[Feature Request] Challenge mode

[DeanWard]

A mode where you can generate a seed for the RNG and share it as a URL. Everyone who plays this seed will get the exact same tiles so their scores relative to each other are more a result of skill than luck (maybe). Coupled with your plan to enable sharing of scores, this could add another dimension to the game?

[MikeBellika]

Not a bad idea. Im thinking it could be implemented as an extension of the sharing functionality thats coming up.
Sharing will work by sending a link with the game state. A button could be added along the lines of “Try to beat this”, which would then start a new game with the same seed.

This way users wouldn’t have to choose a game mode up front, which would keep the game simpler.

[DeanWard]

This way users wouldn’t have to choose a game mode up front, which would keep the game simpler.

Great point! I saw that you're using Math.random() in useBoard.ts and I'm aware that js doesn't allow you to seed that function but there is a package that allows seedable RNG https://www.npmjs.com/package/seedrandom

[MikeBellika]

I actually didn't know that Math.random() can't be seeded, so thanks for that link.

It would also require changing the way new tiles are generated. Right now they're just generated on demand, where they're needed. For a challenge mode, new tiles should probably be generated at the start of the game or at least in the same position. Maybe the random generator could be seeded with the column number and the amount of tiles that have been generated so far in that column.

[DeanWard]

I think the seedrandom package allows you to save and restore it's state, though I don't know if that would fit into a URL