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RajakarDhor - Complete Game Guide & Analysis

Table of Contents

  1. Game Overview
  2. Game Concept
  3. Character Roles
  4. Movement & Actions
  5. Game Mechanics
  6. Detection System
  7. Win Conditions
  8. Game Flow
  9. UI & Information Display
  10. Strategy & Tactics

Game Overview

RajakarDhor is a turn-based stealth/tactical game set on a 10x10 grid-based maze. It's a two-player asymmetric game where:

  • One player takes the role of Rajakar (the thief/intruder trying to escape)
  • The other takes Birsreshtha (the guard/defender trying to prevent escape)

Key Statistics:

  • Grid Size: 10×10 cells
  • Maximum Turns: 60 (30 rounds when alternating turns)
  • Tile Size: 64 pixels (48-64 recommended)
  • Game Speed: 60 FPS with adjustable simulation speed
  • Playable Mode: Fully automated AI gameplay (both players controlled by AI)

Game Concept

Theme: Medieval Indian Tactics

The game name "RajakarDhor" has roots in Indian administrative history:

  • Rajakar: A historical term referring to tax collectors or administrators
  • Dhor: Pursuit/capture

Gameplay Philosophy

  • Asymmetric: Each player has fundamentally different abilities and objectives
  • Information Warfare: Players have incomplete information about each other
  • Strategic Depth: Combines stealth (Rajakar) with hunting (Birsreshtha)
  • Probabilistic: Uses belief maps and statistical inference for AI decision-making

Target Audience

  • Strategy game enthusiasts
  • AI/Game Theory enthusiasts
  • Tactical puzzle players

Character Roles

1. RAJAKAR (The Intruder/Thief) 🏃‍♂️

Objective

Escape the maze by reaching an EXIT tile and executing an ESCAPE action

Role Description

Rajakar is an infiltrator trying to escape through exit points in the maze. The character must:

  • Move silently through the maze
  • Avoid detection by Birsreshtha
  • Use walls as cover to block sightlines
  • Navigate to designated EXIT tiles
  • Execute the ESCAPE action to win

Capabilities

  • Vision: Can see in 4 cardinal directions (up/down/left/right) up to 3 cells away
  • Can see through walls: Does NOT have line-of-sight restrictions
  • Silent movement: Waiting generates NO noise
  • Escape ability: Can only use on EXIT tiles

Player Type

  • Typically controlled by AI (optional: human player mode)
  • Strategy: Stealth, evasion, path-finding
  • Difficulty: Medium (must balance speed with stealth)

2. BIRSRESHTHA (The Guard/Defender) 🛡️

Objective

Capture Rajakar by getting adjacent to them AFTER Birsreshtha's action

Role Description

Birsreshtha is the defender protecting the maze, tracking and intercepting the escaped. The character must:

  • Locate Rajakar using various detection methods
  • Track Rajakar's likely positions using probability inference
  • Move toward and intercept Rajakar
  • Use the power scan strategically
  • Maintain awareness of exit points

Capabilities

  • Directional Sight: Sees in the direction facing (4 cardinal directions), up to 3 cells away, blocked by walls
  • Orthogonal Range: Always-on detection in cardinal directions ignoring walls
  • Power Scan: Special ability available every 4 turns
    • 8-directional coverage (orthogonal + diagonal)
    • Radius: 2 cells
    • Ignores walls - can penetrate obstacles
    • Instantly reveals Rajakar if within range
  • AI Assistance: Sophisticated AI that uses both Minimax (when Rajakar seen) and Probability Maps (when hidden)

Player Type

  • Controlled by AI with advanced decision-making
  • Strategy: Hunting, predicting, narrowing down possibilities
  • Difficulty: Hard (complex AI with multiple algorithms)

Movement & Actions

RAJAKAR Actions

Action Description Noise When Available Duration Effect
MOVE Move to adjacent cell (4 directions) 2 cells radius Always (valid floor) 1 turn Generates noise, reveals position to those within range
WAIT Stay in place, no action Silent (0) Always 1 turn No noise generated - perfect for stealth
ESCAPE Execute escape sequence 3 cells radius On EXIT tiles only 1 turn Wins the game if Birsreshtha doesn't capture first

Movement Constraints

  • Can move: To adjacent walkable floor tiles (4 directions only: up/down/left/right)
  • Cannot move: Through walls (#), out of bounds, or diagonally
  • Line of Sight: Not required for movement (can move behind walls)

Noise Mechanics

When Rajakar performs an action, noise is generated:

  • MOVE: Noise reaches up to 2 cells away (Manhattan distance)
  • WAIT: No noise (silent action)
  • ESCAPE: Noise reaches up to 3 cells away (loudest action)

Strategic Implication: If Birsreshtha is within the noise radius, they HEAR the action and update their belief map accordingly.

