Five years ago, German developer Christian Beier wanted to get to know the Simple DirectMedia Layer (SDL) library. He decided to employ his C coding skills and write something game-like. What he came up with is Omron++, a simple pixel artificial intelligence (AI) game that pits up to four armies of pixels fighting each other.
Depending on their allegiance, vision range, and mob size, the Omron++ AI armies will form groups of pixels (called mobs) and go hunting together. Their action depends largely on the the initial values you choose when you start, though you can order the armies to retreat while in-game. The result is a moving form of visual art.
Beier chose to open the source for Omron++ because, “Well, maybe people will like it, add something and contribute it back.” He hope to someday enhance the code with smarter AI, and perhaps obstacles in the arena.