The T-Files


Tue, 12 Apr 2005

PerlNomic

Now here is an interesting game. PerlNomic is a Perl version of Nomic, which describes itself like this:

Nomic is a game in which changing the rules is a move. In that respect it differs from almost every other game. The primary activity of Nomic is proposing changes in the rules, debating the wisdom of changing them in that way, voting on the changes, deciding what can and cannot be done afterwards, and doing it. Even this core of the game, of course, can be changed. (Peter Suber, The Paradox of Self-Amendment, Appendix 3, p. 362)

So, PerlNomic is a set of CGI scripts that allow users to create and vote on proposals. A proposal is an arbitrary Perl code fragment, that, if accepted by a majority of users, gets executed. New users are created using proposals. A proposal could change, add or delete files (including program files), thereby changing the rules of the game itself. If someone breaks the game, all players lose. You can win the game by proposing yourself to be the winner. At the moment, you can also win by getting 1000 points: You get points for making proposals and for voting, and extra points for voting against the majority. You lose points by having proposals rejected. I expect this point system to be one of the first things to be modified or scrapped as the game evolves.

I am waiting now for the (currently only two) active users to accept my proposal to join the game.