BIRSRESHTHA Actions

Action Description Trigger When Available Effect
MOVE Move to adjacent cell (AI-guided) AI decision Always (valid floor) Moves toward Rajakar or likely location
WAIT Stay in place AI decision Always Hold position, useful for ambush or when uncertain
POWER SCAN Special detection ability Automatic (every 4 turns) Every 4th Birsreshtha turn Reveals all cells within 2-cell radius in all 8 directions

Detection Methods (Passive)

  1. Directional Sight (Always Active)

    • Coverage: Direction facing (one of 4 cardinal directions)
    • Range: 3 cells maximum
    • Obstacles: Blocked by walls (line-of-sight required)
    • Visibility: Shows up as light blue tint on grid

  2. Orthogonal Range (Always Active)

    • Coverage: All 4 cardinal directions
    • Range: 3 cells maximum
    • Obstacles: Ignores walls (penetrates obstacles)
    • Purpose: Always-on backup detection

  3. Noise Detection (Passive)

    • Triggered By: Rajakar's MOVE or ESCAPE actions
    • Range: Action-dependent (2 for MOVE, 3 for ESCAPE)
    • Information: Tells Birsreshtha that Rajakar made an action, but not exact position (only distance)

  4. Power Scan (Active Ability)

    • Frequency: Every 4 Birsreshtha turns (automatic at turns 4, 8, 12, 16, etc.)
    • Coverage: 8 directions (cardinal + diagonal)
    • Range: 2 cells radius
    • Wall Penetration: Ignores walls completely
    • Accuracy: If Rajakar is within range, instantly reveals position
    • Visual Feedback: Blue highlighted cells appear on grid showing scan area
    • AI Uses: Updates belief map with this evidence

AI Decision-Making

Birsreshtha's moves are determined by sophisticated AI:

When Rajakar is SEEN (detected directly):

  • Uses MINIMAX with Alpha-Beta Pruning algorithm
  • Looks 3 moves ahead
  • Makes optimal interception move
  • Direct pursuit mode

When Rajakar is HIDDEN (not currently visible):

  • Uses Probability-Based Belief Map Tracking
  • Maintains probability distribution of possible locations
  • Moves toward highest-probability regions
  • Incorporates noise, scan results, and motion prediction
  • Adaptive hunting mode

Game Mechanics

Grid System

Structure:

  • 10×10 grid (100 cells total)
  • Three tile types:
    • FLOOR (.): Walkable space (default)
    • WALL (#): Impassable obstacle, blocks line-of-sight
    • EXIT (E): Escape point for Rajakar (appears as green tile)

Coordinates:

  • (0,0) is top-left corner
  • Rows increase downward (0-9)
  • Columns increase rightward (0-9)
  • Movement uses compass directions: Up (-1,0), Down (+1,0), Left (0,-1), Right (0,+1)

Spawn System

Rajakar and Birsreshtha are spawned with strict distance constraints:

Spawn Constraints:

  • Rajakar to Birsreshtha: Minimum 4 cells (Manhattan distance)
  • Rajakar to each EXIT: Minimum 4 cells
  • Birsreshtha to each EXIT: Minimum 8 cells
  • EXIT to EXIT: Minimum 8 cells
  • Attempts: Up to 8000 tries to find valid spawn configuration
  • Exits: 2 per game

Rationale: Ensures fair starting positions - Rajakar has space to move, Birsreshtha isn't positioned to capture immediately.

Turn System

Turn Structure:

  1. Current Player: One player takes an action
  2. Turn Count: Increments after action resolves
  3. Alternation: Switches to other player
  4. Order: Rajakar starts first
  5. Total Limit: 60 turns maximum

Timing:

  • Each turn represents one action (MOVE, WAIT, or special)
  • Actions resolve immediately
  • No simultaneous turns (fully sequential)
  • Players alternate: R → B → R → B → ...

