feat/teaser-prototype-playable-core (#1)
Co-authored-by: John Lamb <j.lamb13@gmail.com> Reviewed-on: #1
This commit was merged in pull request #1.
This commit is contained in:
67
docs/brainstorms/2026-02-01-teaser-prototype-brainstorm.md
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docs/brainstorms/2026-02-01-teaser-prototype-brainstorm.md
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---
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date: 2026-02-01
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topic: teaser-prototype
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---
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# Teaser Prototype: Playable Game Core
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## What We're Building
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A minimal playable teaser that captures the "practiced chaos" of Neighborhood Quarterback - the Rocket League-style feeling where chaos has patterns you can learn to exploit.
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**Scope:**
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- 1v1 vs AI opponent
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- 5 identical units per side
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- Draw-routes for commanding units
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- Tag-out respawn (captured units respawn at base after delay)
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- Simple fog of war (see near your units only)
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- Backyard-style asymmetric map with houses/fences
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- First to 3 points (points for flag grab AND returning flag to base)
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## Why This Approach
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We chose **Minimal Playable Core** over polished slice or systems-first approaches because:
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1. **Validate the feel first** - The soul doc's "practiced chaos" needs playtesting to verify
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2. **Fast iteration** - Rough edges are fine if we can quickly change what matters
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3. **Avoid over-engineering** - Don't build robust systems for unvalidated design
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## Key Decisions
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- **AI opponent over multiplayer**: Simpler to build, can playtest alone, control pacing
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- **Draw routes over click-to-move**: More tactical, matches the "quarterback" command fantasy
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- **Tag-out over jail escort**: Simpler first pass; jail escort adds complexity we can add later
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- **Fog of war included**: Core to the mind game, worth the complexity
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- **5 units (not 3)**: Matches soul doc, enables interesting squad tactics
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- **All identical units**: No classes yet; focus on positioning/routes before differentiation
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- **Asymmetric map**: Thematic "backyard" feel even if harder to balance
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- **First to 3 with grab+return points**: Creates multiple scoring opportunities per round
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## What Success Looks Like
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When playing, you should see:
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- Moments where you read the AI's pattern and exploit it
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- Chaotic scrambles when plans collide
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- "Almost had it" flag runs that feel learnable
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- Fog reveal moments that create tension
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## Out of Scope (For Now)
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- Class differentiation (Sneak/Patrol/Speed)
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- Jail escort mechanics
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- Motion lights
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- Pre-phase setup (placing flag/jail)
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- Multiplayer networking
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- Polish/juice/animations
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## Open Questions for Planning
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1. **Map layout**: What's the minimum topology for interesting play? Lanes, chokepoints, shortcuts?
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2. **AI behavior**: How smart does AI need to be to create "practiced chaos"?
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3. **Route-drawing UX**: Click-drag? Waypoints? How to visualize planned route?
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4. **Fog implementation**: Tile-based? Raycast? Mesh-based reveal?
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5. **Scoring flow**: What happens after a point? Reset positions? Continuous play?
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## Next Steps
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Run `/workflows:plan` to break this down into implementation tasks.
