Save the last bullet for yourself

Question

The contest is now over. Coward is the winner. You can watch the last match here.

Suddenly zombies appear! OH NOES!

In this king-of-the-hill challenge, you must create a bot to survive the zombie apocalypse. Or at least, hold out for as long as possible.

At the start of the game, 50 instances of each entry will be placed randomly in a large toroidal play area - that is, it appears to be square, but wraps around. The size of the play area will vary depending on the number of entries, but initially 6% of squares will be occupied. Each competitor starts with 3 bullets.

At the beginning of each turn, a zombie will rise from the ground at a random location, destroying whatever was above it. Any player who is next to a zombie at the start of their turn will become a zombie.

For each living player, their code will then be called. It will receive a PlayerContext object, containing information on their current status, and their surroundings. Each player can see for 8 squares in any direction.

The player must choose to either move (staying still is a valid movement), by returning a Move, or shoot a nearby person or zombie, by returning a Shoot. Your gun has a maximum range of 5 squares. Since you are within your gun's range you can shoot yourself, provided you have bullets left. If two players shoot each other, they both die.

If two players attempt to move onto the same square, they will fail, and will both return to the square they started from. If there are still conflicts, this will be repeated until there are no conflicts, which may mean everyone is back where they started.

If a player dies from a gunshot, their dead body will remain, and forms a permanent barrier. Any bullets they were carrying remain on their person, and can be scavenged by players in adjacent squares. If there are multiple players occupying the squares adjacent to a dead body, then the bullets will be shared between them, but any remainder will be lost.

If a player becomes a zombie, then their bullets are lost. Zombies will mindlessly walk towards the nearest living player.

Entries are scored on how long their longest-surviving player survives.

Entries

A control program is available at https://github.com/jamespic/zombies. Simply clone it, and run mvn compile exec:java.

To be eligible, entries must be written in a JVM language, must be portable, and must be possible to build from Maven with no special set-up. This is to ensure that competitors do not need to install multiple run-time environments to test their bots against competitors.

Sample entries are currently available in the following languages:

• Java 7 - see also a more complex example, and the code for zombies
• Scala 2.11.1
• Javascript (via Rhino)
• Python (via Jython 2.7 beta 2)
• Ruby (via JRuby 1.7.13)
• Clojure 1.5.1
• Frege (a bit like Haskell - here's another example)

If you would like to compete in a language that is not listed, you can post a comment requesting it, and I will investigate the possibility of integrating your chosen language into the control program. Or, if you are impatient, you can submit a pull request to the control program.

Only one instance (in the Java sense of the word) will be created for each entry. This Java instance will be called multiple times per turn - once for each surviving player.

API

package zombie

// You implement this. Your entry should be in package `player`
interface Player {
    Action doTurn(PlayerContext context)
}

// These already exist
class PlayerContext {
    // A square array, showing the area around you, with you at the centre
    // playFields is indexed by x from West to East, then y from North to South
    PlayerId[][] getPlayField()
    int getBullets() // Current bullets available
    int getGameClock() // Current turn number
    PlayerId getId() // Id of the current player instance
    int getX() // Your current x co-ordinate
    int getY() // Your current y co-ordinate
    int getBoardSize() // The size of the current playing field
    Set<PlayerId> shootablePlayers() // A helper function that identifies players in range.
}

class PlayerId {
    String getName() // The name of the entrant that owns this player
    int getNumber() // A unique number, assigned to this player
}

// Don't implement this. Use either `Move` or `Shoot`
interface Action {}

enum Move implements Action {
    NORTHWEST, NORTH, NORTHEAST,
    EAST, STAY, WEST,
    SOUTHEAST, SOUTH, SOUTHWEST;
    static move randomMove();
}

class Shoot implements Action {
    Shoot(PlayerId target);
}

Additional Rules

Each entry must have a unique name, in order to work correctly with the control program.

Entries should not attempt to tamper with other entrants, or with the control program, or otherwise take advantage of the run-time environment to "break the fourth wall", and gain an advantage that would not be available in a "real" zombie apocalypse.

Communication between players is allowed.

The winner is the entrant whose bot has the highest score in a test I will run on the 3rd of August 2014.

Final Results

The final results are in! Coward is the winner!

On 2nd August, I ran 19 rounds of the control program, and ranked each player according to their median score. The results were as follows:

Coward: 4298
Fox: 3214
Shotguneer: 2471
Cocoon: 1834
JohnNash: 1240
HuddleWolf: 1112
Sokie: 1090
SOS: 859
GordonFreeman: 657
Jack: 657
Waller: 366
SuperCoward: 269
MoveRandomly: 259
StandStill: 230
Vortigaunt: 226
ThePriest: 223
Bee: 61
HideyTwitchy: 52
ZombieHater: 31
Gunner: 20
ZombieRightsActivist: 16
SunTzu: 11
EmoWolfWithAGun: 0

The last round is available to watch here.

Run-by-run results

The individual results of each of the 19 runs were:

#Run at 03-Aug-2014 14:45:35#
Bee: 21
Cocoon: 899
Coward: 4608
EmoWolfWithAGun: 0
Fox: 3993
GordonFreeman: 582
Gunner: 18
HideyTwitchy: 37
HuddleWolf: 2836
Jack: 839
JohnNash: 956
MoveRandomly: 310
SOS: 842
Shotguneer: 2943
Sokie: 937
StandStill: 250
SunTzu: 3
SuperCoward: 318
ThePriest: 224
Vortigaunt: 226
Waller: 258
ZombieHater: 41
ZombieRightsActivist: 10

#Run at 03-Aug-2014 14:56:48#
Bee: 97
Cocoon: 3073
Coward: 5699
EmoWolfWithAGun: 0
Fox: 4305
GordonFreeman: 1252
Gunner: 24
HideyTwitchy: 25
HuddleWolf: 3192
Jack: 83
JohnNash: 1195
MoveRandomly: 219
SOS: 884
Shotguneer: 3751
Sokie: 1234
StandStill: 194
SunTzu: 69
SuperCoward: 277
ThePriest: 884
Vortigaunt: 564
Waller: 1281
ZombieHater: 10
ZombieRightsActivist: 2

#Run at 03-Aug-2014 15:01:37#
Bee: 39
Cocoon: 2512
Coward: 2526
EmoWolfWithAGun: 0
Fox: 2687
GordonFreeman: 852
Gunner: 21
HideyTwitchy: 91
HuddleWolf: 1112
Jack: 1657
JohnNash: 944
MoveRandomly: 312
SOS: 660
Shotguneer: 1067
Sokie: 1356
StandStill: 169
SunTzu: 8
SuperCoward: 351
ThePriest: 223
Vortigaunt: 341
Waller: 166
ZombieHater: 25
ZombieRightsActivist: 47

#Run at 03-Aug-2014 15:08:27#
Bee: 27
Cocoon: 2026
Coward: 3278
EmoWolfWithAGun: 0
Fox: 2677
GordonFreeman: 611
Gunner: 16
HideyTwitchy: 11
HuddleWolf: 1694
Jack: 600
JohnNash: 1194
MoveRandomly: 48
SOS: 751
Shotguneer: 5907
Sokie: 1233
StandStill: 62
SunTzu: 9
SuperCoward: 252
ThePriest: 173
Vortigaunt: 107
Waller: 276
ZombieHater: 53
ZombieRightsActivist: 38

#Run at 03-Aug-2014 15:14:01#
Bee: 26
Cocoon: 1371
Coward: 5121
EmoWolfWithAGun: 0
Fox: 3878
GordonFreeman: 464
Gunner: 29
HideyTwitchy: 130
HuddleWolf: 955
Jack: 101
JohnNash: 698
MoveRandomly: 269
SOS: 1314
Shotguneer: 2444
Sokie: 3217
StandStill: 233
SunTzu: 10
SuperCoward: 269
ThePriest: 318
Vortigaunt: 266
Waller: 494
ZombieHater: 49
ZombieRightsActivist: 9

#Run at 03-Aug-2014 15:19:43#
Bee: 25
Cocoon: 2098
Coward: 4855
EmoWolfWithAGun: 0
Fox: 4081
GordonFreeman: 227
Gunner: 43
HideyTwitchy: 28
HuddleWolf: 2149
Jack: 1887
JohnNash: 1457
MoveRandomly: 117
SOS: 1068
Shotguneer: 4272
Sokie: 636
StandStill: 53
SunTzu: 9
SuperCoward: 209
ThePriest: 220
Vortigaunt: 227
Waller: 366
ZombieHater: 19
ZombieRightsActivist: 49

#Run at 03-Aug-2014 15:24:03#
Bee: 46
Cocoon: 682
Coward: 3588
EmoWolfWithAGun: 0
Fox: 4169
GordonFreeman: 764
Gunner: 13
HideyTwitchy: 21
HuddleWolf: 842
Jack: 1720
JohnNash: 1260
MoveRandomly: 259
SOS: 636
Shotguneer: 777
Sokie: 586
StandStill: 75
SunTzu: 6
SuperCoward: 390
ThePriest: 189
Vortigaunt: 208
Waller: 334
ZombieHater: 61
ZombieRightsActivist: 20

#Run at 03-Aug-2014 15:29:49#
Bee: 90
Cocoon: 516
Coward: 4298
EmoWolfWithAGun: 0
Fox: 1076
GordonFreeman: 581
Gunner: 8
HideyTwitchy: 87
HuddleWolf: 4298
Jack: 4715
JohnNash: 727
MoveRandomly: 102
SOS: 859
Shotguneer: 2471
Sokie: 2471
StandStill: 427
SunTzu: 24
SuperCoward: 159
ThePriest: 359
Vortigaunt: 94
Waller: 398
ZombieHater: 54
ZombieRightsActivist: 21

#Run at 03-Aug-2014 15:36:50#
Bee: 18
Cocoon: 3127
Coward: 3124
EmoWolfWithAGun: 0
Fox: 5094
GordonFreeman: 255
Gunner: 43
HideyTwitchy: 17
HuddleWolf: 1078
Jack: 272
JohnNash: 1270
MoveRandomly: 55
SOS: 723
Shotguneer: 3126
Sokie: 1388
StandStill: 179
SunTzu: 7
SuperCoward: 45
ThePriest: 519
Vortigaunt: 172
Waller: 200
ZombieHater: 45
ZombieRightsActivist: 8

#Run at 03-Aug-2014 15:40:59#
Bee: 78
Cocoon: 1834
Coward: 4521
EmoWolfWithAGun: 0
Fox: 1852
GordonFreeman: 657
Gunner: 7
HideyTwitchy: 2
HuddleWolf: 969
Jack: 895
JohnNash: 1596
MoveRandomly: 277
SOS: 694
Shotguneer: 1397
Sokie: 844
StandStill: 325
SunTzu: 7
SuperCoward: 192
ThePriest: 148
Vortigaunt: 369
Waller: 232
ZombieHater: 16
ZombieRightsActivist: 17

#Run at 03-Aug-2014 15:44:22#
Bee: 23
Cocoon: 2638
Coward: 2269
EmoWolfWithAGun: 0
Fox: 2067
GordonFreeman: 730
Gunner: 21
HideyTwitchy: 60
HuddleWolf: 763
Jack: 1469
JohnNash: 1494
MoveRandomly: 273
SOS: 3181
Shotguneer: 3181
Sokie: 653
StandStill: 450
SunTzu: 19
SuperCoward: 272
ThePriest: 215
Vortigaunt: 299
Waller: 510
ZombieHater: 62
ZombieRightsActivist: 16

#Run at 03-Aug-2014 15:48:03#
Bee: 97
Cocoon: 2009
Coward: 2798
EmoWolfWithAGun: 0
Fox: 1907
GordonFreeman: 958
Gunner: 22
HideyTwitchy: 93
HuddleWolf: 925
Jack: 288
JohnNash: 476
MoveRandomly: 422
SOS: 3723
Shotguneer: 2076
Sokie: 1090
StandStill: 134
SunTzu: 92
SuperCoward: 141
ThePriest: 470
Vortigaunt: 216
Waller: 340
ZombieHater: 32
ZombieRightsActivist: 20

#Run at 03-Aug-2014 16:03:38#
Bee: 121
Cocoon: 501
Coward: 9704
EmoWolfWithAGun: 0
Fox: 3592
GordonFreeman: 588
Gunner: 20
HideyTwitchy: 54
HuddleWolf: 749
Jack: 1245
JohnNash: 1345
MoveRandomly: 451
SOS: 835
Shotguneer: 1548
Sokie: 589
StandStill: 166
SunTzu: 11
SuperCoward: 158
ThePriest: 93
Vortigaunt: 246
Waller: 1350
ZombieHater: 18
ZombieRightsActivist: 11

#Run at 03-Aug-2014 16:10:24#
Bee: 66
Cocoon: 1809
Coward: 3295
EmoWolfWithAGun: 0
Fox: 3214
GordonFreeman: 1182
Gunner: 15
HideyTwitchy: 52
HuddleWolf: 1514
Jack: 101
JohnNash: 745
MoveRandomly: 211
SOS: 862
Shotguneer: 6335
Sokie: 1504
StandStill: 384
SunTzu: 14
SuperCoward: 259
ThePriest: 244
Vortigaunt: 262
Waller: 1356
ZombieHater: 24
ZombieRightsActivist: 20

#Run at 03-Aug-2014 16:28:05#
Bee: 61
Cocoon: 692
Coward: 11141
EmoWolfWithAGun: 0
Fox: 1955
GordonFreeman: 1234
Gunner: 42
HideyTwitchy: 24
HuddleWolf: 1862
Jack: 609
JohnNash: 1579
MoveRandomly: 167
SOS: 958
Shotguneer: 11141
Sokie: 284
StandStill: 422
SunTzu: 66
SuperCoward: 121
ThePriest: 207
Vortigaunt: 128
Waller: 259
ZombieHater: 22
ZombieRightsActivist: 7

#Run at 03-Aug-2014 16:32:10#
Bee: 207
Cocoon: 4414
Coward: 2670
EmoWolfWithAGun: 0
Fox: 978
GordonFreeman: 620
Gunner: 19
HideyTwitchy: 135
HuddleWolf: 962
Jack: 657
JohnNash: 1200
MoveRandomly: 147
SOS: 687
Shotguneer: 2258
Sokie: 2433
StandStill: 249
SunTzu: 49
SuperCoward: 1056
ThePriest: 602
Vortigaunt: 326
Waller: 593
ZombieHater: 31
ZombieRightsActivist: 10

#Run at 03-Aug-2014 16:38:56#
Bee: 265
Cocoon: 2231
Coward: 4228
EmoWolfWithAGun: 0
Fox: 4737
GordonFreeman: 532
Gunner: 9
HideyTwitchy: 75
HuddleWolf: 2375
Jack: 1237
JohnNash: 1249
MoveRandomly: 109
SOS: 860
Shotguneer: 6470
Sokie: 1096
StandStill: 126
SunTzu: 15
SuperCoward: 393
ThePriest: 133
Vortigaunt: 184
Waller: 257
ZombieHater: 32
ZombieRightsActivist: 12

#Run at 03-Aug-2014 16:52:16#
Bee: 67
Cocoon: 1534
Coward: 9324
EmoWolfWithAGun: 0
Fox: 2458
GordonFreeman: 1019
Gunner: 24
HideyTwitchy: 72
HuddleWolf: 601
Jack: 399
JohnNash: 1366
MoveRandomly: 275
SOS: 506
Shotguneer: 1007
Sokie: 475
StandStill: 230
SunTzu: 135
SuperCoward: 361
ThePriest: 61
Vortigaunt: 112
Waller: 4106
ZombieHater: 12
ZombieRightsActivist: 22

#Run at 03-Aug-2014 17:03:04#
Bee: 26
Cocoon: 1159
Coward: 7796
EmoWolfWithAGun: 0
Fox: 3948
GordonFreeman: 878
Gunner: 3
HideyTwitchy: 17
HuddleWolf: 1490
Jack: 513
JohnNash: 1240
MoveRandomly: 487
SOS: 1460
Shotguneer: 1481
Sokie: 832
StandStill: 457
SunTzu: 8
SuperCoward: 480
ThePriest: 527
Vortigaunt: 171
Waller: 3729
ZombieHater: 30
ZombieRightsActivist: 10

Answer 1

Emo Wolf With A Gun

He's back. He hates zombies. He still hates Java. No copyright infringement intended.

package player;

import zombie.*;

public class EmoWolfWithAGun implements Player {

    @Override
    public Action doTurn(PlayerContext context) {
        PlayerId myself = context.getId();
        return new Shoot(myself);
    }

}

Answer 2

Coward

The rules of cowardice.

