Simple Hex: A Two-Player Connection Game

Simple Hex is a captivating two-player connection game with straightforward rules, making it easy to learn. Players choose red or blue and take turns coloring empty cells on the game board. The objective is to create a connected path of your colored cells linking opposite sides of the board. The first player to complete this connection wins.

The game offers several modes: Play with AI, Play with a Friend (using separate devices), and Pass & Play (local multiplayer). The AI features three difficulty levels (easy, medium, hard) and can play as either the first or second player.

The game is deceptively challenging. While simple to grasp, mastering it requires strategic thinking. An undo button allows you to revert your last move(s) – this feature is not yet available in AI mode.

Steal Move Feature: Since the first player has a significant advantage in Hex, the second player has the option to switch places with the first player after the first move is made. This forces the first player to make a more strategic opening move. This feature is also unavailable in AI mode.

Three board sizes (7x7, 9x9, and 11x11) provide a gradual increase in complexity and playtime.

More Information: For a deeper understanding of the game of Hex, visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hex_(board_game)

Acknowledgements: We extend our gratitude to interns Saatvik Inampudi and Shoheb Shaik for their contributions to performance improvements in the AI algorithm's first version. The current AI utilizes a "stable" unbounded best-first minimax game technique. For more information on this, connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nsvemuri/

Version 0.45 (Updated December 18, 2024): This update makes the easy level genuinely easy and slightly reduces the difficulty of the medium level.