256! A 2048 Clone.

Learning Competencies

• Build a JavaScript interface independent of a backend.
• Build a complex JS model independent of the interface.
• Integrate the JS model with the HTML interface.
• Use the Mousetrap.js library to bind keyboard events.

Summary

Let's build a clone of the game 2048.

We will implement the core game play. Play the game for a few minutes so you understand the rules of the game. How do blocks spawn? When does the game disallow a movement? How do blocks merge? How do blocks slide? Try to write a specification of how the game mechanics work.

Releases

Release 0: Create a barebones model object with an appropriate data structure

In game.js create a Game model to store the state of our game. Use JavaScript's optional parameters so that we can call the constructor function in two ways:

game = new Game() // generates a random starting board

game = new Game('0000202000000000') // generates a board with the given start

The latter will come in handy for testing, which you will certainly want to do for this project given the tricky game rules.

Add a toString() method to your Game model.

> game.toString()
"0000
2020
0000
0000"

Release 1: Build the game logic

The Game model will expose a very simple public interface to the controller.

> game.toString()
"0000
2020
0000
0000"
> game.move('left')
> game.toString()
"0000
0004
2000
0000"
> game.move('up')
"2004
0000
0000
0020"

Implement the move method for all four directions. Think about useful helper methods you might need, such as spawnBlock.

You might want to setup Jasmine and write specs for model. Or you might want to make a simple game_test.js file that includes simple assertions. This game has a variety of interesting edge cases to consider, so make sure you have the logic working correctly.

Release 2: Integrate the model with the interface via a controller

In your application.js file code to instantiate a new instance of the Game model. Using Mousetrap make it so that your keypresses will send move commands to the Game.

In your Game model and controller write methods to update the DOM to display your board.

Release 3: Bonuses!

• Implement a score display.
• Implement starting a new game.
• Implement storing the game in LocalStorage so that it still shows up if you close the tab.