Author: Michael R. Martin
Current version: 0.9
A fast-paced, strategy game inspired by the "Breakthrough" chess-variant board game. This project highlights innovative AI implementation, minimalist creative design, and technical depth, showcasing skills in game development and computational media.
Breakthrough_Showcase.mp4
Genre: Strategy (Turn-Based/Abstract Strategy)
Breakthrough challenges players to outmaneuver their opponent's pawns and reach the board’s back row. The game features two modes:
- Classic Mode: Deliberative gameplay with no time limits.
- War Mode: Main game mode; Fast-paced gameplay with timed turns and an AI opponent with consistent adaptation.
Players can compete against a dynamic AI opponent or another human player.
- Objective: Advance your pawns to the opponent's back row while blocking their progress.
- Controls:
- Click to select a pawn and choose its movement (forward, diagonal-left, or diagonal-right).
- In War Mode, make decisions quickly within given time constraint.
- AI Gameplay:
- Adjust difficulty through game settings for learning the basics or competitive gameplay.
- Minimax Algorithm:
- Implements a robust AI system for decision-making.
- Evaluates potential moves (forward, diagonal-left, diagonal-right) based on board state and prioritizes strategic actions, such as attacking or advancing.
- Adaptive depth for challenging gameplay.
- Dynamic Game Logic:
- Efficient board management and piece interactions.
- Asynchronous AI calculations for ideal transitions between turns.
- Interactive move highlights and attack animations.
- Sound & Effects:
- Custom-coded sound management integrated with the Unity engine.
- Art & Animation:
- Minimalist pixel-art style designed for clarity and engagement.
- Fluid animations for pawn movement and interactions, leveraging Unity's tweening capabilities.
- Music & Sound:
- Original background music composed in a retro synth style.
- Dynamic sound effects, such as destruction, movement, and victory, enhance the player experience.
- Custom sound engine integrated into the gameplay for reactive audio transitions.
- Designed with player behavior and decision-making in mind; AI adapts playstyle to challenge users effectively.
- Explores themes of competition and adaptability in strategic environments.
Game Intro:
Breakthrough_Intro.mp4
- AI Opponent:
- The AI leverages a Minimax algorithm with custom scoring to evaluate board states and choose optimal moves.
- Depth-based evaluation adjusts to difficulty.
- Game Logic:
- Manages board initialization, piece spawning, and movement logic, ensuring smooth gameplay transitions.
- Dynamic board state evaluation tracks progress and enforces game rules.
- Sound Integration:
- Original sound effects and music dynamically interact with game states for an immersive experience.
- Includes sound selection based on triggers (e.g., attacks, turns, victories).
- Language: C#
- Engine: Unity
- Alpha (9/27/2023): Core board and movement implementation.
- Beta (10/4/2023): AI implementation and testing for "Classic Mode."
- Final (10/11/2023): Added "War Mode," finalized art and sound design, and fixed gameplay bugs from beta build.