Canasta - 0.2.5

A computer implementation of the game of Canasta. Can be played in single-player mode, or by multiple players over the Internet. Requires Twisted in addition to python+pygame, but the Windows executable should work out of the box without any additional installs.

I'm a novice at Python, and this is my first attempt at writing a game with it. Canasta is mostly awesome, to me, because of its social aspects, so this program focuses heavily on the multiplayer element. You can start a game and have other players connect to you over the internet, as long as you have an accessible IP address and an open port. A chat window is provided throughout the game for players to communicate with each other.

A one-player game is available as well, although the computer opponents are still in a fairly rudimentary state.

If you don't know how to play Canasta, a Google search will turn up some good explanations. When you start the game, you can hit F1 to see a brief explanation of the controls. There is also a manual included in the form of a text file.

Improvements are mostly in two areas:

-The user interface is now somewhat prettier and more consistent, with all pop-up surfaces using Keebus's GUI library. The chat window, in particular, is improved from previous versions.

-Network gaming has been tightened up, especially in dealing with clients disconnecting and reconnecting. The network game is now more like a chat room, where people can come and go as they please. If new players arrive while a game is in progress, they will be added as observers who can use the chat window, and who will be available to add to the next game. If a player disconnects in the middle of a game, the host has the option of either restarting, or replacing them with a computer player.