neural-nexus-claude-project/knowledge-base/development/feature-roadmap.md

Neural Nexus Feature Roadmap

Current Status: Prototype Stage

✅ Completed Features (v1.0)

• Core Game Mechanics

  • Node connection system with click/drag interaction
  • Level generation with progressive difficulty
  • Timer-based challenge system
  • Score calculation with time bonuses
  • Visual feedback with particle effects

• User Interface

  • Modern glassmorphism design
  • Responsive layout for desktop/mobile
  • Real-time stats display (level, score, timer)
  • Level completion animations

• Performance

  • 60fps on desktop, 30+fps on mobile
  • Efficient Canvas 2D rendering
  • Memory management with object pooling
  • Cross-browser compatibility

• Technical Foundation

  • Single-file deployment (index.html)
  • Vanilla JavaScript ES6+ architecture
  • Object-oriented game entities (Node, Connection classes)
  • Event-driven input system

🔄 Phase 1: Core Enhancement (Weeks 1-2)

Priority 1: Audio System

Status: Planning Effort: 8-10 hours Dependencies: None

Features:

• Web Audio API integration
• Sound effects for core interactions:
  • Node selection/hover (subtle electronic blip)
  • Connection creation (satisfying snap sound)
  • Connection failure (gentle error tone)
  • Level completion (triumphant sequence)
• Audio volume controls
• Mute functionality for accessibility

Technical Requirements:

• Lightweight audio files (<50KB total)
• Mobile browser compatibility (iOS Safari, Android Chrome)
• Efficient audio context management
• Non-blocking audio loading

Priority 2: Save System

Status: Planning
Effort: 6-8 hours Dependencies: None

Features:

• Progress persistence using localStorage
• High score tracking (local)
• Level unlock system
• Settings preservation (audio, difficulty preferences)
• Data compression for storage efficiency

Technical Requirements:

• Storage limit management (stay under 5MB)
• Data versioning for future compatibility
• Graceful fallback if localStorage unavailable
• Export/import functionality for data portability

Priority 3: Tutorial System

Status: Planning Effort: 8-12 hours Dependencies: None

Features:

• Interactive first-time user onboarding
• Overlay tutorials for each game mechanic
• Progressive disclosure of advanced features
• Skip option for returning players
• Contextual help system

Technical Requirements:

• Non-intrusive overlay system
• Touch-friendly tutorial interactions
• Keyboard navigation support
• State management for tutorial progress

Priority 4: Mobile Polish

Status: In Progress Effort: 4-6 hours Dependencies: None

Features:

• Improved touch responsiveness
• Haptic feedback (where supported)
• Better landscape/portrait orientation handling
• Optimized touch target sizes (44px minimum)
• Gesture conflict resolution

🚀 Phase 2: Advanced Features (Weeks 3-6)

Power-Up System

Status: Concept Effort: 12-16 hours Dependencies: Save system

Features:

• Hint power-up (reveals one correct connection)
• Time extension power-up (+15 seconds)
• Pattern preview power-up (briefly shows full solution)
• Connection magnet (easier targeting)
• Power-up earn/purchase mechanics

Achievement System

Status: Concept Effort: 8-10 hours Dependencies: Save system

Features:

• Progress-based achievements (levels completed, scores achieved)
• Skill-based achievements (perfect completions, speed runs)
• Discovery achievements (hidden patterns, easter eggs)
• Achievement notifications and celebration effects
• Achievement gallery/showcase

Visual Enhancement

Status: Concept Effort: 10-12 hours Dependencies: Performance optimization

Features:

• Enhanced particle systems for different events
• Node animation improvements (breathing, energy flow)
• Connection animation polish (energy traveling)
• Level transition effects
• Background animation subtleties

Level Editor

Status: Research Effort: 16-20 hours Dependencies: Core refactoring

Features:

• Drag-and-drop node placement
• Connection pattern drawing
• Level validation and testing
• Community sharing capabilities (future)
• Import/export functionality

