Core War Net

Core war is a game where multiple programs fight to dominate the memory space. It consist of a custom virtual machine, with its own assembly language to allow balanced strategies.

What would be interesting, is if there is a COREWAR like game, but instead of programs seeking to dominate a computer's memory space, a program seek to dominate an entire network of virtualized computers.

There would need to be a mechanism to prevent programs from simply highjacking the next computer and shutting it down to secure the node from competitors. E.g. maybe certain critical subsystems are monitored by an an anti- virus? Or have certain objectives that requires the network port to remain open (e.g. shipping stolen bitcoins to home base)?

Other ideas for this game, could involve specific missions, e.g. beat other programs in stealing unsecured bitcoin wallets. Control the biggest amount of botnet and smash the other command centre server (which jumps IP, and thus requires the other opponent program to be updated on the current IP address by it's own command centre). Infiltrate a factory control network and destroy stuff.

Unlike "hacking games" like uplink, you are only allowed one shot at coding, and releasing it into the wild.

Inspiration: How virus writers and spyware writers, sometimes write codes to attack other viruses so that they can more fully control a network.