The IF Logic Puzzle Mini-Competition

I created a sample game which demonstrates evaluation of statements. You can enter a statement about the game world, like "The red pyramid is on the table", and the game will determine whether it's true or false.

The Entrant:

After careful deliberation, the panel of judges has selected a winner. It's him!

Here are the review comments of the judges. (This page contains spoilers for The Traffic Light. If you want to play it fresh, play it before reading!)

For his triumph, Eric will receive a clever and symbolic trophy. Eventually. When we find time to make it.

Downloadable Swag:

• traffic.zip -- Eric Schmidt's entry and the winner of this mini-competition (includes game file, source code, and author's comments)
• Notes on Playing in Traffic -- the judge's comments (spoilers!)
• logicpuz.z5 -- my logic-puzzle framework sample game
• logicpuz.inf -- the source code (public domain)
• I Had A Dream -- the essay that inspired this mess; in which I discuss the logical framework needed for consistent paradox detection
• logicpuz.tar.gz -- a package containing all three of the above
• Questions Answered about the sample game -- anything that people have asked me (because they couldn't figure it out from my (possibly arcane) source code comments)

The Challenge:

• Write a game which does something interesting with my logical evaluation code.
• Actually, you don't have to use my code. You can come up with your own system that does something similar. Or something related. Or something else in the general theme of logic puzzles.
• Actually, it doesn't have to be a game. I can imagine tutorials, interactive demonstrations, sets of puzzles, or source-code frameworks that are more powerful than mine. Heck, people are throwing around ideas for non-computer-based interactive experiences -- paper-and-pencil games between people. If you think you can make it work, go for it.
• It does have to be interesting, though.

If you have questions about my source code, or about the minicomp, please email me. Check the Questions Answered page first, however.

If you're really deeply interested in the model I came up with to consistently label sentences... including crazy paradoxical stuff... see my essay: I Had A Dream. Warning: If you're not a math major, this may hurt your head. (I dropped out of the advanced math class, and it sure hurt my head.) If you are a math major, you may find it's full of holes. Wouldn't surprise me a bit, actually.

You do not need to read the essay in order to play with the sample game, or enter the minicomp.

The Rules:

• ...must be submitted to me by 11:59 PM (Eastern) on Sunday, April 13 [2003]. You're not required to notify me that you're planning to enter, but I would appreciate it.
• ...may be in any game format. However, if the judges have trouble getting it to run, the judges will be displeased.
• ...must be a new creation, never before released. Use of "classic" public-domain material (well-known logic puzzles, etc) is acceptable, if used judiciously and presented niftily. If the judges find themselves saying "Nothing new here," the judges will be displeased.
• ...may be of any size and scope. Of course, you've only got two months.
• ...need not be accompanied by hints, walkthroughs, or source code. However, any of these may help your chances, by making it clearer to the poor benighted judges just how great your entry is.
• ...will be uploaded to the IF Archive (by the judges) at the conclusion of judging.
• ...will be judged on the basis of how cool it is.

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