Add comprehensive development guide for Neural Nexus game development
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# Development Guide - Neural Nexus
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## Table of Contents
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1. [Project Overview](#project-overview)
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2. [Architecture](#architecture)
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3. [Technology Stack](#technology-stack)
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4. [Development Setup](#development-setup)
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5. [Project Structure](#project-structure)
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6. [Development Workflow](#development-workflow)
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7. [Game Design Guidelines](#game-design-guidelines)
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8. [Code Standards](#code-standards)
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9. [Testing Strategy](#testing-strategy)
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10. [Performance Guidelines](#performance-guidelines)
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11. [Deployment Process](#deployment-process)
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12. [Troubleshooting](#troubleshooting)
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## Project Overview
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### Vision
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Neural Nexus is a modern HTML5 puzzle game that challenges players to connect neural network nodes in specific patterns. We're building an engaging, visually appealing game that combines contemporary themes with accessible gameplay mechanics.
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### Goals
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- **Primary:** Create a polished, addictive puzzle game with 50+ levels
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- **Secondary:** Achieve smooth 60fps performance across all modern devices
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- **Success Metrics:**
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- 5+ minute average session time
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- 80%+ level completion rate for first 10 levels
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- <3 second load time on mobile devices
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### Target Users
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- **Primary Users:** Casual puzzle game players aged 16-45
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- **Use Cases:** Quick gaming sessions, brain training, stress relief
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- **User Needs:** Engaging mental challenge without complexity overload
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## Architecture
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### System Design
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```
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┌─────────────────┐ ┌─────────────────┐
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│ Game UI │────▶│ Game State │
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│ (Canvas/HTML) │ │ Manager │
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└─────────────────┘ └─────────────────┘
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│ │
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▼ ▼
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┌─────────────────┐ ┌─────────────────┐
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│ Render Engine │ │ Game Logic │
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│ (Canvas 2D API) │ │ (Nodes/Levels) │
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└─────────────────┘ └─────────────────┘
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│ │
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▼ ▼
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┌─────────────────┐ ┌─────────────────┐
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│ Input Handler │ │ Local Storage │
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│(Mouse/Touch) │ │ (Save Data) │
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└─────────────────┘ └─────────────────┘
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```
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### Component Relationships
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- **Game State:** Central store for level progress, score, timer
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- **Rendering:** Canvas-based with CSS for UI overlays
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- **Input System:** Unified mouse/touch handling for connections
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- **Game Objects:** Node and Connection classes with physics
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### Design Decisions
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| Decision | Choice | Rationale |
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|----------|--------|-----------|
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| Graphics API | Canvas 2D | Excellent performance, wide compatibility, simpler than WebGL |
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| State Management | Single Global Object | Sufficient for game scope, easy debugging |
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| Input Handling | Event-based | Responsive feel, works across devices |
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| Styling | CSS + Canvas | Leverage CSS for UI, Canvas for game graphics |
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## Technology Stack
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### Core Technologies
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- **Frontend:** Vanilla HTML5, JavaScript ES6+, CSS3
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- **Graphics:** Canvas 2D API with CSS animations
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- **Architecture:** Object-oriented game components
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- **Storage:** LocalStorage for save data and preferences
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### Key Libraries
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```json
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{
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"dependencies": {
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"No external dependencies": "Vanilla JS for maximum performance and control"
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}
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}
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```
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### Development Tools
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- **Browser DevTools:** Performance profiling and debugging
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- **Testing:** Manual testing across browsers and devices
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- **Version Control:** Git with feature branching
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- **Performance:** Lighthouse for optimization audits
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## Game Design Guidelines
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### Core Mechanics Principles
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1. **Clarity:** Player immediately understands connection system
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2. **Progressive Difficulty:** Each level introduces manageable challenge increase
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3. **Feedback:** Visual and audio cues for all player actions
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4. **Flow State:** Difficulty curve maintains engagement without frustration
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### Level Design Standards
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```javascript
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// Level generation guidelines
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const levelDesign = {
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nodes: {
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minimum: 3,
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maximum: 12,
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progression: "gradual increase with occasional easier levels"
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},
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connections: {
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formula: "nodeCount - 1 + Math.floor(level / 3)",
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maxComplexity: "avoid overly complex patterns"
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},
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timing: {
