Math Is Fun Forum

MathsIsFun

Administrator

Registered: 2005-01-21

Posts: 7,713

Reversi

I have a "beta" copy of Reversi that I am working on: Reversi

It is a subtle and interesting game. Sometimes early success leads to failure as your opponent sets themselves up for a win.

Have a go and let me know how it performs.

(Note: there is still "debug" info on the screen, just ignore)

Oh, and any color suggestions (board, etc) just let me know.

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"The physicists defer only to mathematicians, and the mathematicians defer only to God ..."  - Leon M. Lederman

justlookingforthemoment

Moderator

Registered: 2005-05-26

Posts: 2,161

Re: Reversi

Bug: when clicking on the drop down menu for difficulty, the number of red counters is visible through the menu ... ?

I like this game.

Devantè

Real Member

Registered: 2006-07-14

Posts: 6,400

Re: Reversi

I dislike this game, personally. But you've designed it in a subtle, interesting any enjoyable way.

I have always been bad at Reversi.

MathsIsFun

Administrator

Registered: 2005-01-21

Posts: 7,713

Re: Reversi

Thanks jl and Devantè ... you may get hooked!

New version uploaded.

Also made: Reversi Wide, Reversi Small (shorter game) and Reversi Tiny (almost like noughts and crosses)

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"The physicists defer only to mathematicians, and the mathematicians defer only to God ..."  - Leon M. Lederman

JaneFairfax

Member

Registered: 2007-02-23

Posts: 6,868

Re: Reversi

You can’t get the computer to go first. When you click the New Game button, the computer just puts down a piece without reversing the colour of the piece that needs reversing. This is not fair!!

Last edited by JaneFairfax (2007-05-08 21:50:32)

MathsIsFun

Administrator

Registered: 2005-01-21

Posts: 7,713

Re: Reversi

These computers need to be taught manners! I will try to reason with it.

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"The physicists defer only to mathematicians, and the mathematicians defer only to God ..."  - Leon M. Lederman

JaneFairfax

Member

Registered: 2007-02-23

Posts: 6,868

Re: Reversi

Thanks.

The reason I want the computer to go first is that this game favours the player who goes second (especially the shorter versions of it). The player going first has essentially only one move available (there are only four places where the first piece can be placed – and these can all be transformed into one another by a symmetry rotation or reflecton of the board). That is why if I want to win, I have to force the computer to go first.

Last edited by JaneFairfax (2007-05-08 22:52:25)

mathsyperson

Moderator

Registered: 2005-06-22

Posts: 4,900

Re: Reversi

Yes, in that Tiny game, going first means that the computer is guaranteed to get a corner square, and those are the best squares because they're impossible to convert.

I managed to win 9-7 after going first though.

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Why did the vector cross the road?
It wanted to be normal.

MathsIsFun

Administrator

Registered: 2005-01-21

Posts: 7,713

Re: Reversi

It may be a feature, not a bug. I have it so that turns alternate.

Try pressing "New Game" another time  ... does that work?

PS: Just checked ... it is buggy and won't let you move. I Better Fix It.

Last edited by MathsIsFun (2007-05-08 23:46:41)

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"The physicists defer only to mathematicians, and the mathematicians defer only to God ..."  - Leon M. Lederman

JaneFairfax

Member

Registered: 2007-02-23

Posts: 6,868

Re: Reversi

Nope, it still doesn’t work.

MathsIsFun

Administrator

Registered: 2005-01-21

Posts: 7,713

Re: Reversi

Fixed it, I think, for Reversi Tiny (v0.82, you may need to refresh page)

Every time you press "New Game" it alternates starting player.

If that works fine I will apply it to other versions.

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"The physicists defer only to mathematicians, and the mathematicians defer only to God ..."  - Leon M. Lederman

JaneFairfax

Member

Registered: 2007-02-23

Posts: 6,868

Re: Reversi

Yes, it works now for the Tiny game.

Yes, in that Tiny game, going first means that the computer is guaranteed to get a corner square, and those are the best squares because they're impossible to convert.

There’s another down side to going first, which is a parity issue. In order to avoid conceding a corner square to your opponent, you must avoid putting a piece on a “danger” square, that is a square adjacent to a corner square. If both players keep avoiding these “danger” squares, there will come a time when all the other squares are filled and one player will be forced to put a piece there. If you are the one going first, you will be the first to have to do so.