2048 - AI Based Game

A project report stage II submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for

the degree of Bachelor of Engineering in Computer

by

Chitra Bhor (07/211041051)

Khushi Hajare (19/211041059)
Huzefa Panchi (49/211041071)
Monu Bind (09/211041054)

Under the guidance of

Dr. M. M. Deshpande

A. C. Patil College of Engineering

Department of Computer Engineering
University of Mumbai
2024-2025
 Jawahar Education Society’s

A. C. Patil College of Engineering, Kharghar

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the project entitled

2048 - AI Based Game

by

Chitra Bhor (07/211041051)

Khushi Hajare (19/211041059)
Huzefa Panchi (49/211041071)
Monu Bind (09/211041054)

is completed for the degree of Bachelor of Engineering as prescribed by

University of Mumbai.

Guide HOD

Examiner 1 Examiner 2

Principal
 DECLARATION

We declare that this written submission represents my ideas and does not involve plagia-
rism. We have adequately cited and referenced the original sources wherever others’ ideas
or words have been included. We also declare that We have adhered to all principles of
academic honesty and integrity and have not misrepresented or fabricated or falsified any
idea/data/fact/source in my submission. We understand that any violation of the above
will be cause for disciplinary action against me by the Institute and can also evoke penal
action from the sources which have thus not been properly cited or from whom proper
permission has not been taken when needed.

Date:

Chitra Bhor (07/211041051)

Khushi Hajare (19/211041059)
Huzefa Panchi (49/211041071)
Monu Bind (09/211041054)
Abstract

The 2048 - AI based game enhances the classic sliding puzzle by integrating artificial
intelligence(AI) for a more dynamic and challenging experience. The game is powered by
neural networks,which analyze player moves to suggest optimal strategies. With multi-
player support, players can compete in real-time, elevating the competitive element. The
game also includes features like animations and an enhanced user interface (UI) for an
engaging experience. A leaderboard tracks player progress, encouraging competition and
improvement. Voice commands make gameplay more interactive, while in-game tutorials
and hints guide players, making it suitable for beginners. The ability to save and resume
games ensures players can continue their progress at any time. Overall, this AI-enhanced
2048 game offers an immersive, strategic, and interactive experience.

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Contents

Abstract i

List of Figures iv

1 Introduction 1
1.1 2048-AI Based Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.2 Motivation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.3 Problem Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.4 Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

2 Literature Survey 5
2.1 A. Previous work on 2048 Solvers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.2 Limitations of Existing System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.3 Strengths of Past Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.4 Weakness of Past Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.5 Learning Behavior and Strategy Patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

3 Proposed System 14
3.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
3.2 System Design and Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
3.2.1 System Architecture Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
3.3 Game Environment Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
3.4 AI Algorithm Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
3.5 State Representation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
3.6 Move Design Logic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
3.6.1 Data Flow Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

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 3.6.2 Use Case Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
3.6.3 Class Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
3.6.4 Gantt Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
3.7 Heuristic or Evaluation Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
3.8 Hardware and Software Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

4 Implementation and Results 29

4.1 System Development and Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
4.1.1 The 2048 AI game interface offers a clean, modern design with in-
tuitive navigation for a user-friendly experience. . . . . . . . . . . . 30
4.1.2 The 2048 AI gameplay screen offers a dynamic 4x4 grid with real-
time interaction, score tracking, and AI-assisted strategic controls. . 31
4.1.3 The ”How to Play” screen provides clear instructions, controls, and
a visual guide to help users quickly understand how to reach 2048. . 32
4.1.4 Congrats on hitting that 2048 tile and even surpassing your best
score — that’s a slick win! Want me to create a caption or share
some tips to go beyond 2048? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
4.1.5 Game Over! – 2048 Attempt with a score of 6,508 . . . . . . . . . . 34
4.1.6 Comparison of Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
4.2 Integration with the Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
4.3 Performance Metrics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
4.4 User Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

5 Future Work and Conclusion 39

5.1 Future Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
5.2 Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

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List of Figures

2.1 literature survey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

3.1 Data Flow Diagram Level 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

3.2 Data Flow Diagram Level 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
3.3 Data Flow Diagram Level 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
3.4 use case diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
3.5 Class diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
3.6 Gantt chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

4.1 Home Screen of the 2048 AI-Based Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

4.2 2048 AI-Based Game — Active Gameplay Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
4.3 2048 AI-Based Game — How to Play Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
4.4 You win! – 2048 Victory with a Score of 17,734 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
4.5 Still a solid run — you even hit a 1024 tile! That means you’re on track to
crush it again. Want a few strategy tips for pushing past that block next
time? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
4.6 Comparison of Traditional 2048 and our 2048 AI Game . . . . . . . . . . 35

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Chapter 1

Introduction

1.1 2048-AI Based Game

The AI-powered version of the 2048 game brings a fresh, modern twist to the beloved
classic puzzle by seamlessly blending advanced artificial intelligence with engaging game-
play. Originally introduced as a simple sliding tile puzzle, 2048 challenges players to
combine matching numbered tiles until they reach the ultimate 2048 tile. While the core
mechanics remain unchanged, this updated version introduces intelligent enhancements
that make the experience more dynamic, strategic, and rewarding. A standout feature
of this AI-enhanced 2048 game is the integration of neural networks designed to analyze
moves in real time. The AI evaluates your strategy and offers helpful suggestions for op-
timal next moves, making the game both a fun challenge and an opportunity to sharpen
logical thinking. Whether you’re new to the game or an experienced player looking to
improve, the AI guidance makes every round a chance to learn and refine your skills.In
addition to intelligent gameplay assistance, the game boasts smooth animations and a
polished, modern user interface. Tiles glide across the screen with fluid motion, mak-
ing each successful combination feel both satisfying and visually appealing. The sleek
design ensures an intuitive, enjoyable experience on any device. The game also features
a real-time timer and a comprehensive scoreboard system, encouraging players to track
performance and aim for continuous improvement. Whether racing against the clock or
aiming for high scores, the added features boost both replay value and competitive fun.By
combining classic mechanics with modern AI, this version of 2048 offers the perfect blend
of entertainment and intellectual challenge for all puzzle lovers.