1. If you cant run away, panic and shoot everything you don't know.
2. Run!!!
3. When running, you might aswell pick up some bullets. Deep down you know you cant run forever.
4. When running, seek other cowards. Misery loves company. And they might eat the other guy first.

package player;

import java.lang.Math.*;
import java.util.Set;
import java.util.HashSet;
import zombie.*;
import static zombie.Constants.*;

public class Coward implements Player {

    private static final Set<PlayerId> killed = new HashSet<>();
    private static final Set<PlayerId> looted = new HashSet<>();

    @Override
    public Action doTurn(PlayerContext context) {

        PlayerId[][] field = context.getPlayField();

        // Panic and shoot
        if (context.getBullets() > 0) {
            int distEnemy = VISION_WIDTH;
            int distZombie = VISION_WIDTH;
            PlayerId targetEnemy = null;
            PlayerId targetZombie = null;
            for (int x = CENTRE_OF_VISION - SHOOT_RANGE; x <= CENTRE_OF_VISION + SHOOT_RANGE; x++) {
                for (int y = CENTRE_OF_VISION - SHOOT_RANGE; y <= CENTRE_OF_VISION + SHOOT_RANGE; y++) {
                    PlayerId player = field[x][y];
                    if (player != null && !killed.contains(player)) {
                        int dist = getDistance(x, y);
                        if (player.getName().equals("Zombie")) {
                            if( dist < distZombie ) {
                                distZombie = dist;
                                targetZombie = player;
                            }
                        } else if (isEnemy(player.getName()) && dist <= distEnemy ) {
                            distEnemy = dist;
                            targetEnemy = field[x][y];
                        }
                    }
                }
            }

            if (targetZombie != null && distZombie <= 3) {
                killed.add(targetZombie);
                return new Shoot( targetZombie );
            } else if (targetEnemy != null && distEnemy <= 5 ) {
                killed.add(targetEnemy);
                return new Shoot( targetEnemy );
            }
        }

        // Looted?
        for( int xx = CENTRE_OF_VISION-VISION_RANGE+1; xx <= CENTRE_OF_VISION+VISION_RANGE-1; xx++ ) {
            for( int yy = CENTRE_OF_VISION-VISION_RANGE+1; yy <= CENTRE_OF_VISION+VISION_RANGE-1; yy++ ) {
                PlayerId player = field[xx][yy];
                if( player != null && !player.getName().equals("Zombie") && !player.getName().equals("DeadBody")) {
                    for( int x = -1; x <= 1; x++ ) {
                        for( int y = -1; y <= 1; y++ ) {
                            PlayerId loot = field[xx+x][yy+y];
                            if( loot != null && !looted.contains(loot) && loot.getName().equals("DeadBody")) {
                                looted.add(loot);
                            }
                        }
                    }
                }
            }
        }

        // Run away
        int bestScore = -10000000;
        Move bestMove = Move.randomMove();

        for( int x = -1; x <= 1; x++ ) {
            for( int y = -1; y <= 1; y++ ) {
                PlayerId center = field[CENTRE_OF_VISION+x][CENTRE_OF_VISION+y];
                if( center == null ) {
                    int thisScore = 0;
                    for( int xx = CENTRE_OF_VISION+x-VISION_RANGE+1; xx < CENTRE_OF_VISION+x+VISION_RANGE; xx++ ) {
                        for( int yy = CENTRE_OF_VISION+y-VISION_RANGE+1; yy < CENTRE_OF_VISION+y+VISION_RANGE; yy++ ) {
                            PlayerId player = field[xx][yy];
                            if( player != null) {
                                int dist = getDistance(xx-x,yy-y);

                                if( player.getName().equals("Coward")) { // Prefer lose groups
                                    thisScore += (int)Math.pow( 2, ( 6 - Math.abs( dist - 5 )));
//                                    if( dist >= 3 && dist <= 6 ) {
//                                        thisScore += 32;
//                                    } else if( dist > 3 ) {
//                                        thisScore += 16;
//                                    }
                                } else if( player.getName().equals("DeadBody")) { // Visit dead bodies on the route
                                    if( !looted.contains(player)) {
                                        thisScore += (32+VISION_RANGE-dist)*(VISION_RANGE-dist);
                                    }
                                } else if( player.getName().equals("Zombie")) { // Avoid zombies
                                    if( dist <= 5 ) {
                                        thisScore -= (int)Math.pow( 10, ( 6 - dist ));
                                    }
//                                    if( dist <= 2 ) {
//                                        thisScore -= 10000;
//                                    } else if( dist <= 3 ) {
//                                        thisScore -= 1000;
//                                    } else if( dist <= 4 ) {
//                                        thisScore -= 100;
//                                    }
                                } else if( isEnemy(player.getName())) { // Avoid strangers
                                    thisScore -= (int)Math.pow( 10, ( 9 - dist ));
//                                    if( dist == 7 ) {
//                                        thisScore -= 100;
//                                    } else if( dist <= 6 ) {
//                                        thisScore -= 1000;
//                                    }
                                }
                            }
                        }
                    }
                    if( thisScore > bestScore ) {
                        bestScore = thisScore;
                        bestMove = Move.inDirection( x, y );
                    }
                }
            }
        }

        return bestMove;
    }

    private boolean isEnemy(String name) {
        switch (name) {
            case "Coward":
            case "DeadBody":
            case "GordonFreeman":
            case "EmoWolfWithAGun":
            case "HuddleWolf":
            case "ThePriest":
            case "Shotguneer":
            case "Vortigaunt":
            case "Fox":
            case "Cocoon":
            case "SuperCoward":
            case "SOS":
            case "JohnNash":
            case "MoveRandomly":
                return false;
            default:
                return true;
        }
    }

    private int getDistance(int x, int y) {
        return Math.max(Math.abs(CENTRE_OF_VISION - x), Math.abs(CENTRE_OF_VISION - y));
    }
}

Answer 3

Zombie Rights Activist

The Zombie Rights movement quickly became popular at the offset of the apocalypse. The idea of killing every zombie in sight without remorse is absolutely cruel to them, so they shoot at other players who don't believe in the cause. Understanding the struggle, they will hug zombies if there are no enemies in sight.

package player;
import zombie.*;
import static zombie.Constants.*;
import static java.lang.Math.*;

public class ZombieRightsActivist implements Player {

@Override
public Action doTurn(PlayerContext context) {
    if (context.getBullets() > 0) {
        for (PlayerId player: context.shootablePlayers()) {
            switch(player.getName()) {
                case "ZombieRightsActivist":
                case "DeadBody":
                case "Zombie":   
                    break;
                default:
                    return new Shoot(player);//Kill the non-believers
            }
        }
    }
    double farthest=0;
    Move move=Move.randomMove();
    for (int x = 0; x < VISION_WIDTH; x++) {//Find a lonely zombie and give it a hug
        for (int y = 0; y < VISION_WIDTH; y++) {
            PlayerId friend = context.getPlayField()[x][y];
            if (friend!= null && (friend.getName().equals("Zombie"))) {
                double distance=sqrt(pow(x-context.getX(),2)+pow(y-context.getY(),2));
                if (distance>farthest){
                    farthest = distance;
                    move = Move.inDirection(x - CENTRE_OF_VISION, y -CENTRE_OF_VISION);
                }
            }
        }
    }
    return move;
}

}

Answer 4

HuddleWolf - Java

Rule 8: Travel in Groups

HuddleWolf takes the sixth rule of Zombieland to heart. It will chase down and huddle with any non-hostile object it sees. If HuddleWolf sees nobody to huddle with, he will venture northeastward in search of more populated areas. HuddleWolf also hates Zombies and will shoot on sight.

HuddleWolf has realized Coward is a much better implementation of his original idea. He bows to Coward's supremacy and now actively prefers the company of Cowards to other nonhostiles.

package player;

import zombie.*;
import static zombie.Constants.*;
import static java.lang.Math.*;

public class HuddleWolf implements Player {

    @Override
    public Action doTurn(PlayerContext context) {
        if (context.getBullets() > 0) {
            for (PlayerId player: context.shootablePlayers()) {
                if (isEnemy(player.getName())) {
                    return new Shoot(player);
                }
            }
        }
        Move bestDirection = Move.NORTHEAST;
        int bestDistance = Integer.MAX_VALUE;
        bool foundACoward = false;
        for (int x = 0; x < VISION_WIDTH; x++) {
            for (int y = 0; y < VISION_WIDTH; y++) {
                int distance = max(abs(x - CENTRE_OF_VISION), abs(y - CENTRE_OF_VISION));
                PlayerId playerAtLocation = context.getPlayField()[x][y];
                if (playerAtLocation != null
                        && !(isEnemy(playerAtLocation.getName()))
                        && !(playerAtLocation.equals(context.getId()))
                        && distance < bestDistance
                        && (!foundACoward || playerAtLocation.getName().equals("Coward"))) {
                    if (playerAtLocation.getName().equals("Coward"))
                    {
                        foundACoward = true;
                    }
                    bestDistance = distance;
                    bestDirection = Move.inDirection(x - CENTRE_OF_VISION, y -CENTRE_OF_VISION);
                }
            }
        }
        return bestDirection;
    }

    private boolean isEnemy(String name) {
        switch(name) {
            case "ZombieRightsActivist":
            case "ZombieHater":
            case "HideyTwitchy" :
            case "Gunner":
            case "Zombie" :
                return true;
            default:
                return false;
        }
    }
}

Answer 5

Waller - Java

The Waller loves walls, and seeks them out to hide from zombies. Ideally, the Waller would love to be encased in a wall and wait the apocalypse out.

The Ideal Wall

The ideal wall is where the Waller is completed surround by walls:

   DDD 
   DWD 
   DDD

As the only way to die is to get shot or a zombie spawns underneath or neighboring you. It is the best odds possible for avoiding them.

The ideal wall is hard to come by, but the Waller will find the best possible location and wait for zombies or other players to come to him to shoot and expand his wall.

---

The algorithm is relatively simple

1. Is there a zombie about to bite? shoot them.
2. Find the best wall location (scored 0 - 8) in the field of view
3. Find the shortest path to that location and run to it!
4. Try increasing the wall
5. Wait...

This is a work in progress, feel free to take anything I wrote to use for yourself. I wrote a simple A* Algorithm to find the best path to a desired spot taking into consideration walls and other players. It gets recalculated each round as the walls may have changed between them.

---

Changelog:

• Tried to improve early game performance by waiting out and avoiding aggressive players for the first few turns before finding/building walls.

• Added weights to path finding to take the best route in terms of distance and positional score. Will loot more often now and hopefully not run out of bullets. Improved opening game by running away from aggressive players.

• Fixed issues with path finding ending on an occupied point

• Further cleaned code. Added more walls to score a position than just neighboring walls. Expanded how far the Waller will extend his wall.

• Cleaned code up a bit. Implemented shooting registry to avoid two Wallers shooting the same player during the same turn (inspired by Thaylon)

• Added path finding between closest zombies and current Walelr. The Waller will only shoot a zombie if it can reach him in a certain number of moves. This hopefully will save some bullets when their is a wall blocking the zombie's path.

---

Issues

• The Waller may be in a good position, but sees a better wall location. They will mindless run through zombie-infested land to reach that new location. (I need to discourage this)

• Early game is rough for the Waller, no good fortification are nearby and lots of aggressive players. (I need to improve early game performace)

• No communication between Wallers in the same locations. Need to have they work together to built the best wall possible.

---

Here is the code, I am not a java programmer (C#) so forgive my java errors.

package player;

import java.lang.Math.*;
import java.util.Set;
import java.util.HashSet;
import java.util.Hashtable;
import java.util.ArrayList;
import java.util.List;
import java.util.LinkedList;
import java.util.Collections;
import java.util.Comparator;
import zombie.*;
import static zombie.Constants.*;

public class Waller implements Player {

    private static final int MaximumDistanceToShootZombie = 2;
    private static final int PointsPerWall = 3;
    private static final int PointsPerLoot = 3;
    private static final int PointsPerZombie = -500;
    private static final int PointsPerAggressor = -500;  

    private static final Set<PlayerId> shooting = new HashSet<PlayerId>();
    private static final Set<PlayerId> dontLoot = new HashSet<PlayerId>();
    private static final Set<Point> zombieLocations = new HashSet<Point>();
    private Point CurrentLocation = new Point(CENTRE_OF_VISION, CENTRE_OF_VISION);

    private static int _lastGameTurn = -1;

    // DEBUG
    private static boolean _DEBUG = true;
    private static int agressiveKills;
    private static int zombieKills;
    private static int wallsBuilt;
    ////////

    private static class Point{
        public int X;
        public int Y;
        public PlayerId Player;
        public int Distance;

        public Point(int x, int y) {
            X = x;
            Y = y;
        }

        public Point(int x, int y, PlayerId player) {
            X = x;
            Y = y;
            Player = player;
        }

        public boolean SameLocation(Point otherPoint) {
            return X == otherPoint.X && Y == otherPoint.Y;
        }

        public List<Point> getAdjacentPoints(PlayerId[][] field, int distance, boolean includeSelf) {
            List<Point> points = new ArrayList<Point>();
            for(int x = X - distance; x <= X + distance; x++) {
                for(int y = Y - distance; y <= Y + distance; y++) { 
                    if(!includeSelf && x == X && y == Y)
                        continue;
                    Point pointToAdd = new Point(x, y);                 
                    if(pointToAdd.isValid()) {
                        pointToAdd.Player = field[x][y];
                        points.add(pointToAdd);
                    }
                }
            }                   
            return points;
        }

        public int GetDistance(Point point) {
            return Math.max(Math.abs(X - point.X), Math.abs(Y - point.Y));
        }

        private boolean isValid() { 
            return X >= 0 && X < VISION_WIDTH && Y >= 0 && Y < VISION_WIDTH;
        }

        @Override
        public int hashCode() {
            return (X*100) + Y;  
        }

        @Override
        public boolean equals(Object obj) {
            if (!(obj instanceof Point))
                return false;
            if (obj == this)
                return true;

            return SameLocation((Point) obj);       
        }

        @Override
        public String toString(){
            return "("+X+","+Y+")";
        }           
    }

    @Override
    public Action doTurn(PlayerContext context) {   
        int gameTurn = context.getGameClock();  

        if(gameTurn != _lastGameTurn){
            _lastGameTurn = gameTurn;               
        }

        PlayerId[][] field = context.getPlayField();         
        int bullets = context.getBullets();

