Introduction
Games: we all love them, and we all hate them sometimes. Today, I will show you how easy it is to make a Reversi game in Visual Basic.
Reversi
Reversi is a strategy game usually played on an 8 x 8 checkered board. The game pieces are sixty-four identical disks, which are light on one side and dark on the other. Players take turns placing disks on the board with their assigned color facing up.
Reversi’s object is to have the most disks turned to display your color when the last playable empty square is filled. Go to Wikipedia for more information about Reversi.
Our Project
Create a new Visual Basic Windows Forms project. Add some pictures as Resources: one for the game board, one for the dark disk, and one for the light disk, as shown in Figure 1. Okay, I do not have much imagination.…
Figure 1: Our design
Add a class that will be used as the game’s engine that will provide all the capabilities to play the game. You can name the class anything you like, but keep in mind that I may have named mine differently.
Add the necessary Namespaces:
Imports System.Net
Imports System.Math
Add the following member variables:
Private arrGameMoves(sBoardMoves, sBoardMoves) _
As MoveType
Private bmpBoard As Bitmap
Private grpBoard As Graphics
Private Const sBoardMoves As Short = 11
Public Const sGameSize As Short = 32
Public Const sMargin As Short = 3
Private sFreeSpace As Short
Private blnTurn As Boolean = False
Private blnPlay As Boolean = False
Private chrSeparator As Char = (",")
Private sWhite As Short
Private sBlack As Short
These objects will control the game’s progress as well as where each associated piece is. Add the following Enum to keep track of what move has taken place:
Public Enum MoveType As Short
Know = 0
White = 1
Black = 2
Player = 3
Opponent = 4
Both = 5
End Enum
Public Event UpdateBoard(ByVal bmp As Bitmap)
Add the following Properties:
Public ReadOnly Property Pieces()
Get
Return sFreeSpace
End Get
End Property
Public ReadOnly Property MovesTotal()
Get
Return ((sBoardMoves + 1) ^ 2)
End Get
End Property
Public ReadOnly Property GameMoves()
Get
Return (sBoardMoves + 1)
End Get
End Property
Public ReadOnly Property Turn() As Boolean
Get
Return blnTurn
End Get
End Property
Public ReadOnly Property Playable() As Boolean
Get
Return blnPlay
End Get
End Property
Public ReadOnly Property sPlayerPawn() As Short
Get
Return sWhite
End Get
End Property
Public ReadOnly Property sOpponentPawn()
Get
Return sBlack
End Get
End Property
Initialize the game and set everything up:
Public Sub Initialize()
Randomize()
sFreeSpace = (sBoardMoves + 1) * _
(sBoardMoves + 1)
bmpBoard = Nothing
grpBoard = Nothing
bmpBoard = New Bitmap(My.Resources.Board)
grpBoard = Graphics.FromImage(bmpBoard)
sWhite = 0
sBlack = 0
For x As Integer = 0 To sBoardMoves
For y As Integer = 0 To sBoardMoves
arrGameMoves(x, y) = MoveType.Know
Next y
Next x
arrGameMoves(Floor(sBoardMoves / 2), _
Floor(sBoardMoves / 2)) = MoveType.White
arrGameMoves(Ceiling(sBoardMoves / 2), _
Ceiling(sBoardMoves / 2)) = MoveType.White
arrGameMoves(Floor(sBoardMoves / 2), _
Ceiling(sBoardMoves / 2)) = MoveType.Black
arrGameMoves(Ceiling(sBoardMoves / 2), _
Floor(sBoardMoves / 2)) = MoveType.Black
AvailableMoves(True)
End Sub
This sub re-creates the drawing board as well as position all pieces where they need to be. Add the AvailableMoves sub that gets referenced inside the Initialize sub:
Private Sub AvailableMoves(Optional blnFirtsRun As Boolean = False)
If (Playable Or blnFirtsRun) = True Then
Dim sX As Short, sY As Short
For i As Integer = 0 To sBoardMoves
For j As Integer = 0 To sBoardMoves
If arrGameMoves(i, j) = MoveType.Opponent Or
arrGameMoves(i, j) = MoveType.Both Or
arrGameMoves(i, j) = MoveType.Player Then
arrGameMoves(i, j) = MoveType.Know
End If
Next
Next
sX = -1
sY = -1
For x As Integer = 0 To sBoardMoves
For y As Integer = 0 To sBoardMoves