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1.2 Motivation
The motivation behind developing an AI-powered version of the 2048 game stems from
the desire to merge classic entertainment with the capabilities of cutting-edge artificial
intelligence. The original 2048 game is widely celebrated for its elegant yet addictive puz-
zle mechanics, challenging players to combine matching numbered tiles through strategic
thinking, foresight, and pattern recognition. While the core gameplay remains timeless,
the introduction of AI offers an exciting opportunity to elevate the experience, both in
complexity and educational value.
A key driving force behind this project is the vision of creating a smarter and more
interactive gaming environment. By integrating neural networks capable of analyzing
real-time gameplay patterns, the AI can study each player’s style and suggest optimized
next moves. This guidance not only enhances strategic depth but also serves as a valu-
able introduction to real-world applications of AI in problem-solving and decision-making.
Players can observe how artificial intelligence evaluates scenarios, learns from player be-
havior, and adapts its suggestions to improve outcomes — all while enjoying the puzzle.
Beyond AI-assisted gameplay, the project emphasizes community and engagement
by incorporating multiplayer support and social challenge features. Whether competing
against friends or teaming up with global opponents, players can experience the game in
new and exciting ways. Voice command functionality and a sleek, modern user interface
also ensure intuitive control and accessibility across devices.
To keep players motivated, the game includes a detailed progress tracker and dy-
namic leaderboard system, fostering a sense of achievement and continuous improvement.
Whether aiming to break personal records or climb the global rankings, players are re-
warded with a meaningful sense of progression.
Ultimately, this AI-powered 2048 game showcases how machine learning can breathe
new life into simple yet beloved games — transforming them into dynamic, intelligent,
and deeply engaging experiences for both puzzle enthusiasts and tech-savvy gamers alike.

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1.3 Problem Statement
The traditional 2048 game, a simple yet addictive sliding tile puzzle, challenges players
to strategically combine numbered tiles to reach the target tile, typically 2048. However,
the game has limitations that can hinder long-term engagement and player satisfaction.
The original version lacks intelligent decision-making assistance, has minimal gameplay
variety, and offers no social interaction or advanced features that modern players often
expect. Existing AI approaches, while attempting to improve the game, face issues such
as performance variability, limited exploration of possible moves, and high computational
demands for complex algorithms like reinforcement learning.

• The primary problem is that the game’s current AI systems often fail to adapt
to changing scenarios, leading to suboptimal gameplay. Additionally, the absence
of multiplayer features, voice control, and performance tracking means the game
misses opportunities for deeper user engagement and competition.

• The primary problem is that the game’s current AI systems often fail to adapt
to changing scenarios, leading to suboptimal gameplay. Additionally, the absence
of multiplayer features, voice control, and performance tracking means the game
misses opportunities for deeper user engagement and competition.

• The goal of this project is to develop an AI-powered version of the 2048 game that
not only offers intelligent, real-time decision-making and personalized strategies but
also introduces modern features such as multiplayer support, voice commands, and
performance analytics. The AI will be designed to analyze player moves and suggest
optimal strategies, improving both the player’s experience and the game’s challenge.

• By addressing the limitations of existing systems and incorporating new, dynamic

features, this enhanced version of 2048 aims to create a more interactive, engaging,
and competitive gaming experience, appealing to both casual players and puzzle
enthusiasts alike

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1.4 Objectives
The primary objectives of 2048 AI-based game is to enhance the traditional 2048 game by
integrating artificial intelligence (AI) to create a more dynamic, engaging, and challenging
experience. The AI will not only assist players by suggesting optimal moves but also adapt
to the player’s skill level, making the game more interactive and tailored. Objectives for
2048 AI-Based Game:
1. AI Integration: Implement neural networks to enhance gameplay by analysing
player moves and suggesting optimized strategies for better performance.
2. Advanced UI/UX: Create an intuitive and visually appealing interface with
smooth animations, making the game more interactive and accessible.
3. scoreboard and Progress Tracking: Implement a scoreboard and tracking system
to motivate players through performance analytics and competitive ranking.
5. Game Tutorials and Hints: Provide tutorials and in-game hints to guide new
players and improve their learning curve.
6. Save and Resume Feature: Enable the functionality to save progress and resume
the game later, ensuring flexibility for players.
7. Tile Target Challenge:Create a specific tile (e.g 1024) in the least amount of time
or within a time limit.
8. AI Speed Challenge:Let the AI play and see how quickly it can reach 2048 or
higher.
9. Time Constraint:Analyze the gameplay and track the time for better performance.

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Chapter 2

Literature Survey

2.1 Literature Survey

The 2048 game, which has become a worldwide phenomenon, involves combining
numbered tiles through strategic moves to reach the target tile, 2048. While the game’s
concept is simple, it has garnered significant attention due to its addictive gameplay
and the need for strategic thinking. Over time, various systems have been developed to
enhance the game, ranging from traditional heuristic algorithms to advanced artificial
intelligence techniques, offering a more dynamic and challenging experience. This section
surveys the existing systems, focusing on traditional approaches and AI-based methods,
with a specific emphasis on evolving neural networks and reinforcement learning (RL).

• Traditional Approaches in 2048 Traditional algorithms for playing the 2048 game
rely primarily on heuristic techniques, which guide the AI to make decisions based on
pre-defined patterns or rules. These heuristic algorithms can focus on various aspects
of the game, including tile merging strategies, maximizing tile values, or minimizing
the number of moves to reach the goal tile. The heuristic-based approaches are
often characterized by:

• Tile Merging Strategies: Traditional algorithms typically follow a set of predefined

strategies for combining tiles. For example, algorithms may prioritize merging tiles
that form larger numbers first or focus on creating rows or columns with fewer gaps.
These strategies help the AI plan moves that increase the chances of achieving
higher-value tiles in fewer steps.

• Fixed Patterns and Rules: Traditional systems generally use a set of rules or patterns

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 based on observed successful strategies. These rules may include ”always move in a
specific direction when possible” or ”merge the tiles with the lowest value first.” The
fixed nature of these rules means that these systems are limited in their adaptability
to the wide range of game scenarios that may arise during play.

Despite their simplicity and efficiency, heuristic algorithms have notable drawbacks.
The primary issue is that they lack the flexibility to adapt to unpredictable game
states, where the algorithm’s fixed strategies might not be optimal. Moreover, such
algorithms are often unable to learn from experience, which means that they cannot
improve their strategies over time or adapt to varying player skill levels.

• Artificial Intelligence-Based Approaches in 2048 To address the limitations of tradi-

tional systems, artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, particularly machine learning
(ML) and reinforcement learning (RL), have been increasingly integrated into the
2048 game. AI approaches introduce the capability for the system to learn from
past experiences, optimize gameplay strategies, and provide a more dynamic and
intelligent gaming experience. Among these AI techniques, two prominent methods
are evolving neural networks and reinforcement learning.