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@@ -254,18 +254,18 @@ Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>"
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## Acceptance Criteria
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- [ ] Unity 6 LTS project opens without errors
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- [ ] URP 2D Renderer is active (check Graphics settings)
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- [ ] New Input System is the active input handling mode
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- [ ] Folder structure matches spec (`Features/`, `Shared/`, `Settings/`, `Scenes/`)
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- [ ] `GameInputActions` asset exists with placeholder actions
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- [ ] Android build target configured (IL2CPP, ARM64, API 24+)
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- [ ] iOS build target configured (IL2CPP, ARM64, iOS 13+)
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- [ ] Desktop build targets configured
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- [ ] Main.unity scene has Global Light 2D with low intensity
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- [ ] `.gitignore` excludes Library/, Temp/, builds
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- [ ] Project uses text-based asset serialization
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- [ ] Initial git commit created
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- [x] Unity 6 LTS project opens without errors
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- [x] URP 2D Renderer is active (check Graphics settings)
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- [x] New Input System is the active input handling mode
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- [x] Folder structure matches spec (`Features/`, `Shared/`, `Settings/`, `Scenes/`)
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- [x] `GameInputActions` asset exists with placeholder actions
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- [~] Android build target configured (IL2CPP, ARM64, API 24+) - partially configured, UI differs from plan
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- [~] iOS build target configured (IL2CPP, ARM64, iOS 13+) - partially configured, UI differs from plan
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- [x] Desktop build targets configured
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- [ ] Main.unity scene has Global Light 2D with low intensity - TODO: add in Unity Editor
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- [x] `.gitignore` excludes Library/, Temp/, builds
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- [x] Project uses text-based asset serialization
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- [x] Initial git commit created
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## Files Created/Modified
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@@ -0,0 +1,346 @@
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---
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title: "feat: Teaser Prototype Playable Core"
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type: feat
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date: 2026-02-01
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revised: 2026-02-01
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---
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# Teaser Prototype: Playable Core (Simplified)
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## Overview
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Build a minimal playable 1v1 capture-the-flag teaser that captures the "practiced chaos" of Neighborhood Quarterback - where chaos has patterns you can learn to exploit, like Rocket League.
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**Target experience:** Fast rounds with flag grabs, chases, tag-outs, and scrambles. Players should feel "I almost had it" and "I can learn this."
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## Guiding Principle
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**Build the skateboard, not the car chassis.** Get something playable in days, not weeks. Polish comes after validating the core loop is fun.
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## Proposed Solution
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6 scripts, 3 phases, ~15 tasks:
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```
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Assets/Scripts/
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├── Game.cs # Score, reset, win, spawn
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├── Unit.cs # Movement, state, respawn, flag carrying
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├── RouteDrawer.cs # Click-drag to draw routes
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├── Flag.cs # Pickup, drop, return
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├── Visibility.cs # Simple sprite show/hide (no shaders)
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└── SimpleAI.cs # Chase flag or flag carrier
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```
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No feature folders for MVP. No managers. Refactor when needed.
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## Technical Decisions
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| Decision | Choice | Rationale |
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|----------|--------|-----------|
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| Pathfinding | None | Draw route, unit follows, stops at obstacles |
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| Fog of War | Sprite SetActive | Hide enemies outside vision radius. No shaders. |
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| State | Bools/enums on scripts | No state machine frameworks |
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| AI | One behavior | Chase player flag (or flag carrier) |
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| Events | Direct method calls | No event bus for 6 scripts |
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## Constants (Hardcoded, Tune Later)
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```csharp
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// In Game.cs - move to ScriptableObject if needed
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const float UnitSpeed = 5f;
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const float VisionRadius = 4f;
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const float TagRadius = 0.75f;
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const float RespawnDelay = 3f;
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const float FlagReturnDelay = 5f;
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const int WinScore = 3;
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```
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---
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## Phase 1: Movement & Map (3-4 days)
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**Goal:** Draw routes, units follow them, obstacles block.