If x < sBoardMoves Then
If arrGameMoves(x + 1, y) = MoveType.Black And
arrGameMoves(x, y) = MoveType.White Then
sX = x + 1
While arrGameMoves(sX, y) = MoveType.Black
If (sX + 1) <= sBoardMoves Then
sX += 1
Else
Exit While
End If
End While
If arrGameMoves(sX, y) = MoveType.White Or
arrGameMoves(sX, y) = MoveType.Black Then
sX = -1
Else
If arrGameMoves(sX, y) = MoveType.Opponent Or
arrGameMoves(sX, y) = MoveType.Both Then
arrGameMoves(sX, y) = MoveType.Both
Else
arrGameMoves(sX, y) = MoveType.Player
End If
End If
ElseIf arrGameMoves(x + 1, y) = MoveType.White And
arrGameMoves(x, y) = MoveType.Black Then
sX = x + 1
While arrGameMoves(sX, y) = MoveType.White
If (sX + 1) <= sBoardMoves Then
sX += 1
Else
Exit While
End If
End While
If arrGameMoves(sX, y) = MoveType.White Or
arrGameMoves(sX, y) = MoveType.Black Then
sX = -1
Else
If arrGameMoves(sX, y) = MoveType.Player Or
arrGameMoves(sX, y) = MoveType.Both Then
arrGameMoves(sX, y) = MoveType.Both
Else
arrGameMoves(sX, y) = MoveType.Opponent
End If
End If
End If
End If
If y < sBoardMoves Then
If arrGameMoves(x, y + 1) = MoveType.Black And
arrGameMoves(x, y) = MoveType.White Then
sY = y + 1
While arrGameMoves(x, sY) = MoveType.Black
If (sY + 1) <= sBoardMoves Then
sY += 1
Else
Exit While
End If
End While
If arrGameMoves(x, sY) = MoveType.White Or
arrGameMoves(x, sY) = MoveType.Black Then
sY = -1
Else
If arrGameMoves(x, sY) = MoveType.Opponent Or
arrGameMoves(x, sY) = MoveType.Both Then
arrGameMoves(x, sY) = MoveType.Both
Else
arrGameMoves(x, sY) = MoveType.Player
End If
End If
ElseIf arrGameMoves(x, y + 1) = MoveType.White And
arrGameMoves(x, y) = MoveType.Black Then
sY = y + 1
While arrGameMoves(x, sY) = MoveType.White
If (sY + 1) <= sBoardMoves Then
sY += 1
Else
Exit While
End If
End While
If arrGameMoves(x, sY) = MoveType.White Or
arrGameMoves(x, sY) = MoveType.Black Then
sY = -1
Else
If arrGameMoves(x, sY) = MoveType.Player Or
arrGameMoves(x, sY) = MoveType.Both Then
arrGameMoves(x, sY) = MoveType.Both
Else
arrGameMoves(x, sY) = MoveType.Opponent
End If
End If
End If
End If
If (x < sBoardMoves) And (y < sBoardMoves) Then
If arrGameMoves(x + 1, y + 1) = MoveType.Black And
arrGameMoves(x, y) = MoveType.White Then
sX = x + 1
sY = y + 1
While arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Black
If (sY + 1) <= sBoardMoves And
(sX + 1) <= sBoardMoves Then
sY += 1
sX += 1
Else
Exit While
End If
End While
If arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.White Or
arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Black Then
sY = -1
sX = -1
Else
If arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Opponent Or
arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Both Then
arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Both
Else
arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Player
End If
End If
ElseIf arrGameMoves(x + 1, y + 1) = MoveType.White And
arrGameMoves(x, y) = MoveType.Black Then
sX = x + 1
sY = y + 1
While arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.White
If (sY + 1) <= sBoardMoves And (sX + 1) _
<= sBoardMoves Then
sY += 1
sX += 1
Else
Exit While
End If
End While
If arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.White Or
arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Black Then
sY = -1
sX = -1
Else
If arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Player Or
arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Both Then
arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Both
Else
arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Opponent
End If
End If
End If
End If
If x > 0 Then
If arrGameMoves(x - 1, y) = MoveType.Black And
arrGameMoves(x, y) = MoveType.White Then
sX = x - 1
While arrGameMoves(sX, y) = MoveType.Black
If (sX - 1) >= 0 Then
sX -= 1
Else
Exit While
End If
End While
If arrGameMoves(sX, y) = MoveType.White Or
arrGameMoves(sX, y) = MoveType.Black Then
sX = -1
Else
