Guidelines
The COBOL Code Contest is designed to bring an element of fun and excitement into the
COBOL learning environment. These guidelines are designed to help you get started in
building your video game, for full terms and conditions please see visit:
academic.microfocus.com/code/terms.asp
1. Game ideas
As long as your game conforms to the full terms and conditions of the contest, no idea is
impossible! Be creative. It’s up to you to show off your coding skills and turn your great idea
into a gaming realization.
If you want some inspiration, here are a few simple games that already exist as part of our
Visual COBOL samples
http://documentation.microfocus.com/help/index.jsp?topic=%2Fcom.microfocus.eclipse.infocenter.
visualcobol.vs%2FH2GHGHDNET07.html (scroll down to the section called ‘Games’).
You’ll find working examples of COBOL Blitz, COBOLDoKu and COBOL Tic-Tac-Toe.
We think you can do better though; perhaps you could build the next logic game to rival Candy
Crush? Or perhaps you’re more into shoot ‘em ups and want to bring back Duck Hunt? You could
even try re-writing an existing game in COBOL (just be careful to check the copyright first!). Either
way, as long as your contest entry contains at least 50% Visual COBOL you’re in.
2. Supported platforms
Your game should be built to run on one of the following supported platforms so that your
entry can be run correctly and judged:

Windows XP (x86) with Service Pack 3

Windows XP (x64) with Service Pack 2

Windows Vista (x86 & x64) with Service Pack 1

Windows 7 (x86 and x64)

Windows 8 (x86 and x64)

Windows Server 2003 (x86 & x64) with Service Pack 2

Windows Server 2003 R2 (x86 and x64)
Got a question?
Ask the community: http://community.microfocus.com/microfocus/cobol/f/42.aspx
Or email a member of the team: [email protected]

Windows Server 2008 (x86 and x64) with Service Pack 2

Windows Server 2008 R2 (x64) (x86 and x64) with Service Pack 2

RedHat 5.5, 5.8, 6.2 (Intel), 5.4 (IBM System z)

SuSE 11, 11 SP2 (Intel), 11 SP2 (IBM System z)

Oracle Linux 6.2 (Intel)

AIX 6.1, 7.1 (Power)

HP-UX 11.31 (Itanium)

Solaris 10, 11 (Sparc), 11 (Intel)
* Eclipse IDE support is available on Windows and Linux platforms only
3. Judging criteria
A maximum of 100 points will be awarded to each entry by our select judging panel. Take a
look at the judging criteria below and see how you can make sure your entry shines.
Category
Description
Weighting / Points
Creativity
Design, Vision, etc
15
Function
Does it work? Can we execute/run the game?
25
Capability
Use of available feature sets (COBOL / modern
language, etc.)
15
Experience
The look and feel’ - Does it demonstrate
well? Interactive, engaging to the user
15
Core requirements
Does the app meet the minimum tech
requirements outlined in the rules and terms /
conditions? 50% COBOL, etc.
30
100 Total Points
Got a question?
Ask the community: http://community.microfocus.com/microfocus/cobol/f/42.aspx
Or email a member of the team: [email protected]
4. The COBOL Community
There are hundreds of COBOL developers who are all active members of the Micro Focus
Community Site. Why not ask your peers for help if you get stuck?
Additionally, once you’ve built your game, why not show it off in the community forums by
posting a few screen shots and give a description of how you built your game. Community
members will be interested to hear how you have developed your game, and don’t forget,
our judging panel are also members too!
http://community.microfocus.com/microfocus/cobol/f/42.aspx.
Finally, enjoy the contest. Have fun and good luck!
Got a question?
Ask the community: http://community.microfocus.com/microfocus/cobol/f/42.aspx
Or email a member of the team: [email protected]