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### Tasks
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- [x] **1.1** Create placeholder art in Main.unity:
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- Green plane (ground, ~40x30 units)
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- Gray rectangles (4-6 houses as obstacles with BoxCollider2D)
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- Colored circles (units - blue team, red team)
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- Two base zones (opposite corners)
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- [x] **1.2** Create `Unit.cs`:
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```csharp
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public class Unit : MonoBehaviour
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{
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public enum Team { Player, Enemy }
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public Team team;
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public bool isTaggedOut;
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public bool hasFlag;
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List<Vector2> route;
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int routeIndex;
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public void SetRoute(List<Vector2> waypoints) { ... }
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void Update() { /* follow route, stop at end */ }
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public void TagOut() { /* disable, start respawn coroutine */ }
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IEnumerator Respawn() { /* wait 3s, teleport to base, enable */ }
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}
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```
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- [x] **1.3** Create `RouteDrawer.cs`:
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- On mouse down over player unit: start route
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- While dragging: collect points, draw LineRenderer preview
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- On mouse up: call `unit.SetRoute(points)`
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- Clear line after route applied
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- [x] **1.4** Create `Game.cs` (partial):
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```csharp
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public class Game : MonoBehaviour
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{
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public Unit[] playerUnits; // Assign in inspector
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public Unit[] enemyUnits;
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public Transform playerBase;
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public Transform enemyBase;
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void Start() { SpawnUnits(); }
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void SpawnUnits() { /* position 5 units at each base */ }
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}
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```
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- [x] **1.5** Wire up scene:
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- Create 5 Unit prefabs per team
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- Add colliders to obstacles
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- Test: draw route, unit follows, stops at obstacle
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**Verification:**
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- [ ] Can draw route on player unit, unit follows
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- [ ] Unit stops when hitting obstacle
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- [ ] Unit stops at end of route
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- [ ] New route replaces old route
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- [ ] Enemy units visible but not controllable
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---
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## Phase 2: Flag, Tagging, Scoring (2-3 days)
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**Goal:** Grab flag, tag enemies, score points, win.
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### Tasks
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- [x] **2.1** Create `Flag.cs`:
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```csharp
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public class Flag : MonoBehaviour
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{
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public Unit.Team team;
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public Transform homePosition;
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public Unit carriedBy;
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float dropTimer;
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void Update()
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{
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if (carriedBy != null)
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transform.position = carriedBy.transform.position;
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else if (transform.position != homePosition.position)
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HandleDroppedState();
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}
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public void Pickup(Unit unit) { carriedBy = unit; unit.hasFlag = true; }
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public void Drop() { carriedBy.hasFlag = false; carriedBy = null; dropTimer = 5f; }
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void ReturnHome() { transform.position = homePosition.position; }
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}
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```
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- [x] **2.2** Add flag pickup detection:
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- OnTriggerEnter2D: if enemy unit enters flag trigger, Pickup()
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- In `Game.cs`: when unit with flag enters own base, Score()
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- [x] **2.3** Add tagging to `Unit.cs`:
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- OnTriggerEnter2D: if enemy unit overlaps
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- Determine loser: farther from own base gets tagged
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- (Or for more chaos: both get tagged)
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- If tagged unit has flag, call flag.Drop()
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- [x] **2.4** Add scoring to `Game.cs`:
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```csharp
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int playerScore, enemyScore;
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public void Score(Unit.Team team)
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{
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if (team == Unit.Team.Player) playerScore++;
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else enemyScore++;
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Debug.Log($"Score: {playerScore} - {enemyScore}");
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if (playerScore >= WinScore || enemyScore >= WinScore)
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EndGame();
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else
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ResetRound();
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}
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void ResetRound()
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{
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// Return flags, respawn all units at bases
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}
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```
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- [x] **2.5** Add simple UI:
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- TextMeshPro showing score
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- "YOU WIN" / "YOU LOSE" text on game end
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- (No menu - press Play in editor)
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**Verification:**
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- [ ] Walking over enemy flag picks it up
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- [ ] Flag follows carrier
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- [ ] Reaching base with flag scores point
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- [ ] Overlapping enemy triggers tag-out
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- [ ] Tagged unit respawns after 3 seconds
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- [ ] Dropped flag returns home after 5 seconds
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- [ ] First to 3 wins
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---
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## Phase 3: Visibility & AI (2-3 days)
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**Goal:** Can't see enemies outside vision range. AI provides opposition.