If arrGameMoves(sX, y) = MoveType.Opponent Or
arrGameMoves(sX, y) = MoveType.Both Then
arrGameMoves(sX, y) = MoveType.Both
Else
arrGameMoves(sX, y) = MoveType.Player
End If
End If
ElseIf arrGameMoves(x - 1, y) = MoveType.White And
arrGameMoves(x, y) = MoveType.Black Then
sX = x - 1
While arrGameMoves(sX, y) = MoveType.White
If (sX - 1) >= 0 Then
sX -= 1
Else
Exit While
End If
End While
If arrGameMoves(sX, y) = MoveType.White Or
arrGameMoves(sX, y) = MoveType.Black Then
sX = -1
Else
If arrGameMoves(sX, y) = MoveType.Player Or
arrGameMoves(sX, y) = MoveType.Both Then
arrGameMoves(sX, y) = MoveType.Both
Else
arrGameMoves(sX, y) = MoveType.Opponent
End If
End If
End If
End If
If y > 0 Then
If arrGameMoves(x, y - 1) = MoveType.Black And
arrGameMoves(x, y) = MoveType.White Then
sY = y - 1
While arrGameMoves(x, sY) = MoveType.Black
If (sY - 1) >= 0 Then
sY -= 1
Else
Exit While
End If
End While
If arrGameMoves(x, sY) = MoveType.White Or
arrGameMoves(x, sY) = MoveType.Black Then
sY = -1
Else
If arrGameMoves(x, sY) = MoveType.Opponent Or
arrGameMoves(x, sY) = MoveType.Both Then
arrGameMoves(x, sY) = MoveType.Both
Else
arrGameMoves(x, sY) = MoveType.Player
End If
End If
ElseIf arrGameMoves(x, y - 1) = MoveType.White And
arrGameMoves(x, y) = MoveType.Black Then
sY = y - 1
While arrGameMoves(x, sY) = MoveType.White
If (sY - 1) >= 0 Then
sY -= 1
Else
Exit While
End If
End While
If arrGameMoves(x, sY) = MoveType.White Or
arrGameMoves(x, sY) = MoveType.Black Then
sY = -1
Else
If arrGameMoves(x, sY) = MoveType.Player Or
arrGameMoves(x, sY) = MoveType.Both Then
arrGameMoves(x, sY) = MoveType.Both
Else
arrGameMoves(x, sY) = MoveType.Opponent
End If
End If
End If
End If
If (x > 0) And (y > 0) Then
If arrGameMoves(x - 1, y - 1) = MoveType.Black And
arrGameMoves(x, y) = MoveType.White Then
sX = x - 1
sY = y - 1
While arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Black
If (sY - 1) >= 0 And (sX - 1) >= 0 Then
sY -= 1
sX -= 1
Else
Exit While
End If
End While
If arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.White Or
arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Black Then
sY = -1
sX = -1
Else
If arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Opponent Or
arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Both Then
arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Both
Else
arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Player
End If
End If
ElseIf arrGameMoves(x - 1, y - 1) = MoveType.White And
arrGameMoves(x, y) = MoveType.Black Then
sX = x - 1
sY = y - 1
While arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.White
If (sY - 1) >= 0 And (sX - 1) >= 0 Then
sY -= 1
sX -= 1
Else
Exit While
End If
End While
If arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.White Or
arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Black Then
sY = -1
sX = -1
Else
If arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Player Or
arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Both Then
arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Both
Else
arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Opponent
End If
End If
End If
End If
If (x < sBoardMoves) And (y > 0) Then
If arrGameMoves(x + 1, y - 1) = MoveType.Black And
arrGameMoves(x, y) = MoveType.White Then
sX = x + 1
sY = y - 1
While arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Black
If (sY - 1) >= 0 And (sX + 1) <= sBoardMoves Then
sX += 1
sY -= 1
Else
Exit While
End If
End While
If arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.White Or
arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Black Then
sY = -1
sX = -1
Else
If arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Opponent Or _
arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Both Then
arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Both
Else
arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Player
End If
End If