Turn Counting:

  • Turns = individual actions (60 total)
  • Rounds = pairs of actions (30 rounds = 1 Rajakar + 1 Birsreshtha)
  • UI displays: "Turn Count: X / 60"

Detection & Observation

What each player knows:

At the START of Rajakar's turn:

  • If Birsreshtha is visible in Rajakar's 4-direction sight (range 3, blocked by walls)
  • If noise was heard from Birsreshtha (not implemented for Birsreshtha yet)

At the START of Birsreshtha's turn:

  • If Rajakar is visible through directional sight (range 3, blocked by walls)
  • If Rajakar is within orthogonal range (range 3, ignores walls)
  • If noise was heard from Rajakar's last action (range 2 for MOVE, range 3 for ESCAPE)
  • Power scan evidence (if active and within range)

Fog of War:

  • Birsreshtha doesn't know EXIT positions until seeing them directly
  • Rajakar doesn't know Birsreshtha's exact position after losing sight
  • Both use probability/inference to track hidden opponent

Detection System

Birsreshtha's Detection Channels

1. Directional Sight (Primary Detection)

  • Active: Always (in facing direction)
  • Range: 3 cells in one cardinal direction
  • Line of Sight: Yes - blocked by walls
  • Directions: Up, Down, Left, Right (Birsreshtha turns to face)
  • Accuracy: Perfect - if visible, exact position is known
  • Visuals: Light blue tint on grid shows sight cone

Example: If Birsreshtha faces UP and Rajakar is 2 cells above in direct line with no walls → DETECTED

2. Orthogonal Range (Passive Detection)

  • Active: Always
  • Range: 3 cells in cardinal directions
  • Line of Sight: No - ignores walls
  • Accuracy: Perfect if within range
  • Purpose: Backup detection that works through walls

Example: If Rajakar is 2 cells to the RIGHT even behind a wall → DETECTED

3. Noise Detection (Hearing)

  • Active: When Rajakar moves or escapes
  • Trigger:
    • MOVE action → 2 cell radius noise
    • ESCAPE action → 3 cell radius noise
    • WAIT action → 0 (no noise)
  • Information: Birsreshtha hears that something happened within range, but exact position unclear
  • Effect: Updates probability belief map with noise constraint
  • Advantages: Works through walls, detects WAIT is NOT performed

4. Power Scan (Special Ability)

  • Active: Every 4 Birsreshtha turns (turns 4, 8, 12, etc.)
  • Range: 2 cells in all 8 directions (orthogonal + diagonal)
  • Line of Sight: No - penetrates all walls
  • Coverage: 24 cells maximum (8 directions × 2 cells + center)
  • Accuracy: Perfect - instant reveal if Rajakar is within range
  • Visuals: Bright blue highlighted cells appear briefly
  • Strategic: Most dangerous detection method (no hiding from scan)

Power Scan Pattern (from Birsreshtha at center):

  □ □ □
  □ □ □
□ □ B □ □
  □ □ □
  □ □ □

All 24 surrounding cells + center in 8 directions, radius 2

Rajakar's Detection (Simpler)

  • Method: 4-directional sight only
  • Range: 3 cells in cardinal directions
  • Line of Sight: Yes - blocked by walls
  • Detection Target: Can only see Birsreshtha
  • Purpose: Know if guard is visible, doesn't affect gameplay (AI-controlled)

Win Conditions

Rajakar WINS 🏆

Condition: Standing on EXIT tile + ESCAPE action executed

Mechanics:

  1. Move adjacent to or onto an EXIT tile
  2. Use ESCAPE action while on EXIT tile
  3. If Birsreshtha has NOT moved adjacent to Rajakar yet this turn → RAJAKAR WINS
  4. Screen displays: "RAJAKAR WINS!"
  5. Score: Victory for Rajakar

Requirements:

  • EXIT tile must be reached (visible on grid as green)
  • ESCAPE action must be executed on that exact tile
  • Birsreshtha must not be adjacent when Rajakar escapes
  • ESCAPE takes exactly 1 full turn

Birsreshtha WINS 🏆

Condition: Adjacent to Rajakar (Manhattan distance = 1) AFTER Birsreshtha's action

Mechanics:

  1. Birsreshtha performs MOVE action to move adjacent to Rajakar
  2. After Birsreshtha's action resolves, check: Is Birsreshtha adjacent to Rajakar?
  3. If YES → BIRSRESHTHA WINS
  4. Screen displays: "BIRSRESHTHA WINS!"
  5. Score: Victory for Birsreshtha

Requirements:

  • Must be adjacent AFTER Birsreshtha moves (not before)
  • Adjacency = Manhattan distance of 1 (4 adjacent cells: up/down/left/right)
  • Capture doesn't require facing or direct sight
  • Diagonal adjacency does NOT count

Note: Rajakar cannot be captured WHILE moving. Capture check happens AFTER Birsreshtha's action completes.

