Feature Proposal: Implement Leaderboard and Advanced UI Enhancements

[kh3rld]

Summary:
This proposal introduces the idea of implementing a leaderboard system and making several advanced UI enhancements to the Prisoner's Dilemma game. The leaderboard would track player statistics, and the UI improvements would include better visual feedback, animations, and a more polished user experience.

Current Behavior:
The current game lacks a persistent tracking mechanism for player performance, and the UI is functional but basic, with limited visual feedback and interaction.

Proposed Features:

1. Leaderboard Implementation:

   • Player Stats Tracking: Track and record player statistics such as total games played, wins, losses, and average sentence years.
   • Persistent Storage: Use a file or database system to store the leaderboard data so it persists between game sessions.
   • Display Options: Players can view the leaderboard from the main menu, showing the top players and their stats.
   • Global vs. Local Leaderboards: Consider implementing both global (network-wide) and local (single device) leaderboards, depending on the mode of play.

2. Advanced UI Enhancements:

   • Visual Feedback: Introduce animations and visual cues during the game to indicate actions like cooperation, defection, and round outcomes.
   • ASCII Art & Themes: Expand on the existing ASCII art with dynamic themes that change based on in-game events (e.g., a special theme for the final round).
   • Enhanced Menus: Revamp the menu system to be more interactive and visually appealing, with animations and sound effects.
   • Player Avatars: Allow players to select or upload avatars that represent them during the game, displayed alongside their names.
   • End-of-Game Summary: Provide a detailed summary at the end of the game, showing round-by-round performance, overall statistics, and a comparison between the players.

Implementation Considerations:

• Performance Impact: Ensure that the advanced UI elements do not significantly impact the game's performance, especially on lower-end systems.
• Cross-Platform Consistency: Make sure the UI enhancements work consistently across different platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux).
• User Settings: Allow players to customize or disable certain UI features if they prefer a more minimalistic experience.
• Testing and QA: Extensive testing will be required to ensure the leaderboard system is accurate and the UI enhancements do not introduce bugs or crashes.

Benefits:

• Increased Engagement: A leaderboard adds a competitive element that can motivate players to improve and keep playing.
• Polished User Experience: The UI enhancements will make the game more visually appealing and enjoyable, attracting a broader audience.
• Replayability: Players will have a reason to return to the game, aiming to climb the leaderboard or see new UI elements they haven't experienced yet.

Request for Feedback:
Feedback on this proposal is highly encouraged, especially regarding the prioritization of these features, potential technical challenges, and any additional UI enhancements that could be included.

[kherldhussein]

How will the leaderboard data be stored and secured???

[kherldhussein]

I think the leaderboard data can be stored locally using a file-based system like JSON or a lightweight database such as SQLite. For network play, a central server could handle the storage of global leaderboard data. To ensure security, sensitive information like player names or any personal data should be hashed or encrypted before storage. Access controls should also be implemented to prevent unauthorized access to the leaderboard.

[kh3rld]

Well, we'll use blockchain-based leaderboard to ensures that the data is decentralized, and transparent. This approach eliminates the need for a central server, making the leaderboard more secure and trustworthy.

[kherldhussein]

You're right!!! To shift the leaderboard implementation to a blockchain-based solution rather than using a central server is the best so far love where this is heading...

[kherldhussein]

Will the leaderboard be updated in real-time or at the end of each game???

[kh3rld]

It can be designed to update at the end of each game session to reflect the final results. For network games, the server can handle updating the global leaderboard, while for local games, the update would occur on the client-side after each game ends. Real-time updates during the game might be considered for future versions, depending on performance and synchronization challenges.