• 1. Evolving Neural Networks to Play Game 2048 The concept of using evolving
neural networks for playing the 2048 game focuses on training an artificial neural
network (ANN) to adapt its gameplay strategies over time. Neural networks are
computational models inspired by the human brain’s structure and function, capa-
ble of learning from input data, adjusting their internal parameters, and making
decisions based on learned knowledge.

The idea behind evolving neural networks is to create an AI system that learns
through trial and error, continually improving its decision-making by adjusting
weights and biases within the neural network. The key components of neural net-
works include:

Input Layer: The game state, including the positions and values of all tiles, is input
into the network.

Hidden Layers: These layers process the input and make intermediate decisions
based on the data. The complexity of the hidden layers determines how well the
system can generalize and adapt to different game scenarios.

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Output Layer: The output layer represents the AI’s decision-making process, such
as selecting the optimal move for the current game state.

Evolving neural networks enable the AI to improve its decision-making over time
by learning from both its successes and failures. By training the network on large
datasets of previous games, the system learns to anticipate optimal moves in various
game states and continuously adjusts its strategies. For instance, the network might
learn which tile arrangements lead to faster progress toward the goal and adjust its
strategy to prioritize those moves.

However, while evolving neural networks can significantly improve gameplay, they
still face some challenges. Neural networks require substantial computational re-
sources for training, especially when the model’s architecture becomes more com-
plex. Additionally, they may struggle to interpret extremely large game spaces and
might not be able to generalize well in novel scenarios.

2. Playing 2048 with Reinforcement Learning Reinforcement learning (RL) is an-

other prominent AI technique used to play the 2048 game. In contrast to evolving
neural networks, reinforcement learning is a type of machine learning where an agent
learns optimal strategies by interacting with an environment and receiving feedback
based on its actions. In the context of the 2048 game, the RL agent would make
decisions about tile movements based on rewards and punishments received for its
actions.

In RL, the agent operates in a state space that represents the current game envi-
ronment. The agent performs actions (such as moving tiles left, right, up, or down),
and based on these actions, it receives rewards or penalties. The goal of the RL
agent is to learn the policy—a strategy that maximizes the cumulative reward over
time.

The most widely used RL algorithms in the context of 2048 are Q-learning and Deep
Q-Networks (DQN):

Q-learning: Q-learning is a model-free RL algorithm that aims to learn the optimal

action-value function (Q-function), which represents the expected future rewards for
each action taken from a given state. By updating its Q-values based on received
rewards, the agent learns to choose actions that lead to higher rewards over time.

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 Deep Q-Networks (DQN): DQN is an extension of Q-learning that uses deep neural
networks to approximate the Q-function. This is particularly useful for complex
environments like 2048, where the state space can be large and the decision-making
process is non-trivial. DQN allows the agent to handle complex game scenarios and
learn optimal strategies from raw game states.

The key advantage of RL, especially with DQN, is its ability to optimize decision-
making over time, making it highly effective for long-term planning and modeling
rewards that extend beyond immediate actions. By modeling the long-term impact
of a player’s decisions, RL helps the agent learn strategies that maximize its chances
of achieving higher scores.

One notable feature of RL systems is their ability to adapt to the game’s varying
conditions. As the agent plays the game, it can adjust its strategy based on past
performance, improving its ability to handle diverse game states and making the
experience more dynamic and unpredictable.

However, RL also presents several challenges:

High Computational Cost: Training RL agents, particularly DQNs, requires sub-

stantial computational resources. The agent needs many training episodes to learn
effectively, and the process can be time-consuming, especially for complex games
like 2048.

Exploration vs. Exploitation: In RL, the agent faces the dilemma of exploring
new strategies or exploiting known successful moves. Striking a balance between
exploration and exploitation is crucial to achieving optimal performance.

Convergence Issues: RL algorithms may suffer from slow convergence, where the
agent does not learn the best strategy within a reasonable number of episodes. The
agent may get stuck in suboptimal strategies for extended periods, leading to poor
performance.

2.1 A. Previous work on 2048 Solvers

Several researchers have explored the application of heuris- tic greedy-based approaches
to solving the 2048 game. In the 2048 puzzle, the objective is to combine matching

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tiles by sliding them across a grid to form a tile with the value of 2048, making it a
challenging search problem. One common approach is the use of greedy algorithms com-
bined with heuristic functions to determine the best move at each step. The heuristic
function typically evaluates the game state based on factors such as tile merging potential,
board emptiness, and the position of high-value tiles. A popular heuristic for the 2048
game is the Monotonicity Heuristic, where the algorithm favors moves that result in
a more ordered grid, where tiles are arranged in increasing or decreasing values along
rows or columns. This arrangement minimizes empty spaces and increases the chances
of merging high-value tiles. Another commonly used heuristic is the highest tile in the
corner approach, where the algorithm aims to place the largest tile in a corner of the board
and prioritize moves that bring smaller tiles closer to this corner for potential merging.
Although the greedy algorithm is fast and can produce decent results, it doesn’t always
guarantee the best possible solution due to its myopic nature.

2.2 Limitations of Existing System

While the introduction of artificial intelligence into the 2048 game has added a new level
of sophistication, existing AI-based systems still face several limitations that affect both
their efficiency and reliability. Understanding these challenges is crucial for improving
future versions and delivering a more refined and intelligent gaming experience.
1. Performance Variability: Traditional AI systems often rely on heuristic-based
algorithms to guide gameplay decisions. While these strategies can handle common pat-
terns, they struggle with unpredictable or less frequent game situations, especially when
the initial tile configurations are unfavorable. As a result, the AI’s performance can vary
significantly from one game to another, often leading to inconsistent outcomes and lower
overall scores.
2. Limited Exploration: Many AI models, particularly those based on rule-based
logic or shallow learning, tend to follow fixed strategies. While this approach can offer
decent results for well-known scenarios, it limits the AI’s ability to explore the broader
game space and adapt to unusual situations. This restriction often prevents the discovery
of alternative or more optimal paths to success, especially in cases where human intuition
would seek creative solutions.

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 3. Computational Complexity: Advanced AI models, especially those using rein-
forcement learning or evolving neural networks, require extensive training and fine-tuning.
Training these models can demand significant computational resources, long training pe-
riods, and access to specialized hardware. This requirement can create barriers for devel-
opers or enthusiasts without access to high-performance computing infrastructure, and
the resulting models may become overly complex and hard to optimize efficiently.
4. Dependency on Data Quality: AI models rely heavily on high-quality, diverse, and
balanced training data to develop effective decision-making capabilities. If the training
data is limited, biased, or poorly curated, the AI may adopt flawed strategies that strug-
gle to handle real-world gameplay. This dependency makes data preparation a critical
bottleneck in developing truly intelligent game systems.