        // Mark all adjacent dead players as already been looted
        for(Point point : getSurrounding(field, CENTRE_OF_VISION, CENTRE_OF_VISION, 1)){
            if(point.Player.getName().equals("DeadBody")) 
                dontLoot.add(point.Player);  
        }

        int x = context.getX();
        int y = context.getY();
        int boardSize = context.getBoardSize();
        List<Point> newZombies = new ArrayList<Point>();
        for(Point point : getSurrounding(field, CENTRE_OF_VISION, CENTRE_OF_VISION, VISION_RANGE)){     
            Point absolutePoint = GetNewTorusPoint(x + point.X - CENTRE_OF_VISION , y + point.Y - CENTRE_OF_VISION, boardSize);         
            if(point.Player.getName().equals("DeadBody") && zombieLocations.contains(absolutePoint)) 
                dontLoot.add(point.Player);  // new zombie kill
            if(isZombie(point.Player))
                newZombies.add(absolutePoint);
        }
        zombieLocations.clear();
        zombieLocations.addAll(newZombies);

        Action action;  

        // 1) Handle immediate threats to life, have to be dealt before anything else
        action = AssessThreats(field, bullets);
        if(action != null) return action;

        //2) Early turn avoidance
        if(gameTurn < 5) {
            action = EarlyTurn(field, bullets, context);
            if(action != null) return action;
        }

        int currentWallCount = countNumberOfSurroundingWalls(field, CENTRE_OF_VISION, CENTRE_OF_VISION);

        switch(currentWallCount) {  
            case 8:     
                action = ShootAgressivePlayers(field, bullets);
                if(action != null) return action; 
                return Move.STAY; // no more moving                 
            case 7:     
                action = ExpandWall(field, bullets, 1);
                if(action != null) return action;
                action = ShootAgressivePlayers(field, bullets);
                if(action != null) return action;                   
            case 6: 
            case 5:              
            case 4: 
                // action = ExpandWall(field, bullets, 2);
                // if(action != null) return action; 
                // break;
            case 2: 
            case 1: 
            default:                                    
                break;
        }                       

        // 2) Score each possible square and find the best possible location(s)
        Set<Point> optimalLocations = scoreSquares(field);  

        action = findShortestPath(field, CurrentLocation, optimalLocations);
        if(action != null) return action;

        action = ShootAgressivePlayers(field, bullets);
        if(action != null) return action;   

        action = ExpandWall(field, bullets, 1);
        if(action != null) return action;    

        // Stay still if nothing better to do
        return Move.STAY;
    }

    private Action EarlyTurn(PlayerId[][] field, int bullets, PlayerContext context) {
        Point bestPoint = CurrentLocation;
        double bestScore = 1000000;

        for(Point futurePoint : CurrentLocation.getAdjacentPoints(field, 1, true)) {            
            double score = 0;
            for(Point adjacentPoint : futurePoint.getAdjacentPoints(field, VISION_RANGE, false)) {
                if(isAgressive(adjacentPoint.Player)){
                    int dist = futurePoint.GetDistance(adjacentPoint);          
                    if(dist > 6){
                        score += 1;             
                    } else {
                        score += 10000;
                    }
                } else if(isZombie(adjacentPoint.Player)) {
                    int dist = futurePoint.GetDistance(adjacentPoint);      
                    if (dist <= 3)
                        score += 10000;
                } else if(isWall(adjacentPoint.Player)) {
                    score -= 2;
                }
            }   
            if(score < bestScore) {
                bestScore = score;
                bestPoint = futurePoint;
            }
        }                           

        //if(_DEBUG) System.out.println("["+_lastGameTurn+"] Best Score: "+bestScore +" point: "+context.getX()+","+context.getY());

        if(bestPoint == CurrentLocation) {
            Action action = ShootAgressivePlayers(field, bullets);
            if(action != null) return action;   
            return Move.STAY;
        }

        if(bestScore >= 1000) {
            Action action = ShootAgressivePlayers(field, bullets);
            if(action != null) return action;   
        }

        return Move.inDirection(bestPoint.X - CurrentLocation.X, bestPoint.Y - CurrentLocation.Y);      
    }

    private Action ShootAgressivePlayers(PlayerId[][] field, int bullets) {
        if(bullets > 0) {       
            for(Point point : getSurrounding(field, CENTRE_OF_VISION, CENTRE_OF_VISION, SHOOT_RANGE)) {
                PlayerId player = point.Player;
                if(isAgressive(player) && shouldShoot(player)) {
                    if(_DEBUG) System.out.println("["+_lastGameTurn+"] Killing Aggressive: "+(++agressiveKills));       
                    return new Shoot(player);
                }           
            }   
        }
        return null;
    }

    private Action ExpandWall(PlayerId[][] field, int bullets, int distance) {
        if(bullets > 0) {
            for(Point point : getSurrounding(field, CENTRE_OF_VISION, CENTRE_OF_VISION, distance)) {
                PlayerId player = point.Player;
                if(!isWall(player) && isEnemy(player) && !isZombie(player) && shouldShoot(player)) {
                    if(_DEBUG) System.out.println("["+_lastGameTurn+"] Expanding Wall: "+(++wallsBuilt)+" Dist: "+CurrentLocation.GetDistance(point));          
                    return new Shoot(player);
                }           
            }
        }
        return null;
    }

    private boolean shouldShoot(PlayerId player) {
        boolean result = shooting.add(player);
        if(result && isZombie(player)){
            dontLoot.add(player);           
        }       
        return result;      
    }

    private boolean canShoot(PlayerId player) {
        return !shooting.contains(player);      
    }

    private Action AssessThreats(PlayerId[][] field, int bullets){ 
        // Find the most threatening zombie     
        List<Point> bestZombies = new ArrayList<Point>();
        int smallestDistance = MaximumDistanceToShootZombie+1;      
        for(Point point : getSurrounding(field, CENTRE_OF_VISION, CENTRE_OF_VISION, MaximumDistanceToShootZombie)) {
            PlayerId zombie = point.Player;
            if(isZombie(zombie)) {              
                LinkedList<Point> path = findShortestPath_astar(field, CurrentLocation, point, false, false);               
                if(path.isEmpty()) 
                    continue;  
                if(path.size() <= smallestDistance && canShoot(zombie)) {
                    if(path.size() < smallestDistance) {
                        smallestDistance = path.size();
                        bestZombies.clear();
                    }
                    bestZombies.add(point);                                                                                            
                }    
            }
        }

        // No zombies to worry about
        if(bestZombies.isEmpty())
            return null;

        if(bestZombies.size() > 1) {
            if(_DEBUG) System.out.println("["+_lastGameTurn+"] Multiple Zombies in striking range, wait them out?");        
            return MoveToBestSpot(field);   
        }

        Point zombie = bestZombies.get(0);

        // Do we have ammo?
        if(bullets > 0 && shouldShoot(zombie.Player)) { 
            if(_DEBUG) System.out.println("["+_lastGameTurn+"] Shooting Zombie: "+(++zombieKills));             
            return new Shoot(zombie.Player);
        } 

        if(_DEBUG) System.out.println("["+_lastGameTurn+"] No Bullets to Shoot Zombie! Should flee");           
        return MoveInDirection(field, CENTRE_OF_VISION - zombie.X, CENTRE_OF_VISION - zombie.Y);    
    }

    private Action MoveToBestSpot(PlayerId[][] field) { 
        int leastZombies = 100000;
        Point bestPoint = CurrentLocation;
        for(Point point : CurrentLocation.getAdjacentPoints(field, 1, false)) {
            if(point.Player == null) {
                int zombies = countNumberOfSurroundingZombies(field, point.X, point.Y);
                if(zombies < leastZombies) {
                    leastZombies = zombies;
                    bestPoint = point;
                }
            }
        }
        return Move.inDirection(bestPoint.X - CurrentLocation.X, bestPoint.Y - CurrentLocation.Y);
    }

    private Action MoveInDirection(PlayerId[][] field, int x, int y) {
        x = (int)Math.signum(x);
        y = (int)Math.signum(y);

        if(y == 0){
            if(field[CENTRE_OF_VISION+x][CENTRE_OF_VISION] != null)
                return Move.inDirection(x,0);
            if(field[CENTRE_OF_VISION+x][CENTRE_OF_VISION-1] != null)
                return Move.inDirection(x,-1);
            if(field[CENTRE_OF_VISION+x][CENTRE_OF_VISION+1] != null)
                return Move.inDirection(x,1);   
        } else if(x == 0){
            if(field[CENTRE_OF_VISION][CENTRE_OF_VISION+y] != null)
                return Move.inDirection(0,y);
            if(field[CENTRE_OF_VISION-1][CENTRE_OF_VISION+y] != null)
                return Move.inDirection(-1,y);
            if(field[CENTRE_OF_VISION+1][CENTRE_OF_VISION+y] != null)
                return Move.inDirection(1,y);   
        } else {        
            if(field[CENTRE_OF_VISION+x][CENTRE_OF_VISION+y] != null)
                return Move.inDirection(x,y);
            if(field[CENTRE_OF_VISION+x][CENTRE_OF_VISION] != null)
                return Move.inDirection(x,0);
            if(field[CENTRE_OF_VISION][CENTRE_OF_VISION+y] != null)
                return Move.inDirection(0,y);   
        }

        return Move.inDirection(0,0);   
    }

    // Implementation of the A* path finding algorithm
    private LinkedList<Point> findShortestPath_astar(PlayerId[][] field, Point startingPoint, Point finalPoint, boolean includeWeights, boolean considerPlayersAsWalls) {   
        LinkedList<Point> foundPath = new LinkedList<Point>();
        Set<Point> openSet = new HashSet<Point>();
        Set<Point> closedSet = new HashSet<Point>();
        Hashtable<Point, Integer> gScores = new Hashtable<Point, Integer>();
        Hashtable<Point, Point> cameFrom = new Hashtable<Point, Point>();

        gScores.put(startingPoint, 0);
        openSet.add(startingPoint);
        Point currentPoint = startingPoint;

        while(!openSet.isEmpty()) {

            // Find minimum F score
            int minF = 10000000;
            for(Point point : openSet) {
                int g = gScores.get(point);
                int h = point.GetDistance(finalPoint); // Assumes nothing in the way                
                int f = g + h;
                if(f < minF) {
                    minF = f;               
                    currentPoint = point;
                }           
            }

            // Found the final point
            if(currentPoint.SameLocation(finalPoint)) {                 
                Point curr = finalPoint;
                while(!curr.SameLocation(startingPoint)) {
                    foundPath.addFirst(curr);
                    curr = cameFrom.get(curr);
                }
                return foundPath;
            }

            openSet.remove(currentPoint);
            closedSet.add(currentPoint);            

            // Add neighbouring squares
            for(Point pointToAdd : currentPoint.getAdjacentPoints(field, 1, false)){                            
                if(closedSet.contains(pointToAdd) || isWall(pointToAdd.Player) || (considerPlayersAsWalls && pointToAdd.Player != null && !pointToAdd.SameLocation(finalPoint) )) 
                    continue;

                int gScore = gScores.get(currentPoint) + 1; // distance should always be one (may change depending on environment)  
                // if(includeWeights){
                    // gScore += (int)-getScore(field,pointToAdd.X,pointToAdd.Y);
                // }   

                boolean distIsBetter = false;   

                if(!openSet.contains(pointToAdd)) {
                    openSet.add(pointToAdd);
                    distIsBetter = true;
                } else if(gScore < gScores.get(pointToAdd)){                    
                    distIsBetter = true;
                }
                if(distIsBetter) {
                    gScores.put(pointToAdd, gScore);
                    cameFrom.put(pointToAdd, currentPoint);                     
                }
            }  
        }

        return foundPath;   
    }

    private Action findShortestPath(PlayerId[][] field, Point startingPoint, Set<Point> finalPoints) {    
        if(finalPoints.isEmpty())
            return null;
        int smallestPath = 10000;       
        Point pointToMoveTo = startingPoint;  

        for(Point finalPoint : finalPoints) {  
            if(finalPoint == startingPoint)
                return null;
            LinkedList<Point> path = findShortestPath_astar(field, startingPoint, finalPoint, true, true);

            // No path between the two points
            if(path.isEmpty()){
                continue;
            }

            // Check if this is the smallest path
            if(path.size() < smallestPath) {                
                smallestPath = path.size();             
                pointToMoveTo = path.getFirst();                
            }           
        }       

        if(pointToMoveTo == startingPoint)
            return null;

        double score = getScore(field, pointToMoveTo.X, pointToMoveTo.Y);
        if(score < -200) {
            if(_DEBUG) System.out.println("["+_lastGameTurn+"] Best Path leads to a bad spot: "+score);     
            return null;
        }

        return Move.inDirection(pointToMoveTo.X - startingPoint.X, pointToMoveTo.Y - startingPoint.Y);          
    }

    private Set<Point> scoreSquares(PlayerId[][] field) {
        double bestScore = getScore(field, CENTRE_OF_VISION, CENTRE_OF_VISION) + 1; // plus one to break ties, and would rather stay
        Set<Point> bestLocations = new HashSet<Point>();
        if(bestScore >= 0) {
            bestLocations.add(CurrentLocation);         
        } else {
            bestScore = 0;
        }

        for(int x = 0; x < VISION_WIDTH; x++){
            for(int y = 0; y < VISION_WIDTH; y++){   
                if(x == CENTRE_OF_VISION && y == CENTRE_OF_VISION) continue;
                if(field[x][y] == null) {                                 
                    double score = getScore(field, x, y);           
                    if(score >= bestScore){
                        if(score > bestScore) {
                            bestLocations.clear();
                            bestScore = score;   
                        }
                        bestLocations.add(new Point(x, y));                      
                    }
                }
            }
        }       
        return bestLocations;
    }

    private double getScore(PlayerId[][] field, int x, int y) {
        int walls = countNumberOfSurroundingWalls(field, x, y); 
        double score = Math.pow(PointsPerWall, walls);      
        int aggressors = countNumberOfSurroundingAggressions(field, x, y);
        score += aggressors * PointsPerAggressor;   
        int zombies = countNumberOfSurroundingZombies(field, x, y);
        score += zombies * PointsPerZombie;
        int loots = countNumberOfSurroundingLoots(field, x, y);
        score += Math.pow(PointsPerLoot, loots);        
        return score;       
    }

    private int countNumberOfSurroundingZombies(PlayerId[][] field, int x, int y) {     
        int zombies = 0;
        Point currentPoint = new Point(x,y);
        for(Point point : getSurrounding(field, x, y, MaximumDistanceToShootZombie+1)){         
            if(isZombie(point.Player)){
                LinkedList<Point> path = findShortestPath_astar(field, currentPoint, point, false, false);
                if(path.isEmpty()) 
                    continue; 
                if(path.size() < MaximumDistanceToShootZombie+1)
                    zombies++;                  
            }            
        }
        return zombies;           
    }

    private int countNumberOfSurroundingLoots(PlayerId[][] field, int x, int y) {     
        int loots = 0;  
        for(Point point : getSurrounding(field, x, y, 1)){
            PlayerId player = point.Player;
            if(isWall(player) && !dontLoot.contains(player)){   
                loots++;                    
            }            
        }
        return loots;   
    }

    private int countNumberOfSurroundingAggressions(PlayerId[][] field, int x, int y) {     
        int aggressors = 0; 
        for(Point point : getSurrounding(field, x, y, SHOOT_RANGE+1)){
            if(isAgressive(point.Player)){
                aggressors++;                   
            }            
        }
        return aggressors;           
    }

    private int countNumberOfSurroundingWalls(PlayerId[][] field, int x, int y) {
        int walls = 0;      
        for(Point point : getSurrounding(field, x, y, 1)){
            if(isWall(point.Player)){
                walls++;                    
            }            
        }
        return walls;
    }

    private static boolean isZombie(PlayerId player) {
        return player != null && player.getName().equals("Zombie");
    }

    private static boolean isWall(PlayerId player) {
        return player != null && player.getName().equals("DeadBody");       
    }

    private static boolean isEnemy(PlayerId player) {
        if(player == null)
            return false;
        switch (player.getName()) {  
            case "Waller":
            case "DeadBody": 
            case "EmoWolfWithAGun":
                return false;
            default:
                return true;
        }
    }

    private static boolean isAgressive(PlayerId player) {
        if(player == null)
            return false;
        switch (player.getName()) {  
            case "Waller":
            case "DeadBody":   
            case "EmoWolfWithAGun":
            case "GordonFreeman":
            case "Vortigaunt": 
            case "StandStill":
            case "MoveRandomly":
            case "Zombie":
                return false;
            default:
                return true;
        }
    }

