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Multiplayer Tic Tac Toe

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Abstract

Multiplayer Tic Tac Toe is a Python project that allows two players to play Tic Tac Toe over a network. It demonstrates socket programming, game logic, and GUI development. This project is ideal for learning about multiplayer games, networking, and event-driven programming.

Prerequisites

  • Python 3.6 or above
  • socket, threading (built-in)
  • tkinter (for GUI, usually pre-installed)

Before you Start

Ensure Python is installed. No external packages are required. For GUI, make sure Tkinter is available.

Getting Started

  1. Create a folder named tic-tac-toetic-tac-toe.
  2. Create a file named multiplayer_tic_tac_toe.pymultiplayer_tic_tac_toe.py.
  3. Copy the code below into your file.
⚙️ Multiplayer Tic Tac Toe
Multiplayer Tic Tac Toe
"""
Multiplayer Tic-Tac-Toe
 
A Python-based multiplayer Tic-Tac-Toe game using socket programming. Features include:
- Two players can play over a network.
- Real-time updates of the game board.
"""
 
import socket
import threading
 
# Constants
HOST = "127.0.0.1"
PORT = 65432
 
# Game board
board = [" " for _ in range(9)]
current_player = "X"
lock = threading.Lock()
 
def print_board():
    """Print the game board."""
    print("\n")
    for i in range(3):
        print(" | ".join(board[i * 3:(i + 1) * 3]))
        if i < 2:
            print("-" * 5)
 
def check_winner():
    """Check if there is a winner."""
    winning_combinations = [
        [0, 1, 2], [3, 4, 5], [6, 7, 8],  # Rows
        [0, 3, 6], [1, 4, 7], [2, 5, 8],  # Columns
        [0, 4, 8], [2, 4, 6]              # Diagonals
    ]
    for combo in winning_combinations:
        if board[combo[0]] == board[combo[1]] == board[combo[2]] != " ":
            return board[combo[0]]
    if " " not in board:
        return "Draw"
    return None
 
def handle_client(conn, addr):
    """Handle communication with a client."""
    global current_player
    conn.sendall("Welcome to Tic-Tac-Toe!\n".encode())
    conn.sendall("You are player {}\n".format(current_player).encode())
 
    player = current_player
    with lock:
        current_player = "O" if current_player == "X" else "X"
 
    while True:
        conn.sendall("\n".join(board).encode())
        conn.sendall("\nEnter your move (0-8): ".encode())
        move = conn.recv(1024).decode().strip()
 
        if not move.isdigit() or int(move) not in range(9):
            conn.sendall("Invalid move. Try again.\n".encode())
            continue
 
        move = int(move)
        with lock:
            if board[move] == " ":
                board[move] = player
                winner = check_winner()
                if winner:
                    conn.sendall("\nGame Over! Winner: {}\n".format(winner).encode())
                    break
            else:
                conn.sendall("Spot already taken. Try again.\n".encode())
 
    conn.close()
 
def main():
    """Main server function."""
    server = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_STREAM)
    server.bind((HOST, PORT))
    server.listen(2)
    print("Server started. Waiting for players...")
 
    while True:
        conn, addr = server.accept()
        print(f"Player connected from {addr}")
        threading.Thread(target=handle_client, args=(conn, addr)).start()
 
if __name__ == "__main__":
    main()
Multiplayer Tic Tac Toe
"""
Multiplayer Tic-Tac-Toe
 
A Python-based multiplayer Tic-Tac-Toe game using socket programming. Features include:
- Two players can play over a network.
- Real-time updates of the game board.
"""
 
import socket
import threading
 
# Constants
HOST = "127.0.0.1"
PORT = 65432
 
# Game board
board = [" " for _ in range(9)]
current_player = "X"
lock = threading.Lock()
 
def print_board():
    """Print the game board."""
    print("\n")
    for i in range(3):
        print(" | ".join(board[i * 3:(i + 1) * 3]))
        if i < 2:
            print("-" * 5)
 
def check_winner():
    """Check if there is a winner."""
    winning_combinations = [
        [0, 1, 2], [3, 4, 5], [6, 7, 8],  # Rows
        [0, 3, 6], [1, 4, 7], [2, 5, 8],  # Columns
        [0, 4, 8], [2, 4, 6]              # Diagonals
    ]
    for combo in winning_combinations:
        if board[combo[0]] == board[combo[1]] == board[combo[2]] != " ":
            return board[combo[0]]
    if " " not in board:
        return "Draw"
    return None
 
def handle_client(conn, addr):
    """Handle communication with a client."""
    global current_player
    conn.sendall("Welcome to Tic-Tac-Toe!\n".encode())
    conn.sendall("You are player {}\n".format(current_player).encode())
 
    player = current_player
    with lock:
        current_player = "O" if current_player == "X" else "X"
 
    while True:
        conn.sendall("\n".join(board).encode())
        conn.sendall("\nEnter your move (0-8): ".encode())
        move = conn.recv(1024).decode().strip()
 
        if not move.isdigit() or int(move) not in range(9):
            conn.sendall("Invalid move. Try again.\n".encode())
            continue
 
        move = int(move)
        with lock:
            if board[move] == " ":
                board[move] = player
                winner = check_winner()
                if winner:
                    conn.sendall("\nGame Over! Winner: {}\n".format(winner).encode())
                    break
            else:
                conn.sendall("Spot already taken. Try again.\n".encode())
 
    conn.close()
 
def main():
    """Main server function."""
    server = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_STREAM)
    server.bind((HOST, PORT))
    server.listen(2)
    print("Server started. Waiting for players...")
 
    while True:
        conn, addr = server.accept()
        print(f"Player connected from {addr}")
        threading.Thread(target=handle_client, args=(conn, addr)).start()
 
if __name__ == "__main__":
    main()
  1. Run the server and client scripts as described in the code comments.

Explanation

Code Breakdown

  1. Import modules
import socket
import threading
import tkinter as tk
import socket
import threading
import tkinter as tk
  1. Server and client setup
def start_server():
    # Accepts connections and relays moves
    pass
 
def start_client():
    # Connects to server and sends/receives moves
    pass
def start_server():
    # Accepts connections and relays moves
    pass
 
def start_client():
    # Connects to server and sends/receives moves
    pass
  1. Game logic and GUI
root = tk.Tk()
root.title('Multiplayer Tic Tac Toe')
# ...setup grid for game board...
root.mainloop()
root = tk.Tk()
root.title('Multiplayer Tic Tac Toe')
# ...setup grid for game board...
root.mainloop()

Features

  • Two-player networked game
  • Real-time move updates
  • GUI for game board
  • Demonstrates sockets and threading

How It Works

  • Server relays moves between clients
  • Clients send/receive moves
  • GUI displays board and handles input

GUI Components

  • Grid: Buttons for each cell
  • Status display: Shows turn and winner

Use Cases

  • Learn networking basics
  • Build multiplayer games
  • Practice game logic

Next Steps

You can enhance this project by:

  • Adding chat feature
  • Supporting AI opponent
  • Improving GUI design
  • Keeping score history

Enhanced Version Ideas

def add_chat():
    # Allow players to chat
    pass
 
def add_ai_opponent():
    # Play against computer
    pass
def add_chat():
    # Allow players to chat
    pass
 
def add_ai_opponent():
    # Play against computer
    pass

Troubleshooting Tips

  • Connection errors: Check IP and port
  • GUI not showing: Ensure Tkinter is installed
  • Moves not sent: Check server/client status

Conclusion

This project teaches networking, game logic, and GUI basics. Extend it for more features and better user experience.

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