2.3 Strengths of Past Methods

• Efficiency and Speed: Greedy algorithms are computa- tionally efficient, allowing
quick decision-making in real- time gameplay.

• Simplicity: Past methods like heuristic greedy approaches are relatively simple to
implement and understand, mak- ing them accessible for quick prototyping.

• Optimal Local Moves: Greedy algorithms focus on se- lecting the best immediate
move, which often leads to a smooth progression towards the goal state when the
heuristic is well-designed.

• Monotonicity: Heuristic methods, like the monotonicity- based approach, help in

creating a more organized board, facilitating smoother merges and reducing the
chances of being blocked by an unmanageable arrangement of tiles.

• Corner Placement of High Tiles: Strategies aimed at plac- ing high-value tiles in
the corner ensure that valuable tiles are preserved and protected for later merges,
enhancing long-term game progress.

• Scalability: Some heuristic methods can be easily adapted for larger board sizes or
slightly different puzzle versions without significant changes to the core algorithm.

10
 • Adaptability: Greedy and heuristic approaches can be easily adjusted for different
gameplay strategies. This makes them versatile in adjusting to various puzzle con-
figurations, tile placements, or game variations without needing to overhaul the
entire system.

• Lower Resource Consumption: These methods typically require less memory and
computational power compared to more complex algorithms, making them suitable
for devices with limited resources such as mobile phones or embedded systems.

2.4 Weakness of Past Methods

• Myopic Nature: Greedy algorithms make decisions based only on immediate gains,
ignoring the long-term con- sequences, which can lead to suboptimal solutions in
complex scenarios.

• Local Optima: Since greedy algorithms prioritize local optimality, they can easily
get stuck in local optima, where no immediate move seems beneficial, but a global
optimal solution exists.

• Lack of Global Search: These methods do not explore all possible future moves,
limiting the depth of their strategy and often leading to poor overall performance.

• No Backtracking: Greedy approaches do not backtrack to reconsider previous de-

cisions, which means they might miss better solutions by sticking to their initial
choices.

• Not Adaptive: Heuristic-based methods are often rigid and do not adapt well to
dynamically changing game conditions or unexpected tile placements.

• Inability to Handle Large Boards: These methods tend to lose effectiveness as the
game board increases in size, as they cannot manage the added complexity with the
same efficiency.

• Limited Flexibility: Past methods struggle to generalize across different puzzle vari-
ants, as the heuristics may not be suited for other types of board configurations or
rule changes.

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 • Potential for Stale Moves: Greedy methods may lead to repetitive or stale moves
that don’t improve the game state significantly, especially when the available moves
are restricted. Myopic Decision-Making: Greedy algo- rithms focus only on the
immediate next move, often overlooking potential long-term consequences, which
can lead to suboptimal solutions.

2.5 Learning Behavior and Strategy Patterns

It adapts to the game’s dynamic environment and formulates consistent decision-making
strategies to improve performance. The learning behavior in this approach is primar-
ily guided by a heuristic function, which acts as the algorithm’s decision- making brain.
It evaluates the game board and assigns scores to possible moves based on pre-defined
strategies. Common heuristics include maximizing empty tiles, tile merging oppor- tuni-
ties, monotonicity, and placing the highest tile in a corner. Though the algorithm doesn’t
”learn” in the machine learning sense, it mimics intelligent behavior by consistently choos-
ing moves that align with these scoring patterns.
Over time, the strategy pattern becomes apparent: The algorithm favors moves that
preserve space, ensuring the board does not get filled too quickly. It prioritizes directions
(e.g., always swiping left or down) to build a predictable pattern that funnels smaller tiles
towards larger ones.
It delays merges until they offer a clear strategic advantage, such as creating space
or setting up chain reactions. These patterns create a structured and goal-oriented game-
play style, making the algorithm seem “intelligent.” However, because greedy algorithms
lack actual learning or memory, they cannot revise strategies based on past failures or
dynam- ically adapt to unusual tile spawns. III. PROPOSED SYSTEM

12
Figure 2.1: literature survey

13
Chapter 3

Proposed System

3.1 Introduction
The proposed system seeks to elevate the classic 2048 game by incorporating artificial in-
telligence (AI), transforming it into an engaging and intelligent experience. The objective
is to create an AI agent capable of playing the game effectively, employing advanced al-
gorithms such as reinforcement learning, neural networks, and heuristic search techniques
to optimize its gameplay strategies. By doing so, the system will provide players with a
challenging and dynamic opponent, elevating the overall experience and enhancing user
engagement. This will not only improve the game’s competitiveness but also introduce a
strategic element, as players will now need to outsmart an evolving AI rather than simply
rely on luck.
The integration of AI aims to introduce a new dimension to 2048, where the gameplay
is no longer solely based on random tile movements. With an AI agent in play, the
system will learn and adapt to different strategies, enabling it to refine its decision-making
process over time. This self-improvement is achieved through reinforcement learning,
where the agent is rewarded or penalized based on the outcomes of its actions. The AI
will continuously optimize its strategy, making each game increasingly challenging for
the player, as the agent learns from past experiences and adjusts its tactics accordingly.
This adaptability makes the AI feel more human-like in its approach, as it mimics human
learning processes and decision-making.
Neural networks, another key aspect of the system, will enable the AI to recognize
patterns in the game state and make decisions based on previous outcomes. The neural

14
network will be trained on a variety of game states, learning to predict the best possible
moves based on the current configuration of tiles. By analyzing the game’s history and
considering multiple possible future states, the AI will evaluate the most strategic course
of action. This advanced algorithmic approach is designed to go beyond simple rule-
based systems, allowing the AI to make decisions that mirror those of skilled players who
consider multiple factors when planning their next moves.
In addition to reinforcement learning and neural networks, the system will also em-
ploy heuristic search techniques. These techniques will allow the AI to evaluate vari-
ous possible moves more efficiently and select the best one based on predefined criteria.
Heuristic search methods are crucial for optimizing the AI’s performance, especially in a
game like 2048, where there are a large number of potential moves at any given time. By
narrowing down the most promising options and avoiding inefficient or poor moves, the
AI will improve its chances of winning and provide a formidable opponent for the player.
The user interface (UI) of the system will be designed with simplicity and clarity in
mind, ensuring that players can easily navigate through the game and interact with the
AI. The interface will display the game’s score, the best score achieved, and the elapsed
time, offering players an intuitive way to track their progress. Additionally, players will
have the option to compete against the AI and challenge their own abilities. The UI will
also include an option to analyze past gameplay, providing players with insights into the
AI’s decision-making process and offering valuable feedback on how to improve their own
strategies.
As part of the project, the AI will not only engage in immediate gameplay but will
also learn from previous sessions, refining its strategies over time. This means that, as
players continue to play against the AI, they will witness the agent’s growth and evolution,
making each game feel fresh and exciting. This adaptability ensures that the AI remains
a relevant and challenging opponent, continuously testing the player’s skills and pushing
them to think critically and strategically.
In summary, the proposed system aims to revolutionize the classic 2048 game by
incorporating AI to create an intelligent agent that learns and adapts over time. By
utilizing advanced techniques like reinforcement learning, neural networks, and heuristic
search, the AI will provide players with a challenging and dynamic experience.

