how to make AI for connect four

[fatboy316]

i've searched for ways to make AI for connect four but i can't seem to understand, is there a method to use in turing for alpha-beta pruning or the minmax algorithm?

[Tony]

there's nothing build into turing, so you'd have to program the entire thing yourself - if that's what you asking. If you ned help encoding your AI, start off with posting your pseudoalgorythm

[fatboy316]

wats a pseudoalgorythm

[Cervantes]

its an algorythm in pseudo code. pseudo code is code, but not of a specific language.
so your pseudoalgorythm is basically how you plan to do it.

[omni]

also called pseudocode. Its your plan on how to program your specific algorithm, this case AI. You go through and decide what the AI will do.
ex: if it sees a place to get a connect four, then place the piece there, otherwise do something else. Then you transfer it to code.
ex: if connectfour =true then
/*place piece there*/
else
/*do something else*/
end if
....

[fatboy316]

i don't no where to start for my connect four ai, i've been reading sites around and there seems to be an algorithm to weigh each move and give it a number, then the highest number will be the action taken. Rite now my program checks for win, if can't win then block, if can't block then connect3, if can't connect3 then block3, else it'lld o a random move. its easily beaten rite now

[omni]

really? what you said right there seems pretty good. Ya its hard to get a program to think like a human does.
Can your AI look ahead one move?

[SuperGenius]

I made a connect 4 game a while back, and I was thinking of developing an AI for it, but I gave up on it because it seemed pretty hard. I would like to see some code if you manage to come up with something.

[Tony]

fatboy316 - its nice to see you getting somewhere with your AI, but don't make too many threads on the same topic... or atleast keep them linked

[fatboy316]

i've sorta got my ai, but how can i make it better and possibly look ahead into the game? my program and the other thread i posted is at http://www.compsci.ca/v2/viewtopic.php?t=4983

please help! this is due in a week!

[guruguru]

A weeks a lot of time don't worry! Unless you want to get into a little recursion or more advanced algorithsm (or really long if statements ) I suggest you leave the AI as it is. It seems pretty good from what you've said, so dun worry.

Connect 4 can't really be much more advanced. Make powerups like extra move if you go in a certain column? I dunno...

[fatboy316]

thx for help but i was wondering about the AI and how to make it better, would it be better if i was able to make a procedure to play the game out, and then determine the winner and if you end up as the winner, continue with that move or if u end up a loser, then go onto the next best move

[s_climax]

But how can you predict what the other person will do?

[Cervantes]

i think better AI would be:

connect4
block 4
place one to create two 3 ina rows
block 3
build a 2inarow near to another 2 in a row
build 2 (anywhere on screen)
block 2
random move

and have a predefined starting move in the centre.

just a suggestion

[fatboy316]

s_climax wrote:

But how can you predict what the other person will do?

i can basically create a game scenario where it plays the game using the AI as 2 separate players. The AI chooses the best moves for each player and assumes that the REAL player will make the best move as well


other AI suggestions are welcome on how i can improve it