mnml/WORKLOG.md

# WORK WORK
## NOW

*PRODUCTION*

* can't reset password without knowing password =\

* look into ruin event bug

* Graphics
  * Img
  * Skill Icons
  * Buttons / General UI Theming
  * Front Page
  * Power / Speed / Life Icons - "Make use of piggybacking"
      - Power (e.g. lightning bolt)
      - Speed (e.g. boots)
      - Life (e.g. heart)

* audio
  * background music
  * animation effects
  * vbox combine / buy / equip etc

* reclaim change colour from red (clashes with red items)

* represent construct colours during game phase (coloured border?)
* supporter gold name in instance (anyone whos put any money into game)

* Give the bots some ai / make stronger so its a challenge for new people to beat
  - train a few games of with some round losses to get them into the game

* Speed up animations slightly (3s per normal event too long)
  - Improve combat text to start at the opposite end of construct and float towards health stats
  - Show combat text for skill cast possibly? Watch some pokemans etc for modern combat smoothing

## SOON

* vbox + inventory smart combine select
  - rework combine button to universal buy
  - becomes combine with buy cost when valid combo selected

* buy from preview if you have the required bases in vbox / inventory
    - a "buy" becomes available under the current info / preview section
    - clicking the buy automatically purchases / combine items
    - could also be used to upgrade already equipped skills / specs
    - e.g. an equipped white power spec could be upgraded by clicking under preview
    - if this was added we could reduce inventory size to 3 and rearrange vbox (see mockup img)

* reduce inventory size and consolidate vbox and inventory on left side

* change cooldowns to delay & recharge
  - delay is cooldown before skill can first be used
  - recharge is cooldown after using skill
  - every x speed reduces delay of skills

* combo rework
  - reduce number of items for creating t2/t3 items from 3 -> 2
  - add lost complexity by adding skill spec items
  - Created by combining a skill with corresponding spec
    e.g.
      - Strike + PowerRR -> StrikePower (Will be the power symbol with strike text under)
        - Construct does Y% more damage with Strike
      - Strike + SpeedRR -> StrikeSpeed (strike has Y% more speed)
      - Strike + LifeRR -> StrikeLife (Strike recharges X% of damage as red life)

    - Can also work as module style passive keystones 
        * troll life -> dmg -> Invert life spec?
        * prince of peace 
          * bonus healing / no damage -> Heal power spec?
        * fuck magic -> Some sort of reflect spec?
        * empower on ko -> Amplify + Power spec

* elo + leaderboards
* reconnect based on time delta

* ACP
  * essential

## LATER

* Graphical status effects instead of text

* theme toasts

* rework vecs into sets
  * constructs
  * effects
    * parent
    * children

* remove names so games/instances are copy
* consolidate game and instance

* Energy generators / spenders
  - Current skills generate team wide red / blue / green energy
  - New special skill base consumes team energy to do "special" powerful moves
  - Working as cooldowns in reverse by building up to the skill rather than waiting

* constants
* (maybe) return of the combat log (last few events with condensed descriptions)
    - click in to scroll

* mnml tv



## $$$
* Items
  * instead of red noise, red and black bar gradient
  * eth adapter
  *sets*
    * illusions
    * vaporwave
    * crop circles
    * insects
    * sacred geometry
    * skulls / day of the dead
    * Aztec
    * youkai
    * Industrial
  * Colour scheme
    * targeting highlight colour
* Highlight (dota) colour
* fx colours + styles
* treats
  * client animation bpm
  * background colour changes depending on time of day

# Mechanics
* 10d chaos maths, not rock paper scissors
* phys is faster and chaotic
* spells are slow and reliable
* defensives are implicit
  * red_life is restored, not gained
  * players can feel aggressive

- build archtypes
  fast blue
  slow blue
  red + aggro green
  blue + defensive green

# Mechanic Ideas
players
1v1 2v2 3v3

gem td style attr combinations
  stoney + spikey = jagged

  plants
  animals
  viruses
  fungus
  artificial
  elementals

  techno artists for the soundtrack

  slimey
  ghostly

# Principles
* Experience something
* Express something
* Prove something

* 1: Fighting against human nature is a losing game
* 2: Aesthetics matter
* 3: Resonance is important
* 4: Make use of piggybacking
* 5: Don't confuse "interesting" with "fun"
* 6: Understand what emotion your game is trying to evoke
* 7: Allow the players the skill to make the game personal
* 8: The details are where the players fall in love with your game
* 9: Allow your players to have a sense of ownership
* 10: Leave room for the player to explore
* 11: If everyone likes your game, but no one loves it, it will fail
* 12: Don't design to prove you can do something
* 13: Make the fun part also the correct strategy to win
* 14: Don't be afraid to be blunt
* 15: Design the component for its intended audience
* 16: Be more afraid of boring your players than challenging them
* 17: You don't have to change much to change everything
* 18: Restrictions breed creativity
* 19: Your audience is good at recognizing problems and bad at solving them
* 20: All the lessons connect