ElseIf arrGameMoves(x + 1, y - 1) = MoveType.White And
arrGameMoves(x, y) = MoveType.Black Then
sX = x + 1
sY = y - 1
While arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.White
If (sY - 1) >= 0 And (sX + 1) <= sBoardMoves Then
sX += 1
sY -= 1
Else
Exit While
End If
End While
If arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.White Or
arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Black Then
sY = -1
sX = -1
Else
If arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Player Or
arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Both Then
arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Both
Else
arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Opponent
End If
End If
End If
End If
If (x > 0) And (y < sBoardMoves) Then
If arrGameMoves(x - 1, y + 1) = MoveType.Black And
arrGameMoves(x, y) = MoveType.White Then
sX = x - 1
sY = y + 1
While arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Black
If (sY + 1) <= sBoardMoves And (sX - 1) >= 0 Then
sX -= 1
sY += 1
Else
Exit While
End If
End While
If arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.White Or
arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Black Then
sY = -1
sX = -1
Else
If arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Opponent Or
arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Both Then
arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Both
Else
arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Player
End If
End If
ElseIf arrGameMoves(x - 1, y + 1) = MoveType.White And
arrGameMoves(x, y) = MoveType.Black Then
sX = x - 1
sY = y + 1
While arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.White
If (sY + 1) <= sBoardMoves And (sX - 1) >= 0 Then
sX -= 1
sY += 1
Else
Exit While
End If
End While
If arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.White Or
arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Black Then
sY = -1
sX = -1
Else
If arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Player Or
arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Both Then
arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Both
Else
arrGameMoves(sX, sY) = MoveType.Opponent
End If
End If
End If
End If
Next y
Next x
End If
End Sub
This sub determines the position of a certain piece when you want to place it on the board, depending on whether you are in any of the corners or if you are on the edge of the board or in an open area.
Add the Start procedure, which starts the game:
Public Sub Start()
blnTurn = CInt(Rnd() * 2)
blnPlay = True
drawGame()
If blnTurn = False Then
ComputerPlay()
End If
End Sub
Add the DrawGame function, which updates the screen with the new position of each disk on every move:
Private Function DrawGame() As Bitmap
grpBoard.DrawImage(My.Resources.board, _
New Rectangle(0, 0, My.Resources.board.Width, _
My.Resources.board.Height))
For x As Integer = 0 To sBoardMoves
For y As Integer = 0 To sBoardMoves
Select Case arrGameMoves(x, y)
Case MoveType.White
grpBoard.DrawImage(My.Resources.White, _
New Rectangle(x * (sGameSize + sMargin), y * _
(sGameSize + sMargin), sGameSize, sGameSize))
Case MoveType.Black
grpBoard.DrawImage(My.Resources.Black, _
New Rectangle(x * (sGameSize + sMargin), y * _
(sGameSize + sMargin), sGameSize, sGameSize))
End Select
Next y
Next x
RaiseEvent UpdateBoard(bmpBoard)
Return bmpBoard
End Function
Add the Play sub procedure, which does all the necessary calculations on where a disk can be placed:
Public Sub Play(ByVal X As Short, ByVal Y As Short)
If blnPlay = True Then
If blnTurn = True Then
'If (arrGameMoves(X, Y) = MoveType.Player) Or
' (arrGameMoves(X, Y) = MoveType.Both) Then
sFreeSpace -= 1
arrGameMoves(X, Y) = MoveType.White
Dim i As Short
Dim j As Short
If X > 0 Then
For i = (X - 1) To 0 Step -1
If arrGameMoves(i, Y) = MoveType.Black Then
ElseIf arrGameMoves(i, Y) = MoveType.White Then
For j = i To X
