Sudoku Game

Project Brief: Develop an Interactive Sudoku Game

Objective:
Create a comprehensive, user-friendly web-based Sudoku game using modern front-end technologies. The game should provide an engaging and accessible play experience with a wide range of features for both casual and dedicated players.

Game Requirements:

1. Game Board and Controls

   • Design a clean, responsive game board layout using HTML5 and CSS3
   • Implement intuitive drag-and-drop or click-based controls for entering numbers
   • Ensure the board is fully accessible to screen readers and keyboard users

2. Difficulty Levels

   • Offer at least three difficulty levels (Easy, Medium, Hard)
   • Implement a puzzle generation algorithm for each level with appropriate complexity
   • Allow users to select the difficulty level before starting a new game

3. Hint System

   • Develop a multi-level hint system (e.g., reveal single cells, reveal multiple cells, show candidates)
   • Implement a progressive hinting system where hints become more generous as time passes
   • Allow users to toggle hints on or off

4. Note-Taking Functionality

   • Implement a system for marking candidate numbers in empty cells
   • Allow users to toggle candidate numbers on or off
   • Store candidate numbers persistently while solving

5. Timer and Controls

   • Include a visible timer that starts when the game begins
   • Add a pause/resume functionality for the timer
   • Allow users to reset the timer

6. Error Checking and Feedback

   • Implement immediate feedback when invalid numbers are entered
   • Optionally include an undo/redo system for mistake correction
   • Provide clear instructions to users on how to use error-checking features

7. Game Saving and Loading

   • Allow users to save their progress in multiple slots
   • Implement a "Load Game" feature to resume saved games
   • Ensure saved games are persisted across browser sessions

8. Statistics Tracking

   • Maintain statistics on wins, loss, and total playtime for each difficulty level
   • Provide a summary of user performance in a dedicated "Statistics" page
   • Update statistics automatically upon game completion

9. Printable Puzzle Generation

   • Add a button for generating a printable version of the current game
   • Include a link for opening the puzzle in a new tab for easy printing

10. Keyboard Controls and Accessibility

    • Implement keyboard shortcuts for primary game actions (e.g., enter number, hint, undo)
    • Follow Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) for color contrast and font sizes
    • Ensure the game is playable with only a keyboard

Design Constraints:

• The game should be fully responsive and playable on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices
• The layout should be clean and uncluttered, with the board being the primary focus
• The color scheme should be neutral and easy on the eyes for extended play
• The user interface should be intuitive and require minimal instructions

Deliverables:

• A fully functional web-based Sudoku game with all specified features
• Clean, well-commented code with proper file organization
• Documentation describing the implementation of key algorithms and systems
• A demonstration video showcasing the game in action

Timeline:

• Research and planning: 1 week
• Core game development: 3-4 weeks
• Feature implementation: 2-3 weeks
• Testing and debugging: 1 week
• Documentation and final touches: 1 week

Development Environment:

• HTML5, CSS3 (preferably with a preprocessor like SASS)
• JavaScript (with a modern framework like Vue.js or React)
• Accessibility testing tools (e.g., Chrome DevTools, WAVE)

Please provide a detailed project plan, including a breakdown of tasks and milestones, based on this prompt.