15
3.2 System Design and Architecture
System design refers to the process of defining the architecture, components, and inter-
faces of a system to fulfill specified requirements, focusing on scalability, reliability, and
maintainability. Architecture, on the other hand, provides a high-level blueprint that
outlines how various system components interact, guiding decisions on technology choices
and design patterns to ensure efficient performance and integration.
1. Game Architecture Game Engine: To develop a cross-platform 2048 game,
we will use Flutter, which provides support for both mobile (iOS/Android) and desktop
(Windows/Mac/Linux) platforms. Flutter’s fast development cycle, smooth animations,
and vast community support make it an ideal choice for developing the game. Flutter can
easily interact with the Dart programming language, which is known for its performance
and efficiency. This combination ensures that we can build a game that works seamlessly
across platforms while maintaining high performance. Additionally, Flutter’s Canvas
widget can be used for custom drawing, such as rendering the 4x4 grid and handling tile
movements, making it a versatile tool for game development.
AI Module: The game will integrate an AI module that uses advanced algorithms like
Minimax or Monte Carlo Tree Search for move evaluation. These algorithms allow the AI
to predict the best moves based on the current state of the game. Minimax will evaluate
all possible future moves by simulating the outcomes of different actions and selecting the
optimal choice. Monte Carlo Tree Search (MCTS) will evaluate the most promising moves
by running simulations, making it suitable for handling uncertain scenarios in real-time
gameplay.
2. User Interface (UI) Main Screen: The main screen will feature a 4x4 grid,
which will be dynamically rendered using Flutter’s GridView widget. Each tile will be
represented as a widget, where the number on the tile (2, 4, 8, etc.) is displayed with
varying colors based on its value. A score counter will be placed at the top of the screen to
display the current score, and a best score indicator will track the highest score achieved
by the player.
Game Over Screen: The game will detect when the player either wins by reaching
a tile with a value of 2048 or loses due to the unavailability of valid moves. Upon game
over, the final score will be displayed, and the player will have options to either restart

16
the game or exit to the main menu. The Flutter Dialog widget will be used for these
options.
Settings Menu: The settings menu will allow players to adjust the difficulty levels
(Easy, Medium, Hard), toggle sound effects, and view a tutorial on how to play the
game. The difficulty levels will influence how the AI behaves, as discussed in the AI
implementation section.
3. Game Mechanics Tile Movement: The game will allow swipe gestures on
mobile devices and arrow key inputs on desktop to control tile movements. The Flutter
GestureDetector widget will be used to capture swipe gestures. Smooth animations for
tile movement and merging will be implemented using Flutter’s AnimationController to
provide a seamless experience for users.
Tile Generation: After every valid move, a new tile (either a 2 or 4) will spawn
randomly in an empty cell of the grid. This will be implemented by checking the available
empty cells and randomly selecting one to generate a new tile.
Winning Condition: The game will end when a tile with the value of 2048 is created.
The game will notify the player by displaying a message such as ”You Win!” and present
options to restart or exit.
Losing Condition: The game will trigger a game over when no valid moves are left,
i.e., no adjacent tiles can be merged, and no empty cells are available for new tiles.
4. AI Implementation Move Evaluation: The AI will evaluate the best possible
move based on the current board state using the Minimax algorithm or Monte Carlo Tree
Search (MCTS). Each possible move will be simulated, and the best one will be chosen
based on the evaluation function, which will prioritize higher tile values and more efficient
merges.
Difficulty Levels:
Easy: The AI will make random moves with some basic logic to guide its decisions.
Medium: The AI will use a heuristic approach, evaluating which tile combinations
are most beneficial for future moves.
Hard: The AI will use advanced algorithms like Minimax or MCTS to make optimal
decisions, making it a challenging opponent for the player.
5. Game Data Management Score Tracking: The game will store the current
score and best score using local storage in Flutter. SharedPreferences or a local database

17
(e.g., SQLite) can be used for persistent storage of the player’s highest score and progress.
This will ensure that players can track their scores across multiple sessions.
User Profiles: The system will allow players to create user profiles and save their
game progress, including current score and best score. This will be managed using a local
database for persistent storage across sessions.
6. Future Features Multiplayer Mode: A competitive multiplayer mode could
be implemented where players can compete against each other. This will involve creating a
matchmaking system and implementing real-time multiplayer functionality using Flutter’s
WebSockets or Firebase for server-client communication.
Analytics: The system will track player statistics such as win rates, average moves
per game, and other gameplay metrics. This data will be analyzed to provide insights into
player behavior and can be used to improve the game or provide customized challenges.
Customization Options: Players will be able to change the theme, grid sizes, and
tile designs. This can be implemented by adding a customization section in the settings
menu, where players can select from various design options.
7. Sound Feature: The game will include sound effects for various events, such
as when tiles move or merge. These sounds will be triggered using Flutter’s audioplayers
package, providing a more immersive gameplay experience.
8. Time Constraint: A timer will be implemented to track the performance of
the user and store the progress of each game session. This will help in tracking how
long it takes for a player to reach a specific score or tile and will be used for generating
performance metrics.