    // Helper Functions 

    private List<Point> getSurrounding(PlayerId[][] field, int x, int y, int maxDistance) {      
        final Point currentPoint = new Point(x,y);

        List<Point> players = new ArrayList<Point>();
        int minX = coercePoint(x - maxDistance);
        int maxX = coercePoint(x + maxDistance);
        int minY = coercePoint(y - maxDistance);
        int maxY = coercePoint(y + maxDistance);
        for(int i = minX; i <= maxX; i++){
            for(int j = minY; j <= maxY; j++) {
                if(i == x && j == y) continue;
                if(field[i][j] != null) {                
                    Point point = new Point(i,j,field[i][j]);
                    point.Distance = currentPoint.GetDistance(point);
                    players.add(point);
                }
            }
        }           

        Collections.sort(players, new Comparator<Point>() {
            public int compare(Point p1, Point p2) {
                return Integer.compare(p1.Distance, p2.Distance);          
            }});        

        return players;
    }

    private static int coercePoint(int value) {
        if(value < 0)
            return 0;
        if(value >= VISION_WIDTH)
            return VISION_WIDTH-1;
        return value;
    }

    public static Point GetNewTorusPoint(int x, int y, int boardSize) {
        if(x >= boardSize)
            x = boardSize - x;
        if(y >= boardSize)
            y = boardSize - y;
        return new Point(x,y);
    }

    private static int getDistance(int x1, int y1, int x2, int y2) {
        return Math.max(Math.abs(x1 - x2), Math.abs(y1 - y2));
    }
}

Answer 6

Fox

Fox needs a foxhole.

Uses a good part of my Coward but follows a different strategy. If you choose to accept the (sub)mission, fox will choose to build a foxhole.

package player;

import java.lang.Math.*;
import java.util.Set;
import java.util.HashSet;
import zombie.*;
import static zombie.Constants.*;

public class Fox implements Player {

    private static int lastround = -1;
    private static final Set<PlayerId> killed = new HashSet<>();
    private static final Set<PlayerId> looted = new HashSet<>();

    @Override
    public Action doTurn(PlayerContext context) {

        PlayerId[][] field = context.getPlayField();

        // Cleanup
        if (context.getGameClock() > lastround) {
            lastround = context.getGameClock();
            killed.clear();
        }

        // Snipe
        if (context.getBullets() > 0) {
            int distEnemy = 1;
            PlayerId targetEnemy = null;
            for (int x = CENTRE_OF_VISION - SHOOT_RANGE; x <= CENTRE_OF_VISION + SHOOT_RANGE; x++) {
                for (int y = CENTRE_OF_VISION - SHOOT_RANGE; y <= CENTRE_OF_VISION + SHOOT_RANGE; y++) {
                    PlayerId player = field[x][y];
                    if (player != null && !killed.contains(player)) {
                        int dist = getDistance(x, y);
                        if (!player.getName().equals("Zombie") && isEnemy(player.getName()) && dist >= distEnemy ) {
                            distEnemy = dist;
                            targetEnemy = field[x][y];
                        }
                    }
                }
            }
            if (targetEnemy != null) {
                killed.add(targetEnemy);
                return new Shoot( targetEnemy );
            }
        }

        // Check Foxhole
        int foxhole = 0;
        PlayerId target = null;

        for( int x = -2; x <= 2; x++ ) {
            for( int y = -2; y <= 2; y++ ) {
                PlayerId player = field[CENTRE_OF_VISION+x][CENTRE_OF_VISION+y];
                if (player != null && getDistance(CENTRE_OF_VISION+x,CENTRE_OF_VISION+y) == 2) {
                    if (player.getName().equals("DeadBody") || player.getName().equals("Fox")) {
                        foxhole++;
                    }
                    if( player.getName().equals("Zombie")) {
                        target = player;
                    }
                }
            }
        }

        if (context.getBullets() + foxhole >= 16) {
            if (target!=null) {
                return new Shoot( target );
            } else {
                return Move.STAY;
            }
        }

        // Looted?
        for( int xx = CENTRE_OF_VISION-VISION_RANGE+1; xx <= CENTRE_OF_VISION+VISION_RANGE-1; xx++ ) {
            for( int yy = CENTRE_OF_VISION-VISION_RANGE+1; yy <= CENTRE_OF_VISION+VISION_RANGE-1; yy++ ) {
                PlayerId player = field[xx][yy];
                if( player != null && !player.getName().equals("Zombie") && !player.getName().equals("DeadBody")) {
                    for( int x = -1; x <= 1; x++ ) {
                        for( int y = -1; y <= 1; y++ ) {
                            PlayerId loot = field[xx+x][yy+y];
                            if( loot != null && !looted.contains(loot) && loot.getName().equals("DeadBody")) {
                                looted.add(loot);
                            }
                        }
                    }
                }
            }
        }

        // Collect bullets
        int bestScore = -10000000;
        Move bestMove = Move.randomMove();

        for( int x = -1; x <= 1; x++ ) {
            for( int y = -1; y <= 1; y++ ) {
                PlayerId center = field[CENTRE_OF_VISION+x][CENTRE_OF_VISION+y];
                if( center == null ) {
                    int thisScore = 0;
                    for( int xx = CENTRE_OF_VISION+x-VISION_RANGE+1; xx < CENTRE_OF_VISION+x+VISION_RANGE; xx++ ) {
                        for( int yy = CENTRE_OF_VISION+y-VISION_RANGE+1; yy < CENTRE_OF_VISION+y+VISION_RANGE; yy++ ) {
                            PlayerId player = field[xx][yy];
                            if( player != null) {
                                int dist = getDistance(xx-x,yy-y);

                                if( player.getName().equals("DeadBody")) {
                                    if( !looted.contains(player)) {
                                        thisScore += (32+VISION_RANGE-dist)*(VISION_RANGE-dist);
                                    }
                                } else if( player.getName().equals("Zombie")) {
                                    if( dist <= 5 ) {
                                        thisScore -= (int)Math.pow( 10, ( 6 - dist ));
                                    }
                                }
                            }
                        }
                    }
                    if( thisScore > bestScore ) {
                        bestScore = thisScore;
                        bestMove = Move.inDirection( x, y );
                    }
                }
            }
        }

        return bestMove;
    }

    private boolean isEnemy(String name) {
        switch (name) {
            case "Fox":
            case "Coward":
            case "DeadBody":
            case "GordonFreeman":
            case "EmoWolfWithAGun":
            case "HuddleWolf":
            case "ThePriest":
            case "Shotguneer":
            case "Vortigaunt":
            case "Cocoon":
            case "SuperCoward":
            case "SOS":
            case "JohnNash":
            case "MoveRandomly":
                return false;
            default:
                return true;
        }
    }

    private int getDistance(int x, int y) {
        return Math.max(Math.abs(CENTRE_OF_VISION - x), Math.abs(CENTRE_OF_VISION - y));
    }
}

Answer 7

Gordon Freeman

Gordon Freeman hates zombies, so he'll never kill himself, but he has no qualms with scavenging for more ammo to shoot more zombies.

package player;

import zombie.*;
import static zombie.Constants.*;
import static java.lang.Math.*;

public class GordonFreeman implements Player {
    @Override
    public Action doTurn(PlayerContext context){
        int ammo = context.getBullets();
        // if I have bullets, shoot some zombies
        if(ammo > 0){
            for(PlayerId player: context.shootablePlayers()){
                switch(player.getName()){
                    case "Zombie":
                       return new Shoot(player);
                    default:
                       break;
                }
            }
        }
        // if no bullets, find a dead body and scavenge
        Move bestDirection = Move.STAY;
        int bestDistance = Integer.MAX_VALUE;
        for(int y = 1; y < VISION_WIDTH - 1; y++) {
            for(int x = 1; x < VISION_WIDTH - 1; x++) {

                PlayerId playerAtLocation = context.getPlayField()[x][y];
                // find a dead body
                if((playerAtLocation != null) && "DeadBody".equals(playerAtLocation.getName())){
                    // check adjacent squares for an empty square
                    for(int yy=-1; yy <= +1; yy++){
                        for(int xx=-1; xx <= +1; xx++){
                            PlayerId playerNearby = context.getPlayField()[x + xx][y + yy];
                            if(playerNearby == null){
                                int distance = max(abs(xx + x - CENTRE_OF_VISION), abs(yy + y - CENTRE_OF_VISION));
                                if(distance < bestDistance){
                                    bestDistance = distance;
                                    bestDirection = Move.inDirection(xx + x - CENTRE_OF_VISION, yy + y - CENTRE_OF_VISION);
                                }
                            }
                        }
                    }
                }
            }
        }
        return bestDirection;
    }
}

Answer 8

The priest

If you have the faith, you don't need to run nor to shot.

package player;

import zombie.*;
import static zombie.Constants.*;
import static java.lang.Math.*;

public class ThePriest implements Player {

    @Override
    public Action doTurn(PlayerContext context) {
        return Move.NORTH;
    }
}

Answer 9

ZombieHater

This submission hates zombies! It tries to shoot the nearest zombie while it has bullets, then collects more bullets to kill more zombies.

Edit: ZombieHater now doesn't hesitate to kill other people to get more bullets. It also detects obstacles and tries to go around them.

package player;

import java.awt.Point;
import java.util.HashMap;
import java.util.HashSet;
import java.util.Map;
import java.util.Set;
import zombie.*;
import static zombie.Constants.*;

public class ZombieHater implements Player {
    private static final Set<PlayerId> emptyDeadBodies = new HashSet<>();
    private static final Map<PlayerId, Point> lastPos = new HashMap<>();

    @Override
    public Action doTurn(PlayerContext context) {
        PlayerId[][] field = context.getPlayField();
        Point myPos = new Point(context.getX(), context.getY());
        PlayerId myId = context.getId();

        // update dead bodies with the new empty ones
        addEmptyBodies(field);

        // shoot nearest zombie if possible
        if (context.getBullets() > 0) {
            PlayerId nearestZombie = getNearestEnemy(field);
            if (nearestZombie != null) {
                lastPos.remove(myId);
                return new Shoot(nearestZombie);
            }
        }

        // stuck, mostly because of dead body
        if (lastPos.containsKey(myId) && lastPos.get(myId).equals(myPos)) {
            return Move.randomMove();
        }

        // walk towards dead bodies
        Point nearestDeadBody = getNearestDeadBody(field);
        if (nearestDeadBody != null) {
            Move move = Move.inDirection(nearestDeadBody.x - CENTRE_OF_VISION, nearestDeadBody.y - CENTRE_OF_VISION);
            lastPos.put(myId, myPos);
            return move;
        }

        lastPos.remove(myId);
        return Move.randomMove();
    }

    // add surrounding dead bodies to empty bodies
    private void addEmptyBodies(PlayerId[][] field) {
        for (Move move : Move.values()) {
            PlayerId player = field[CENTRE_OF_VISION + move.x][CENTRE_OF_VISION + move.y];
            if (player != null && "DeadBody".equals(player.getName())) {
                emptyDeadBodies.add(player);
            }
        }
    }

    // distance from centre, for example 5 if x=7 and y=3
    private int distanceFromCentre(int x, int y) {
        int dx = Math.abs(CENTRE_OF_VISION - x);
        int dy = Math.abs(CENTRE_OF_VISION - y);
        return Math.max(dx, dy);
    }

    // return nearest enemy or null if none exists
    private PlayerId getNearestEnemy(PlayerId[][] field) {
        int minOffset = Integer.MAX_VALUE;
        PlayerId nearestEnemy = null;
        for (int x = CENTRE_OF_VISION - SHOOT_RANGE; x <= CENTRE_OF_VISION + SHOOT_RANGE; x++) {
            for (int y = CENTRE_OF_VISION - SHOOT_RANGE; y <= CENTRE_OF_VISION + SHOOT_RANGE; y++) {
                int offset = distanceFromCentre(x, y);
                PlayerId player = field[x][y];
                if (player != null && isEnemy(player.getName()) && offset < minOffset) {
                    minOffset = offset;
                    nearestEnemy = field[x][y];
                }
            }
        }
        return nearestEnemy;
    }

   // return nearest dead body or null if none exists
    private Point getNearestDeadBody(PlayerId[][] field) {
        int minOffset = Integer.MAX_VALUE;
        Point nearestDeadBody = null;
        for (int x = CENTRE_OF_VISION - SHOOT_RANGE; x <= CENTRE_OF_VISION + SHOOT_RANGE; x++) {
            for (int y = CENTRE_OF_VISION - SHOOT_RANGE; y <= CENTRE_OF_VISION + SHOOT_RANGE; y++) {
                int offset = distanceFromCentre(x, y);
                PlayerId player = field[x][y];
                if (player != null && "DeadBody".equals(player.getName()) && offset < minOffset && 
                        !emptyDeadBodies.contains(player)) {
                    minOffset = offset;
                    nearestDeadBody = new Point(x, y);
                }
            }
        }
        return nearestDeadBody;
    }

    private boolean isEnemy(String name) {
        switch (name) {
            case "ZombieHater":
            case "DeadBody":
            case "EmoWolfWithGun": // don't bother shooting him
                return false;
            default:
                return true;
        }
    }
}

Answer 10

The Vortigaunt

Will always follow Doctor Gordon Freeman, or walk around aimlessly if he's not on the same dimension.

package player;

import java.util.ArrayList;

import zombie.*;

public class Vortigaunt implements Player {
    class PlayerLocation {
        private int x;
        int y;
        PlayerId player;
        
        public PlayerLocation(int x, int y, PlayerId id) {
            this.x = x;
            this.y = y;
            this.player = id;
        }

        public int getX() {
            return x;
        }
        
        public int getY() {
            return y;
        }
        
        public PlayerId getPlayer() {
            return player;
        }
    }
    @Override
    public Action doTurn(PlayerContext context) {
        PlayerId[][] field = context.getPlayField();
        PlayerLocation me = new PlayerLocation(context.getX(), context.getY(), context.getId());
        ArrayList<PlayerLocation> freemans = findFreeman(field);
        PlayerLocation nearestFreeman = getNearestFreeman(freemans, me);
        if (nearestFreeman == null) {
            return Move.randomMove();
        } else {
            return Move.inDirection(nearestFreeman.getX(), nearestFreeman.getY());
        }
    }

    private PlayerLocation getNearestFreeman(ArrayList<PlayerLocation> freemans, PlayerLocation me) {
        double nearestDistance = Integer.MAX_VALUE;
        PlayerLocation nearestFreeman = null;
        for (PlayerLocation freeman : freemans) {
            int x = freeman.getX() - me.getX();
            int y = freeman.getY() - me.getY();
            double distance = (int)Math.sqrt((double)(x * x + y * y));
            if (distance < nearestDistance) {
                nearestDistance = distance;
                nearestFreeman = freeman;
            }
        }
        return nearestFreeman;
    }

    private ArrayList<PlayerLocation> findFreeman(PlayerId[][] field) {
        ArrayList<PlayerLocation> freemans = new ArrayList<PlayerLocation>();
        for (int x = field.length; x >= 0; x -= 1) {
            for (int y = field[x].length; y >= 0; y -= 1) {
                if (field[x][y].getName().equals("GordonFreeman")) {
                    freemans.add(new PlayerLocation(x, y, field[x][y]));
                }
            }
        }
        return freemans;
    }

}

Answer 11

Cocoon - Frege

Such a shame. Half a dozen languages to choose from, and everyone just uses Java. Well, no sense in letting them go to waste, so here's a competitor in Frege.

