ALTO Game: Fixing Score Bugs & Metrics Issues

by SLV Team 46 views
ALTO Game: Fixing Score Bugs & Metrics Issues

Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into the ALTO game and tackling some seriously frustrating scoring issues. We've got an erratic scoring system, food spawning in crazy places, and metrics that are just plain false. Let's break it down, fix it up, and make this game awesome!

🚨 Problem Description

The scoring system in ALTO has gone rogue! Points are added and subtracted randomly, food appears in invalid positions, and the metrics? Total fiction. This isn't just a minor bug; it's a gameplay-wrecking problem that needs our immediate attention. Let's get into the nitty-gritty details.

🐛 Scoring Problems Detected

We've identified several key issues causing chaos in the ALTO game. These problems range from the core scoring mechanics to how the game displays crucial information. Let's dissect each bug, understand its impact, and lay the groundwork for a solution.

1. Scoring Completely Erratic (snake.js:174-184)

// BUG: Erratic scoring
ateFood() {
 const randomBonus = Math.floor(Math.random() * 50);
 if (Math.random() > 0.7) {
 // Sometimes adds random bonus points
 this.score += 10 + randomBonus;
 } else if (Math.random() > 0.9) {
 // Very rarely subtracts points
 this.score -= 5;
 } else {
 this.score += 10;
 }
}
  • Problem:
    • 30% of the time, it adds 10-60 random points. Imagine the surprise and frustration when your score jumps all over the place!
    • 10% of the time, it SUBTRACTS 5 points. Seriously? Who wants to lose points for doing well?
    • Only 60% of the time, it adds the correct 10 points. This inconsistency makes it impossible to predict or strategize.
  • Impact: The scoring system is entirely unpredictable. Players have no clue how many points they'll get, making the game feel unfair and random. This kills the sense of accomplishment and makes it hard to enjoy the game.

This erratic scoring mechanism completely undermines the player experience. Imagine trying to beat your high score when the game itself is fighting against you! It's crucial that we stabilize this core mechanic to ensure fair and engaging gameplay. By implementing a consistent scoring system, we can restore player confidence and create a more rewarding gaming experience.

2. Invalid Food Spawn (snake.js:186-200)

generateFood() {
 let newFood;
 let attempts = 0;
 
 do {
 newFood = {
 x: Math.floor(Math.random() * this.tileCount),
 y: Math.floor(Math.random() * this.tileCount)
 };
 attempts++;
 
 // BUG: First 3 attempts ignore collision with snake
 if (attempts < 3) {
 break; // Ignore if it's inside the snake
 }
 
 } while (this.isOnSnake(newFood) && attempts < 10);
}
  • Problem: Food appears inside the snake in the first 3 attempts. What a mess! It’s like the game is playing hide-and-seek with itself.
  • Impact: The player can't collect the food, leading to inconsistent scores and major frustration. Imagine seeing a juicy apple only to realize it’s chilling inside your snake's belly. 🍎🐍

Having food spawn inside the snake creates a significant barrier to player progress and enjoyment. It not only disrupts the flow of the game but also makes it feel unfair. Players should be rewarded for their skillful maneuvering, not penalized by a glitchy food placement system. Correcting this issue will ensure that every food item is accessible, leading to a smoother, more rewarding gameplay experience.

3. False FPS Display (snake.js:295-298)

updateDebugInfo() {
 // BUG: Completely false FPS
 this.fps = Math.floor(Math.random() * 60) + 30;
 this.fpsElement.textContent = this.fps;
}
  • Problem: The game displays a random FPS between 30-90 instead of the actual FPS. It's like the game is making up its own reality!
  • Impact: The performance information is completely useless. Developers and players can't rely on this data for debugging or optimization. Why even have an FPS counter if it’s just pulling numbers out of thin air? 🤷‍♂️

A false FPS display undermines the integrity of the game's debug information, making it difficult to assess performance issues. Accurate FPS readings are crucial for developers to optimize the game and for players to understand their system's capabilities. By providing a realistic FPS counter, we empower both developers and players with the information they need to ensure a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience.

4. Inconsistent High Score

// The high score logic depends on the erratic scoring
if (this.score > this.highScore) {
 this.highScore = this.score;
 localStorage.setItem('snakeHighScore', this.highScore);
}
  • Problem: High scores are based on random scoring, making them invalid. Imagine setting a new record, only to realize it's built on a foundation of chaos!
  • Impact: The leaderboards and personal records are meaningless. What's the point of striving for a high score when the system is rigged? 🏆➡️🗑️

An inconsistent high score system diminishes the competitive aspect of the game and reduces the sense of achievement for players. High scores should be a true reflection of skill and dedication, not the result of a random point surge. By fixing the scoring system, we can restore integrity to the high score leaderboard and motivate players to compete fairly for the top spot.