3.2.1 System Architecture Overview

Systematic processes for estimating brain age typically involve multiple steps, focusing
on processing neuroimaging data and using machine learning models to make predictions
Here is a high-level overview of the system.
1. Data Processing Layer Input criteria : Raw neuroimaging data (MRI, CT,
etc.) with subject metadata (e.g. chronological age). Data storage: Central storage for
images (e.g. cloud storage, databases). Tools: Data loaders to load and configure imaging
data for processing.
2. Preprocessing level Image Processing : Neuroimaging data go through pre-

18
processed steps, including noise reduction, normalization, brain removal (skull strip), and
matching with a standard brain atlas is consistent Feature Extraction: Features such as
gray matter volume, white matter volume, or cortical thickness are extracted using tools
such as FreeSurfer or FSL. Dimensionality reduction: Methods such as principal compo-
nent analysis (PCA) can be used to reduce the feature space while retaining important
information
3. Modeling layer Model Input : Selected and preprocessed features are input
to the machine learning model. Good building materials: For traditional ML: models
such as Support Vector Regression (SVR) or Random Forest. For deeper learning: Con-
volutional neural networks (CNNs) that take raw or minimally processed imaging data as
interpolation. Training and validation: The model is trained on a training data set and
validated with a separate validation set. Techniques such as cross-validation are used to
improve the performance of the model.
4. Forecast Status Results : The model predicts brain age based on input
of neuroimaging data. Post-processing: Predictions can be bias corrected to adjust for
systematic biases in the data, such as over- or underestimation.
5. Evaluation level Performance Analysis : Model evaluation is performed
using metrics such as mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE), or
R-square by comparing predicted brain ages with chronological order Error analysis: The
system checks for systematic errors for a specific population (e.g. sex, age).
6. Deployment status Model deployment : The trained model is deployed in a
clinical or research environment, accessible via an API or user interface. User interaction:
Clinicians or researchers can input neuroimaging data to interpret results and obtain brain
age predictions.
7. Feedback and retraining loops Model feedback : Data from new subjects
are continuously added to the system, providing real-time feedback for model develop-
ment. Model retraining: The system periodically retrains the model with new data to
improve accuracy. This system combines imaging, machine learning, and predictive algo-
rithms to provide scalable and accurate solutions for brain age estimation.

19
3.3 Game Environment Design
The game environment for the 2048 AI system is designed around a 4x4 grid, where each
cell can either be empty or contain a tile with a power of 2 (e.g., 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, etc.).
The grid is represented as a two-dimensional array, with each element corresponding to a
tile’s position. At the start of the game, two tiles are randomly placed on the grid with
values of 2 or 4. Tiles move based on user input or AI decision-making. The mechanics of
tile movement follow four primary directions: up, down, left, and right. When a move is
made, the tiles slide in the chosen direction. If two tiles with the same value collide, they
merge into a single tile, doubling their value. The AI continuously monitors the grid for
valid moves, evaluating possible tile placements and merges. The game logic also handles
random tile spawning after every move, introducing new tiles and increasing complexity.
The system ensures that the game state is updated after every action and displayed on
the UI for user interaction or AI gameplay.

3.4 AI Algorithm Selection

For the AI implementation in the 2048 game, a heuristic- based greedy approach is chosen
due to its simplicity, speed, and practical effectiveness in making decisions. This approach
evaluates all possible moves at each step and selects the one that immediately yields the
highest heuristic score without looking ahead multiple steps. The heuristic function con-
siders key features such as the number of empty tiles, smoothness of the grid, monotonicity
of tile values, and whether the highest tile is in a corner. The greedy nature of this ap-
proach makes it highly effi- cient, as it avoids deep computation or large-scale training.
It performs particularly well in real-time applications and on systems with limited pro-
cessing power. Although it may not always guarantee the optimal long-term solution, the
heuristic- based greedy algorithm consistently delivers high scores in short-term play. Its
balance of simplicity, speed, and decent performance makes it a suitable choice for the
2048 AI system.

20
3.5 State Representation
In the 2048 AI-based game, the game board is represented as a 4x4 two-dimensional array
or matrix, where each cell holds an integer value corresponding to a tile. For example, an
empty cell is represented as 0, while occupied cells contain values such as 2, 4, 8, 16, and
so on. This matrix structure provides a simple and efficient way to represent the board’s
current state in code, allowing the AI to easily access, modify, and evaluate tile positions
and values. This state representation is crucial for AI algorithms, as it serves as the input
for move evaluation and decision-making. The AI uses this matrix to simulate possible
moves in all four directions, merge tiles, and predict future states. Additionally, it can
apply heuristic functions on this matrix to calculate scores based on tile arrangement,
empty spaces, and other strategic factors. This compact and structured format makes
state processing fast and effective.

3.6 Move Design Logic

The move decision logic is the core component that enables the AI to play the 2048 game
intelligently. At each turn, the AI evaluates all four possible moves—up, down, left, and
right—by simulating the outcome of each move on a copy of the current game state.
For each simulated move, the AI applies a heuristic evaluation function that considers
key factors such as the number of empty tiles, tile smoothness, monotonicity, and the
placement of the highest tile in a corner. After scoring all possible moves based on the
heuristic function, the AI selects the move with the highest score, following a greedy
approach. If multiple moves yield the same score, tie-breaking rules can be used, such
as preferring moves that keep the board more open. This logic allows the AI to make
fast, efficient decisions that optimize short-term gains while maintaining a good chance
of long-term success.

21
3.6.1 Data Flow Diagram

Figure 3.1: Data Flow Diagram Level 0

Figure 3.2: Data Flow Diagram Level 1

22
Figure 3.3: Data Flow Diagram Level 2

23
3.6.2 Use Case Diagram

Figure 3.4: use case diagram

3.6.3 Class Diagram

Figure 3.5: Class diagram

24
3.6.4 Gantt Chart

Figure 3.6: Gantt chart

25
3.7 Heuristic or Evaluation Function
he evaluation function is a key component that helps the AI assess the quality of a
board state and make intelligent decisions. In a heuristic-based approach, several factors
are considered to calculate a score for each possible move. One of the most important
heuristics is the number of empty tiles, as more empty spaces provide greater flexibility and
reduce the risk of losing. Smoothness measures how similar adjacent tiles are, encouraging
the AI to keep tiles that can merge next to each other. Monotonicity evaluates whether
the tiles are arranged in an increasing or decreasing order, usually along a row or column,
which helps in forming higher-value tiles. Another common heuristic is cornering, where
the highest- value tile is kept in a corner to reduce disruption. By assigning weights to
each of these features, the AI calculates a composite score for each move and selects the
one with the highest score, aiming for efficient and strategic gameplay.

3.8 Hardware and Software Requirements

Hardware Requirements
To ensure smooth development, testing, and deployment of the AI-powered 2048
game, a stable and capable hardware setup is essential. The system must be equipped to
handle not only the development environment but also the additional computational load
introduced by artificial intelligence models, advanced graphics rendering, and real-time
testing across devices.