It uses Dijkstra's algorithm to find a secluded spot to wait out the apocalypse, goes foraging for bullets if it runs out, and shoots zombies if they get too close.

Updated

Cocoon now ignores routes that would take it within striking distance of zombies in its routing algorithm, and shoots zombies when they're within 2 squares, rather than 3 (to build a tighter cocoon).

module player.Cocoon where
  import zombie.FregeBindings
  import frege.data.TreeMap
  import Data.List(sortBy)
  import Data.Foldable(minimumBy, maximumBy)

  instance Ord PlayerId where
    a <=> b = case a.getName <=> b.getName of
      Eq -> a.getNumber <=> b.getNumber
      x -> x

  instance Show Action where
    show action = action.toString

  -- Dijkstras shortest path algorithm
  data DijkstraNode = Green {d :: Int, pos :: (Int, Int)} | Red {pos :: (Int, Int)} | Yellow {d :: Int, pos :: (Int, Int)}
  data DijkstraState = DijkstraState {board :: Tree (Int, Int) DijkstraNode, yellows :: TreeSet DijkstraNode}
  derive Eq DijkstraNode
  derive Ord DijkstraNode
  derive Show DijkstraNode
  derive Show DijkstraState

  updateState :: Int -> DijkstraState -> (Int, Int) -> DijkstraState
  updateState d (oldState@DijkstraState {board, yellows}) pos  = case (lookup board pos) of
    Nothing -> oldState
    Just Green {d, pos} -> oldState
    Just Red {pos} -> let
        newYellow = Yellow d pos
        newYellows = insert yellows newYellow ()
        newBoard = update board pos newYellow
      in DijkstraState {board = newBoard, yellows = newYellows}
    Just (oldYellow@Yellow {d = oldD, pos = oldPos})
          | oldD <= d = oldState
          | true = let
              newYellow = Yellow d pos
              newYellows = insert (delete yellows oldYellow) newYellow ()
              newBoard = insert board pos newYellow
            in DijkstraState {board = newBoard, yellows = newYellows}

  neighbours :: (Int, Int) -> [(Int, Int)]
  neighbours (x,y) = [(x1 + x, y1 + y) | x1 <- [-1 .. 1], y1 <- [-1 .. 1], x1 != 0 || y1 != 0]

  moveRegion = [(x, y) | x <- [-1 .. 1], y <- [-1 .. 1]]

  findMove :: DijkstraState -> Maybe Move
  findMove DijkstraState {board, yellows}
     | null yellows = Nothing
     | true = let
         tip@Yellow{d, pos} = head (keys yellows)
         rest = delete yellows tip
         newBoard = insert board pos (Green d pos)
         intermediateState = DijkstraState {board = newBoard, yellows = rest}
         neighbourhood = [node | pos <- moveRegion , node <- lookup board pos]
       in if tip.pos == (0, 0)
          then case minimum neighbourhood of
            _ | null neighbourhood = Nothing
            Green {d, pos = (x,y)} -> Just (Move.inDirection x y)
            _ -> Nothing
          else findMove (fold (updateState (d + 1)) intermediateState (neighbours pos))

  insertRed :: Tree (Int, Int) DijkstraNode -> (Int, Int) -> Tree (Int, Int) DijkstraNode
  insertRed board pos = insert board pos (Red {pos})

  removeZombieTerritory :: PlayerContext -> Tree (Int, Int) DijkstraNode -> Tree (Int, Int) DijkstraNode
  removeZombieTerritory ctx board =
    let
      zombies = [pos | pos@(x,y) <- v2, pid <- ctx.lookAround x y, pid.getName == "Zombie"]
      zombieTerritory = [(x + xx, y + yy) | (x,y) <- zombies, xx <- [-2..2], yy <- [-2..2]]
    in fold Tree.delete board zombieTerritory

  v = [-visionRange .. visionRange]
  v2 = sortBy (comparing dist) [(x,y) | x <- v, y <- v]

  shootable = sortBy (comparing dist) [(x, y) | x <- [-shootRange .. shootRange], y <- [-shootRange .. shootRange]]

  moveTo :: (Int, Int) -> PlayerContext -> Maybe Move
  moveTo pos ctx =
    let
      rawBoard = fold insertRed Tree.empty ([p | p@(x, y) <- v2,
                                                  ctx.lookAround x y == Nothing] ++ [(0,0)])
      board = removeZombieTerritory ctx rawBoard
      yellows = Tree.insert Tree.empty (Yellow {d = 0, pos}) ()
    in findMove (DijkstraState {board, yellows})

  dist :: (Int, Int) -> Int
  dist (x,y) = max (abs x) (abs y)

  findBullets :: PlayerContext -> TreeSet PlayerId -> Maybe Action
  findBullets ctx emptyBodies =
    if (ctx.getBullets > 0) then Nothing
    else
      let
        viableBodies = [pos | pos@(x,y) <- v2, pid <- (ctx.lookAround x y), pid.getName == "DeadBody", lookup emptyBodies pid == Nothing]
      in case viableBodies of
         target : _ -> moveTo target ctx
         _ -> Nothing

  isThreat :: String -> (Int, Int) -> Bool
  isThreat name pos = case (name, pos) of
    ("Zombie", pos) | dist pos <= 2 -> true
    ("HideyTwitchy", _) -> true
    ("ZombieHater", _) -> true
    ("ZombieRightsActivist", _) -> true
    ("Gunner", _) -> true
    _ -> false

  shootThreats :: PlayerContext -> Maybe Action
  shootThreats ctx =
    let
      threats = [pid | pos@(x, y) <- shootable, pid <- ctx.lookAround x y, isThreat (pid.getName) pos]
    in case threats of
      target:_ | ctx.getBullets == 0 = Nothing
               | true = Just (Shoot.new target)
      _ -> Nothing

  coziness :: PlayerContext -> (Int, Int) -> Int
  coziness ctx (x,y) =
    let
      wallScores = [3 - dist (xx, yy) | xx <- [-2 .. 2],
                                        yy <- [-2 .. 2],
                                        xx != 0 || yy != 0,
                                        pid <- ctx.lookAround (x + xx) (y + yy),
                                        pid.getName == "DeadBody"]
    in 3 * sum wallScores - dist (x,y)

  gotoCoziest :: PlayerContext -> Maybe Action
  gotoCoziest ctx =
    let
      emptySquares = [pos | pos@(x, y) <- v2, ctx.lookAround x y == Nothing] ++ [(0,0)]
      coziest = maximumBy (comparing (coziness ctx)) emptySquares
    in if null emptySquares then Nothing
       else moveTo coziest ctx

  updateEmptyBodies :: PlayerContext -> TreeSet PlayerId -> TreeSet PlayerId
  updateEmptyBodies ctx current =
    let
      nearbyBodies = [pid | (x,y) <- neighbours (0,0), pid <- ctx.lookAround x y, pid.getName == "DeadBody"]
    in fold (\x -> \y -> insert x y ()) current nearbyBodies

  doStep :: TreeSet PlayerId -> PlayerContext -> Continue
  doStep !bodies ctx =
    let
      emptyBodies = updateEmptyBodies ctx bodies
      plan = (findBullets ctx emptyBodies) `mplus` (shootThreats ctx) `mplus` (gotoCoziest ctx)
    in case plan of
      Just action -> Continue {result = action, andThen = doStep emptyBodies}
      Nothing -> Continue {result = Move.stay, andThen = doStep emptyBodies}

  doTurn = doStep Tree.empty

Answer 12

Gunner - Java

Here's an example to get you off the blocks. He shoots anything he sees, or wanders aimlessly if there's nothing around, or he's got no bullets.

package player;

import zombie.*;

public class Gunner implements Player {

    @Override
    public Action doTurn(PlayerContext context) {
        if (context.getBullets() > 0) {
            for (PlayerId player: context.shootablePlayers()) {
                switch(player.getName()) {
                    case "Gunner":
                    case "DeadBody":
                        break;
                    default:
                        return new Shoot(player);
                }
            }
        }
        return Move.randomMove();
    }
    
}

Can you do any better?

Answer 13

HideyTwitchy

Nutjob that hides from everything unless a player chases him down to shooting range, in which case he panics and shoots (including his own kind). Only loots bodies if he's out of ammo, then gets the heck away from the corpses.

package player;

import static java.lang.Math.*;
import java.awt.Point;
import java.util.HashSet;
import java.util.Set;

import zombie.*;
import static zombie.Constants.*;

public class HideyTwitchy implements Player {

    private Set<Integer> lootedCorpseIds = new HashSet<Integer>();

    @Override
    public Action doTurn(PlayerContext context) {
        Action action = null;

        Point playerP = getClosestPlayerPoint(context);
        Point corpseP = getClosestCorpsePoint(context); 
        Point enemyP = getClosestEnemyPoint(context);

        if (isWithinArea(playerP, Constants.SHOOT_RANGE, Constants.SHOOT_RANGE)) {
            //player spotted within 5x5
            if (context.getBullets() > 0) {
                action = getShootAction(playerP, context); //shoot!
            } else {
                action = getMoveAwayFromPoint(playerP); //run!
            }
        } else if (isWithinArea(enemyP, Constants.VISION_RANGE, Constants.VISION_RANGE)) {
            //players or zombie spotted within 8x8
            action = getMoveAwayFromPoint(enemyP); //run!
        } else if (isWithinArea(corpseP, Constants.VISION_RANGE, Constants.VISION_RANGE)) {
            //corpse spotted within 8x8

            int uniqueCorpseId = getPlayerIdAtPoint(context, corpseP).getNumber();
            if (isWithinArea(corpseP, 1, 1)) {
                //loot the corpse and get the heck away from it
                lootedCorpseIds.add(uniqueCorpseId);
                action = getMoveAwayFromPoint(corpseP);
            } else if (context.getBullets() == 0 && !lootedCorpseIds.contains(uniqueCorpseId)) {
                action = getMoveTowardsPoint(corpseP); //loot corpse if not looted!
            } 
        } else {
            //randomly move
            action = Move.randomMove();
        }

        return action;
    }

    private PlayerId getPlayerIdAtPoint(PlayerContext context, Point p) {
        return context.getPlayField()[(int) p.getX()][(int) p.getY()];
    }

    private Move getMoveTowardsPoint(Point p) {
        return Move.inDirection((int)p.getX() - CENTRE_OF_VISION, (int)p.getY() - CENTRE_OF_VISION);
    }

    private Move getMoveAwayFromPoint(Point p) {
        return Move.inDirection(CENTRE_OF_VISION - (int)p.getX(), CENTRE_OF_VISION - (int)p.getY());
    }

    private Shoot getShootAction(Point p, PlayerContext context) {
        PlayerId id = context.getPlayField()[(int) p.getX()][(int) p.getY()];
        Shoot shootAction = new Shoot(id);

        return shootAction;
    }

    private boolean isWithinArea(Point p, int x, int y) {
        return p != null 
                && abs(CENTRE_OF_VISION - p.getX()) <= x
                && abs(CENTRE_OF_VISION - p.getY()) <= y;
    }

    private Point getClosestEnemyPoint(PlayerContext context) {
        String[] lookFor = {};
        String[] avoid = {Dead.DEADBODYNAME};
        Point p = getClosestEntity(context, lookFor, avoid);

        return p;
    }

    private Point getClosestPlayerPoint(PlayerContext context) {
        String[] lookFor = {};
        String[] avoid = {Dead.DEADBODYNAME, Dead.ZOMBIENAME};
        Point p = getClosestEntity(context, lookFor, avoid);

        return p;
    }

    private Point getClosestCorpsePoint(PlayerContext context) {
        String[] lookFor = {Dead.DEADBODYNAME};
        String[] avoid = {Dead.ZOMBIENAME};
        Point p = getClosestEntity(context, lookFor, avoid);

        return p;
    }

    private Point getClosestEntity(PlayerContext context, String[] lookFor, String[] avoid) {

        int bestDistance = Integer.MAX_VALUE;
        Point closestPoint = null;

        for (int x = 0; x < VISION_WIDTH; x++) {
            for (int y = 0; y < VISION_WIDTH; y++) {


                PlayerId playerAtLocation = context.getPlayField()[x][y];

                if (playerAtLocation != null && !playerAtLocation.equals(context.getId())) {
                    //not empty and not me

                    boolean conditionsMet = true;
                    for (String lookForName : lookFor) {
                        conditionsMet |= playerAtLocation.getName().equals(lookForName);
                    }

                    for (String avoidName : avoid) {
                        conditionsMet &= !playerAtLocation.getName().equals(avoidName);
                    }

                    if (conditionsMet) {
                        int distance = max(abs(x - CENTRE_OF_VISION), abs(y - CENTRE_OF_VISION));
                        if (distance < bestDistance) {
                            bestDistance = distance;
                            closestPoint = new Point(x, y);
                        }
                    }
                }
            }
        }

        return closestPoint;
    }
}

Answer 14

SuperCoward - JAVA I know about the double submission but I just couldn't resist. Please tell me if I should remove it.

