Four-In-A-Row

A React + NodeJS implementation of the classic 2-player game: Four-In-A-Row. Features online multiplayer.

Requirements

1. Node.js (Tested on v14.16.0)
2. JavaScript-capable browser (Tested on Google Chrome v88.0.4324.150)

Instructions (Client)

1. To play the Four-In-A-Row game, browse to /client.html of the host URL. (e.g: http://localhost:8000/client.html)
2. A new game will immediately start if an opponent was available. Otherwise, the player will wait for an opponent to connect
3. One of the players is assigned the X piece while the other is assigned the O piece
4. To make a move, the player clicks on the column in which they want to drop their piece
5. The STATUS bar will display whose turn it is and when the match is won, lost or drawn
6. If the opponent could possibly win in the next move, columns on mouse-hover are highlighted red
7. The first player to get 4 pieces in a row either horizontally, vertically or diagonally wins

Instructions (Server)

1. Open a Terminal window in the directory containing server.js and run:

npm install

2. Run the Four-In-A-Row Server using the command:

npm start

3. The server automatically restores from a previous backup on startup, if available
4. The server state is automatically backed up at every turn update and player disconnect

Features

• Server side turn verification to prevent cheating
• Columns on mouse-over are highlighted red if the other player could potentially win in the next move
• Server and player states preserved on server crash
• New game starts immediately as soon as previous ends
• Multiple parallel game instances
• Player notified if opponent leaves
• Online player count tracking