Reinventing Minesweeper with Q
When I decided to try making my first web game, Minesweeper instantly came to mind—it’s always been one of my favorites. There’s something so satisfying about revealing cells and planning your next move. Then I thought, what if the mines could move? That little twist made it even more exciting, and honestly, I love how it turned out.
Published Nov 14, 2024
As a long-time fan of Minesweeper, I’ve always loved the challenge and simplicity of the game. But recently, I thought, “What if I could take it a step further and make my own version?” With Q, I turned this idea into reality, creating a Minesweeper game that not only sticks to the basics but also adds new twists.
I started with a simple request for Q:
"I am a minesweeper game lover, can you build a minesweeper web game?"
Q quickly got to work, providing me with a fully functional Minesweeper game. Here’s what it included:
- A 10x10 grid with 10 mines
- Left-click to reveal cells
- Number indicators showing adjacent mines
- Auto-reveal for empty cells
- Win/lose conditions
All I had to do was save the code Q gave me, open it in my browser, and I was playing my very own version of Minesweeper in minutes.
No Minesweeper game is complete without the ability to flag potential mines. So I asked Q:
"I want to add a feature that allows using the right mouse button to place a small red flag for the minesweeper game"
Q didn’t disappoint. It updated the code to add a right-click flagging feature, complete with bright red flags that were easy to spot. Now, I could mark suspected mines and plan my moves much more effectively.
Update the Html
With Style
And Javascript
After a few rounds, I realized something was missing: a restart button. It got annoying to refresh the browser every time I wanted a new game. I asked Q for a solution, and it gave me the necessary updates to add a simple button that reset the game completely. It cleared the board, regenerated mines, and got everything ready for a new round—quick and easy.
Once I had the basic functionality down, I decided it was time to make the game look good. Working with Q, I made a bunch of visual improvements:
- Added modern styling with CSS to give the game a fresh look.
- Added animations for cell reveals and mine explosions, making the game feel more alive.
At this point, I wanted to get a little wild. I asked Q:
"I want the mines to move. For example, every 5 seconds, if the player hasn’t solved the puzzle, the mines without red flags will move!"
And Q made it happen! Now, if you take too long, the mines start shifting positions every five seconds, adding a whole new layer of unpredictability. It’s no longer just about logic—now you’re racing against time and trying to adapt to a shifting board. It’s chaotic, but it’s so much fun.
Here’s what my final Minesweeper game looked like:
- Classic Mechanics: Left-click to reveal, right-click to flag.
- Restart Button: A simple way to start over without refreshing.
- Modern UI: Smooth animations, clean design, and sound effects.
- Moving Mines: Every five seconds, unflagged mines move, adding a real challenge.
Check the gameplay video here:
I’m already thinking about the next steps for my Minesweeper game:
- Adding difficulty levels and timed challenges.
- Custom grid sizes and difficulty levels to cater to beginners and experts.