arrGameMoves(j, Y) = MoveType.White
Next
Exit For
Else
Exit For
End If
Next
End If
If X < sBoardMoves Then
For i = (X + 1) To sBoardMoves
If arrGameMoves(i, Y) = MoveType.Black Then
ElseIf arrGameMoves(i, Y) = MoveType.White Then
For j = X To i
arrGameMoves(j, Y) = MoveType.White
Next
Exit For
Else
Exit For
End If
Next
End If
If Y > 0 Then
For i = (Y - 1) To 0 Step -1
If arrGameMoves(X, i) = MoveType.Black Then
ElseIf arrGameMoves(X, i) = MoveType.White Then
For j = i To Y
arrGameMoves(X, j) = MoveType.White
Next
Exit For
Else
Exit For
End If
Next
End If
If Y < sBoardMoves Then
For i = (Y + 1) To sBoardMoves
If arrGameMoves(X, i) = MoveType.Black Then
ElseIf arrGameMoves(X, i) = MoveType.White Then
For j = Y To i
arrGameMoves(X, j) = MoveType.White
Next
Exit For
Else
Exit For
End If
Next
End If
i = X - 1
j = Y - 1
While (i >= 0 And j >= 0)
If arrGameMoves(i, j) = MoveType.Black Then
ElseIf arrGameMoves(i, j) = MoveType.White Then
While (i <= X) And (j <= Y)
arrGameMoves(i, j) = MoveType.White
i += 1
j += 1
End While
Exit While
Else
Exit While
End If
i -= 1
j -= 1
End While
i = X + 1
j = Y + 1
While (i <= sBoardMoves And j <= sBoardMoves)
If arrGameMoves(i, j) = MoveType.Black Then
ElseIf arrGameMoves(i, j) = MoveType.White Then
While (i >= X) And (j >= Y)
arrGameMoves(i, j) = MoveType.White
i -= 1
j -= 1
End While
Exit While
Else
Exit While
End If
i += 1
j += 1
End While
i = X - 1
j = Y + 1
While (i >= 0 And j <= sBoardMoves)
If arrGameMoves(i, j) = MoveType.Black Then
ElseIf arrGameMoves(i, j) = MoveType.White Then
While (i <= X) And (j >= Y)
arrGameMoves(i, j) = MoveType.White
i += 1
j -= 1
End While
Exit While
Else
Exit While
End If
i -= 1
j += 1
End While
i = X + 1
j = Y - 1
While (i <= sBoardMoves And j >= 0)
If arrGameMoves(i, j) = MoveType.Black Then
ElseIf arrGameMoves(i, j) = MoveType.White Then
While (X <= i) And (Y >= j)
arrGameMoves(i, j) = MoveType.White
i -= 1
j += 1
End While
Exit While
Else
Exit While
End If
i += 1
j -= 1
End While
AvailableMoves()
GameEnd()
drawGame()
blnTurn = False
' End If
End If
End If
End Sub
Add the next sub that will fire when the Computer has to make a move:
Private Sub ComputerPlay()
Randomize()
Dim ptPoints() As Point = New Point() {}
Dim sCount As Short = 0
Dim rndPlay As Short
For i As Integer = 0 To sBoardMoves
For j As Integer = 0 To sBoardMoves
If arrGameMoves(i, j) = MoveType.Opponent Or _
arrGameMoves(i, j) = MoveType.Both Then
ReDim Preserve ptPoints(sCount)
ptPoints(sCount) = New Point(i, j)
sCount += 1
End If
Next j
Next i
If sCount > 0 Then
rndPlay = CInt(Rnd() * (sCount - 1))
Play(ptPoints(rndPlay).X, ptPoints(rndPlay).Y)
End If
End Sub
Add the last remaining sub. This sub determines whether or not our game is finished:
Private Sub GameEnd()
Dim blnWhite As Boolean = False
Dim blnBlack As Boolean = False
Dim blnPlayer As Boolean = False
Dim blnOpponent As Boolean = False
sWhite = 0
sBlack = 0
For i As Integer = 0 To sBoardMoves
For j As Integer = 0 To sBoardMoves
Select Case arrGameMoves(i, j)
Case MoveType.White
blnWhite = True
sWhite += 1
Case MoveType.Black
blnBlack = True
sBlack += 1
Case MoveType.Opponent
blnOpponent = True
Case MoveType.Player
blnPlayer = True
Case MoveType.Both
blnOpponent = True
blnPlayer = True
End Select
Next j
Next i
If Pieces <= 0 Or blnBlack = False Or blnWhite = False Or
(blnOpponent = False And blnTurn = False) Or
(blnPlayer = False And blnTurn = True) Then
blnPlay = False
If sWhite > sBlack Then
MessageBox.Show("You win! Final score: " & _
sWhite.ToString & " to " & sBlack.ToString, _
"Game Over", MessageBoxButtons.OK)
ElseIf sWhite < sBlack Then
MessageBox.Show("You lose! Final score: " & _
sWhite.ToString & " to " & sBlack.ToString, _
"Game Over", MessageBoxButtons.OK)
End If
End If
End Sub
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Conclusion
Reversi is fun. Creating games with Visual Basic is fun; all you need is some logic.