The design document is structured differently from previous documents. Instead of splitting apart core and nice-to-have features, I will list a feature along with a simple and complex implementation (complex will be bolded). All the features willl be required, so I will shoot for simple implementation first, and then try to grow into complex implementations, time permitting.

(Quick) Game Design Document for the September 7th game

High Level:

Browser-based, turn-based single player RPG combat game

(some) Details

Player engages in a combat encounter

• Game randomly assigns a combat encounter
• Or, Player can navigate using arrow keys, and try to engage/disengage with computer-controlled characters

Turn-based Combat

• Standard RPG Combat (Player and AI each choose an action, action resolves between turns)
• Add additional strategic complexity, for example by providing options that "counter" each-other (think rock-paper-scisors)

Winning combat provides a reward

• Get some amount of wealth
• Also, get EXP, which can be used to improve character

Goal of the game

• Accumulate wealth
• Or, Total accumulated wealth is measured, and wealth may be spent to invest in-game (more characters, access to harder, more rewarding fights, etc)

Reflections

Unlike previous games, this one is being released as a work-in-progress

During delelopment, I cut fewer corners than I did in my previous projects, specifically with an emphasis on making components which can be (relatively) easily updated to a newer version. This will allow for me to add in content over time, with a minimal amount of rewriting.

The game is being released right now as version 0.1.0 - I intend to further extend the game, adding new items, abilities, enemies, allies, and features, over time. The title page of the game will display the version of the game, and I'll also post updates indicating when new versions come out.