Nim Game Application

Table of Contents

• About The Project
• Built With
• Usage
• Contact

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About The Project

This is a JavaFX-based Nim game application that simulates the classic mathematical game of Nim. The implementation is for a single-pile version of the game and strictly adheres to the misère play convention: the player who takes the last stick loses.

The application utilizes the Model-View-Controller (MVC) design pattern and the Observable pattern (via javafx.beans.Observable) to keep the GUI synchronized with the game state. The computer opponent is capable of employing different game-play strategies, which can be switched dynamically via the menu bar.

Key Features

• Misère Play Rules: The object of the game is to force the opponent to take the final stick.
• Variable Strategies: The ComputerPlayer can use CautiousStrategy, GreedyStrategy, or RandomStrategy.
• JavaFX GUI: A responsive graphical interface for easy setup, play, and status updates.
• Customizable Game: Players can select the initial pile size and determine who goes first.
• Max Move Limit: Players are limited to removing a maximum of 3 sticks per turn (Game.MAX_STICKS_PER_TURN).

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Built With

• Java (JDK 17 or newer recommended)
• JavaFX (for the graphical user interface)
• JUnit 5 (for unit and integration testing)

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Features - Demo

Below is a step-by-step explanation of the Nim game application screenshots.

1. Initial Launch and Rules Dialog

The Nim game application starts by displaying a Help Dialog with the rules of the game.

Initial Rules Dialog

• Shows the Help dialog titled "Nim Game App."
• Rules summary:
  “Play against the computer. Alternate taking turns, removing 1 to 3 sticks per turn. The player who takes the last stick loses.”
• Notes that the user can set the initial pile size and change the computer’s strategy at any time.
• User can choose “Yes” or “No” for whether to show this dialog at startup.

2. Choosing Computer Strategy

The application allows strategy selection from the menu bar.

Strategy Menu

• Shows the Strategy menu.
• Options:
  • Cautious (selected with dot)
  • Greedy
  • Random

3. Accessing the Help Menu

Help Menu

• Shows the Help menu.
• Options include:
  • Help – reopens the rules dialog
  • About – displays current time and developer info

4. Starting a New Game and Pile Size Selection

Pile Size and Player Selection

• Displays the New Game Pane.
• Includes:
  • Initial Pile Size dropdown (shows 9, 16 & 21 options).
  • Who Plays First radio buttons: Human, Computer, Random.

5. Taking Turns

Taking Turns

• Human Player Pane enabled.
• Computer Player Pane disabled.
• Game Info displays:
  “~~ Game Info ~~ Pile size: 4”.

6. Game Over and Winner Announcement

Winner Announced

• Game Info displays:
  “~~ Game Info ~~ Game over! Winner: Human”.
• Both player panes disabled.
• Computer Player pane shows its last taken sticks.

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Contact

Michael Arg
📧 Email: michgw7@gmail.com

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