The gap
A dots and boxes computer that only avoids third sides is beaten by anyone who knows about chains and double-dealing.
Game templates
Pennfold Game Template
The complete source of Pennfold, a dots and boxes game with five computer strengths, chain analysis, neutral walls and a two-player mode.
- JavaScript
- Canvas 2D
- Web Audio
- Playwright
- Coming soon
Coming soon
Not published on its store yet, so there is no buy or download link. PN Scripts does not take payment for it here.
What it solves
What it is
This template ships a chain and loop analysis, double-dealing and a search for the last safe fence.
How you use it
Unzip, serve the folder and open index.html, then edit game.js; npm test plays it again in headless Chrome.
Source code of a real, playable game to reskin and learn from, with a smoke test whose bot plays it.
Who it is for
Use it when
- Publishing your own dots and boxes game, or another line-drawing game that needs an opponent who understands control.
- Learning how a complete dots and boxes game is built in plain JavaScript and Canvas 2D.
- Building a branded mini-game for a client.
Built for
- Web and indie game developers who know some JavaScript.
- Developers who want a finished, tested game to build on instead of a blank canvas.
What you get
Chains and control
Once no safe fence is left, the undecided pens fall into chains and loops. A memoised function gives the net value of being the player who receives the next opened chain, which decides when to hand over two pens.
The last safe fence
When few safe fences remain, the sharpest shepherds search the safe-fence phase to its end and choose the fence that leaves the other player to open the first chain.
No build step
Plain JavaScript and Canvas 2D; open index.html through any static server and edit game.js.
A smoke test
A headless Chrome test loads the game, checks the console, presses keys and taps, and lets the built-in bot play a run to its result screen.
Gallery
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Specs
- Availability
- Coming soon
- Vendor
- PN Scripts
- Type
- Template
- Platforms
- JavaScript
- Pricing
- One-time purchase Price to be announced.
- License
- PN Scripts Template Licence 1.0
- Deployment
- Download (ZIP of source code)
- Maturity
- v1.0.0
Compatibility
| Platform or runtime | Supported versions | Tested up to |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js | 22.12 or newer | Not stated |
Stack
- JavaScript
- Canvas 2D
- Web Audio
- Playwright
The Pennfold template is coming soon
The template is finished and tested. It is not on sale yet; this page will say where to get it when it is.
Coming soon
Not published on its store yet, so there is no buy or download link. PN Scripts does not take payment for it here.
Questions
Make and sell any number of your own games from it, and build games for clients. You may not resell or share the source code itself (PN Scripts Template Licence 1.0).
Any static web server to run the game, and some JavaScript. Node.js 22.12 or newer and Google Chrome run the smoke test.
No ad or portal SDK. The game text is in English and Bulgarian, chosen from the browser language. It is tested in desktop Chrome and a phone-sized Chrome viewport with touch, not yet on iOS Safari, Firefox or a real phone.
The code was written with AI assistance and checked by PN Scripts with automated tests. All visuals and sounds are generated by code; there are no AI-generated image or audio files.
It is not on sale yet. When it is, this page will link to the store; PN Scripts does not take payment on this site.