• Development Machine: A core requirement for the development process is a com-

puter equipped with a minimum of 8 GB RAM and a multi-core processor (quad-
core or higher recommended). This ensures that development tools like Android
Studio, Visual Studio Code, and Flutter SDK can run efficiently without perfor-
mance bottlenecks. AI model training and simulations can also consume significant
resources, especially during testing and debugging phases, making memory and pro-
cessor power critical for a smooth workflow.

• Android/iOS Device: Physical testing is an important part of the mobile app de-
velopment lifecycle. While emulators are useful for early development, real-world
testing on Android and iOS devices ensures that the application behaves as expected

26
 across different screen sizes, resolutions, and hardware configurations. This is espe-
cially important for performance tuning, gesture handling, network reliability, and
UI responsiveness.

• Emulator/Simulator: For fast iteration and multi-device testing, using an emulator

or simulator is a practical and efficient approach. Android Studio’s AVD Manager
and Apple’s iOS Simulator enable developers to test applications on multiple virtual
devices without the need for physical hardware, helping to speed up the development
process.

• Graphics Processing Unit (GPU): A dedicated GPU is recommended, particularly

for handling rendering operations, smooth animations, and AI model inference (if
TensorFlow Lite is used). GPUs enhance rendering performance, reduce lag during
development previews, and are highly beneficial when training machine learning
models, making them a valuable addition to any development setup.

Software Requirements
The development of the AI-powered 2048 game involves a combination of modern
development frameworks, programming languages, and backend services. The following
software tools will play a key role in building, testing, and deploying the application
efficiently while ensuring smooth performance and scalability.

• Flutter SDK: Flutter is an open-source UI software development kit (SDK) by

Google that enables cross-platform app development for Android, iOS, web, and
desktop. It provides a rich set of customizable widgets, tools, and libraries for
building attractive and responsive user interfaces.

• Dart Programming Language: Flutter applications are primarily written in Dart,

a modern object-oriented programming language developed by Google. Dart of-
fers excellent performance, asynchronous programming support, and a structured
syntax, making it ideal for building reactive and interactive user interfaces.

• Firebase: Firebase is a comprehensive backend-as-a-service (BaaS) platform by

Google. It offers real-time databases, authentication services, cloud storage, and
hosting. For this project, Firebase can be used to implement features such as

27
 leaderboards, player authentication, cloud-based progress saving, and performance
tracking, which enhance the game’s competitive and social aspects.

• Visual Studio Code / Android Studio: These are the integrated development envi-
ronments (IDEs) used for writing, testing, and debugging the application code. Both
IDEs offer Flutter support through dedicated plugins, enabling easier management
of dependencies, emulation of devices, and efficient code navigation.

• Git: Git is essential for version control, collaboration, and backup. It allows devel-
opers to track changes, work in teams, and revert to earlier stages of development
when needed.

• TensorFlow Lite: TensorFlow Lite is a lightweight machine learning library for

deploying AI models on mobile and embedded devices. It enables the integration of
trained models for real-time decision-making, such as move prediction and strategy
optimization in the game.

28
Chapter 4

Implementation and Results

4.1 System Development and Output

This represent the system development and output of this project
• Initialization: Set up the game board and define the initial state, including the
size of the board and the starting tiles.
• Define Actions: Identify possible moves (up, down, left, right) that the AI can take
based on the current state of the board.
• State Evaluation: Create a function to evaluate the board state by calculating
potential scores for each possible action, considering the arrangement of tiles and available
moves.
• Implement Reinforcement Learning:

1. Agent Learning: Use a reinforcement learning algorithm (like Q-learning) where the
AI learns the value of each action taken in each state based on rewards received.

2. Exploration vs. Exploitation: Implement a strategy to balance exploration (trying

new moves) and exploitation (using known rewarding moves) to enhance learning.
• Decision Making: Based on the evaluations, decide the optimal action by selecting
the move that maximizes expected reward or majormizes potential loss.
• Update State: Execute the chosen move, merge tiles if applicable, and update the
board state accordingly.
• Loop Until Game Over: Repeat the evaluation and decision-making process until
the game reaches a terminal state (when no moves are possible).

29
 • Learning from Gameplay: After each game, update the learning parameters based
on the outcome to improve future performance.

4.1.1 The 2048 AI game interface offers a clean, modern design

with intuitive navigation for a user-friendly experience.

Figure 4.1: Home Screen of the 2048 AI-Based Game

30
4.1.2 The 2048 AI gameplay screen offers a dynamic 4x4 grid
with real-time interaction, score tracking, and AI-assisted
strategic controls.

Figure 4.2: 2048 AI-Based Game — Active Gameplay Interface

31
4.1.3 The ”How to Play” screen provides clear instructions, con-
trols, and a visual guide to help users quickly understand
how to reach 2048.

Figure 4.3: 2048 AI-Based Game — How to Play Screen

32
4.1.4 Congrats on hitting that 2048 tile and even surpassing
your best score — that’s a slick win! Want me to create
a caption or share some tips to go beyond 2048?

Figure 4.4: You win! – 2048 Victory with a Score of 17,734

33
4.1.5 Game Over! – 2048 Attempt with a score of 6,508

Figure 4.5: Still a solid run — you even hit a 1024 tile! That means you’re on track to
crush it again. Want a few strategy tips for pushing past that block next time?

34
4.1.6 Comparison of Games

Figure 4.6: Comparison of Traditional 2048 and our 2048 AI Game

35
4.2 Integration with the Game
The integration of artificial intelligence into the 2048 game involves embedding the AI’s
decision-making logic directly into the game’s main operational loop. This ensures the AI
can actively participate in every stage of the game just like a human player. After each
player or AI move, the game engine checks for terminal conditions — either achieving the
2048 tile (victory) or exhausting all possible valid moves (game over). If the game is still
ongoing, the AI module takes over by analyzing the current configuration of the game
board.
Using its evaluation function, the AI assesses all possible moves (up, down, left, and
right) and selects the one with the highest heuristic score. This selected move is passed to
the game engine, which updates the 4x4 grid accordingly: tiles are shifted, matching tiles
are merged, and a new tile (usually a 2 or 4) is randomly placed in an empty position on
the board.
This creates a continuous feedback loop where the AI continually observes the up-
dated board, reevaluates options, and makes the next best move. This process happens
in real time, with the user interface updating instantly to reflect each action. The seam-
less integration allows users to observe the AI’s strategy unfold visually, showcasing its
decision-making and improving both engagement and understanding of the game mechan-
ics.

