PyTron/README.txt

Program: PyTron Author: Bryan M. Allred Created: 06/03/2011 Modified: 06/10/2011

Dependencies:

Python 2.7
pygame

Description:

Simple Tron game written in Python.

Acknowledgements:

HacDC (http://www.hacdc.org) for the great introduction.
Python documentation on classes.
PEP008 "Style Guide for Python Code".
Pygame documentation.
Alec Thomas on the sweet Enum() function found on StackOverflow (I felt I needed enumerations!).

Running the game:

Windows

Assuming you are running Python 2.7 and it is installed at C:\Python27\ just run the "run.bat"
batch file. If Python is at a different version or located somewhere else please edit the batch
file accordingly.

Linux (only tested on Ubuntu)

Execute the shell script "run.sh". This **should** take care of everything.

Directions:

Avoid hitting the game grids boundaries as well as each programs light ribbon. Currently each programs health level is set to "1" so you only have one chance before derezz. To navigate your light cycle use the following keys:

Player 1 (Program "Clu")
    A -> Left
    S -> Down
    D -> Right
    W -> Up

Player 2 (Program "Ram")
    J -> Left
    K -> Down
    L -> Right
    I -> Up

Issues:

[WorksForMe] Problem: Once each programs light ribbon has reach a large number the redrawing of the screen eats up resources. This causes a delay in reaction time and makes the game appear sluggish. Possibly need to implement some sort of caching or only draw the new portions of the ribbon.

Change: Added speed property to LightCycle as well as SetSpeed() method to adjust it. This may not have "solved" the problem per se, but it lightened the amount of items in the lists which may have been causing the performance degradation.

[Fixed] Problem: Never got around to implementing different light cycle colors.

Change: Changed the enumeration of colors to RBG values. The color is determined by the program number (or ID) and is fixed once the program uses his or her baton.

[Unresolved] Problem: Sound.