Game Physics

The order that Robocode runs is as follows:

• All robots execute their code until taking action
• Time is updated (currentTime++)
• All bullets move and check for collisions
• All robots move (heading, accel, velocity, distance, in that order)
• All robots perform scans (and collect team messages)
• The battlefield draws

Robocode time is measured in "ticks", which are equivalent to frames displayed on the screen. Each robot gets one turn per tick. 1 tick = 1 turn = 1 frame.

Robocode's units are basically measured in pixels, with two exceptions. First, all distances are measured with double precision, so you can actually move a fraction of a pixel. Second, Robocode automatically scales down battles to fit on the screen. In this case, the unit of distance is actually smaller than a pixel.

Acceleration (a)

Robots accelerate at the rate of 1 pixel/tick. Robots decelerate at the rate of 2 pixels/tick. Robocode determines acceleration for you, based on the distance you are trying to move.

Velocity Equation(v)

v = at. Velocity can never exceed 8. Note that technically, velocity is a vector, but in Robocode we simply assume the direction of the vector to be the robot's heading.

Distance Equation (d)

d = vt.

Max rate of rotation of robot

(10 - .75 * abs(velocity)) degrees / tick. The faster you're moving, the slower you turn.

Max rate of rotation of gun

20 degrees / tick. This is added to the current rate of rotation of the robot.

Max rate of rotation of radar

45 degrees / tick. This is added to the current rate of rotation of the gun.

Damage

4 * firepower. If firepower > 1, it does an additional 2 * (power - 1).

Velocity

20 - 3 * firepower;

GunHeat generated

1 + firepower / 5. You cannot fire if gunHeat > 0. All guns are hot at the start of each round.

Power returned on hit

3 * firepower.

With Another Robot

Each robot takes .6 damage. If a robot is moving away from the collision, it will not be stopped.

With a Wall

AdvancedRobots take Math.abs(velocity) * .5 - 1; (Never < 0)