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game_mechanics.md

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Game Mechanics

NOTE: THIS IS OUTDATED - WAS JUST TO GET STARTED

1. Planting and Harvesting

  • Manual planting and harvesting using clicks
  • Each plot has a growth timer based on potato type and upgrades
  • Harvesting yields potatoes and Martian Spuds (MS) currency
  • Upgrades:
    • Hand Trowel: Reduces planting time
    • Automated Planter: Plants multiple plots at once
    • Harvester: Automatically harvests mature potatoes
    • Drone Harvester: Harvests remote plots
    • Self-Propelled Harvester: Harvests entire regions on a set schedule

2. Resource Management

  • Water, nutrients, and oxygen are required for potato growth
  • Each resource has a storage capacity and depletion rate based on farm size
  • Upgrades:
    • Water: Ice Melter > Solar Still > Atmospheric Condenser
    • Nutrients: Martian Dust > Composting > Nutrient Synthesizer
    • Oxygen: Photosynthesis > Algae Bioreactor > Oxygen Generator

3. Technology Progression

  • Potato-based technologies are unlocked through the research tree
  • Each tier requires a certain amount of MS and potatoes to unlock
  • Technologies:
    • Potato Chips: Increases MS value of potatoes
    • Potato Battery: Powers machines and increases efficiency
    • Potato Computer: Unlocks automation and advanced research

4. Exploration and Expansion

  • Use MS to send rovers to explore new regions of Mars
  • Discovered areas can be claimed for additional farming space
  • Regions have different soil qualities, affecting growth and yield
  • Artifacts found during exploration provide bonus MS or unique upgrades

5. Colony Management

  • Colonists arrive seeking sustenance as the farm grows
  • Each colonist requires a certain amount of potatoes per day
  • Colonists provide labor, increasing farm efficiency and unlocking new upgrades
  • Balancing potato production and colonist needs is a key challenge

6. Economy and Currency

  • Martian Spuds (MS) are earned by selling potatoes and discovering artifacts
  • MS is used to purchase upgrades, technologies, and exploration missions
  • Prices and rewards are balanced to create meaningful choices and progression

7. Procedural Generation

  • Martian landscapes and soil conditions are procedurally generated
  • Exploration events and artifacts are randomly generated to encourage exploration
  • Each playthrough offers a unique experience and new challenges

8. Game Loop and Progression

  • Plant potatoes, manage resources, harvest, earn MS, spend MS, expand, and repeat
  • Complexity and difficulty increase as the farm and colony grow
  • Prestige system allows players to reset with bonuses for added replayability

9. Mini-Games and Puzzles

  • Mini-games and puzzles for resource management and exploration
  • Provides variety and additional challenges to keep gameplay engaging

10. Save and Load System

  • Robust save and load system to allow players to continue their progress
  • Serialization is used to store game state, including farm layout, resources, and upgrades
  • Cloud saving options for cross-device play and backup

  1. Set up the project structure:

    • Create a new directory for the project
    • Initialize a new Git repository
    • Create subdirectories for js, css, and assets
    • Create the main index.html file

  2. Implement the basic game loop:

    • Create a game.js file in the js directory
    • Implement the plantPotato() function to handle potato planting
    • Implement the updateDisplay() function to update the game stats
    • Set up event listeners for the "Plant Potato" button

  3. Implement resource management:

    • Add variables for water, soilNutrients, and oxygen
    • Modify the plantPotato() function to consume resources
    • Update the updateDisplay() function to show resource levels

  4. Create the game UI:

    • Design the layout in index.html with placeholders for game elements
    • Create a style.css file in the css directory
    • Style the game elements, buttons, and resource displays

  5. Implement the research system:

    • Create a research() function in game.js
    • Add research buttons for water, soil, and oxygen
    • Implement the logic to improve resource efficiency upon research
    • Update the updateDisplay() function to show research progress

  6. Implement the upgrade system:

    • Create an upgrades.js file in the js directory
    • Define the upgrade tree structure
    • Implement the buyUpgrade() function to handle upgrades
    • Create a displayUpgrades() function to render upgrade buttons
    • Update the game UI to include an upgrades section

  7. Implement the exploration system:

    • Create an exploration.js file in the js directory
    • Implement the exploreMarsSurface() function to handle exploration
    • Create a discoverRandomEvent() function to generate random events
    • Implement the handleSpecialEvent() function to process event outcomes
    • Update the game UI to include an exploration button and display

  8. Implement the potato processing system:

    • Add variables for potatoChips, potatoBattery, and potatoComputer
    • Create functions to process potatoes into various products
    • Update the game UI to include potato processing options

  9. Implement the colony management system:

    • Add variables for colonists and potatoConsumption
    • Create functions to manage colonists and their potato needs
    • Update the game UI to display colony information

  10. Implement special events and challenges:

    • Create a specialEvents.js file in the js directory
    • Implement functions to trigger and handle special events
    • Update the game loop to periodically check for special events

  11. Polish the game:

    • Playtest and balance the game mechanics
    • Add sound effects and music
    • Create game art and animations
    • Optimize the code for performance

  12. Prepare for deployment:

    • Minify JavaScript and CSS files
    • Optimize assets for faster loading
    • Set up a build process (e.g., using Webpack or Parcel)

  13. Deploy the game:

    • Choose a hosting platform (e.g., GitHub Pages, Netlify, or Heroku)
    • Deploy the game to the selected platform
    • Ensure the game is accessible and works as expected