|  Connex | | Title: | Connex | | Category: | Game/Logic | | Release Date: | 2024-10-30 | | Language: | English | | Size: | 16K | | Machine: | PAL & NTSC | | Code Type: | AustroSpeed | | Distribution: | Freeware | | Game ending type: | (n/a) | | |  | | Code by: | orac81 | | Notes: | A Connect 4 game for one or two players, released on any Commodore computer (C64, C16, PET, VIC20, etc). |
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| | Description | CONNEX is a version of the well known "4-in-a-line" game (Connect-4), for any Commodore computer (C64, C16, PET, VIC, etc).
The source code is released as free software under the GNU GPL3 licence, see GNU website: www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.htm. Download with a Basic source version to run on any Commodore included:
https://github.com/orac81/miniapples/raw/refs/heads/main/connex8.zip
CONNEX started life as a PET program in 1980, then was ported to the VIC20 in 1982, and published.
The "connex-zen-vic5k.prg" VIC20 version of CONNEX included in the .zip file, was first published in Personal Computer World Magazine, Jan 1983.
PCW Magazines
This original VIC version was widely copied to software libraries around the world, and was re-published (unknown to the author) by Artic software, and many others. They even made cassette inlay art for it! There are also Plus/4 versions published in 1986, ie:
Connect
CONNEX only uses a simple 1 ply search, but the evaluation is surprisingly effective. It assigns an evaluation in each direction based on how many pieces in a row a move makes (or blocks), and whether the ends are "open".
The IQ=2 mode then subtracts the evaluation (divided by 4) for the square above the played piece, since playing a position enables access to that square for your opponent. This simple idea is suprisingly effective for a BASIC program that cannot really otherwise do deep searches. The ec() array adds a center bias - central moves are best.
The author resisted the idea to add hires GFX, and left it as a "PETSCII" program.
(Note that the older versions do not have all the commands listed above.) |
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| | Instructions | | Gameplay | | | 1-9 | : Play the column you want. (0 for column 10) | | G | : Make the computer take your go | | A | : Make the computer auto-play | | I | : Change the IQ play level | | Q | : Quit game | | | | | Start | | | X | : Change the board width (from 4 to 10 columns) | | C | : Change screen colour | | 1 | : play against the computer | | 2 | : Play another human |
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