iron-requiem/docs/VISION.md

VISION.md — Iron Requiem

Goal

A 2D top-down pixel art tank bullet hell web game, deployable as static files.

Why Build

Single-developer homelab project. Web-first (Phaser 3), zero server costs, no backend.

Guiding Principles

• Technology: Phaser 3, 2D Canvas only. NOT Babylon.js, NOT 3D.
• State: Client-only state. All player data in IndexedDB. Server hosts static assets.
• Aesthetic: Gritty pixel art. 640x360 canvas, integer-scaled. 10-color palette.
• Delivery: Vertical slice delivery. Each slice is a playable, deployed build.
• Quality: Test-driven. Every mechanic has automated tests before code.
• Ops: Docker + Traefik for deployment. Cloudflare Tunnel for public access.

What Ships (Per-Slice)

• Slice 1 (The Machine): Tank physics (inertia/friction), periscope mask, one bullet hell pattern, save/load (IndexedDB).
• Slice 2 (The Combat): Full combat loop (all enemy types, complex bullet patterns, ammo system).
• Slice 3 (The Crew): Crew morale system, Iron Ledger, radio interception, heat/freeze-thaw cycle.
• Slice 4 (The Campaign): Full campaign, zone progression, narrative cutscenes, vehicle upgrades.

Deferred

• Multiplayer / Co-op.
• Cloud saves (server-side storage).
• Mobile native wrapper.
• Native controller support (Keyboard/Mouse primary).