DRAW 🤝

Condition: Reach turn limit without either player winning

Mechanics:

  1. Game progresses through turns
  2. At end of turn 60: Check if winner is still None
  3. If YES → Game is DRAW
  4. Screen displays: "DRAW!"
  5. Score: Draw (no winner)

Why Draw Happens:

  • Rajakar managed to evade for maximum turns without escaping
  • Birsreshtha couldn't intercept in time
  • Both players' strategies were defensive

Duration: 30 complete rounds (60 individual turns)

Game Flow

Initialization Phase

  1. Load Game: Parse maze from ASCII map
  2. Spawn Players: Generate valid spawn positions for Rajakar and Birsreshtha
  3. Place Exits: Position 2 EXIT tiles using spawn constraints
  4. Initialize AI:
    • Create probability map for Birsreshtha
    • Reset detection clues
    • Set facing direction for Birsreshtha
  5. UI Setup: Display initial game state

Game Loop (Repeating)

While running AND winner is None:
  
  1. Handle Events (quit, pause, restart)
  2. Check if current player is AI
  3. If AI turn:
     - Delay for visibility (300-350ms)
     - If Rajakar: AI chooses move (fuzzy)
     - If Birsreshtha: AI chooses move (Minimax or Probability)
  4. Process Action:
     - Execute movement/action
     - Update positions
     - Generate noise if applicable
     - Check win conditions:
       * Rajakar on EXIT + ESCAPE → Rajakar Wins
       * Birsreshtha adjacent after move → Birsreshtha Wins
       * Turn 60 reached → Draw
  5. Update Detection:
     - Calculate what each player can see
     - Update belief maps
     - Record noise/sight clues
  6. Switch Turns:
     - Current = other player
     - Increment turn counter
  7. Render:
     - Draw grid and tiles
     - Show players (R=Rajakar, B=Birsreshtha)
     - Show vision cones (gold for R, blue for B)
     - Show power scan highlights (if active)
     - Display UI panel with stats
  8. Update Frame:
     - Display to screen
     - Cap FPS to 60

End Game Phase

  1. Game Over: Display win message or draw
  2. Options:
    • Press R to restart simulation
    • Click restart button → Reset game
    • Click menu button → Return to main menu
  3. Statistics: Show turn count and winner

UI & Information Display

Main Game Screen Layout

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│        TOP BAR (Game Status)                │
├─────────────────────┬───────────────────────┤
│                     │                       │
│   10×10 GRID        │  RIGHT PANEL (UI)    │
│   • Walls (#)       │  • Round Info        │
│   • Floor (.)       │  • Detection Signals │
│   • Exits (E)       │  • Objective Info    │
│   • Rajakar (R)     │  • Confidence %      │
│   • Birsreshtha (B) │  • Exit Tracking     │
│                     │                       │
└─────────────────────┴───────────────────────┘

Information Displayed

Right Panel Cards:

  1. Round Info

    • Current player: Rajakar or Birsreshtha
    • Turn count: Current / Max (e.g., 12 / 60)
    • Confidence: % probability (for Birsreshtha's belief map)
    • Exits discovered: X/Y (how many Birsreshtha has found)

  2. Detection Signals

    • For Rajakar's turn: "Contact this turn: [Seen/Not Seen] [Heard/Not Heard]"
    • For Birsreshtha's turn: "Signals this turn: [Seen/Not Seen] [Heard/Not Heard]"

  3. Objective

    • Rajakar turn: "Reach EXIT and Escape. (Escape takes 1 full turn on EXIT)"
    • Birsreshtha turn: "Get adjacent to capture. (Capture check happens after Birsreshtha move)"

  4. Visual Indicators

    • Green circle: Positive (detection success)
    • Red circle: Alert (danger zone)
    • Gold tint: Rajakar's vision area
    • Blue tint: Birsreshtha's vision area
    • Bright blue: Power scan area (when active)

Pause Menu

  • Options:
    • Resume Game
    • Restart Match
    • Main Menu

Game Over Screen

  • Message: "RAJAKAR WINS!" or "BIRSRESHTHA WINS!" or "DRAW!"
  • Buttons:
    • Restart
    • Main Menu