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### Tasks
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- [x] **3.1** Create `Visibility.cs`:
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```csharp
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public class Visibility : MonoBehaviour
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{
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public Unit[] playerUnits;
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public Unit[] enemyUnits;
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public Flag enemyFlag;
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void Update()
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{
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foreach (var enemy in enemyUnits)
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{
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bool visible = IsVisibleToAnyPlayerUnit(enemy.transform.position);
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enemy.GetComponent<SpriteRenderer>().enabled = visible;
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}
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// Also hide enemy flag if not carried and not visible
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if (enemyFlag.carriedBy == null)
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enemyFlag.GetComponent<SpriteRenderer>().enabled =
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IsVisibleToAnyPlayerUnit(enemyFlag.transform.position);
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}
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bool IsVisibleToAnyPlayerUnit(Vector2 pos)
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{
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foreach (var unit in playerUnits)
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{
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if (unit.isTaggedOut) continue;
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if (Vector2.Distance(unit.transform.position, pos) < VisionRadius)
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return true;
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}
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return false;
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}
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}
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```
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- [x] **3.2** Create `SimpleAI.cs`:
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```csharp
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public class SimpleAI : MonoBehaviour
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{
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public Unit[] aiUnits;
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public Flag playerFlag;
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public Transform aiBase;
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float decisionTimer;
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void Update()
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{
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decisionTimer -= Time.deltaTime;
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if (decisionTimer <= 0)
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{
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MakeDecisions();
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decisionTimer = 0.5f; // Decide every 0.5s
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}
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}
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void MakeDecisions()
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{
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foreach (var unit in aiUnits)
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{
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if (unit.isTaggedOut) continue;
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Vector2 target;
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if (unit.hasFlag)
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target = aiBase.position; // Return flag
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else if (playerFlag.carriedBy != null)
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target = playerFlag.carriedBy.transform.position; // Chase carrier
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else
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target = playerFlag.transform.position; // Go for flag
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// Simple route: straight line to target
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unit.SetRoute(new List<Vector2> { target });
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}
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}
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}
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```
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- [x] **3.3** Add slight route randomness:
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- Offset target by small random amount
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- Prevents all AI units clumping perfectly
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- [x] **3.4** Playtest & tune:
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- Adjust VisionRadius, TagRadius, speeds
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- Make AI beatable but not trivial
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**Verification:**
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- [ ] Enemy units hidden when far from player units
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- [ ] Enemies appear when player unit gets close
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- [ ] AI units move toward player flag
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- [ ] AI chases player flag carrier
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- [ ] AI returns flag to base when carrying
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- [ ] Can beat AI after 2-3 attempts
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---
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## Acceptance Criteria (MVP)
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- [ ] Game starts with 5 units per side at bases
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- [ ] Draw route on unit, unit follows path
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- [ ] Unit stops at obstacles
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- [ ] Grabbing enemy flag awards 1 point
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- [ ] Returning flag to base (with own flag present) awards 1 more point
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- [ ] Overlapping enemies triggers tag-out (farther from base loses)
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- [ ] Tagged units respawn at base after 3 seconds
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- [ ] Enemies only visible within vision radius of player units
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- [ ] AI controls enemy team, chases flag
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- [ ] First to 3 points wins
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---
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## Out of Scope (v2)
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- Shader-based fog of war (smooth edges, feathering)
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- Unit classes (Sneak/Patrol/Speed)
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- Jail escort mechanics
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- Motion lights
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- Pre-phase setup
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- Multiplayer
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- AI with strategic roles
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- Route obstacle preview
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- Audio
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- Main menu
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- Mobile optimization
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---
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## What We're Testing
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This prototype answers one question: **Is commanding units in CTF fun?**
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If yes → Add fog polish, AI strategy, classes
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If no → Revisit core mechanics before adding complexity
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---
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## References
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- Soul Doc: `soul.md`
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- Brainstorm: `docs/brainstorms/2026-02-01-teaser-prototype-brainstorm.md`
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- Input actions: `Assets/Settings/Input/GameInputActions.inputactions`
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