4.3 Performance Metrics

To evaluate the effectiveness of the AI in playing 2048, several performance metrics are
used to measure both its decision-making quality and overall gameplay efficiency. One of
the primary metrics is the maximum tile achieved during gameplay, which indicates how
far the AI can progress in merging tiles. A higher maximum tile, such as 2048, 4096, or
beyond, reflects a more capable and strategic AI.
Another key metric is the average score over multiple game runs, which offers a
broader measure of the AI’s consistency and efficiency across varying scenarios. A high
average score indicates not only the AI’s ability to reach significant milestones but also
its skill in maintaining stable gameplay.
The win rate—the percentage of games in which the AI successfully reaches the 2048

36
tile or higher—is a critical measure for judging reliability and robustness under different
game conditions.
Additional metrics include the total number of moves made, which can reflect the
AI’s efficiency in achieving higher tiles, and the average number of empty tiles maintained
during gameplay, which often correlates with the AI’s ability to plan ahead and avoid
deadlock situations.
Beyond these, the decision-making response time is another important factor, es-
pecially for real-time or interactive AI systems. Faster decision times ensure smoother
gameplay and a more natural user experience.
Moreover, tile merging efficiency—which tracks how often the AI makes productive
merges versus non-optimal moves—can give insights into the algorithm’s strategic depth.
Finally, analyzing the distribution of game outcomes (e.g., how often the AI reaches
1024, 2048, 4096) over large-scale simulations helps developers understand the strengths
and weaknesses of the AI model and adjust heuristics or learning parameters to enhance
future performance.

4.4 User Interface

The user interface of the 2048 AI-powered game is designed with simplicity, clarity, and
interactivity in mind, optimized for mobile devices. The UI layout ensures an intuitive
experience for players and spectators alike.
• Top Section Timer Display: A digital timer centered at the top (Time: 00:08)
helps track the game duration in real-time.
Settings Icon: Positioned in the top-right corner, the gear icon allows users to access
game settings such as sound, theme, and AI preferences.
• Score Status Panel Score Board: On the left, a labeled box (SCORE) shows the
current score dynamically updating as the player progresses.
Game Title: The center boldly displays ”2048” in large font, signifying the game’s
objective.
Best Score: On the right, a BEST score indicator shows the highest score achieved
in previous sessions.
• Game Grid A central 4x4 tile grid, clearly segmented with contrasting shades:

37
 Tiles have dynamic colors based on their value (e.g., 8 is light orange, 2 is light
beige).
Empty slots are represented by darker gray tiles.
Smooth animation is used for tile merging and movement.
• Controls (Bottom Section) Undo Button: Allows the user to revert to the previous
move, ideal for manual play.
AI Move Button: Enables the AI to make the next best move using heuristic strate-
gies.
• Visual Design Color Palette: Soft yellow background with brown-toned buttons
ensures good contrast and readability.
Responsive Layout: All elements are spaced for touch-friendliness and visual balance,
supporting both AI and manual gameplay modes.

38
Chapter 5

Future Work and Conclusion

5.1 Future Work

As part of the ongoing development and enhancement of the 2048 AI-based game, several
technologies and features are planned for implementation to improve the game’s perfor-
mance, user experience, and intelligence.
• Implementation of Deep Reinforcement Learning Models:Future development can
include integrating advanced deep reinforcement learning techniques to enable the AI to
learn optimal strategies over time, improving performance beyond heuristic methods.
• Adaptive Difficulty Levels: Introduce dynamic difficulty modes where the AI ad-
justs its strategy based on the player’s skill level, making the game more engaging and
challenging for users at all levels.
• Multiplayer Mode with AI Benchmarking: Add a multiplayer feature where players
can compete against the AI in real-time or asynchronously, using the AI as a benchmark
to measure their performance.
• Cross-Platform and Web-Based Deployment: Expand the game’s availability by de-
veloping versions for web browsers, mobile devices (Android/iOS), and desktops, allowing
broader accessibility and usage.
• Game Personalization Using User Data: Use user gameplay data to personalize the
AI’s responses, creating tailored gameplay experiences and insights into player behavior.
• AI Tournament Mode: Develop a competitive mode where multiple AI agents using
different algorithms (heuristics, expectimax, RL) compete against each other to determine
the most effective strategy.

39
5.2 Conclusion
The development of an AI-powered 2048 game successfully demonstrates how artificial
intelligence, particularly heuristic algorithms and reinforcement learning techniques, can
be applied to enhance traditional puzzle games. By embedding decision-making capabil-
ities within the game loop, the AI mimics human intuition and exceeds it in many cases
through faster, more consistent moves. The project showcases how AI can effectively
evaluate multiple game states, simulate possible outcomes, and select the most strategic
move using real-time analysis and heuristic evaluation functions. This not only makes
the game more engaging but also serves as an educational demonstration of practical AI
applications.
Furthermore, the integration of neural networks or other adaptive AI methods en-
ables the game to learn and evolve over time, refining its strategies with each iteration.
The use of cornering strategies, monotonicity, smoothness, and empty tile count in heuris-
tic evaluations reflects a deep understanding of optimal gameplay techniques. The AI’s
ability to make accurate decisions under dynamic conditions highlights its potential in
real-time systems.
Beyond its entertainment value, this project contributes to a broader understanding
of AI in interactive environments. By incorporating user-friendly interfaces, animations,
and the option for AI vs. player modes, it balances both learning and enjoyment. The
project not only demonstrates the effectiveness of AI in solving complex problems but
also sets a foundation for future innovations in AI-driven game design. In conclusion,
the AI-based 2048 game serves as a practical and impactful example of how artificial
intelligence can be utilized to transform user experience, decision-making, and gameplay
strategies in modern digital games.

40
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[2] P. Brown, Artificial Intelligence in Puzzle Games, 2nd ed., vol. 4. New York: Springer,
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[3] L. Patel and R. Verma, “Solving the 2048 puzzle using Expectimax search algorithm,”
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41
Acknowledgments

We sincerely express our gratitude to everyone who contributed to the successful comple-
tion of this project. Our heartfelt thanks go to the Department of Computer Engineering
for providing the essential resources, facilities, and technical support that made this work
possible.
We are also thankful to our faculty and mentors for their continuous guidance and
encouragement throughout the project. Their insights and feedback significantly enriched
the quality and direction of our work.
We would like to extend our appreciation to our peers and colleagues for their col-
laboration, valuable suggestions, and constructive discussions, which played a vital role
in overcoming challenges during the project.
Lastly, we are deeply grateful to our families and friends for their constant support,
motivation, and patience. Their encouragement was a source of strength and inspiration
throughout our journey.
This project stands as a reflection of the collective effort and support we received
from all quarters.

Date: