Virus Vector: Infection Maze Game

A Java-based tactical puzzle game where you play as a virus trying to infect a maze while avoiding obstacles and collecting power-ups and accumulating points.

🎮 Game Overview

In Virus Vector: Infection Maze, you control a virus that must spread through a maze, infecting empty tiles while avoiding hazards. The game features multiple levels, power-ups, and increasing difficulty.

🚀 Features

• Strategic Enemy Types:
  • Patrolling Antivirus (Orange Line): Moves left/right, reverses at obstacles.
  • Chasing Antivirus (Magenta Circle): Pursues the player directly.
  • Random Antivirus (Cyan Outline): Moves unpredictably each turn.
  • Enemy Spawner (Yellow + Red Ring): Periodically spawns new antivirus threats.
• Infection Mechanic: Infect adjacent tiles to spread your virus.
• Obstacles:
  • Firewalls (Brown): Block movement unless you have an infection upgrades.
  • Classic Antivirus (Red): Static threat, causes you to lose a life if touched without a shield.
• Power-ups:
  • Infectivity Upgrade (Cyan): Temporarily increases infection range, lets you breach firewalls.
  • Shield (Blue): Temporary immunity to all threats.
  • Time Extension (Yellow): Adds 30 seconds to the timer.
• Lives System: 10 lives per level.
• Progressive Difficulty: More enemies, spawners, and obstacles each level.
• Enhanced Visual Feedback: Distinct icons/colors for all entities, power-ups, and effects.
• Advanced Home Screen: Animated pixel art, glowing title, interactive start button, and pixel burst animation.
• Smooth Animations: 60 FPS, animated enemy movement, and particle effects.
• Modern Controls: Arrow keys for movement, hotkeys for restart/next level, pause, and more.

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🧩 Strategic Gameplay Enhancements

Virus Vector has evolved into a tactical puzzle game with:

• Multiple enemy types with unique AI behaviors
• Dynamic enemy spawners that increase challenge over time
• Stackable and negative power-ups
• Visual clarity for all threats and upgrades
• Animated home screen with pixel burst effects for a polished feel

Entity & Power-up Legend

Entity/Power-up	Color/Icon	Role/Effect
Player	Bright Green + Glow	You! Infect tiles and avoid threats
Classic Antivirus	Red	Static enemy, lose life on contact
Patrolling Antivirus	Orange line	Moves left/right, reverses at obstacles
Chasing Antivirus	Magenta circle	Pursues player every turn
Random Antivirus	Cyan outline	Moves randomly each turn
Enemy Spawner	Yellow + Red ring	Spawns new antivirus periodically
Firewall	Brown	Blocks movement unless upgraded
Infectivity Upgrade	Cyan	Increases infection range, breach firewalls
Shield	Blue	Temporary immunity
Time Extension	Yellow	Adds time to the level

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🛠️ Tech Stack

• Language: Java 17+
• Core Libraries:
  • javax.swing.* - GUI components and windows
  • java.awt.* - Graphics rendering and event handling
  • java.util.* - Data structures and utilities
• Build: Direct compilation (No build tools)
• Dependencies: None (Pure Java SE)
• Performance: 60 FPS target with smooth animations
• Threading: Event Dispatch Thread for UI, separate thread for animations
• Key Features:
  • Custom game loop using javax.swing.Timer
  • Object-oriented design with clear separation of concerns
  • Event-driven architecture using AWT/Swing event model

📁 Project Structure

GAME/
├── src/
│   └── main/
│       └── java/
│           └── com/
│               └── virusvector/
│                   ├── MainGame.java         # Entry point with main()
│                   ├── GameWindow.java       # Main JFrame and window management
│                   ├── HomeScreen.java       # Animated main menu with interactive elements
│                   ├── GamePanel.java        # Game rendering and input handling
│                   ├── GameState.java        # Core game logic and state management
│                   └── EntityType.java       # Game entity definitions and properties
└── README.md

Key Components

• MainGame.java: Initializes the application and starts the game window
• GameWindow.java: Manages the main JFrame and screen transitions
• HomeScreen.java: Implements the animated main menu with particle effects
• GamePanel.java: Handles rendering, user input, and the game loop
• GameState.java: Contains all game rules, state, and logic
• EntityType.java: Defines game entities and their properties

🏗️ Implementation Details

Game Architecture

• MVC-like Pattern:
  • Model: GameState manages all game data and rules
  • View: GamePanel handles rendering
  • Controller: Input handling spread across components

Technical Highlights

• Custom Rendering: Overridden paintComponent for all graphics
• Event Handling: Combines AWT and Swing event listeners
• State Management: Centralized game state with clear separation from UI
• Animation System: Uses javax.swing.Timer for smooth animations

Performance

• Lightweight implementation with minimal object creation during gameplay
• Efficient repaint region management
• No external dependencies for maximum portability

🚀 Getting Started

Prerequisites

• Java Development Kit (JDK) 17 or later
• No additional libraries or tools required

Building from Source

# Compile all Java files
javac src/main/java/com/virusvector/*.java -d out/

# Run the game
java -cp out/ com.virusvector.MainGame

🛠️ Development

Potential Enhancements

1. Build System: Add Maven/Gradle for dependency management
2. Testing: Implement unit tests with JUnit
3. Packaging: Create executable JAR with proper manifest
4. Asset Management: Organize resources (images, sounds) properly
5. Logging: Add logging framework for debugging
6. Configuration: Externalize game settings (e.g., window size, controls)

🎮 Controls

• Arrow Keys: Move the virus one tile at a time
• R: Restart after game over
• N: Start next level (when level complete)
• ESC: Return to home screen (pauses current game)

🚀 How to Run

1. Ensure you have Java 17 or later installed
2. Compile all Java files:

   javac src/main/java/com/virusvector/*.java -d out/

3. Run the game:

   java -cp out/ com.virusvector.MainGame

🎯 Game Rules

1. Objective:

   • Infect at least 70% of the maze to complete each level
   • Score points for each infected tile (10 points each)
   • Earn level completion bonus (level × 1000 points)

2. Lives:

   • Start with 10 lives
   • Lose a life when time runs out
   • Game restarts from level 1 if hit by antivirus without shield

3. Power-ups:

   • Light Blue (INFECT_UPGRADE):
     • Increases infection range to 3x3 for 10 seconds
     • Allows passing through orange firewalls
   • Blue (SHIELD):
     • Protection against antivirus for 15 seconds
     • Also obtained when passing firewalls with INFECT_UPGRADE
   • Yellow (TIME_EXTENSION): +30 seconds (level 3+ only)

4. Level Progression:

   • Each level adds more antivirus and firewalls
   • Firewalls can be passed with infection upgrade active
   • Passing firewalls grants shields
   • Time carries over to next level
   • Score multiplier increases with level

🖼️ Customization

To add a custom window icon, place a 64x64 PNG file named icon.png in the resources directory.

🐛 Known Issues

• Window icon may not load if the resource path is incorrect
• Some visual artifacts may occur during rapid movement

📜 License

This project is open source and available under the MIT License.

🙏 Credits

• Developed with ❤️ by [ANKAN BASU] and [ANKIT BASU]

🤝 Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please feel free to submit a Pull Request.

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🎮 Happy Gaming! Spread the infection and conquer the maze! 🦠