What kind of coward is that whom shoots and fights? Presenting to you SUPER Coward, he will run on the field trying to avoid who he thinks are enemies and zombies. He tries to stay safe and avoids obstacles. If he doesn't find a good route, panics and stays in place

package player;

import zombie.*;
import static zombie.Constants.*;

import static java.lang.Math.abs;
import static java.lang.Math.max;

import java.awt.Point;

public class SuperCoward implements Player {

    private enum DANGER{
        SAFE(0),PROBABLY_SAFE(1),UNSAFE(2),DANGER(3);

        private int value;
        private DANGER(int value){
            this.value = value;
        }
    }

    private final int PLAYER_X = 8;
    private final int PLAYER_Y = 8;

    @Override
    public Action doTurn(PlayerContext context) {

        DANGER danger = DANGER.DANGER;
        Point position = null;
        for(int i=-1;i<1;i++){
            for(int j=-1;j<1;j++){
                DANGER positionDanger = isDangerous(context,PLAYER_X+i,PLAYER_Y+j);
                if(positionDanger.value < danger.value){
                    if(canMove(context,PLAYER_X+i,PLAYER_Y+j)){
                        position = new Point(PLAYER_X+i, PLAYER_Y+j);
                    }
                }
            }
        }

        if(position != null){
            return Move.inDirection(position.x, position.y);
        }else{
            return Move.STAY;
        }
    }

    private boolean canMove(PlayerContext context,int posX, int posY){
         PlayerId playerAtLocation = context.getPlayField()[posX][posY];
        if(playerAtLocation == null){
            return true;
        }else{
            return false;
        }
    }

    private DANGER isDangerous(PlayerContext context,int posX, int posY){
        DANGER danger = DANGER.SAFE;

          for (int x = 0; x < VISION_WIDTH; x++) {
                for (int y = 0; y < VISION_WIDTH; y++) {
                     PlayerId playerAtLocation = context.getPlayField()[x][y];

                     if(playerAtLocation != null && isEnemy(playerAtLocation.getName())){
                         int distanceToPlayer = max(abs(x - posX), abs(y - posY));
                         if(playerAtLocation.getName().equals("Zombie")){
                             DANGER currentDanger = null;
                             if(distanceToPlayer <=3){
                                 currentDanger = DANGER.DANGER;
                             }else if(distanceToPlayer <=5){
                                 currentDanger = DANGER.PROBABLY_SAFE;
                             }else if(distanceToPlayer >5){
                                 currentDanger = DANGER.SAFE;
                             }
                             if(currentDanger.value > danger.value){
                                 danger = currentDanger;
                             }
                         }else{
                             DANGER currentDanger = null;
                             if(distanceToPlayer <=5){
                                 currentDanger = DANGER.DANGER;
                             }else if(distanceToPlayer >5){
                                 currentDanger = DANGER.PROBABLY_SAFE;
                             }
                             if(currentDanger.value > danger.value){
                                 danger = currentDanger;
                             }
                         }
                     }
                }
          }
        return danger;
    }

    private boolean isEnemy(String name){
         switch(name) {
            case "DeadBody":
            case "GordonFreeman":
            case "EmoWolfWithAGun":
            case "HuddleWolf":
            case "ThePriest":
            case "Shotguneer":
            case "SuperCoward":
                return false;
            default:
                return true;
         }
    }
}

Answer 15

Shotguneer

I will admit that my main goal is to shoot the Gunner.

package player;

import zombie.*;
import static zombie.Constants.*;
import static java.lang.Math.*;

public class Shotguneer implements Player {

    @Override
    public Action doTurn(PlayerContext context) {

        double sdistance=1000;

        if (context.getBullets() > 0) {
            for (PlayerId player: context.shootablePlayers()) {
                switch(player.getName()) {
                    case "Gunner":
                    case "ZombieRightsActivist":
                    case "HideyTwitchy":
                    case "ZombieHater":
                    case "Waller";
                    case "Bee";
                    case "SunTzu";
                    //case "Fox":
                    //case "Coward":
                        return new Shoot(player);
                    default:
                        break;
                }
            }
            boolean zombies=false;
            PlayerId TargetZombie = context.getId();
            for (int x = -3; x < +4; x++) {
            for (int y = -3; y < +4; y++) {
                double distance = sqrt(pow(x,2)+pow(y,2));
                PlayerId playerAtLocation = context.getPlayField()[x + CENTRE_OF_VISION][y + CENTRE_OF_VISION];
                if (playerAtLocation != null && playerAtLocation.getName().equals("Zombie") && (distance < sdistance ||zombies==false)) {
                    sdistance = distance;
                    zombies=true;
                    TargetZombie=playerAtLocation;
                }
                //if (playerAtLocation != null && playerAtLocation.getName().equals("Priest") && distance < 2 &&zombies==false) {
                    //TargetZombie=playerAtLocation;
                    //sdistance=distance;
                //}
            }}
            if (zombies || sdistance<3) {
                return new Shoot(TargetZombie);
            }
        }

        if (context.getPlayField()[CENTRE_OF_VISION-1][CENTRE_OF_VISION-1]==null){
            return Move.NORTHWEST;  
        } else if (context.getPlayField()[CENTRE_OF_VISION][CENTRE_OF_VISION-1]==null){
            return Move.NORTH;
        } else {
            return Move.WEST;
        }

    }

}

Answer 16

Sokie - JAVA

Sokie knows that you are better in packs, so it tries to go the nearest ally he finds. While moving, if he is in danger tries to fight or otherwise tries to run. When he reaches friends, they all fight together until they have no ammo, then try to find nearest bodies to scavenge.

package player;

import zombie.*;
import static zombie.Constants.*;

import static java.lang.Math.abs;
import static java.lang.Math.max;

import java.awt.Point;
import java.util.HashMap;
import java.util.Map;

public class Sokie implements Player {

    public static Map<Point, Sokie> myPack = new HashMap<>();
    private PlayerContext context;
    private Move moveDirection;
    private final int PLAYER_X = 8;
    private final int PLAYER_Y = 8;

    private enum DANGER {
        SAFE(0), PROBABLY_SAFE(1), UNSAFE(2), DANGER(3);

        private int value;

        private DANGER(int value) {
            this.value = value;
        }
    }

    @Override
    public Action doTurn(PlayerContext context) {
        Point p = new Point(context.getX(), context.getY());
        myPack.put(p, this);
        this.context = context;

        int friends = 0;
        int deadbodyDistance = Integer.MAX_VALUE;
        Move deadbodyDirection = null;
        Point deadBodyPosition = null;
        Move friendsDirection = Move.SOUTHWEST;

        // Find the closest friend to whom we can move
        int maxDistance = Integer.MAX_VALUE;
        for (Sokie bp : myPack.values()) {
            // Skip ourselves
            if (bp.context.equals(context)) {
                continue;
            }
            Point pos = bp.getPosition();
            int x = pos.x;
            int y = pos.y;
            int distance = Math.max(Math.abs(context.getX() - x),
                    Math.abs(context.getY() - y));
            if (distance < maxDistance) {
                if (canMove(context, (int) Math.signum(x), (int) Math.signum(y))
                        && !isDangerous(context, (int) Math.signum(x),
                                (int) Math.signum(y))) {
                    maxDistance = distance;
                    friendsDirection = Move.inDirection((int) Math.signum(x),
                            (int) Math.signum(y));
                } else {
                    if (canMove(context, (int) Math.signum(0),
                            (int) Math.signum(y))
                            && !isDangerous(context, (int) Math.signum(x),
                                    (int) Math.signum(y))) {
                        maxDistance = distance;
                        friendsDirection = Move.inDirection(
                                (int) Math.signum(0), (int) Math.signum(y));
                    } else if (canMove(context, (int) Math.signum(x),
                            (int) Math.signum(0))
                            && !isDangerous(context, (int) Math.signum(x),
                                    (int) Math.signum(y))) {
                        maxDistance = distance;
                        friendsDirection = Move.inDirection(
                                (int) Math.signum(x), (int) Math.signum(0));
                    }
                }
            }
        }

        // Find how many friends we have in close vicinity
        for (int x = 0; x < VISION_WIDTH; x++) {
            for (int y = 0; y < VISION_WIDTH; y++) {
                PlayerId playerAtLocation = context.getPlayField()[x][y];
                if (playerAtLocation != null
                        && playerAtLocation.getName().equals("Sokie")) {
                    friends++;
                }
            }
        }

        // Search for dead bodies
        for (int y = 1; y < VISION_WIDTH - 1; y++) {
            for (int x = 1; x < VISION_WIDTH - 1; x++) {

                PlayerId playerAtLocation = context.getPlayField()[x][y];
                // find a dead body
                if ((playerAtLocation != null)
                        && "DeadBody".equals(playerAtLocation.getName())) {
                    // check adjacent squares for an empty square
                    for (int yy = -1; yy <= +1; yy++) {
                        for (int xx = -1; xx <= +1; xx++) {
                            PlayerId playerNearby = context.getPlayField()[x
                                    + xx][y + yy];
                            if (playerNearby == null) {
                                int distance = max(abs(xx + x
                                        - CENTRE_OF_VISION), abs(yy + y
                                        - CENTRE_OF_VISION));
                                if (distance < deadbodyDistance) {
                                    deadbodyDistance = distance;
                                    deadBodyPosition = getAbsolutePosition(
                                            context, x + xx, y + yy);
                                    deadbodyDirection = Move.inDirection(xx + x
                                            - CENTRE_OF_VISION, yy + y
                                            - CENTRE_OF_VISION);
                                }
                            }
                        }
                    }
                }
            }
        }

        // If we have atleast 2 people close, stay or try to shoot
        // otherwise move randomly, try to find bodies and packs
        if (friends >= 2) {
            // Shoot anybody close
            if (context.getBullets() > 0) {
                int distEnemy = VISION_WIDTH;
                int distZombie = VISION_WIDTH;
                PlayerId targetEnemy = null;
                PlayerId targetZombie = null;
                for (int x = CENTRE_OF_VISION - SHOOT_RANGE; x <= CENTRE_OF_VISION
                        + SHOOT_RANGE; x++) {
                    for (int y = CENTRE_OF_VISION - SHOOT_RANGE; y <= CENTRE_OF_VISION
                            + SHOOT_RANGE; y++) {
                        PlayerId player = context.getPlayField()[x][y];
                        if (player != null) {
                            int dist = getDistance(x, y);
                            if (player.getName().equals("Zombie")) {
                                if (dist < distZombie) {
                                    distZombie = dist;
                                    targetZombie = player;
                                }
                            } else if (isEnemy(player.getName())
                                    && dist <= distEnemy) {
                                distEnemy = dist;
                                targetEnemy = context.getPlayField()[x][y];
                            }
                        }
                    }
                }

                if (targetZombie != null && distZombie <= 2) {
                    return new Shoot(targetZombie);
                } else if (targetEnemy != null && distEnemy <= 5) {
                    return new Shoot(targetEnemy);
                }
            }

            for (Sokie bp : myPack.values()) {
                // If someone in the pack has ammo, stay
                if (bp.getAmmo() > 0) {
                    return Move.STAY;
                }
            }

            // If there are bodies close, try to reach them
            int bodyDistance = deadbodyDistance;
            if (deadbodyDistance <= 5) {
                for (Sokie bp : myPack.values()) {
                    int distanceBody = Math.max(
                            Math.abs(deadBodyPosition.x - bp.context.getX()),
                            Math.abs(deadBodyPosition.y - bp.context.getY()));
                    if (deadbodyDistance > distanceBody) {
                        bodyDistance = distanceBody;
                    }
                }
            }
            // If we are not the closest to the body, stay
            if (bodyDistance < deadbodyDistance) {
                return Move.STAY;
            } else {
                return deadbodyDirection;
            }
        } else {
            // We try to reach our closest friend
            // If we are in danger, either fight or run
            if (areWeInDanger(context, PLAYER_X, PLAYER_Y)) {
                if (context.getBullets() > 0) {
                    int distEnemy = VISION_WIDTH;
                    int distZombie = VISION_WIDTH;
                    PlayerId targetEnemy = null;
                    PlayerId targetZombie = null;
                    for (int x = CENTRE_OF_VISION - SHOOT_RANGE; x <= CENTRE_OF_VISION
                            + SHOOT_RANGE; x++) {
                        for (int y = CENTRE_OF_VISION - SHOOT_RANGE; y <= CENTRE_OF_VISION
                                + SHOOT_RANGE; y++) {
                            PlayerId player = context.getPlayField()[x][y];
                            if (player != null) {
                                int dist = getDistance(x, y);
                                if (player.getName().equals("Zombie")) {
                                    if (dist < distZombie) {
                                        distZombie = dist;
                                        targetZombie = player;
                                    }
                                } else if (isEnemy(player.getName())
                                        && dist <= distEnemy) {
                                    distEnemy = dist;
                                    targetEnemy = context.getPlayField()[x][y];
                                }
                            }
                        }
                    }

                    if (targetZombie != null && distZombie <= 2) {
                        return new Shoot(targetZombie);
                    } else if (targetEnemy != null && distEnemy <= 5) {
                        return new Shoot(targetEnemy);
                    }
                } else {
                    DANGER danger = DANGER.DANGER;
                    Point position = null;
                    for (int i = -1; i < 1; i++) {
                        for (int j = -1; j < 1; j++) {
                            DANGER positionDanger = getDangerLevel(context,
                                    PLAYER_X + i, PLAYER_Y + j);
                            if (positionDanger.value < danger.value) {
                                if (canMove(context, PLAYER_X + i, PLAYER_Y + j)) {
                                    position = new Point(PLAYER_X + i, PLAYER_Y
                                            + j);
                                }
                            }
                        }
                    }

                    if (position != null) {
                        return Move.inDirection(position.x, position.y);
                    } else {
                        return Move.randomMove();
                    }
                }
            } else {
                return friendsDirection;
            }
        }
        return Move.randomMove();
    }

    private DANGER getDangerLevel(PlayerContext context, int posX, int posY) {
        DANGER danger = DANGER.SAFE;

        for (int x = 0; x < VISION_WIDTH; x++) {
            for (int y = 0; y < VISION_WIDTH; y++) {
                PlayerId playerAtLocation = context.getPlayField()[x][y];

                if (playerAtLocation != null
                        && isEnemy(playerAtLocation.getName())) {
                    int distanceToPlayer = max(abs(x - posX), abs(y - posY));
                    if (playerAtLocation.getName().equals("Zombie")) {
                        DANGER currentDanger = null;
                        if (distanceToPlayer <= 2) {
                            currentDanger = DANGER.DANGER;
                        } else if (distanceToPlayer <= 5) {
                            currentDanger = DANGER.PROBABLY_SAFE;
                        } else if (distanceToPlayer > 5) {
                            currentDanger = DANGER.SAFE;
                        }
                        if (currentDanger.value > danger.value) {
                            danger = currentDanger;
                        }
                    } else {
                        DANGER currentDanger = null;
                        if (distanceToPlayer <= 5) {
                            currentDanger = DANGER.DANGER;
                        } else if (distanceToPlayer > 5) {
                            currentDanger = DANGER.PROBABLY_SAFE;
                        }
                        if (currentDanger.value > danger.value) {
                            danger = currentDanger;
                        }
                    }
                }
            }
        }
        return danger;
    }

    private boolean isDangerous(PlayerContext context, int posX, int posY) {

        for (int x = 0; x < VISION_WIDTH; x++) {
            for (int y = 0; y < VISION_WIDTH; y++) {
                PlayerId playerAtLocation = context.getPlayField()[x][y];

                if (playerAtLocation != null
                        && isEnemy(playerAtLocation.getName())) {
                    int distanceToPlayer = max(abs(x - posX), abs(y - posY));
                    if (playerAtLocation.getName().equals("Zombie")) {
                        if (distanceToPlayer <= 2) {
                            return true;
                        }
                    } else {
                        if (distanceToPlayer <= 5) {
                            return true;
                        }
                    }
                }
            }
        }
        return false;

    }

    // calculates absolute position, from XY in our field of view
    private Point getAbsolutePosition(PlayerContext context, int relativeX,
            int relativeY) {
        int playerX = context.getX();
        int playerY = context.getY();

        return new Point(playerX + (relativeX - PLAYER_X), playerY
                + (relativeY - PLAYER_Y));
    }

    // Gets distance on the field
    private int getDistance(int x, int y) {
        return Math.max(Math.abs(PLAYER_X - x), Math.abs(PLAYER_Y - y));
    }

    public int getAmmo() {
        return context.getBullets();
    }

    public Point getPosition() {
        Point p = new Point(context.getX(), context.getY());
        return p;
    }

    public Move getMoveDirection() {
        return moveDirection;
    }

    // Quick check for dangers around us
    private boolean areWeInDanger(PlayerContext context, int posX, int posY) {
        for (int x = 0; x < VISION_WIDTH; x++) {
            for (int y = 0; y < VISION_WIDTH; y++) {
                PlayerId playerAtLocation = context.getPlayField()[x][y];

                if (playerAtLocation != null
                        && isEnemy(playerAtLocation.getName())) {
                    int distanceToPlayer = max(abs(x - posX), abs(y - posY));
                    if (playerAtLocation.getName().equals("Zombie")) {
                        if (distanceToPlayer <= 2) {
                            return true;
                        }
                    } else {
                        if (distanceToPlayer <= 5) {
                            return true;
                        }
                    }
                }
            }
        }
        return false;
    }

    private boolean canMove(PlayerContext context, int posX, int posY) {
        PlayerId playerAtLocation = context.getPlayField()[posX][posY];
        if (playerAtLocation == null) {
            return true;
        } else {
            return false;
        }
    }

    private boolean isEnemy(String name) {
        switch (name) {
        case "Sokie":
        case "DeadBody":
        case "GordonFreeman":
        case "EmoWolfWithAGun":
        case "HuddleWolf":
        case "ThePriest":
        case "Shotguneer":
        case "StandStill":
            return false;
        default:
            return true;
        }
    }

}

Answer 17

Bee - Python

Second entry, but I thought it would be fun to try something else out and in a different language.

