Computer Science Department

Senior Project Kickoff Document – Fall 2023

Title of the project: “Creation of a Mobile App: Kazakh national game - Togyz Qumalaq"

Kenzhebek Taniyev
Nurmukhammed Tangatarov
Team Members: Sanzhar Saduakhas
Myrza Saiyngali
Damir Tarikh

Project Associate Professor: Anara Sandygulova

Advisor/Co-Advisors Co-supervisor: Aigerim Yessenbayeva

Motivation and Summary (20%)

1. Problem Definition and Motivation:

The primary aim of our project is to preserve and promote traditional Kazakh culture, with a specific focus
on the national game “Togyz Qumalaq”. Furthermore, we strive to foster educational and technological
growth among students in grades 5-8, with plans to later expand to adults. A paramount goal of this project
is also to collect invaluable data to train reinforcement learning algorithms. Our heritage forms an integral
part of our identity. Thus, by digitizing "Togyz Qumalaq", we aspire to protect its essence for upcoming
generations, ensuring it remains vivid in the history of our national sports.

2.

Inputs

● User Data: Profile information and game preferences of users to customize the user
experience. Feedback and ratings are provided by the users to improve the game.
● Game Configuration Settings: Rulesets, board customization options, sound settings, and
more.
● Gameplay Data: Moves made during a game, time taken for each move, game records, and
win/loss statistics
● Device Information: Device type, screen resolution, and OS version to ensure the game is
optimized for the user's device.
● Connectivity Data: Player connection status, latency, and other related data to ensure a
smooth online experience

Outputs

● Dynamic Game Environment: The constantly updating game board reflects moves made by
the player and the AI.
● Notifications & Alerts: Game-related notifications, reminders for battles, updates, or any
other relevant news.
 ● User Profiles: Display of user progress, achievements, rankings, and other personalized
data.
● Game Analytics: Statistics on the player's performance, hints for improvement, and
comparisons with other players.
● Feedback Acknowledgement: Responses or actions are taken based on user feedback, such
as bug fixes or feature additions.
● Multiplayer Interactions: Chat or communication features, game invites, and real-time
updates during online play.

Use Cases

●Cultural Education in Schools: Teachers can utilize the app in history or cultural studies
classes to teach students about traditional Kazakh games. This hands-on experience can
facilitate better understanding and retention.
● Interactive Learning Mode: For beginners or those unfamiliar with the game, an
interactive tutorial can guide them through the rules, strategies, and history of "Togyz
Qumalaq". This mode can incorporate quizzes, challenges, and badges to encourage
progression.
● Cultural Exchange Programs: For programs or events where different cultures showcase
their heritage, this application can be an interactive representation of a traditional Kazakh
game, allowing participants from other countries to learn and appreciate Kazakh culture.
● Local and Global Leaderboards: Players can track their progress and compete with others
locally, nationally, or globally. This can motivate them to improve their skills and promote a
friendly competitive spirit.
3. Proposed Solution

To bridge the chasm between the traditional "Togyz Qumalaq" and the digital age, we propose developing
an interactive iOS application for the iPad. This app will feature:

● A digital rendition of the traditional game board, capturing its aesthetics while adding modern
design elements.
● A state-of-the-art AI with three varying difficulty levels, allowing players of all skill sets to challenge
themselves.
● Intuitive gameplay mechanics ensure that users, even those unfamiliar with the game, can easily
understand and enjoy it.
● A future expansion to include a multiplayer online feature, encouraging users to connect, compete,
and share the rich cultural experience with others globally.

By integrating "Togyz Qumalaq" within a modern digital framework, we're not just preserving a game; we're
ensuring that a piece of Kazakh culture remains relevant, accessible, and enjoyable for generations to come.

