×
Samples Blogs Make Payment About Us Reviews 4.9/5 Order Now

Developing a Text-Based Battleships Game in Java

June 28, 2024
Chloe Wong
Chloe Wong
🇨🇦 Canada
Java
Chloe Wong, holding a master's in computer science from the University of British Columbia, has successfully completed over 900 Java assignments. Her proficiency includes array initialization, searching techniques, and exception management. Chloe's meticulous approach and dedication to delivering well-structured solutions make her a trusted expert for students aiming to excel in their programming coursework.
Tip of the day
Familiarize yourself with OCaml's pattern matching; it simplifies handling recursive data structures like lists and trees, making your code concise and easier to debug.
News
In 2024, Girls Who Code introduced a Data Science + AI track in their free summer programs for high school students, fostering skills in cybersecurity and creative coding​
Key Topics
  • Building a Battleships Game in Java
  • Block 1: Main Method
  • Block 2: Battleships Class
  • Block 3: Main Game Logic
  • Block 4: Helper Methods
  • Conclusion

In this guide, we will walk you through the process of creating a text-based game of Battleships in Java. Whether you're a beginner looking to embark on your programming journey or an experienced Java developer seeking a fun project to enhance your coding skills, this guide is for you. As you delve into the world of game development, you'll have the opportunity to explore fundamental programming concepts, practice problem-solving, and experience the thrill of creating your own interactive game. So, let's get started on this exciting journey into the world of Java game development!

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!

Related Samples

Welcome to our Java Assignments Sample Section! Explore expertly crafted solutions tailored to students' Java programming needs. From basic applications to advanced algorithms, these samples demonstrate our expertise in delivering high-quality programming assistance. Gain insights and excel in your Java assignments with our comprehensive examples!