One interesting result from this challenge that could stoke debate is that symbolic (rules-based) agents are clearly achieving better results than neural (machine-learning-based) agents.
Maybe that's related to the nature of NetHack itself, compared to other games where ML has seen (often overwhelming) success?
Will rules-based systems continue to succeed for NetHack, or is this a temporary condition until the state-of-the-art in machine learning improves?
Consider that the existing MVP for ascension is a neutral network.
I wasn't able to find out about that, from a quick scout around - could you share a link to it?
(I did find BotHack[1] and a video of its' first ascension[2], both of which are cool)