The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (30 December 2018):

botwar

    The epic struggle of bots vying for dominance.

   Botwars are generally (and quite inappropriately) carried out
   on talk systems, typically IRC, where botwar crossfire
   (such as pingflooding) absorbs scarce server resources and
   obstructs human conversation.

   The wisdom of experience indicates that Core Wars, not
   talk systems, are the appropriate venue for aggressive bots
   and their botmasters.

   Compare penis war.

   (1997-04-08)