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baseTime: 60,
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adjustment: "decrease by 2 seconds every 3 levels",
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minimum: 30
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}
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};
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```
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### Visual Design Patterns
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```css
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/* Color scheme consistency */
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:root {
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--primary-cyan: #00d4ff;
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--secondary-magenta: #ff00ff;
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--success-green: #00ff64;
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--warning-orange: #ff6400;
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--background-dark: #0a0a0a;
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--surface-glass: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
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}
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```
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## Performance Guidelines
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### Target Metrics
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- **Frame Rate:** 60fps on desktop, 30fps+ on mobile
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- **Load Time:** <3 seconds on 3G connection
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- **Memory Usage:** <50MB on mobile devices
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- **Bundle Size:** <1MB total (including assets)
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### Optimization Techniques
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1. **Rendering Optimization**
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```javascript
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// Efficient canvas clearing
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function clearCanvas() {
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ctx.clearRect(0, 0, canvas.width, canvas.height);
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// Better than: ctx.fillRect() for transparency
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}
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// Object pooling for particles
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class ParticlePool {
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constructor(size = 100) {
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this.pool = [];
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this.active = [];
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for (let i = 0; i < size; i++) {
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this.pool.push(new Particle());
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}
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}
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acquire() {
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return this.pool.pop() || new Particle();
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}
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release(particle) {
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particle.reset();
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this.pool.push(particle);
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}
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}
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```
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## Testing Strategy
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### Manual Testing Checklist
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```markdown
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**Core Functionality:**
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- [ ] Node connections work with mouse
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- [ ] Node connections work with touch
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- [ ] Level progression advances correctly
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- [ ] Score calculation accurate
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- [ ] Timer counts down properly
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- [ ] Game over conditions trigger
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**Performance Testing:**
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- [ ] 60fps on Desktop Chrome/Firefox/Safari
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- [ ] 30fps+ on mobile devices
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- [ ] No memory leaks after 10+ levels
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- [ ] Smooth animations during gameplay
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**Device Compatibility:**
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- [ ] Desktop: Windows/Mac/Linux browsers
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- [ ] Mobile: iOS Safari, Android Chrome
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- [ ] Tablet: iPad, Android tablets
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- [ ] Various screen sizes and orientations
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```
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## Troubleshooting
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### Common Development Issues
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#### Performance Problems
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**Problem:** Game running slowly, stuttering animations
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```javascript
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// Debug: Check frame time
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function debugFrameTime() {
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const times = [];
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let lastTime = performance.now();
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function measureFrame() {
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const now = performance.now();
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times.push(now - lastTime);
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lastTime = now;
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if (times.length > 60) {
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const avg = times.reduce((a, b) => a + b) / times.length;
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console.log(`Average frame time: ${avg.toFixed(2)}ms`);
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times.length = 0;
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}
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requestAnimationFrame(measureFrame);
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}
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measureFrame();
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}
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```
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**Solutions:**
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- Reduce particle count
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- Optimize drawing operations
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- Use `requestAnimationFrame` properly
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- Check for memory leaks
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#### Touch Controls Not Working
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**Problem:** Mobile touch events not registering properly
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```javascript
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// Solution: Prevent default touch behavior
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canvas.addEventListener('touchstart', (e) => {
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e.preventDefault(); // Prevent scrolling
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// Handle touch
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}, { passive: false });
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canvas.addEventListener('touchmove', (e) => {
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e.preventDefault(); // Prevent scrolling
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// Handle drag
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}, { passive: false });
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```
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---
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**Remember:** This is a living document. Update it as the game evolves and you discover new patterns or solutions!
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