Building a Battleships Game in Java
Explore our step-by-step guide on building a Java Battleships game and enhance your coding skills. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced programmer, this project will help you sharpen your abilities while having fun. Dive into the coding adventure today and gain valuable insights that can help your Java assignment. If you're looking for assistance with your Java assignment or homework, this practical exercise can be a valuable resource to boost your understanding of Java game development.
Block 1: Main Method
```java
public class App {
public static void main(String[] args) throws Exception {
System.out.println("Hello, World!");
}
}
```
This block is an introductory class with a simple main method. It prints "Hello, World!" to the console. It's unrelated to the game and can be ignored.
Block 2: Battleships Class
```java
import java.util.Scanner;
public class Battleships {
// Scanner for user input
public static Scanner input = new Scanner(System.in);
public static void main(String[] args) {
// ...
}
// Helper method to allow the player to build and position their ships
private static Fleet buildPlayerFleet() {
Fleet playerFleet = new Fleet();//Call method to create an empty fleet
for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
String name = Fleet.names[i];
int length = Fleet.lengths[i];
BattleshipsBoard.display(playerFleet);
Ship ship = new Ship(name, length);
addShipToFleet(ship, playerFleet);
}
return playerFleet;
}
// Helper method to add a single ship to the fleet
private static void addShipToFleet(Ship ship, Fleet fleet) {
while (!ship.isPositioned()) {
System.out.println("Where would you like to place your ###?");
String response = input.nextLine();
Position position = Position.fromString(response);
if (position == null) {
System.out.println("Sorry, that is not a valid ship position");
continue;
}
ship.setPosition(position.getLocation(), position.isHorizontal());
if (!ship.isInBounds()) {
System.out.println(ship.getName() + " does not fit on the board at " + ship.getPositionString());
continue;
}
if (!fleet.addShip(ship)) {
System.out.println(ship.getName() + " overlaps existing ships");
continue;
} else break;
}
}
// Helper method to get the player's guess
private static Cell getPlayerGuess() {
Cell guess = null;
while (true) {
System.out.print("Please enter target: ");
String response = input.nextLine();
guess = Cell.fromString(response);
if (guess == null) {
System.out.println("Sorry, that is not a valid guess");
continue;
}
if (playerGuesses.isGuessed(guess)) {
System.out.println("You have already guessed that location");
continue;
}
break;
}
return guess;
}
}
```
This class defines the core functionality of the Battleships game. It includes the main method where the game logic is implemented. The class also contains helper methods for building the player's fleet, adding a ship to the fleet, and getting the player's guess. It uses a `Scanner` to obtain user input.
Block 3: Main Game Logic
The main game logic takes place within the `main` method of the `Battleships` class. It includes several key components:
Building Fleets
```java
Fleet playerFleet = buildPlayerFleet();
Fleet enemyFleet = enemyAI.buildFleet();
```
- buildPlayerFleet`: A method to allow the player to build and position their ships.
- `enemyAI.buildFleet`: Calls an existing method to allow the enemy AI to position their ships.
Initialization
```java
Guesses playerGuesses = new Guesses();
Guesses enemyGuesses = new Guesses();
```
- Creates objects to store the guesses made by the player and the enemy.
Game Loop
```java
while (playerFleet.shipsRemaining() > 0 && enemyFleet.shipsRemaining() > 0) {
Cell playerGuess = getPlayerGuess();
playerGuesses.addGuess(playerGuess);
Attack playerAttack = enemyFleet.handleAttack(playerGuess);
Cell enemyGuess = enemyAI.getNextGuess();
enemyGuesses.addGuess(enemyGuess);
Attack enemyAttack = playerFleet.handleAttack(enemyGuess);
enemyAI.informAboutResult(enemyAttack);
BattleshipsBoard.display(playerFleet, enemyFleet, playerGuesses, enemyGuesses, playerAttack, enemyAttack);
}
```
- The main game loop that continues until either the player's or enemy's fleet has no remaining ships.
Player's Turn
```java
Cell playerGuess = getPlayerGuess();
playerGuesses.addGuess(playerGuess);
Attack playerAttack = enemyFleet.handleAttack(playerGuess);
```
- Gets the player's guess, adds it to the list of guesses, and handles the attack on the enemy fleet.
Enemy's Turn
```java
Cell enemyGuess = enemyAI.getNextGuess();
enemyGuesses.addGuess(enemyGuess);
Attack enemyAttack = playerFleet.handleAttack(enemyGuess);
enemyAI.informAboutResult(enemyAttack);
```
- Gets the enemy's guess using the enemy AI, adds it to the list of guesses, handles the attack on the player's fleet, and informs the enemy AI about the result.
Display Game State
```java
BattleshipsBoard.display(playerFleet, enemyFleet, playerGuesses, enemyGuesses, playerAttack, enemyAttack);
```
- Calls an existing method to display the updated game state after each turn.
End of Game
```java
if (playerFleet.shipsRemaining() > 0) {
System.out.println("You win!");
} else {
System.out.println("You lose!");
}
```
- Determines the winner based on the remaining ships and displays the outcome.
Block 4: Helper Methods
`buildPlayerFleet` and `addShipToFleet`
These methods handle the player's fleet setup, ship positioning, and checks for valid ship placements. They utilize existing methods to display the grid and create ship objects.
`getPlayerGuess`
This method prompts the player for their guess, validates it, and checks if the guess has already been made. It ensures that the player provides a valid guess before proceeding.
Conclusion
By following this guide, you'll have the opportunity to learn more about Java programming and game development. You'll gain hands-on experience in object-oriented programming, user input handling, and game mechanics. Building your Battleships game is not just an educational endeavor; it's a thrilling adventure that allows you to put your newly acquired skills to the test. As you embark on this coding journey, keep in mind that practice makes perfect. The more you experiment with your game, the more proficient you'll become in Java development. Don't hesitate to add your unique features, customize the game, and make it truly your own. The sky's the limit, and this project can serve as a springboard to more ambitious game development endeavors. Enjoy the process, and happy coding!