The arena is the square area where the bots fight. The size of the arena is decided at the time the simulation is started, but it is somewhere between 8192 - 65536 units on each of the axis. One pixel on the screen is 64 units in the game.
In the arena there is room for a multitude of objects. The most important are the up to 8 bots that fight for supremacy. But other objects also existing are objects released by the bots (as for example shots).
The 'bots' are our main object of attention here. They are 'modules' designed and programmed in order to rule the arena.They consist of two main parts: The hardware chosen, and the program that makes use of and steers the hardware. When you create your bots you have a certain number of slots available, where you can choose to put any of some 20 different sorts of hardware. (Assuming the config allows them). You also choose how good version of the hardware you want.
When you have chosen all the hardware you must write a program in "bot ASM" to steer the hardware. An intel x86:ish asm language adapted for this purpose. (Actually, there might be "compilers" for higher level language available, but they are a different story).
When the simulation is running, the CPU devices you have included in your bot executes the program you wrote. Firing weapons to inflict damage on each other the bots eventually get killed. This occurs when the damage absorbtion devices of a bot is unable to take care of all damage that comes in. The most important value here is the 'armour value'.
This value is the amount of armour your bot has left, if a hit removes more armour then you have, your bot dies. However, not only enemy activity can remove your armour; Many activities of your bot generates "heat". Letting the heat go high will also burn off armour. Though it won't kill your bot directly, the bot is then very vulnerable to even the smallest hit.
Some hardware is virtually necessary for your bot (CPU,scanner,armour etc...) and some hardware is entirely optional. It's up to you to decide what is needed.
For tournaments, and sake of comparison it might be good to regulate the designs of the bots somewhat. This is done in a config file, and is enforced as such:
All devices cost 'money' and takes a slot in your bot. The config file defines the number of slots available as well as the total amount of money your bot is allowed to cost. It also defines how much each of those devices cost at each of the five version levels.
If you try to start a simulation with a bot that breaks the config rules the simulator will notify you of that.
As such. When you create your bots, you might want to keep a certain config in mind. Perhaps the config is one of a special tournament running on the net, or one that your friends and you agreed upon for your personal rumbles.