System Description (20%)

The system described in this chapter represents the core components and interactions of the proposed
Togyz Qumalaq mobile application. The purpose of this section is to provide a high-level understanding of
the system's architecture, its conceptual and actual components, and the relationships between them.
System Components

1. User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX):

● The UI/UX component is responsible for creating an intuitive and engaging interface for the mobile
application.
● It encompasses visual elements, animations, and user interactions to ensure an enjoyable gaming
experience for students in grades 5 to 8.
2. Gameplay Engine:
● The core gameplay engine is the heart of the application, implementing the rules and mechanics of
the traditional Kazakh game, Togyz Qumalaq.
● It manages the game state, user inputs, and interactions with the AI agent.
3. AI Agent:
● The AI agent component consists of algorithms that provide different levels of gameplay difficulty.
● It calculates moves and strategies based on user actions and difficulty settings (3, 5, and 7 steps
ahead).
4. Database:
● The database component collects and stores data related to user-agent interactions during
gameplay.
● It forms the basis for future research and machine learning (reinforcement learning) algorithm
training.

System Interactions

The interactions within the system are as follows:

● The User Interface (UI/UX) component interacts with both the Gameplay Engine and the AI Agent. It
displays the game interface to users and captures their inputs.
● The Gameplay Engine manages the game state, enforces the rules of Togyz Qumalaq, and
communicates with the AI Agent to determine the AI's moves.
● The AI Agent receives information from the Gameplay Engine, calculates its moves, and provides
responses to the engine.
● The Database component reads and writes data regarding user-agent interactions during gameplay.

High-Level System Diagram

The high-level diagram below illustrates the primary components and interactions of the system:
 Hardware and Software Requirements (10%)

Software:
Programming language: Dart, Python
Framework: Flutter
Database: PostgreSQL

Hardware:
Laptop, phone or tablets

Database
A database will read and collect all steps that users and agent will choose throughout the games

Evaluation Criteria and Plan (10%)

● User Experience (UX) Evaluation:

a. Usability Testing:
- Conduct usability testing with the target audience (students in grades 5 to 8) to gather feedback on
the app's ease of use.
- Use real users to identify any issues with navigation, clarity of instructions, or intuitive design.
b. Feedback and Reviews:
- Monitor user reviews and feedback on app stores and social media platforms.
- Act on user suggestions and address reported issues promptly.
● AI Agent Evaluation:
a. AI Performance Metrics:
- Assess the AI agents' performance against predefined criteria for each difficulty level.
- Measure factors such as the agent's win rate, response time, and adherence to difficulty settings.
b. User vs. AI Interactions:
- Analyze user-agent interactions stored in the database to gauge how well the AI adapts to user
actions.
 - Check if the AI agent provides a challenging yet fair experience for users.
● Data Collection for Future Research:
a. Data Quality Assessment:
- Verify the accuracy and completeness of the data collected during user-agent interactions.
- Ensure the data is well-organized and ready for analysis.

Risks and Contingency Plans (10%)

Risk Factors:

● Insufficient Data for AI Training

Not gathering enough gameplay data from the students might lead to an undertrained AI that
cannot effectively simulate a human player. If faced with insufficient data, we can consider utilizing
synthetic data generation techniques or augmenting our dataset with data from similar games.
Additionally, expanding our data collection efforts to other educational institutions could be a viable
alternative.

● Platform Compatibility Issues

The application may encounter compatibility challenges across different iPad models or iOS
versions. To address this, we can adopt a progressive enhancement approach, ensuring basic
functionality across all devices while layering advanced features for newer models. Leveraging a
diverse range of test devices and using cloud-based testing platforms will also aid in broad
compatibility testing.

● Unforeseen Technical Challenges

Unexpected technical hurdles, like algorithm inefficiencies or integration problems, might arise
during development. In such cases, fostering robust communication with the wider developer
community and seeking advice will be pivotal. If needed, we may need to revise project milestones
or seek additional expertise to navigate these challenges.

