fourth one in your examples look ok. I just don't want anyone to feel like the "deck was stacked against them".

[Brad]

I'm having too much fun figuring out the pygame framework! I got images working! As this rate, I might not lay a single block tonight, but at least I'll have a good plan for tomorrow night.



I do see your point. I'll likely run a few cycles, pick an even distribution, and adjust it as I see fit.

[drewprops]

What about 1-ups?

[Brad]

Now that's an idea. A chest or two with a golden apple, perhaps? A golden apple refills your whole life meter.

[Maciej]

This is going to be awesome!

[Kraetos]

I was thinking we would place the blocks above ground and place the sand around them, so it would make the arena somewhat maze-like with blocks stacked 2 or 3 high.

It would also mean you would pick up sand while playing, which could be used creatively...

Also, food in chests? Just a thought. Or a golden apple.

And definitely cake in the middle. On a gold block.

[billybobsky]

I like the flat surface idea -- two deep sand.

It just makes more sense... Also: tnt is going to be found to be a bad idea as setting off one will cascade the entirety of the rest (or most).

[drewprops]

Who's making odds on this and who's your escrow agent?

[Maciej]

American Gladiators?

[billybobsky]

Originally Posted by Brad I do see your point. I'll likely run a few cycles, pick an even distribution, and adjust it as I see fit.

I don't know the pygame modules, but wouldn't it possible to force the distribution to become more even at every generation, by eliminating a certain region of the map surrounding already placed items from contention for the placement of the next item?

[Kraetos]

So we bury the items?

That makes the items a lot harder to find, and it makes it much easier to find your opponent. Which means there would be less item use. We should try it both ways.

[Bryson]

I see the point about TNT: maybe we should make it 11 of each to reduce the likelyhood of chain reaction?

I wonder if a bucket of water would be a good idea as a countermeasure to the bucket of lava?

[Brad]

Originally Posted by billybobsky I don't know the pygame modules, but wouldn't it possible to force the distribution to become more even at every generation, by eliminating a certain region of the map surrounding already placed items from contention for the placement of the next item?

I'm just using pygame for drawing. The distribution is literally just picking random coordinates and making sure there's not already something assigned to them.

That said, I tweaked the code to enforce a clear radius around each item to try to get a more even distribution. Here's a sample run with the reduced TNT count of 10 plus a water bucket.

edit: removed

Does that sort of arrangement look more fair?

[Brad]

Whoops! Forgot the golden apple. Here's another...

[Bryson]

Looks good. The spacing means that a TNT chain reaction is less likely.

How about a compromise: if we make the floor 2 deep so it's level, but cover over the items with gravel (as Kraetos originally suggested) so the locations are visible.

[Brad]

Sounds good! I'll start laying the second level of sand.

[Kraetos]

More TNT!

[Bryson]

Chain reaction danger! What's the blast radius in air of TNT?

Shame: I would have made the floor deeper, but now it would require rebuilding the whole arena - and with it being obsidian that would be a real grind.

[Brad]

Originally Posted by Bryson Chain reaction danger! What's the blast radius in air of TNT?

It depends on the resistance of the materials in its path. In open air, the blast can knock out a torch 7 blocks away. In stone, it can only tear through one layer. I'm not sure about sand; I'll have to test that.

It seems likely the glass around the arena floor will get blown out by some of the explosions, at least.

[Kraetos]

I'll be online for a while if anyone wants to have the inaugural deathmatch.

[Brad]

The arena field has been planted! I tried for an distribution. Some items will inevitably be slightly lopsided since, for example, there's only one golden apple, but the TNT and other items are generally even.

Who is up for the inaugural deathmatch other than Kraetos? I'm disqualified since I know where the items are, but everyone else should be game. Shall we kick off the game at, say, midnight ET tonight?

[Maciej]

Those 8 spots on the server will be coveted tonight.

[Elysium]

Sweet.

I'll be on later giving the new hackintosh a run through it's paces. I can only imagine the step up performance wise is versus the MBP.

[Bryson]

Looking good! I don't think I'll be able to participate tonight: too many real-world obligations, sadly.

I saw earlier that the project completion fairy finished the North stand and the glass roof over the VIP bar. Thanks!

Hope the Arena lives up to expectations. Video required!

[Foj]

Originally Posted by Bryson Hope the Arena lives up to expectations. Video required!

I would love to see some highlights, too.

Have fun.

[709]

Originally Posted by Maciej Those 8 spots on the server will be coveted tonight.

If minecraft.net doesn't get its shit together no one will be able to log in to be there anyways.