Analyzing Game Strategies of the Don’t Get Angry Board Game Using Computer Simulations

Abstract

In the research described in this paper, we used computer simulations to analyze and compare different types of game strategies in the popular board game Don't Get Angry. Following a brief introduction, we summarized a few previous research papers examining similar board games' game strategies. Next, after a review of the Don't Get Angry game's official rules, we outlined four strategies that can be applied to increase the likelihood of winning. We simulated 50,000 games in which all four players made their moves randomly and 50,000 games where each used a different strategy. We tracked how frequently each player finished first, second, third, or last during the simulations. Furthermore, we recorded how many rounds were needed to complete the game for each player, how many times the players' pawns were kicked out and returned to their houses by other players, and the number of players' remaining steps during every gameplay. From the analysis of the recorded data, we could conclude that significant differences exist in the chances of winning the game for the examined strategies when all players use different strategies. The results improve the specific domain knowledge for the Don't Get Angry board game. It may help create more vigorous computer opponents and encourage further study to create a tool for evaluating students' strategic thinking while playing.