• Now the Bees will avoid moving to the same spot.
• More 'Pythonic' now
• Optimized torus movement so the bees can get to the queen quicker (thanks James for allowing access to the board size)

Bees prefer to be together, so they designate one of the surviving Bees as the Queen Bee and swarm toward her. They will sting opponents on their way to her, preferring zombie flesh over human.

from zombie import Player, Move, Shoot, PlayerRegistry, Constants

friends = ['Bee','Waller','DeadBody','ThePriest','StandStill','Vortigaunt','EmoWolfWithAGun']
MID = Constants.CENTRE_OF_VISION
BOARDSIZE = 1
sign = lambda x: (1, -1)[x<0]
isZombie = lambda player: player and player.getName() is "Zombie"
isEnemy = lambda player: player and player.getName() not in friends
isWall = lambda player: player and (player.getName() is "DeadBody" or player.getName() is "StandStill")
distance = lambda x1,y1,x2,y2: max(distance1d(x1,x2), distance1d(y1,y2))
distance1d = lambda x1,x2: min(abs(x1-x2), BOARDSIZE - abs(x1-x2))
Bees = {}
Shot = set()
MoveTo = set()  

def getDirection(x1, x2):  
    diff = x1 - x2  
    if abs(diff) > (BOARDSIZE // 2):
        return sign(diff)
    return -sign(diff)

class Bee(Player):  
    Queen = None
    QueenBeePosition = None
    X = Y = ID = 0
    LastTurn = -1   

    def doTurn(self, context): 
        global BOARDSIZE
        self.ID = context.id.number
        self.X = context.x
        self.Y = context.y
        BOARDSIZE = context.boardSize  
        self.setQueenBee(context.gameClock)                    
        action = self.sting(context)
        if action:
            return action
        return self.moveToQueenBee(context)     

    def setQueenBee(self, turn):
        if turn != Bee.LastTurn:
            Bee.LastTurn = turn     
            MoveTo.clear() # Clear the move set on new turn
        Bees[self.ID] = turn # Report In        
        if not Bee.Queen or (Bee.Queen and Bees[Bee.Queen] < turn - 1):
            Bee.Queen = self.ID
            Bee.QueenBeePosition = (self.X, self.Y)     

    def moveToQueenBee(self, context):
        if self.ID == Bee.Queen:
            return Move.randomMove()

        dist = distance(Bee.QueenBeePosition[0], Bee.QueenBeePosition[1], self.X, self.Y)
        if dist < 4:
            return Move.randomMove()

        signX = getDirection(self.X, Bee.QueenBeePosition[0])      
        signY = getDirection(self.Y, Bee.QueenBeePosition[1])      
        walls = 0
        field = context.playField
        for (deltaX, deltaY) in [(signX,signY),(signX,0),(0,signY),(signX,-signY),(-signX,signY)]:
            player = field[MID + deltaX][MID + deltaY]
            if isWall(player):
                walls += 1
            if not player:               
                point = frozenset([self.X+deltaX,self.Y+deltaY])            
                if point not in MoveTo:
                    MoveTo.add(point)                   
                    return Move.inDirection(deltaX,deltaY)
        if walls > 2:
            return Move.randomMove()
        return Move.STAY

    def sting(self, context):      

        if context.bullets < 1:
            return      
        field = context.playField
        closestZombie,closestPlayer = None,None
        closestZombieDist,bestDist = 3,5   
        for x in range(MID - 5, MID + 5):
            for y in range(MID - 5, MID + 5):
                player = field[x][y]
                if player and not isWall(player) and player not in Shot:
                    dist = distance(MID,MID,x,y)
                    if isZombie(player) and dist < closestZombieDist:   
                        closestZombieDist = dist
                        closestZombie = player
                    elif isEnemy(player) and dist < bestDist: 
                        bestDist = dist
                        closestPlayer = player

        if closestZombie:
            Shot.add(closestZombie)
            return Shoot(closestZombie)        

        if closestPlayer:
            Shot.add(closestPlayer)
            return Shoot(closestPlayer)        

PlayerRegistry.registerPlayer("Bee", Bee())

Answer 18

Mr. Assassin

His parents aren't very nice people. He has no qualms killing but won't if he thinks you will help him live longer. He treats everyone as if they are special and then disgards that and ranks you by how close he wants you, how much he wants you dead, and important you are to the current situation.

As I know alot of this is hidden in here I'll explain some. He usually never kill the guys who might kill his threats before he has to as they are not his targets. He will feed off some who never shoot. With one exception, he kills you if you currently kill him. He prefers walled in locations without that being forced into the code. He is Fox phobic and a Coward coward. He cuddles up with Huddlewolves and walls up with Wallers. He currently moves toward groupers (like Sokie even though Sokie shoots him mercilessly). Nash should love him as his priorites make a game theorist cry. His customers, however, seem to be very zenophobic having him kill priests, aliens, and newcomers (though he mmight pardon you friday or saturday if you don't kill him... sunday is too late). Sorry if I am forgetting anyone else.

package player;
import zombie.*;
import static zombie.Constants.*;
//import static java.lang.Math.*;

public class Jack implements Player {
    @Override
    public Action doTurn(PlayerContext context) {
        int[] Ideal = {1,5,8,7,2,2,7,2,1,5,1,2,1,1,7,2,7,7,7,0,2,3,1,7};
        int[] Threat = {1,4,8,8,1,1,7,1,2,2,2,1,2,0,6,2,6,6,6,1,1,2,6,6};
        int[] Importance = {1,2,4,4,1,1,1,1,3,1,3,1,3,3,1,2,1,1,1,10,2,2,3,2};

        PlayerId Target = context.getId();
        int[][] Bob = {{800-2*Math.max(0,context.getGameClock()),400-Math.max(0,context.getGameClock()),800-Math.max(0,context.getGameClock())},{0,0,0},{0,0,0}};
        double maxDanger=0;
        int zombies=0;

        for (int x = -8; x < +8; x++) {
        for (int y = -8; y < +8; y++) {
            PlayerId playerAtLocation = context.getPlayField()[x + CENTRE_OF_VISION][y + CENTRE_OF_VISION];
            if (playerAtLocation != null && x*y+x+Math.abs(y) != 0){
                if (Math.abs(x)*Math.abs(y)==1 || Math.abs(x) + Math.abs(y)==1){
                    Bob[x+1][y+1]-=100000;
                }
                int dist = Math.max(Math.abs(x),Math.abs(y));
                int Ident = Dats(playerAtLocation);
                double Danger = (Threat[Ident]-dist)*Importance[Ident];
                if(Ident==1 && dist<Threat[Ident]){
                    zombies++;
                    if(context.getPlayField()[TFSAE(x)-1 + CENTRE_OF_VISION][TFSAE(y) -1+ CENTRE_OF_VISION]!=null){ 
                    Danger=0;
                                } else if(dist==2){Danger+=4;} 
                }
                if(Danger>maxDanger && dist<6){
                    maxDanger=Danger;
                    Target=playerAtLocation;
                }
                if(dist != Ideal[Ident]){

                    Bob[TFSAE(x)][TFSAE(y)] += Math.round(200*Importance[Ident]/(dist-Ideal[Ident]));

                    if(TFSAE(x) ==1) {
                        Bob[0][TFSAE(y)] += Math.round(100*Importance[Ident]/(dist-Ideal[Ident]));
                        Bob[2][TFSAE(y)] += Math.round(100*Importance[Ident]/(dist-Ideal[Ident]));
                    } else {
                        Bob[1][TFSAE(y)] += Math.round(100*Importance[Ident]/(dist-Ideal[Ident]));
                    }

                    if(TFSAE(y) ==1) {
                        Bob[TFSAE(x)][0] += Math.round(100*Importance[Ident]/(dist-Ideal[Ident]));
                        Bob[TFSAE(x)][2] += Math.round(100*Importance[Ident]/(dist-Ideal[Ident]));
                    } else {
                        Bob[TFSAE(x)][1] += Math.round(100*Importance[Ident]/(dist-Ideal[Ident]));
                    }
                }
            }
        }}

        if (context.getBullets()>1 && maxDanger>0){
            return new Shoot(Target);
        } else if (context.getBullets()==1 && zombies>3){
            return new Shoot(context.getId());
        } else if (context.getBullets()==1 && maxDanger>7){
            return new Shoot(Target);
        }

        int Xmax=0;
        int Ymax=0;

        for (int x = 0; x < 3; x++) {
        for (int y = 0; y < 3; y++) {
            if (Bob[x][y]>=Bob[Xmax][Ymax]){
                Xmax=x;
                Ymax=y;
            }
        }}
        return Move.inDirection(Xmax-1, Ymax-1);

    }

    private int Dats (PlayerId WhoDat){
        switch (WhoDat.getName()){
            case "DeadBody": return 0;
            case "Zombie": return 1;
            case "Fox": return 2;
            case "Coward": return 3;
            case "Shotguneer": return 4;
            case "HuddleWolf": return 5;
            case "Sokie": return 6;
            case "GordonFreeman": return 7;
            case "Vortigaunt": return 8;
            case "SuperCoward": return 9;
            case "StandStill": return 10;
            case "JohnNash": return 11;
            case "MoveRandomly": return 12;
            case "Waller": return 13;
            case "HideyTwitchy": return 14;
            case "Bee": return 15;
            case "ZombieHater": return 16;
            case "ZombieRightsActivist": return 17;
            case "Gunner": return 18;
            case "EmoWolfWithAGun": return 19;
            case "Jack": return 20;
              case "SOS": return 21;
              case "SunTzu": return 22;
            default: return 23;
        }

    }
    private int TFSAE(int TBN){
        if(TBN==0){return 1;
        } else if(TBN>0){return 2;}

        return 0;
    }
}

Answer 19

S.O.S. (Shoot on Sight)

package player;

import zombie.*;
import static zombie.Constants.*;
import static java.lang.Math.*;

public class SOS implements Player {

    @Override
    public Action doTurn(PlayerContext context) {
        if (context.getBullets() > 0) {
            for (PlayerId player: context.shootablePlayers()) {
                switch(player.getName()) {
                    case "Gunner":
                    case "Zombie":
                    case "ZombieRightsActivist":
                        return new Shoot(player);
                    default:
                        break;
                }
            }
        }
        Move bestDirection = Move.NORTH;
        int bestDistance = Integer.MAX_VALUE;
        for (int x = 0; x < VISION_WIDTH; x++) {
            for (int y = 0; y < VISION_WIDTH; y++) {
                int distance = max(abs(x - CENTRE_OF_VISION), abs(y - CENTRE_OF_VISION));
                PlayerId playerAtLocation = context.getPlayField()[x][y];
                if (playerAtLocation != null
                        && !(playerAtLocation.getName().equals("Zombie"))
                        && !(playerAtLocation.getName().equals("Gunner"))
                        && !(playerAtLocation.getName().equals("ZombieRightsActivist"))
                        && !(playerAtLocation.getName().equals("ZombieHater"))
                        && !(playerAtLocation.equals(context.getId()))
                        && distance < bestDistance) {
                    bestDistance = distance;
                    bestDirection = Move.inDirection(x - CENTRE_OF_VISION, y -CENTRE_OF_VISION);
                }
            }
        }
        return bestDirection;
    }
}

Answer 20

John Nash - Javascript

The decision whether to shoot someone is essentially the prisoner's dilemma. If you assume that your adversary has already made up their mind, then the best option is always to shoot them. However, if your adversary will decide what to do based on what they think you'll do, then the best option is to leave them be, and they'll probably do the same.

John Nash only shoots "chumps" - adversaries who have already made up their minds. That is, he shoots adversaries that always shoot, or adversaries that never shoot. He leaves adversaries alone if they have more complicated logic.

When he's not shooting, he's scavenging for bullets or heading South.

var Constants = Packages.zombie.Constants
var Shoot = Packages.zombie.Shoot
var Move = Packages.zombie.Move
var Player = Packages.zombie.Player
var PlayerRegistry = Packages.zombie.PlayerRegistry

function mkSet() {
    var s = {}
    for (var i = 0; i < arguments.length; i++) {
        s[arguments[i]] = true
    }
    return s
}

var chumps = mkSet(
                "GordonFreeman",
                "HideyTwitchy",
                "Gunner",
                "MoveRandomly",
                "StandStill",
                "ThePriest",
                "Vortigaunt",
                "ZombieHater",
                "ZombieRightsActivist",
                "Bee",
                "Zombie",
                "SuperCoward"
              )

function dist(x, y) {
    return Math.max(Math.abs(x - Constants.CENTRE_OF_VISION), Math.abs(y - Constants.CENTRE_OF_VISION))
}

function range(width, offset) {
    var x = []
    for (var i = -width; i <= width; i++) {
        for (var j = -width; j <= width; j++) {
            if (i != 0 || j != 0) x.push([i + offset,j + offset])
        }
    }
    return x
}

function JohnNash() {
    var looted = {}
    this.doTurn = function(context) {
        var field = context.getPlayField()
        // Save looted bodies
        range(1, Constants.CENTRE_OF_VISION).forEach(function(p) {
            var x = p[0], y = p[1]
            var playerId = field[x][y]
            if (playerId && playerId.getName() == "DeadBody") {
                looted[playerId] = true
            }
        })

        // Shoot any nearby chumps
        if (context.getBullets() > 0) {
            var shootableIterator = context.shootablePlayers().iterator();
            while (shootableIterator.hasNext()) {
                var shootable = shootableIterator.next()
                if (chumps[shootable.getName()]) return new Shoot(shootable)
            }
        }

        // Helper function - everyone loves closures
        function moveTowards(x, y) {
            var tryMove = Move.inDirection(
                    x - Constants.CENTRE_OF_VISION,
                    y - Constants.CENTRE_OF_VISION
            )
            if (!(field[Constants.CENTRE_OF_VISION + tryMove.x][Constants.CENTRE_OF_VISION + tryMove.y])) {
                return tryMove
            } else {
                // If your path is blocked, take a random move
                return Move.randomMove()
            }
        }

        // Loot
        var bestX, bestY, bestDist = Infinity
        range(Constants.VISION_RANGE, Constants.CENTRE_OF_VISION).forEach(function(p) {
            var x = p[0], y = p[1]
            var playerId = field[x][y]
            if (playerId
                    && playerId.getName() == "DeadBody"
                    && !looted[playerId]
                    && dist(x, y) < bestDist) {
                bestDist = dist(x,y)
                bestX = x
                bestY = y
            }
        })

        if (bestDist < Infinity) {
            return moveTowards(bestX, bestY)
        }
        else return Move.SOUTH
    }
}

PlayerRegistry.registerPlayer("JohnNash", new Player(new JohnNash()))

Answer 21

SunTzu tries to be tactical, and find safe spots on the grid to move to. But as it stands, he's just a work in progress atm.

