README.md

Connect4

A classic Connect Four board game with multiple playing modes, implemented using JavaScript.

Online Version: {transient} Static Version: {persistence}

Features

• Interactive Gameplay: Play against the computer, a friend in two-player mode, or watch AI vs AI.
• AI Opponent: The AI uses Minimax with Alpha-Beta pruning for challenging gameplay.
• Multiplayer Mode: Play online with friends.
• Dumb AI: A simpler AI logic for less challenging gameplay.
• Chat Feature: Allows two online players to communicate during the game with some delay due to the HTTP protocol.

Technical Details

• Backend: Implemented using Node.js HTTP module instead of Express.js, offering a deeper understanding of backend challenges and reasons for using frameworks.
• Real-Time Gameplay: Although WebSockets could have been used for real-time responses, the project uses simple HTTP to handle multiple requests for updates, providing insight into the complexity of HTTP protocol.

Getting Started

Prerequisites

• Node.js

Installation

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/peonix0/connect4.git

2. Navigate to the project directory:

   cd connect4

3. Install the dependencies:

   npm install

Running the Game

1. Start the server:

   node app.js

2. Open your browser and go to http://localhost:3000.

Project Structure

• public/: Contains static files (HTML, CSS, JavaScript).
• utils/: Includes utility functions for backend.
• app.js: Main server file and all routing.

Preview

The Connect4 game interface showcasing the board, multiplayer mode, and chat feature.