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@@ -1 +1,99 @@ +# Pac-Man (Console Version with `ncurses`) + +A terminal-based Pac-Man game written in C with `ncurses`. It faithfully +replicates the original ghost AI from the classic 1980 arcade game, including +their behavioral modes, targeting rules, and unique pathfinding algorithms. + +<img src = "pacman.png" /> + +This version contains one fixed level and implements core gameplay mechanics: +Pac-Man movement, ghost AI, lives, energizers (power pellets), frightened mode, +collision handling, and score tracking. + +## Features + +- **Classic Pac-Man logic** — core mechanics faithfully implemented +- **Ghost behavior inspired by the original game** — based on *The Pac-Man Dossier* +- **Mode switching** — scatter, chase, frightened +- **Unique AI logic per ghost** — each ghost uses different rules and pathfinding +- **Life system** — Pac-Man has limited lives +- **Power pellets** — enable Pac-Man to eat ghosts in frightened mode +- **Colored rendering** — `ncurses`-based graphics with different colors for each ghost and Pac-Man +- **Directional movement logic** — buffered input for responsive turns +- **Single static level** — pre-defined grid layout with maze walls and teleport tunnel +- **Maze collision and coin collection** — walls, tunnels, and dot eating logic +- **Pause support** — press spacebar to pause/resume the game + +## Technologies Used + +- **Language:** C (C99) +- **Graphics:** `ncurses` +- **Terminal:** ANSI-compatible +- **Manual memory management**, no external libraries beyond `ncurses` + +## Controls + +- Arrow keys — Move Pac-Man +- ESC — Quit the game +- Spacebar - Pause + +## Ghost AI Logic + +Each ghost behaves differently depending on the current game mode: + +### Game Modes: + +- **Chase** — Ghosts pursue targets based on individual AI +- **Scatter** — Ghosts retreat to their fixed corners +- **Frightened** — Ghosts move randomly after Pac-Man eats a power pellet +- **Returning** — Ghosts return to their house after being eaten + +### Algorithms Used + +- **BFS (Breadth-First Search)** — used for actual pathfinding on the map +- **Manhattan Distance** — used for heuristic target evaluation +- **Random Choice** — used when ghosts are frightened + +### Ghost Behaviors: + +#### Blinky (Red) +- **Behavior:** Always targets Pac-Man's current tile in chase mode +- **Algorithm:** BFS + +#### Pinky (Pink) +- **Behavior:** Targets the tile 2 cells ahead of Pac-Man in his current direction +- **Algorithm:** Manhattan distance + +#### Inky (Cyan) +- **Behavior:** + + 1. Computes the tile two cells ahead of Pac-Man + 2. Calculates a vector from Blinky's position to that tile + 3. Doubles the vector to determine the target + +- **Algorithm:** Manhattan distance + +#### Clyde (Orange) +- **Behavior:** + + - If farther than 8 tiles from Pac-Man: behaves like Blinky (chases) + - If closer: retreats to scatter corner + +- **Algorithm:** Manhattan distance and BFS hybrid + +## Build Instructions + +Install `ncurses` (if needed): +```bash +sudo apt install libncurses5-dev libncursesw5-dev +``` +Then: + +```bash +git clone https://git.scratko.xyz/pacman +cd pacman +make +./pacman + +``` Windows version: <a href="https://scratko.xyz/games/pacman.exe" target="_blank">Download</a> |