This project is a full-stack implementation of the classic strategy game GoBang (also known as Five-in-a-Row or Gomoku), designed as a distributed computational infrastructure. It was developed as a group assignment to consolidate knowledge in distributed systems, network communication protocols, and web development technologies (JSP).
The project was divided into two phases: first, establishing the core distributed backend, and second, extending it with a web interface for global access.
This project was successfully completed as a three-member group effort. We collaboratively designed the system architecture, implemented the custom application protocol, built both the core server and the web application, and ensured full compliance with all required and optional parameters.
GoBang is a two-player abstract strategy board game. The goal is to be the first player to form an unbroken line of five stones of your color (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) on a 15x15 board.
The solution employs a distributed architecture where a central Game Server manages all user data, game states, and communication, allowing players to connect via two distinct clients: a Desktop/GUI Client and a Web Client (built with JSP).
- Transport Layer Protocols:
- TCP: Used for reliable communication (game moves, registration, login).
- UDP: Used for specific, non-critical, real-time updates.
- Data Management: Player profiles and game history are maintained persistently on the server. Data integrity is ensured using well-defined structures (serialized objects and/or XML documents with XSD schemas).
- Application Protocol: A custom application-level protocol was defined to manage all client-server interactions (syntax, semantics, and timing).
- Self-Registration & Profile Management: Users can register with full profiles (nickname, password, nationality, age, photo) and update their details.
- Personalized Skins: A user can select a preferred background color/skin for their profile, which impacts the entire platform's appearance.
- Statistics Tracking: The system persistently tracks wins, losses, and average time spent per game.
- Simultaneous Games: Players can participate in multiple games concurrently.
- Time Control: A 30-second time limit is enforced for each move.
- Opponent Search: Players can efficiently find opponents using an AutoComplete control based on the full player name.
- Honor Board (Leaderboard): A dynamic leaderboard displays rankings, featuring photos and nationality flags, sorted by:
- Victories (primary sort).
- Average Time per Game (tie-breaker: faster time ranks higher).
- The web solution, built with JavaServer Pages (JSP), functions as a secondary client, proving that the distributed backend is robust and accessible over the Internet.
- Data Backup: A mechanism is implemented to guarantee the preservation and persistence of the Honor Board data.
Our team successfully implemented all mandatory and optional requirements, showcasing competence in:
- Designing robust, concurrent, and distributed system architectures.
- Developing and managing custom network protocols.
- Full-stack development, integrating a JSP/Web layer with a dedicated Java backend server.
- Implementing advanced features like profile personalization, complex leaderboard logic, and data backup mechanisms.