Strategy & Tactics

RAJAKAR Strategies

Offensive (Escape-Focused)

  1. Speed Route: Move quickly toward nearest EXIT while avoiding Birsreshtha
  2. Noise Masking: Wait (silent) when Birsreshtha is far, MOVE only when sure it's safe
  3. Wall Hugging: Use walls to block Birsreshtha's directional sight
  4. False Trails: Move in one direction to generate noise, then WAIT
  5. Exit Rushing: Once path to EXIT is clear, sprint there before power scan

Defensive (Evasion-Focused)

  1. Silent Movement: Alternate MOVE with WAIT to confuse Birsreshtha's tracking
  2. Maze Mastery: Know wall patterns to maximize blocked sightlines
  3. Temporal Avoidance: Move when power scan won't activate (turns 1-3, 5-7, etc.)
  4. Corner Camping: Hide in maze corners where detection is hardest
  5. Misdirection: Generate noise far from actual EXIT location

Mixed Strategy

  • Mid-Game: Conservative movement, gather information
  • Late-Game: Aggressive push toward EXIT when turn count is high
  • Crisis: If detected, either escape or evade depending on distance

BIRSRESHTHA Strategies

Aggressive (Interception-Focused)

  1. Direct Pursuit: Move directly toward last known position of Rajakar
  2. Choke Points: Position near EXITs (discovered through vision) to block escape
  3. Scan Timing: Use power scan strategically at turns 4, 8, 12, etc.
  4. Narrowing: Eliminate possibilities based on noise range
  5. Ambush: Wait at likely escape routes

Defensive (Prevention-Focused)

  1. Perimeter Control: Patrol around all known EXITs
  2. Exit Discovery: Actively search maze to find all EXIT locations first
  3. Containment: Use walls to restrict Rajakar's movement options
  4. Information Gathering: Use every detection method to build accurate belief map
  5. Entropy Reduction: Each turn, eliminate impossible positions

Mixed Strategy

  • Early Game: Explore maze, discover exits, build belief map
  • Mid Game: Active hunting when Rajakar generates noise
  • Late Game: Aggressive if Rajakar not found; passive if confident of position

Tactical Tips

For Rajakar:

  • WAIT is your friend (no noise)
  • Move when Birsreshtha just moved (can't capture yet)
  • Plan EXIT route during early game
  • Use walls to break line-of-sight
  • Don't move on turns 4, 8, 12 (power scan danger)

For Birsreshtha:

  • Power scan is your superpower (use every 4 turns)
  • Track noise sources with belief map
  • EXITs are natural chokepoints
  • Don't waste moves; use probability to predict
  • Orthogonal range (ignores walls) is free detection

General:

  • Maze layout determines strategy (open = hard for Rajakar, tight = good for hiding)
  • Turn count increases pressure on Rajakar (must escape)
  • Detection is asymmetric (Birsreshtha has more tools)

Technical Details

Configuration (settings.py)

Setting Value Purpose
GRID_SIZE 10 10×10 maze
TILE_SIZE 64 px Visual size
MAX_TURNS 60 Game length
SIGHT_RANGE 3 cells Detection range
NOISE_MOVE 2 cells Movement noise radius
NOISE_WAIT 0 cells Silent action
NOISE_ESCAPE 3 cells Escape noise radius
BIRSRESHTHA_POWER_COOLDOWN_TURNS 4 Scan frequency
BIRSRESHTHA_POWER_SCAN_RADIUS 2 cells Scan range
BIRSRESHTHA_MINIMAX_DEPTH 3 plies Look-ahead depth

Performance

  • Frame Rate: 60 FPS
  • AI Delay: 300-350ms per move (for visibility)
  • Grid Updates: Real-time each frame
  • Rendering: Pygame 2D rendering

Summary

RajakarDhor is a sophisticated tactical game combining:

  • ✓ Turn-based grid movement
  • ✓ Asymmetric gameplay (two different playstyles)
  • ✓ Information uncertainty (fog of war)
  • ✓ Advanced AI (Minimax + Probability Maps)
  • ✓ Strategic depth (multiple win paths)
  • ✓ Rich detection mechanics (sight, sound, scan)

The game creates an emergent gameplay experience where Rajakar must use stealth and evasion while Birsreshtha employs hunting and probability inference. The ~30-turn length ensures paced, strategic gameplay where every action matters.