Desi Ludo is a web-based multiplayer board game inspired by traditional Indian gameplay using cowrie shells instead of dice. Each player races their four tokens to the center of the board by rolling shells and navigating both outer and inner tracks. The game incorporates strategic kills, safe zones, and lucky rolls — all wrapped in a vibrant, interactive interface.
Be the first to move all four pieces from your starting position to the center cell by rolling the cowrie shells. The player with all pieces in the center ranks higher. The game ends when three players complete the game, and the fourth is automatically placed last.
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Cowrie shells act as dice.
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Each roll results in 1-4 and 8 based on how many shells land face up (white) or down (dark).
- 1 face up → Move 1 step
- 2 face up → Move 2 steps
- 3 face up → Move 3 steps
- 4 face up → Move 4 steps
- All face down (0 up) → Counted as 8 steps
- Any invalid or zero → Player must re-roll
- Each player starts with 4 pieces at a designated starting point.
- Players move their pieces around the outer path, then enter the inner ring, and finally reach the center.
- Movement is in a fixed path, and players must move the rolled number exactly.
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If a player lands on a cell occupied by an opponent’s piece, the opponent’s piece is killed and sent back to its starting cell.
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No killing allowed:
- On home (starting) cells
- In center or safe zones
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These are marked with a white cross (X) and cannot be attacked.
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Locations:
- 2nd and 4th cells in Row 2 and Row 4
- Visually highlighted with a cross symbol.
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Player gets an extra turn if:
- Rolls a 4 or 8
- Kills an opponent
- 🎲 Realistic cowrie dice shuffling with images
- 👤 Select 2 to 4 players
- ✨ Beautiful animations and sound effects
- 🗂️ Safe zones and strategic play
- 💀 Kill logic with resets
- 🥇 Automatic ranking system for winners
- 🧠 AI/logic controlled turn system
- Piece Move:
move.mp3 - Kill:
kill.mp3 - Win Celebration:
win.mp3
All sound effects are triggered at specific game events.
- Open
index.htmlin a browser. - Enter the number of players (2 to 4).
- Click the Roll button to throw cowries.
- Select a piece to move.
- Try to reach the center first with all 4 of your pieces.
- HTML, CSS, JavaScript
- DOM Animations
- Audio playback
- (Optional Multiplayer) – Firebase / Socket.io (planned feature)
- 🌐 Online Multiplayer (Firebase or Socket.io)
- 📱 Mobile Responsive UI
- 🧠 AI opponent for single-player mode
- 🎨 Themes & board skins
- 📊 Leaderboard integration
- Cowrie shell logic adapted from traditional Indian gameplay.
- Game design & implementation by [Your Name]
- Inspired by Pachisi, Ludo, and classic desi board games.
MIT License – Free to use and modify with credits.
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