Column Game

A Python implementation of the classic Columns puzzle game using Pygame. Players control falling columns consisting of three colored blocks and attempt to create matches of three or more blocks of the same color horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.

The project also includes an automated replay mode that reads moves from an input file and reproduces gameplay step by step.

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Features

• 🎮 Real-time gameplay using Pygame

• 🧩 Falling columns of three colored blocks

• ⬅️➡️ Horizontal movement

• 🔄 Column rotation

• ✨ Match detection in four directions:

  • Vertical
  • Horizontal
  • Diagonal (↘)
  • Diagonal (↗)

• ⬇️ Gravity simulation after blocks are removed

• 🏆 Score tracking

• 📄 Input-file-based replay mode

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Game Rules

1. A column containing three colored blocks falls from the top of the board.

2. The player can:

   • Move the column left
   • Move the column right
   • Rotate the order of colors
   • Drop the column faster

3. Whenever three or more blocks of the same color are aligned, they are removed.

4. After blocks are removed, the remaining blocks fall due to gravity.

5. The game continues until no more columns can be placed.

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Controls

Key	Action
Left Arrow	Move left
Right Arrow	Move right
Space	Rotate colors
Down Arrow	Accelerate falling
S	Pause/Resume
Q	Quit
Esc	Quit

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Replay Mode

The repository includes a replay system that reads actions from an input file.

Example:

CCH
Left
Left
Rotate
FREEZE
CGH
Right
FREEZE
CCA
FREEZE

Where:

• CCH, CGH, CCA represent newly generated columns
• Left moves the column left
• Right moves the column right
• Rotate changes the order of colors
• FREEZE drops and locks the column in place

This mode can be used for:

• Testing
• Demonstrations
• Automated gameplay reproduction
• Debugging

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Project Structure

.
├── column.py
├── column2.py
├── input.txt
└── README.md

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Requirements

• Python 3.x
• Pygame

Install dependencies:

pip install pygame

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Running the Game

Interactive Mode

python column.py

Replay Mode

python column2.py

The program reads commands from input.txt and reproduces the game automatically.

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Implementation Details

The game is implemented using:

• Matrix-based board representation
• Collision detection
• Pattern matching algorithms
• Gravity simulation
• Event-driven programming with Pygame
• File-based action replay

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Educational Purpose

This project was developed as an educational exercise in:

• Python programming
• Object-oriented and event-driven design
• Matrix and grid manipulation
• Game logic implementation
• Algorithmic problem solving using Pygame

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Author

Parham Hassan