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        Arimaa >> Site Discussion >> writing a new client
        
(Message started by: cloudboy on May 27^th, 2014, 10:36pm)

Title: writing a new client
Post by cloudboy on May 27^th, 2014, 10:36pm

Hi all,

I want to start working on writing a good cross-platform Arimaa client so that I have a fluid interface and the ability to add my own features for later doing serious work on AI. I will be writing it in common lisp. Although my personal purpose is to have a good backdrop for AI analysis, I also think it would be nice to end up with something people can use to play games (including rated games, as I understand the arimaa.com API is available somewhere) that is smoother and more feature-rich than what's currently available.

One issue that immediately comes to mind: are there reasonable quality images for the playing pieces used on arimaa.com (or similar) available? I know I could use screenshots, but they already have low resolution and that seems like a last resort.

Besides that, if anyone has any other advice about this project I would be happy to hear it.

-cloudboy-

P.S. I in no way promise to have the commitment and follow-through necessary to actually finish this project. But I'm going to give it a go.

Edit: I noticed that I can in fact easily get access to the images used by the arimaa.com client by fiddling around in my browser. But these are low resolution bitmaps, which I do not consider at all satisfactory. I suppose it's too much to hope that there are vector graphics versions around somewhere?

Title: Re: writing a new client
Post by Fritzlein on May 28^th, 2014, 1:03am

Several sets of piece images are freely available somewhere on arimaa.com. Alas, it is one of many links that you apparently can't get to by any sequence of clicks from the home page. Maybe someone else can chime in with the direct link?

Title: Re: writing a new client
Post by harvestsnow on May 29^th, 2014, 5:54am

They're here: http://arimaa.com/arimaa/graphics/ , with a public domain statement, and including the black and white svg theme used in chessandgo's book..

A few other themes by Nathan Hwang are presented here: http://thenoviceoof.com/blog/projects/arimaa-icon-set/

And there's also the wikipedia set: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Arimaa_set.svg

Title: Re: writing a new client
Post by cloudboy on May 29^th, 2014, 1:25pm

Thanks. I'm not completely happy with any of these, but it's a good start. If things go well I can always give more attention to this later.

(I like Nathan Hwang's ideas but the pieces really seem too dark. Maybe they could be tweaked a little to my taste. Meanwhile the Wikipedia set has extremely similar-looking camels, horses, and dogs.)

Title: Re: writing a new client
Post by browni3141 on May 29^th, 2014, 6:21pm

I never once (that I can remember) had trouble distinguishing between pieces using the site's set, even as a beginner. Pieces are immediately recognizable even in peripheral. I am probably tracking most of the relevant pieces though, even without trying to. I do see any benefit whatsoever that Hwang's set has over the standard set. When I look at the board using his set, I have the same complaint he has about our set. It takes me a few moments to absorb the position. I don't have the visual patterns down. I think it doesn't matter very much what set you use. It will take some small amount of time to get used to your choice no matter what. The priority should be making a set which is visually appealing.
Personally, I like 3D sets more than flat sets.