Networked Word Chain Game

Description

• Implement a multiplayer word chain game where each player must provide a word starting with the last letter of the previous player's word.

Requirements

• Multiplayer word chain game for 2-5 players per session
• Players provide word starting with the last letter of previous word
• Dictionary validation ensures legitimate words
• 30-second turn timer with timeout penalties
• Detection of repeated words
• Score tracking based on word length and speed
• Simple client interface for word submission
• Chat functionality between turns

Input/Output

• Player registration and game joining interface
• Current game state display (last word, current player, time remaining)
• Word submission input
• Server validation feedback
• End game results with scores

Game rules

• The first player to join becomes the host and starts the game.
• The first player to reach 50 points wins the game.
• The word must start with the last letter of the previous one.
• The word must be valid (checked against the dictionary).
• No repeated words are allowed during the game.

Scoring System

• Correct word → +1 point per character
  • Example: elephant → +8 points
• Fast answer (<5s) → +2 bonus points
• Invalid word → -1 point
• Timeout (no answer) → -2 points

Example game flow

Game starting! Player 1 goes first.
Player 1:
> apple
Valid! Player 2's turn (word must start with 'e'):
> elephant
Valid! Player 3's turn (word must start with 't'):
> tiger
Valid! Player 1's turn (word must start with 'r'):
> rain
Valid! Player 2's turn (word must start with 'n'):
> [timeout - Player 2 loses a point]

Build and run instructions

Requirements

• Python 3
• Server.py, Client.py and Dictionary.txt in the same directory

Run instructions

• Open 2 terminals to play
  • Start the Server in one terminal window

  python3 server.py
  

  • Open a second terminal window and run the Client

  python3 client.py
  

Challenges encountered and solutions

Challenges	Solutions
Switching the programming language from C to Python	Python provides higher-level abstractions, simpler syntax, and built-in libraries, making development faster and less error-prone.
Managing sockets and threads (multithreading) in Python	Python simplifies socket programming with fewer lines of code and easier thread management using the threading module.
Lack of strong data processing support in C	Python has powerful libraries like pandas and numpy for efficient data handling and analysis, which are not available in C.
Invalid/malicious inputs JSON	Parsing guarded with try/except.
Turn fairness and latency	Server timestamps stored for every response.
Difficulty formatting and exporting data for reports	Python can export data directly to CSV, Excel, or JSON formats with minimal code using pandas, streamlining reporting tasks.