“Thus we may know that there are five essentials for victory:
1. He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.
2. He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces.
3. He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks.
4. He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.
5. He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign.”

package player;

import static zombie.Constants.CENTRE_OF_VISION;
import static zombie.Constants.SHOOT_RANGE;
import static zombie.Constants.VISION_RANGE;

import java.awt.Point;
import java.util.Collections;
import java.util.Comparator;
import java.util.HashSet;
import java.util.Iterator;
import java.util.LinkedHashSet;
import java.util.Set;
import java.util.TreeSet;

import zombie.Action;
import zombie.Move;
import zombie.Player;
import zombie.PlayerContext;
import zombie.PlayerId;
import zombie.Shoot;

import com.google.common.base.Function;
import com.google.common.base.Predicate;
import com.google.common.collect.Collections2;
import com.google.common.collect.Table.Cell;
import com.google.common.collect.TreeBasedTable;

    public class SunTzu implements Player {
        private TreeBasedTable<Integer, Integer, Integer> dangerZone;
        private final static int IN_ENEMY_RANGE = 5;
        private static final int IN_LOOTED_RANGE = 4;
        private static final int FULL_MAGAZINE = 10;
        private static final int IN_ZOMBIE_RANGE = 10;
        private static final int NUM_PLAYERS = 40;
        private LinkedHashSet<Point> safeSpots;
        private PlayerId[][] localAreas;
        private Set<PlayerId> looted= new HashSet<>(50*NUM_PLAYERS);
        private int ammo;
        PlayerId biggestThreat;
        private Set<PlayerId> shootable;
        private PlayerId myId;
        @SuppressWarnings("unused")
        @Override
        public Action doTurn(PlayerContext context) {
            ammo = context.getBullets();
            int gameTurn =context.getGameClock();
            int boardSize = context.getBoardSize();
            myId = context.getId();
            localAreas = context.getPlayField();
            dangerZone = TreeBasedTable.create();
            shootable = context.shootablePlayers();
            updateAdjacentBodyState();

            for (int x = CENTRE_OF_VISION - SHOOT_RANGE; x <= CENTRE_OF_VISION + SHOOT_RANGE; x++) {
                for (int y = CENTRE_OF_VISION - SHOOT_RANGE; y <= CENTRE_OF_VISION + SHOOT_RANGE; y++) {
                    PlayerId playerId = localAreas[x][y];
                    if (playerId != null) {
                        calculateDangerZone(x,y,playerId);
                    }
                }
            }
            Action myAction = null;
            Iterator<Point> pIt = safeSpots.iterator();
            if (ammo>0&&!pIt.hasNext()&&getBiggestThreat()!=null) {
                return new Shoot(getBiggestThreat());
            } else if (pIt.hasNext()){
                Point p=pIt.next();
                return Move.inDirection(p.x, p.y);
            }else{
                return Move.randomMove();
            }
        }

        private PlayerId getBiggestThreat() {
            return biggestThreat==null?shootable.iterator().next():biggestThreat;
        }

        public void setBiggestThreat(PlayerId biggestThreat) {
            this.biggestThreat = biggestThreat;
        }
        private void updateAdjacentBodyState() {

            for( int x = -1; x <= 1; x++ ) {
                for( int y = -1; y <= 1; y++ ) {
                    PlayerId adjPlayerId = localAreas[CENTRE_OF_VISION+x][CENTRE_OF_VISION+y];
                    if( adjPlayerId != null && (!looted.contains(adjPlayerId) && adjPlayerId.getName().equals("DeadBody"))) {
                        looted.add(adjPlayerId);
                    }       
                }
            }
        }

        private void calculateDangerZone(int x, int y, PlayerId playerId) {
            deriveDanger(playerId, x, y);
            safeSpots = getSafeSpots();
        }

        @SuppressWarnings("rawtypes")
        private LinkedHashSet<Point> getSafeSpots() {
            LinkedHashSet<Point> safeSpots = new LinkedHashSet<>();
            TreeSet<Cell> spots = new TreeSet<>(cellValueComparator());
            for (Cell<Integer, Integer, Integer> cell : dangerZone.cellSet()) {
                spots.add(cell);
            }
            final Cell safeCell = spots.isEmpty()?null:Collections.min(spots,cellValueComparator());
            Function<Cell,Point> pointFromCell = new Function<Cell,Point>() {
                public Point apply(final Cell arg0) {return new Point((int)arg0.getRowKey(), (int)arg0.getColumnKey());};
            };

            if (safeCell!=null) {
                safeSpots.addAll(Collections2.transform(
                        Collections2.filter(spots, sameCellValuePredicate(safeCell)), pointFromCell));
            }
            return safeSpots;
        }

        @SuppressWarnings("rawtypes")
        private Predicate<Cell> sameCellValuePredicate(final Cell safeCell) {
            return new Predicate<Cell>() {

                @Override
                public boolean apply(Cell arg0) {
                    return (arg0.getValue() == safeCell.getValue());
                }
            };
        }

        @SuppressWarnings("rawtypes")
        private Comparator<Cell> cellValueComparator() {
            return new Comparator<Cell>() {
                @Override
                public int compare(Cell o1, Cell o2) {
                    return (int)o1.getValue()- (int)o2.getValue();
                }
            };
        }

        private void deriveDanger(PlayerId playerId, int x, int y) {
            switch (playerId.getName()) {
            case "Gunner":
            case "Fox":
            case "HideyTwitchy":
            case "Shotguneer":
            case "ZombieRightsActivist":
            case "ZombieHater":
            case "SuperCoward":
            case "Sokie":
                updateDangerZoneWithEnemy(x, y);
                break;
            case "DeadBody":
            case "Zombie":
                updateDangerZoneWithBodies(x,y);
                break;
            default:
                break;
            }
        }

        private void updateDangerZoneWithBodies(int x, int y) {
            int dangerLevel=0;
            if(localAreas[x][y].getName().equalsIgnoreCase("Zombie")){
                dangerLevel = IN_ZOMBIE_RANGE;
            }
            else if(looted.contains(localAreas[x][y])){
                dangerLevel = IN_LOOTED_RANGE;
            }else{
                dangerLevel = Math.min(-1,-FULL_MAGAZINE+ammo);
            }
            for (int i = x-1; i < x+1; i++) {
                for (int j = y-1; j < y+1; j++) {
                    Integer previousDangerLevel = dangerZone.get(i, j) ;
                    int currentDangerLevel = dangerLevel;
                    if (previousDangerLevel != null) {
                        currentDangerLevel = previousDangerLevel+dangerLevel;
                    } 
                    dangerZone.put(x, y, currentDangerLevel);
                }
            }
        }

        private void updateDangerZoneWithEnemy(int x, int y) {
            int dangerLevel = IN_ENEMY_RANGE;
            playerShieldFound:
                for (int i = Math.max(x-SHOOT_RANGE, 0); i < Math.min(SHOOT_RANGE+x,VISION_RANGE); i++) {
                    for (int j = Math.max(y-SHOOT_RANGE, 0); j < Math.min(SHOOT_RANGE+y,VISION_RANGE); j++) {
                        int cardinalityFactor = (i+1)+(j+1);
                        Integer previousDangerLevel = dangerZone.get(i, j);
                        int currentDangerLevel = dangerLevel*cardinalityFactor;
                        PlayerId enemy = localAreas[x][y];
                        PlayerId target = localAreas[i][j];
                        if (target!=null) {
                            if (target != enemy) {
                                break playerShieldFound;
                            } else if (target.equals(myId)) {
                                setBiggestThreat(enemy);
                            }
                        }
                        if (previousDangerLevel != null) {
                            currentDangerLevel = Math.max(previousDangerLevel, dangerLevel);
                        } 
                        dangerZone.put(i, j, currentDangerLevel );
                    }
                }
        }

    }

Current issues are that the dangerzone is not created properly, and I don't think biggestThreat is being populated correctly.

Answer 22

Tyzoid - my somewhat dumb robot

package player;

import java.util.ArrayList;

import zombie.Action;
import zombie.Move;
import zombie.Player;
import zombie.PlayerContext;
import zombie.PlayerId;
import zombie.Shoot;

public class Tyzoid implements Player {
    private static final int minPathDistance = 7;
    private static final int pathLength = 10;
    private static final boolean debug = false;
    private static final int max_iterations = 5000;

    private int current_iterations = 0;

    private class Situation {
        public int hostiles = 0;
        public int scores[][] = new int[21][21];
        public ArrayList<Coordinate> path = new ArrayList<Coordinate>();
        public int distanceToHostile = 10;
        public Coordinate nearestHostile = new Coordinate(0,0);
        public boolean seriousHostile = false;

        // Minimum path score allowed to move under normal circumstances
        public int pathScore = -40;

        public int bulletsLeft = 0;

        public Situation(){
            path.add(new Coordinate(10,10));
        }
    }

    public class Coordinate {
        public int x = 0;
        public int y = 0;

        public Coordinate(int x, int y) {
            this.x = x;
            this.y = y;
        }
    }

    @Override
    public Action doTurn(PlayerContext context) {
        try {
            Situation currentSituation = this.evaluateSituation(context);
            return this.makeDecision(currentSituation, context);
        } catch (Exception e) {
            if (debug) e.printStackTrace();
            return Move.STAY;
        }
    }

    private Situation evaluateSituation(PlayerContext context) {
        Situation situation = new Situation();

        for (int i = 0; i < 21; i++) {
            for (int j = 0; j < 21; j++) {
                situation.scores[i][j] = -3;
            }
        }

        situation.bulletsLeft = context.getBullets();

        PlayerId[][] visibleBoard = context.getPlayField();

        for (int bx = 0; bx < visibleBoard.length; bx++) {
            for (int by = 0; by < visibleBoard[bx].length; by++) {
                if (visibleBoard[bx][by] == null) {
                    continue;
                }

                if (this.isHostile(visibleBoard[bx][by].getName(), false)) {
                    situation.hostiles++;

                    this.hostileDetected(situation, bx, by, context);
                } else if (visibleBoard[bx][by].getName().equals("DeadPlayer")) {
                    this.friendlyDetected(situation, bx, by);
                    // OVER 9000!!! (there's an obstacle)
                    situation.scores[bx + 2][by + 2] = -9001;
                }
            }
        }

        return situation;
    }

    private Action makeDecision(Situation currentSituation, PlayerContext context) {
        if ((currentSituation.distanceToHostile < 3 || currentSituation.seriousHostile) && currentSituation.bulletsLeft > 0){
            // Shoot! (And possibly create opening!)
            PlayerId[][] visibleBoard = context.getPlayField();

            if (debug) System.out.println("Shooting!");

            return new Shoot(visibleBoard[currentSituation.nearestHostile.x-2][currentSituation.nearestHostile.y-2]);
        }

        if (currentSituation.hostiles > 6) {
            // Code red: get out of here! Trample over hostiles if necessary.
            // Guarantee path will generate, without hitting anything dead.
            currentSituation.pathScore = -9000;
        }

        findSafePath(currentSituation);

        Coordinate next = currentSituation.path.get(0);

        if (next.x == 10 && next.y == 10){
            if (debug) System.out.println("Staying Put.");
            return Move.STAY;
        }

        if (debug) System.out.println("Moving!");

        return Move.inDirection(next.x-2, next.y-2);
    }

    private void findSafePath(Situation currentSituation) {
        int x = 10;
        int y = 10;

        // Since we have a finite number of tiles, and we won't consider
        // backtracking, Let's consider every possible path to optimize the
        // safest path.

        current_iterations = 0;

        pathIteration(currentSituation, new ArrayList<Coordinate>(), x, y, 0);
    }

    private void pathIteration(Situation s, ArrayList<Coordinate> currentPath, int x, int y, int steps) {
        // If we've reached an end state,
        // Update situation if the currentPath has a higher (less negative) score than the current path.
        // As well as if we moved the minimum amount

        // Compute Score
        int score = 0;
        for (Coordinate c : currentPath) {
            score += s.scores[c.x][c.y];
        }

        int distanceTraveled = (Math.abs(10 - x) + Math.abs(10 - y));

        // Return if the currentPath has a lower score than the current path.
        if (score < s.pathScore || s.pathScore == 0 || current_iterations > max_iterations) return;

        if (debug) System.out.println("debug: step " + steps + " (" + score + " : " + s.pathScore + ") Distance: " + distanceTraveled);

        // Prevent my algorithm from blowing up the whole works
        current_iterations++;

        if (steps == pathLength) {
            if (distanceTraveled >= minPathDistance) {
                if (score > s.pathScore) {
                    s.path = currentPath;
                    s.pathScore = score;
                }
            }

            return;
        }

        ArrayList<Coordinate> searched = new ArrayList<Coordinate>();
        for (int index = 0; index < 9; index++){
            int minx = 0, miny = 0;
            int minscore = -1000;

            for (int i = -1; i < 2; i++) {
                for (int j = -1; j < 2; j++) {
                    if (searched.contains(new Coordinate(x+i, y+j)) || currentPath.contains(new Coordinate(x+i, y+j))){
                        continue;
                    }

                    if (steps > 1){
                        Coordinate c0 = currentPath.get(steps-2);
                        Coordinate c1 = currentPath.get(steps-1);

                        int dx = c1.x-c0.x;
                        int dy = c1.y-c0.y;

                        // Disable turning more than 45 degrees
                        if (dy != j && dx != i) continue;
                    }

                    if (s.scores[x+i][y+j] > minscore){
                        minx = x+i;
                        miny = y+j;
                        minscore = s.scores[x+i][y+j];
                    }
                }
            }

            if (!currentPath.contains(new Coordinate(minx, miny))) {
                ArrayList<Coordinate> newPath = (ArrayList<Coordinate>) currentPath.clone();
                newPath.add(new Coordinate(minx, miny));
                pathIteration(s, newPath, minx, miny, steps + 1);
            }

            searched.add(new Coordinate(minx, miny));
        }
    }

    private void hostileDetected(Situation seriousSituation, int bx, int by, PlayerContext context) {
        boolean verySerious = false;
        if (this.isHostile(context.getPlayField()[bx][by].getName(), true) && context.shootablePlayers().contains(context.getPlayField()[bx][by])){
            seriousSituation.seriousHostile = true;
            verySerious = true;
        }

        for (int i = -4; i < 5; i++) {
            for (int j = -4; j < 5; j++) {
                // Prevent from overflowing the path matrix.
                if (i + bx + 2 < 0 || i + bx + 2 > 20 || j + by + 2 < 0 || j + by + 2 > 20) continue;

                int separationLevels = Math.max(Math.abs(i), Math.abs(j));
                seriousSituation.scores[bx + i + 2][by + j + 2] += separationLevels*2 - 10;
            }
        }

        int distanceToHostile = Math.abs(10 - (bx + 2)) + Math.abs(10 - (by + 2));
        if ((distanceToHostile < seriousSituation.distanceToHostile && !seriousSituation.seriousHostile) || verySerious){
            seriousSituation.nearestHostile = new Coordinate(bx + 2, by + 2);
            seriousSituation.distanceToHostile = distanceToHostile;
        }
    }

    private void friendlyDetected(Situation lessBleakSituation, int bx, int by) {
        for (int i = -4; i < 5; i++) {
            for (int j = -4; j < 5; j++) {
                // Prevent overflowing the path matrix.
                if (i + bx < 0 || i + bx > 20 || j + by < 0 || j + by > 20) continue;

                int separationLevels = Math.max(Math.abs(i), Math.abs(j));
                lessBleakSituation.scores[bx + i + 2][by + j + 2] += 4 - separationLevels;
            }
        }
    }

    private boolean isHostile(String name, boolean serious){
        // Generated from a list of players who shot me during testing.
        // If anyone adds me as a 'friendly', I'd be happy to reciprocate.
        switch(name){
            case "Bee":
            case "Coward":
            case "Fox":
            case "Gunner":
            case "HideyTwitchy":
            case "Sokie":
            case "ZombieHater":
            case "ZombieRightsActivist":
                return true;
            default:
                return (!serious && name.equals("Zombie")); // Zombies don't shoot
        }
    }
}