● Hardware Unavailability
Specific iPad models vital for testing might become unavailable or malfunction. To ensure
uninterrupted testing, it's crucial to maintain a variety of devices, reducing reliance on a single
model. If certain devices are hard to acquire, we can look into virtual machine simulations or
employ cloud-based testing services.

● Delay in Development Timeline

The project's development might face delays, pushing back our launch timeline. To navigate such
challenges, an agile methodology will be adopted, allowing for flexible development cycles. In case
of significant delays, our strategy would be to prioritize core functionalities, ensuring a minimum
viable product is ready, followed by additional features in subsequent updates.

● Online Multiplayer Challenges

Building a stable and efficient online multiplayer system can be intricate and challenging. If faced
with such complexities, an initial launch with just the AI play mode may be considered.
Subsequently, the multiplayer feature can be introduced in phases, beginning with a small amount
of people available for multiplayer and eventually extending it gradually.
● User Engagement and Retention

Post-launch, the application may not achieve the desired user engagement, or users might not
remain active after their initial interaction. To combat this, it's essential to proactively collect user
feedback and integrate it into regular app updates. Introducing dynamic elements like weekly
challenges, achievements, or tournaments can also bolster engagement. Partnerships with
educational entities can provide a broader reach and engagement.

By anticipating these risks and having plans in place, we aim to ensure the project's smooth
progress and eventual success.

Deliverables (10%)

- Research Documentation: Comprehensive research on the traditional game "Togyz Qumalaq", its
rules, strategies, and cultural significance. This will provide a solid foundation for game
development.
- AI Training Data Set: A collection of gameplay data from students and, potentially, other sources.
This data set will be pivotal for training the game's AI.
- Game Logic Module: A module implementing the core rules and mechanics of "Togyz Qumalaq".
This forms the backbone of the application.
- AI agent: An artificial intelligence player module trained using reinforcement learning. It will offer
gameplay at three difficulty levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced.
- User Interface (UI) Design: A set of interactive designs optimized for iPad, capturing the aesthetic
of the traditional game while ensuring user-friendliness.
- User Profile Management: A system to manage user profiles, game preferences, statistics, and
progress.
- Feedback and Analytics Tool: Tools to collect user feedback and gameplay analytics. This will be
essential for iterative improvements post-launch.
- Online Multiplayer Module (Phase II): A feature enabling users to play against others in real-time,
fostering a global community of "Togyz Qumalaq" enthusiasts.
- Game Tutorials and Learning Resources: Interactive tutorials and resources to help new players
learn and master the game.
- Sound and Music Assets: Original soundtracks and sound effects to enhance the gaming
experience and immerse the player in the cultural ambiance.
- Cloud Save and Sync: A feature allowing users to save their game progress to the cloud and
seamlessly pick up where they left off on any device.

These deliverables are designed to ensure that the final application not only effectively digitizes
"Togyz Qumalaq" but also offers an engaging and immersive experience for users of all skill levels.
Each feature will be rigorously tested before deployment to ensure quality and reliability.
 Project Management and Tasking (10%)

Project management tool:

Asana was chosen by a team as the most suitable tool for project management. It offers the opportunity to
edit the chart according to current progress and also mark completed tasks as done.

Fall 2023

Team Flutter(blue color on the chart): Damir Tarikh, Nurmukhammed Tangatarov

Team Design(purple color on the chart): Myrza Saiyngali, Sanzhar Saduakhas
Team ML(orange color on the chart): Kenzhebek Taniyev
Red color on the chart: All team members

Spring 2024 (tentative)

Understanding of PvP mechanics - 1 week

Implement authorization/authentication - 1 week
Implement matchmaking - 1 week
Implement rating system - 1 week
Optimize latency - 4 weeks
Database query optimization - during the semester

References and Further Reading (10%)

Free design tool for drawing: https://inkscape.org/

Flutter application: https://flutter.dev/
Flutter tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4cUxeGkcC9jLYyp2Aoh6hcWuxFDX6PBJ
Figma design tool for application: https://www.figma.com/