PX_TicTacToe_lastname — Tic Tac Toe (Console Version) using Java

Project Concept

Create a text-based Tic Tac Toe game using a 3x3 grid. The game runs in the console and supports either:

• Player vs Player
• Player vs Computer (simple random AI)

Skills Learned

• 2D arrays (board storage)
• Methods (modular design)
• Game state checking (win / tie / valid moves)
• Input validation (row/col range + empty space checking)

Files to Turn In (Google Classroom)

• PX_TicTacToe_lastname.java — actual program
• PX_TicTacToe_lastname.png — screenshot showing the final board and win/tie message
• PX_TicTacToe_lastname.mp4 — video showing you run the program and complete a full game

Java Program (Eclipse Ready)

IMPORTANT: Rename the class and file using your last name. Example: PX_TicTacToe_Cusack.

import java.util.Random;
import java.util.Scanner;

/*
 * File: PX_TicTacToe_lastname.java
 * Console Tic Tac Toe
 * Skills: 2D arrays, methods, game state checking, input validation
 *
 * Turn in:
 * 1) PX_TicTacToe_lastname.java
 * 2) PX_TicTacToe_lastname.png (screenshot of completed game in console)
 * 3) PX_TicTacToe_lastname.mp4 (video of you running and playing the game)
 */

public class PX_TicTacToe_lastname {

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Scanner input = new Scanner(System.in);

        char[][] board = createBoard();
        Random rand = new Random();

        System.out.println("=== TIC TAC TOE (Console) ===");
        System.out.println("1) Player vs Player");
        System.out.println("2) Player vs Computer");
        int mode = getMode(input);

        char currentPlayer = 'X';
        boolean gameOver = false;

        while (!gameOver) {
            printBoard(board);

            if (mode == 2 && currentPlayer == 'O') {
                System.out.println("Computer (O) is choosing a move...");
                computerMove(board, rand);
            } else {
                System.out.println("Player " + currentPlayer + ", enter your move (row col) from 1 to 3:");
                int[] move = getValidMove(board, input);
                placeMove(board, move[0], move[1], currentPlayer);
            }

            // Check win or tie
            if (isWinner(board, currentPlayer)) {
                printBoard(board);
                System.out.println("✅ Player " + currentPlayer + " WINS!");
                gameOver = true;
            } else if (isTie(board)) {
                printBoard(board);
                System.out.println("🤝 It's a TIE!");
                gameOver = true;
            } else {
                currentPlayer = switchPlayer(currentPlayer);
            }
        }

        input.close();
    }

    // =========================
    // Board Setup + Display
    // =========================
    public static char[][] createBoard() {
        char[][] b = new char[3][3];
        for (int r = 0; r < 3; r++) {
            for (int c = 0; c < 3; c++) {
                b[r][c] = ' ';
            }
        }
        return b;
    }

    public static void printBoard(char[][] b) {
        System.out.println();
        System.out.println("    1   2   3");
        System.out.println("  -------------");
        for (int r = 0; r < 3; r++) {
            System.out.print((r + 1) + " |");
            for (int c = 0; c < 3; c++) {
                System.out.print(" " + b[r][c] + " |");
            }
            System.out.println();
            System.out.println("  -------------");
        }
        System.out.println();
    }


    // =========================
    // Game Mode
    // =========================
    public static int getMode(Scanner input) {
        int mode;
        while (true) {
            System.out.print("Choose mode (1 or 2): ");
            if (input.hasNextInt()) {
                mode = input.nextInt();
                if (mode == 1 || mode == 2) {
                    return mode;
                }
            } else {
                input.next(); // clear bad input
            }
            System.out.println("Invalid. Enter 1 or 2.");
        }
    }

    // =========================
    // Human Move + Validation
    // =========================
    public static int[] getValidMove(char[][] board, Scanner input) {
        while (true) {
            int row, col;

            // Ensure we get two integers
            if (!input.hasNextInt()) {
                input.next();
                System.out.println("Invalid input. Enter two numbers like: 2 3");
                continue;
            }
            row = input.nextInt();

            if (!input.hasNextInt()) {
                input.next();
                System.out.println("Invalid input. Enter two numbers like: 2 3");
                continue;
            }
            col = input.nextInt();

            // Convert 1-3 input into 0-2 indexes
            row--;
            col--;

            if (row < 0 || row > 2 || col < 0 || col > 2) {
                System.out.println("Row and col must be between 1 and 3.");
                continue;
            }

            if (board[row][col] != ' ') {
                System.out.println("That spot is already taken. Choose another.");
                continue;
            }

            return new int[]{row, col};
        }
    }

    public static void placeMove(char[][] board, int row, int col, char player) {
        board[row][col] = player;
    }

    // =========================
    // Computer Move
    // =========================
    public static void computerMove(char[][] board, Random rand) {
        // Simple AI: pick a random empty spot
        while (true) {
            int row = rand.nextInt(3);
            int col = rand.nextInt(3);
            if (board[row][col] == ' ') {
                board[row][col] = 'O';
                System.out.println("Computer chose: " + (row + 1) + " " + (col + 1));
                break;
            }
        }
    }

    // =========================
    // Win/Tie Checking
    // =========================
    public static boolean isWinner(char[][] b, char p) {
        // Rows
        for (int r = 0; r < 3; r++) {
            if (b[r][0] == p && b[r][1] == p && b[r][2] == p) return true;
        }
        // Columns
        for (int c = 0; c < 3; c++) {
            if (b[0][c] == p && b[1][c] == p && b[2][c] == p) return true;
        }
        // Diagonals
        if (b[0][0] == p && b[1][1] == p && b[2][2] == p) return true;
        if (b[0][2] == p && b[1][1] == p && b[2][0] == p) return true;

        return false;
    }

    public static boolean isTie(char[][] b) {
        for (int r = 0; r < 3; r++) {
            for (int c = 0; c < 3; c++) {
                if (b[r][c] == ' ') return false; // still moves available
            }
        }
        return true;
    }

    public static char switchPlayer(char p) {
        return (p == 'X') ? 'O' : 'X';
    }
}

Screenshot + Video Instructions

Screenshot: PX_TicTacToe_lastname.png

• Take the screenshot when the console shows the final board and the winner/tie message.
• Windows Snip Tool shortcut: Win + Shift + S
• Save as: PX_TicTacToe_lastname.png

Video: PX_TicTacToe_lastname.mp4

• Record your screen showing Eclipse and the console.
• Start recording, click Run, and play a full game to completion.
• Xbox Game Bar: Win + G → Record
• Save as: PX_TicTacToe_lastname.mp4