robots

robots [ -j ] [ -s ] [ -t ] [ -V ]

-j
    Jump to a random location without refreshing the screen, making the jump faster.

-s
    Display the high score file, typically located in the user's home directory.

-t
    Show the top ten highest scores from the score file.

-V
    Print the version number of the robots game and then exit.

robots is a classic, turn-based, ASCII-art game available on many Unix-like systems as part of the bsdgames package. The player, represented by an '@' symbol, is tasked with surviving waves of hostile robots. Robots, initially denoted by '+' symbols, move one step closer to the player each turn. The core gameplay revolves around strategic movement to trick robots into colliding with each other, which destroys them and converts them into 'junk' (represented by '*'). Colliding with junk is harmless, but touching a robot or being surrounded by them leads to the player's demise.

The game features different robot types: basic robots, fast robots (moving twice per turn), and smart robots (finding optimal paths). As levels progress, the number of robots increases, and more challenging types appear. The player can move in eight directions, stay still, or use a "teleport" move to instantly jump to a random location on the screen. Teleporting can be a last resort or a strategic risk, as it might land the player in a worse position.

Successfully clearing a level of robots advances the player to the next level, where more robots spawn. The game's simplicity, combined with its strategic depth, has kept it popular among enthusiasts of retro terminal games. It provides an engaging challenge in a minimalist, text-only environment.

Primarily a game, robots is not a system utility. It requires a terminal supporting ncurses or similar capabilities for its ASCII graphics and interactive gameplay. It is typically found within the bsdgames package, which might not be installed by default on all Linux distributions. Users should be aware that the game is turn-based and requires strategic thinking rather than fast reflexes.

Players move strategically on a grid, often using the 'teleport' function or luring robots into collisions. Robots move one step closer per turn, transforming into 'junk' (represented by '*') upon collision. Different robot types, including basic, fast, and smart, add complexity to higher levels, requiring more refined tactics to survive.

Points are awarded for each robot destroyed, and the scoring often escalates with the number of robots on screen or as higher levels are reached, encouraging players to clear as many robots as possible. High scores are typically saved locally, allowing players to compete for top positions on their system.

Developed as part of the BSD operating system's bsdgames collection, robots is a testament to early interactive computing on Unix-like systems. Its simple ASCII interface and turn-based mechanics reflect the capabilities of terminals in the 1970s and 1980s. While graphical games became prevalent, robots has persisted as a classic example of terminal-based entertainment, maintaining its original design and core gameplay across decades and various Unix/Linux distributions. It remains a popular title for those seeking a nostalgic or minimalist gaming experience.

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