Overview

Roads and Boats is a strategic board game where players build transportation networks to move and transform resources across a hex-based board. The game emphasizes efficient supply chains and logistics rather than territorial control. Players must manage resources, build infrastructure, and optimize their transportation networks to achieve victory.

Features

• Multiplayer Support: Play with friends online in real-time
• Single Player Mode: Practice and learn the game mechanics solo
• Real-time Gameplay: Live updates and synchronized game state
• Resource Management: Complex supply chain and conversion mechanics
• Transportation Networks: Build roads, bridges, and various transport units
• Research System: Unlock advanced technologies and buildings
• Hex-based Board: Strategic terrain-based gameplay

Game Mechanics

Core Concepts

• Resource Production: Extract raw materials from terrain (wood, stone, clay, gold, iron)
• Resource Conversion: Transform basic resources into processed goods (boards, fuel, paper, coins)
• Transportation: Move resources using donkeys, wagons, boats, and trucks
• Infrastructure: Build roads, bridges, and production buildings
• Research: Use geese and paper to unlock advanced technologies

Victory Conditions

• Gold: 10 points per unit
• Coins: 40 points per unit
• Stock Certificates: 120 points per unit

The game ends when all 193 Wonder blocks are removed, and the player with the most points wins.

Installation

Prerequisites

• Node.js (v14 or higher)
• npm (v6 or higher)

Setup

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone <repository-url>
   cd rnb

2. Install dependencies:

   npm install

3. Start the development server:

   npm run dev

4. Open your browser and navigate to http://localhost:8080

Available Scripts

• npm run dev - Start both client and server in development mode
• npm run dev:server - Start only the server in development mode
• npm run dev:client - Start only the client in development mode
• npm run build - Build the client for production
• npm start - Start the production server
• npm test - Run tests

Project Structure

rnb/
├── client/           # Frontend application
│   ├── GameClient.js
│   ├── GameRenderer.js
│   ├── UIManager.js
│   ├── index.html
│   └── index.js
├── server/           # Backend server
│   ├── GameManager.js
│   └── index.js
├── shared/           # Shared game logic
│   ├── Building.js
│   ├── GameActions.js
│   ├── GameBoard.js
│   ├── GameState.js
│   ├── Player.js
│   ├── Resource.js
│   ├── Transporter.js
│   ├── gameTypes.js
│   └── hexUtils.js
├── resources/        # Game assets
│   ├── buildings/    # Building sprites
│   ├── buttons/      # UI buttons
│   ├── gameplay/     # Gameplay images
│   ├── goods/        # Resource sprites
│   ├── player/       # Player assets
│   ├── research/     # Research items
│   ├── roads/        # Road sprites
│   ├── terrain/      # Terrain tiles
│   ├── tiles/        # Hex tiles
│   ├── walls/        # Wall sprites
│   └── wonder/       # Wonder assets
├── rules.md          # Detailed game rules
└── start-game.sh     # Quick start script

Game Rules

For detailed game rules and mechanics, see rules.md.

Quick Start

1. Setup: Each player starts with 3 wood, 2 stone, 3 donkeys, and 2 geese
2. Production Phase: Buildings automatically produce resources
3. Movement Phase: Move your transporters to collect and deliver resources
4. Building Phase: Construct new buildings, roads, and bridges
5. Repeat: Continue until the Wonder is completed

Single Player Mode

The game includes a comprehensive single player mode perfect for learning the mechanics or enjoying the logistics puzzle solo. See the image above for a preview of the single player interface.

Single Player Features

• Solo Gameplay: Practice without coordinating with other players
• Learning Tool: Master complex logistics without time pressure
• Strategy Testing: Experiment with different approaches and build orders
• Accessible: Play anytime without needing other players

Technology Stack

• Frontend: Vanilla JavaScript with HTML5 Canvas
• Backend: Node.js with Express
• Real-time Communication: Socket.IO
• Build Tool: Webpack
• Development: Nodemon for server hot-reload

Contributing

1. Clone the repository
2. Create a feature branch (git checkout -b name/your-feature)
3. Commit your changes (git commit -m 'Add some amazing feature')
4. Push to the branch (git push origin name/your-feature)
5. Open a Pull Request