Feature Proposal: Implement Leaderboard and Advanced UI Enhancements

[kh3rld]

Discussed in #23

^{Originally posted by kh3rld August 15, 2024}

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.