Cambridge Battlecode
Write autonomous bots for a turn-based strategy game and climb a live ladder
Cambridge Battlecode is a student-run bot programming competition. Teams of one to four write an autonomous bot for a turn-based strategy game revealed at launch; in the 2026 game, units collect gems and offer them at altars. Bots play on a live online ladder, then in three weekly sprint tournaments and streamed qualifiers.
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About Cambridge Battlecode
It trains game AI under real constraints: pathfinding, coordination and decision-making with limited compute per turn. Bots can be written in C, C++, Rust or Python, with Python given 20 times the compute to keep it fair. No previous competition experience is required.
The ladder, sprints and qualifiers are online and open to teams from any country. Main prizes go to student teams (or anyone under 22) who qualify for the in-person finals in Cambridge; teams with non-students can still win sprint prizes. The 2026 season runs 12 October to 18 November.
On Breakpoint since 31 Oct 2026.
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