EXtreme Gammon is a computer program designed for playing and analyzing the game of backgammon. It employs advanced algorithms and artificial intelligence to simulate gameplay, allowing players to practice their skills, analyze their strategies, and explore different positions in the game. The program is particularly known for its strong play ability, making it a valuable tool for both beginners and experienced players looking to improve.

Digital card games are video games that simulate traditional card games through a digital interface. These games can be played on various platforms, including computers, mobile devices, and gaming consoles. They often feature elements such as: 1. **Deck Building**: Players create a deck of cards from a larger collection, selecting cards that complement their strategies or play styles.

The Computer Olympiad is an international competition that focuses on artificial intelligence (AI) and programming. Established to promote research and education in the fields of computer science and AI, the event typically features a variety of competitions where participants, often students, develop computer programs to compete in solving specific problems or playing games. Competitions can include various categories such as: 1. **Game Playing**: Where participants create AI agents to compete in games like chess, checkers, or other strategy games.

Expressive Intelligence Studio (EIS) is a platform developed by researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz, primarily aimed at pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence in creative fields, particularly in game design and storytelling. EIS combines AI techniques with expressive arts to facilitate the creation of interactive narratives and characters that can exhibit complex behaviors and emotions.

Gomocup is a yearly competition dedicated to computer Go, where various software programs (agents) that play the game of Go compete against each other. Go is an ancient board game that is known for its deep strategy and complexity. Gomocup aims to advance the development of artificial intelligence and algorithms for playing Go by providing a platform for researchers and developers to test and showcase their Go-playing programs.

Hanabi is a cooperative card game designed by Antoine Bauza, first published in 2010. The game is unique in that it is played with players collaborating to create a beautiful fireworks display using colored cards while facing specific challenges related to communication and information. ### Gameplay Overview: - **Players**: Hanabi can be played by 2 to 5 players.

Machine learning (ML) in video games refers to the application of machine learning techniques to various aspects of game design, development, and user experience. By leveraging algorithms that can learn from data, game developers can create more dynamic, immersive, and responsive gaming experiences. Here are some key areas where machine learning is used in video games: 1. **Non-Player Character (NPC) Behavior**: ML can be used to develop more sophisticated and realistic NPCs that adapt to player actions and strategies.

Rog-O-Matic is a fictional device from the science fiction universe of the "Rogue" series, specifically associated with the character Rog, a rogue intelligence or robot. The device acts as a sort of automatic response or response system that mimics human-like decision-making and interactions. It’s often depicted in a humorous or satirical light, reflecting the themes of automation and artificial intelligence found in many sci-fi narratives.

A utility system refers to the infrastructure and services that provide essential utilities to households and businesses, including electricity, water, natural gas, sewage, and telecommunications. These systems are critical for supporting daily activities, economic growth, and overall quality of life. ### Key Components of Utility Systems: 1. **Electricity**: - Generation: Power plants produce electricity from various sources such as coal, natural gas, nuclear, and renewable energy (solar, wind, hydro).

Procedural rhetoric is a concept introduced by Ian Bogost in his book "How to Do Things with Videogames." It refers to the way in which games, and other interactive media, can convey arguments and express ideas through their rules, mechanics, and processes rather than through traditional narrative or dialogue. In procedural rhetoric, the design of a game—how it operates and the experiences it offers—serves as a medium for persuasion.

Always-on DRM (Digital Rights Management) refers to a system designed to continually verify the authenticity of software or digital content, ensuring that only authorized users have access to it. This type of DRM requires a constant internet connection to validate licenses and permissions, often checking in with a server to confirm that the user is allowed to use the content or software.

Game mechanics are the rules and systems that govern the gameplay experience within a game. They are the building blocks that define how players interact with the game world, each other, and the game's goals. These mechanics can range from simple actions to complex systems and can heavily influence the game's design, pacing, and player engagement. Some common examples of game mechanics include: 1. **Scoring Systems**: How players earn points or rewards through actions in the game.

The MS Carolinian is a passenger ferry that operates between South Carolina and North Carolina. Specifically, it primarily serves the route between the city of Cherry Grove, South Carolina, and the town of Hatteras, North Carolina. The ferry is an essential service for both residents and tourists, providing a means of transportation across the waters of the Pamlico Sound and allowing for easier access to various destinations along the Outer Banks.

Gameplay refers to the specific way in which players interact with a video game, covering the mechanics, rules, and overall experience that define how the game is played. It encompasses a range of elements, including: 1. **Rules and Objectives**: The guidelines that dictate how the game operates, including the goals players must achieve, which could involve completing levels, defeating enemies, or accumulating points.

Post Weld Heat Treatment (PWHT) is a process used in welding and metal fabrication to improve the mechanical properties of welded joints. It involves heating a welded assembly to a specific temperature and then allowing it to cool under controlled conditions. The primary purposes of PWHT include: 1. **Relieving Residual Stresses**: Welding can introduce internal stresses in the material due to thermal expansion and contraction. PWHT helps to reduce these residual stresses, which can lead to improved fatigue resistance and durability.

Ultrasonic welding is a technique used to join two materials, usually thermoplastics or metal components, by applying high-frequency ultrasonic vibrations to produce localized melting at the interface of the materials. This process typically involves the following key elements: 1. **Ultrasonic Generator:** This device converts electrical energy into high-frequency ultrasonic vibrations, often in the range of 20 kHz to 40 kHz.

Rotary friction welding (RFW) is a solid-state welding process that joins two workpieces through the application of rotational motion and axial pressure. The process relies on the generation of heat through friction, which softens the material at the interface of the faying surfaces without melting it, allowing the materials to forge together.

Spiral welding is a specialized welding technique used primarily in the construction of large cylindrical structures, such as storage tanks, pipelines, and other cylindrical components. In this method, a long strip of metal is continuously fed and wrapped around a mandrel or a former in a spiral pattern, creating a seamless weld along the entire length of the cylinder.

Ultrasonic welding of thermoplastics is a technique used to join plastic components through the application of high-frequency ultrasonic acoustic vibrations. This process is commonly used in various industries, including automotive, electronics, packaging, and medical devices, due to its efficiency and ability to create strong, reliable bonds without the need for adhesives, screws, or other mechanical fasteners.

Robert Jones is an aerodynamicist known for his contributions to the field of aerodynamics, particularly in the study of fluid dynamics related to aircraft design and performance. His work typically involves research on airflow over various surfaces and the impact of design choices on flight efficiency and stability.