🌟 Phase 3: Platform Expansion (Weeks 7-12)

Progressive Web App (PWA)

Status: Research Effort: 12-15 hours Dependencies: Service worker implementation

Features:

• Offline gameplay capability
• App-like installation experience
• Home screen shortcuts
• Background sync for scores/progress
• Push notifications for challenges

Social Features

Status: Concept Effort: 20-25 hours Dependencies: Backend service

Features:

• Score sharing and leaderboards
• Challenge friends functionality
• Daily/weekly puzzle challenges
• Community-created level sharing
• Social achievement system

Analytics Integration

Status: Planning Effort: 6-8 hours Dependencies: Privacy compliance

Features:

• Player behavior analytics (level completion rates, popular patterns)
• Performance monitoring (frame rates, crash reporting)
• A/B testing framework for UI/UX improvements
• Privacy-focused data collection

Mobile App Distribution

Status: Research Effort: 15-20 hours Dependencies: Capacitor/Cordova setup

Features:

• iOS App Store distribution
• Android Play Store distribution
• Native device integrations (haptics, notifications)
• In-app purchase system (for power-ups/cosmetics)

🔧 Technical Debt & Refactoring

Code Organization

Priority: Medium Effort: 8-10 hours

Tasks:

• Split single-file architecture into modules
• Implement proper TypeScript for type safety
• Create build system for development vs production
• Add automated testing framework

Performance Optimization

Priority: High Effort: 6-8 hours

Tasks:

• Implement WebGL rendering for complex scenes
• Advanced object pooling for all game entities
• Render pipeline optimization
• Memory leak prevention improvements

Accessibility Improvements

Priority: High Effort: 10-12 hours

Tasks:

• Screen reader support with ARIA labels
• Keyboard navigation for all interactions
• High contrast mode support
• Reduced motion options for accessibility
• Colorblind-friendly design alternatives

📊 Success Metrics by Phase

Phase 1 Success Criteria

• Audio system increases player engagement by 20%
• Save system enables 60%+ players to return for second session
• Tutorial reduces player drop-off in first 3 levels by 50%
• Mobile polish maintains 30+fps on target devices

Phase 2 Success Criteria

• Power-ups increase average session time by 25%
• Achievement system improves player retention to 40%+
• Visual enhancements maintain performance targets
• Level editor enables community content creation

Phase 3 Success Criteria

• PWA installation rate >15% of players
• Social features drive viral coefficient >1.1
• Mobile app store ratings >4.0 stars
• Monthly active users >10,000

🎯 Current Sprint Focus

This Week (Week of June 13, 2025)

1. Audio System Foundation - Web Audio API integration and basic sound effects
2. Mobile Touch Optimization - Improve responsiveness and gesture handling
3. Save System Planning - Architecture design and localStorage strategy

Next Week

1. Audio System Completion - All sound effects implemented and tested
2. Save System Implementation - Progress persistence and high scores
3. Tutorial System Design - UX flow and overlay system architecture

Risk Assessment

• Technical Risk: Audio system compatibility across browsers (Medium)
• Scope Risk: Feature creep affecting core gameplay quality (Low - well managed)
• Performance Risk: New features impacting frame rate (Medium - requires monitoring)
• User Risk: Changes affecting existing player experience (Low - additive features)

📅 Release Planning

v1.1 (Phase 1 Complete)

• Target: End of June 2025
• Features: Audio, Save System, Tutorial, Mobile Polish
• Focus: Enhanced core experience

v1.2 (Phase 2 Complete)

• Target: End of July 2025
• Features: Power-ups, Achievements, Visual Enhancement, Level Editor
• Focus: Extended gameplay and creativity

v2.0 (Phase 3 Complete)

• Target: End of August 2025
• Features: PWA, Social Features, Mobile Apps
• Focus: Platform expansion and community

This roadmap is a living document and will be updated based on player feedback, technical discoveries, and changing priorities.