From abfa4b98b39402bf446d07598d1fc6ef3dd75867 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Anders Lehmann Pier Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2025 09:42:41 +0200 Subject: [PATCH] Add comprehensive development guide for Neural Nexus game development --- documentation/development-guide.md | 254 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 254 insertions(+) create mode 100644 documentation/development-guide.md diff --git a/documentation/development-guide.md b/documentation/development-guide.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..75d2684 --- /dev/null +++ b/documentation/development-guide.md @@ -0,0 +1,254 @@ +# Development Guide - Neural Nexus + +## Table of Contents + +1. [Project Overview](#project-overview) +2. [Architecture](#architecture) +3. [Technology Stack](#technology-stack) +4. [Development Setup](#development-setup) +5. [Project Structure](#project-structure) +6. [Development Workflow](#development-workflow) +7. [Game Design Guidelines](#game-design-guidelines) +8. [Code Standards](#code-standards) +9. [Testing Strategy](#testing-strategy) +10. [Performance Guidelines](#performance-guidelines) +11. [Deployment Process](#deployment-process) +12. [Troubleshooting](#troubleshooting) + +## Project Overview + +### Vision +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. + +### Goals +- **Primary:** Create a polished, addictive puzzle game with 50+ levels +- **Secondary:** Achieve smooth 60fps performance across all modern devices +- **Success Metrics:** + - 5+ minute average session time + - 80%+ level completion rate for first 10 levels + - <3 second load time on mobile devices + +### Target Users +- **Primary Users:** Casual puzzle game players aged 16-45 +- **Use Cases:** Quick gaming sessions, brain training, stress relief +- **User Needs:** Engaging mental challenge without complexity overload + +## Architecture + +### System Design +``` +┌─────────────────┐ ┌─────────────────┐ +│ Game UI │────▶│ Game State │ +│ (Canvas/HTML) │ │ Manager │ +└─────────────────┘ └─────────────────┘ + │ │ + ▼ ▼ +┌─────────────────┐ ┌─────────────────┐ +│ Render Engine │ │ Game Logic │ +│ (Canvas 2D API) │ │ (Nodes/Levels) │ +└─────────────────┘ └─────────────────┘ + │ │ + ▼ ▼ +┌─────────────────┐ ┌─────────────────┐ +│ Input Handler │ │ Local Storage │ +│(Mouse/Touch) │ │ (Save Data) │ +└─────────────────┘ └─────────────────┘ +``` + +### Component Relationships +- **Game State:** Central store for level progress, score, timer +- **Rendering:** Canvas-based with CSS for UI overlays +- **Input System:** Unified mouse/touch handling for connections +- **Game Objects:** Node and Connection classes with physics + +### Design Decisions +| Decision | Choice | Rationale | +|----------|--------|-----------| +| Graphics API | Canvas 2D | Excellent performance, wide compatibility, simpler than WebGL | +| State Management | Single Global Object | Sufficient for game scope, easy debugging | +| Input Handling | Event-based | Responsive feel, works across devices | +| Styling | CSS + Canvas | Leverage CSS for UI, Canvas for game graphics | + +## Technology Stack + +### Core Technologies +- **Frontend:** Vanilla HTML5, JavaScript ES6+, CSS3 +- **Graphics:** Canvas 2D API with CSS animations +- **Architecture:** Object-oriented game components +- **Storage:** LocalStorage for save data and preferences + +### Key Libraries +```json +{ + "dependencies": { + "No external dependencies": "Vanilla JS for maximum performance and control" + } +} +``` + +### Development Tools +- **Browser DevTools:** Performance profiling and debugging +- **Testing:** Manual testing across browsers and devices +- **Version Control:** Git with feature branching +- **Performance:** Lighthouse for optimization audits + +## Game Design Guidelines + +### Core Mechanics Principles +1. **Clarity:** Player immediately