📊 Impact on the Experience

These bugs aren't just code errors; they're experience killers. Let's look at some specific scenarios where these issues wreck the game for players.

Broken Use Cases:

  1. Player eats 10 apples expecting 100 points
    • 🎯 Expectation: 100 points
    • 😱 Reality: Between 45-600 points (completely random). Talk about a rollercoaster of emotions!
  2. Inaccessible food
    • 🎯 Expectation: Food always collectable
    • 😱 Reality: 30% of the time, it appears inside the snake. It's like the game is playing a cruel joke.
  3. Performance metrics
    • 🎯 Expectation: Real FPS for debugging
    • 😱 Reality: Random numbers with no meaning. It's like trying to navigate with a broken compass.

These broken use cases highlight the critical need for a stable and reliable game experience. Players deserve a game where their actions have predictable consequences and where performance metrics provide meaningful insights. By addressing these issues, we can significantly improve player satisfaction and engagement.

✅ Solutions Required

Alright, let's get our hands dirty and fix these issues! We need concrete solutions to bring stability and fairness back to ALTO.

1. Consistent Scoring

ateFood() {
 this.score += 10; // Always 10 points, no variation
 this.updateScore();
 this.generateFood();
}

This simple change ensures that every apple eaten adds a consistent 10 points to the score. No more random bonus points or point deductions – just pure, predictable scoring!

Implementing consistent scoring is a fundamental step towards creating a fair and balanced gameplay experience. By eliminating the randomness, we empower players to make strategic decisions and accurately assess their progress. This predictability fosters a sense of trust in the game mechanics and encourages players to invest their time and effort in mastering the game.

2. Valid Food Spawn

generateFood() {
 let newFood;
 do {
 newFood = {
 x: Math.floor(Math.random() * this.tileCount),
 y: Math.floor(Math.random() * this.tileCount)
 };
 } while (this.isOnSnake(newFood)); // ALWAYS check for collision
 this.food = newFood;
}

This code snippet ensures that the game always checks for collisions with the snake before spawning food. No more invisible apples hiding inside your reptile friend!

Ensuring valid food spawn locations is essential for maintaining a smooth and enjoyable gameplay experience. By preventing food from appearing inside the snake, we eliminate frustrating scenarios where players are unable to collect valuable resources. This attention to detail enhances the overall polish of the game and demonstrates a commitment to providing a fair and engaging environment for players.

3. Real FPS

updateDebugInfo() {
 // Calculate real FPS based on requestAnimationFrame
 const currentTime = performance.now();
 this.fps = Math.round(1000 / (currentTime - this.lastTime));
 this.lastTime = currentTime;
}

This code calculates the actual FPS using performance.now() and requestAnimationFrame, giving us a true representation of the game's performance. Finally, a debug info we can trust!

Accurate FPS readings are crucial for both developers and players. For developers, real-time FPS data allows for precise performance monitoring and optimization efforts. For players, knowing the actual FPS can help them fine-tune their game settings for optimal performance. By providing a reliable FPS counter, we empower users to make informed decisions about their gaming experience.

🎯 Acceptance Criteria

To ensure our fixes are up to par, here's what we need to see:

  • ✅ Always +10 points per food, no variation.
  • ✅ Food NEVER appears inside the snake.
  • ✅ FPS shows the real performance value.
  • ✅ High score based on consistent scoring.
  • ✅ Debug info shows real data, not random numbers.

These acceptance criteria serve as a clear benchmark for evaluating the success of our bug fixes. By adhering to these standards, we can confidently deliver a polished and reliable gaming experience that meets the expectations of our players.

🏷️ Labels

  • bug
  • high-priority
  • scoring-system
  • game-mechanics

👥 Recommended Assignment

A developer with experience in video game scoring systems should tackle these issues. Their expertise will ensure a robust and reliable solution.

Assigning the right developer to the task is crucial for achieving the desired outcome. A developer with a strong understanding of game scoring systems will be able to effectively address the underlying issues and implement solutions that align with best practices. This targeted approach ensures that the bug fixes are not only effective but also maintainable and scalable in the long run.

Let's get these bugs squashed and make ALTO the awesome game it deserves to be! 🚀