understands connection system +2. **Progressive Difficulty:** Each level introduces manageable challenge increase +3. **Feedback:** Visual and audio cues for all player actions +4. **Flow State:** Difficulty curve maintains engagement without frustration + +### Level Design Standards +```javascript +// Level generation guidelines +const levelDesign = { + nodes: { + minimum: 3, + maximum: 12, + progression: "gradual increase with occasional easier levels" + }, + connections: { + formula: "nodeCount - 1 + Math.floor(level / 3)", + maxComplexity: "avoid overly complex patterns" + }, + timing: { + baseTime: 60, + adjustment: "decrease by 2 seconds every 3 levels", + minimum: 30 + } +}; +``` + +### Visual Design Patterns +```css +/* Color scheme consistency */ +:root { + --primary-cyan: #00d4ff; + --secondary-magenta: #ff00ff; + --success-green: #00ff64; + --warning-orange: #ff6400; + --background-dark: #0a0a0a; + --surface-glass: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1); +} +``` + +## Performance Guidelines + +### Target Metrics +- **Frame Rate:** 60fps on desktop, 30fps+ on mobile +- **Load Time:** <3 seconds on 3G connection +- **Memory Usage:** <50MB on mobile devices +- **Bundle Size:** <1MB total (including assets) + +### Optimization Techniques + +1. **Rendering Optimization** + ```javascript + // Efficient canvas clearing + function clearCanvas() { + ctx.clearRect(0, 0, canvas.width, canvas.height); + // Better than: ctx.fillRect() for transparency + } + + // Object pooling for particles + class ParticlePool { + constructor(size = 100) { + this.pool = []; + this.active = []; + for (let i = 0; i < size; i++) { + this.pool.push(new Particle()); + } + } + + acquire() { + return this.pool.pop() || new Particle(); + } + + release(particle) { + particle.reset(); + this.pool.push(particle); + } + } + ``` + +## Testing Strategy + +### Manual Testing Checklist +```markdown +**Core Functionality:** +- [ ] Node connections work with mouse +- [ ] Node connections work with touch +- [ ] Level progression advances correctly +- [ ] Score calculation accurate +- [ ] Timer counts down properly +- [ ] Game over conditions trigger + +**Performance Testing:** +- [ ] 60fps on Desktop Chrome/Firefox/Safari +- [ ] 30fps+ on mobile devices +- [ ] No memory leaks after 10+ levels +- [ ] Smooth animations during gameplay + +**Device Compatibility:** +- [ ] Desktop: Windows/Mac/Linux browsers +- [ ] Mobile: iOS Safari, Android Chrome +- [ ] Tablet: iPad, Android tablets +- [ ] Various screen sizes and orientations +``` + +## Troubleshooting + +### Common Development Issues + +#### Performance Problems +**Problem:** Game running slowly, stuttering animations +```javascript +// Debug: Check frame time +function debugFrameTime() { + const times = []; + let lastTime = performance.now(); + + function measureFrame() { + const now = performance.now(); + times.push(now - lastTime); + lastTime = now; + + if (times.length > 60) { + const avg = times.reduce((a, b) => a + b) / times.length; + console.log(`Average frame time: ${avg.toFixed(2)}ms`); + times.length = 0; + } + + requestAnimationFrame(measureFrame); + } + + measureFrame(); +} +``` + +**Solutions:** +- Reduce particle count +- Optimize drawing operations +- Use `requestAnimationFrame` properly +- Check for memory leaks + +#### Touch Controls Not Working +**Problem:** Mobile touch events not registering properly +```javascript +// Solution: Prevent default touch behavior +canvas.addEventListener('touchstart', (e) => { + e.preventDefault(); // Prevent scrolling + // Handle touch +}, { passive: false }); + +canvas.addEventListener('touchmove', (e) => { + e.preventDefault(); // Prevent scrolling + // Handle drag +}, { passive: false }); +``` + +--- + +**Remember:** This is a living document. Update it as the game evolves and you discover new patterns or solutions! \ No newline at end of file