Neural Hack

CONTROLS: - Desktop: - W Key / Up Arrow: Move up - A Key / Left Arrow: Move left - S Key / Down Arrow: Move down - D Key / Right Arrow: Move right - Backspace Key: Kill -9 Neural Hack (reset/restart from backtrace) - Any Key: Start game from intro screen - Mobile/Tablet: - Touch and Swipe: Swipe in direction to move (up, down, left, right) - Touch End: Triggers fullscreen request on first touch - Touch Cancel: Releases movement button BASIC MECHANICS: 1. Movement System: - Four-directional movement using WASD or arrow keys - Movement speed: U = 5 units per frame - Smooth position updates based on input - Movement vector tracked for drawing and camera - Player position stored as (x, y) coordinates 2. Time Limit: - 13 seconds (260 ticks at 20 ticks per second) to complete each level - Timer displayed in HUD (timer text element) - Timer starts when level begins (state 2) - Game over when timer reaches 260 ticks - Death occurs when time runs out 3. Ghost/Backtrace System: - Movement history recorded during each attempt - Previous attempts replay as ghost movements - Ghosts follow recorded movement path - Up to 4 ghosts visible simultaneously - Ghosts removed when path completes - Use ghost paths to learn optimal routes - Backtrace system allows learning from failures 4. Collision Detection: - Wall collision detection prevents passing through walls - Collision checking with line segments (wall segments) - Player radius: N = 10 units - Collision pushes player back when hitting walls - Collision response returns adjusted position 5. Door System: - Doors controlled by switches - Closed doors block movement (collision detection) - Open doors allow passage - Doors toggle open/closed state via switches - Multiple doors can be controlled by switches - Door states persist during level 6. Switch System: - Switches activate when player moves over them - Switch types: - Single: Toggle once, stays activated - Momentary: Activates while pressed, deactivates when released - Others: Decrement press count when released - Switch activation radius: _ = 15 units (plus player radius) - Switches control door targets - Switch pressed counter tracks activation state 7. Level Structure: - Multiple levels with increasing difficulty - Each level has: start position, end position, walls, doors, switches - Level data includes polygon walls and door polygons - End point must be reached to complete level - Last level is "THE MEMORY CORE" - Level progression: Level 1, Level 2, etc., then final memory core 8. Victory Condition: - Reach end point of level to complete - End point detection: distance < (player radius + _ = 25 units) - Level completion sets completed flag - Victory triggers win state and progression - Final victory after memory core level 9. Death/Restart System: - Death occurs when timer expires (260 ticks) - Death occurs when hitting walls (if fatal) - Backspace key triggers immediate death - Death triggers backtrace replay - Ghost movements replay previous attempt - Game resets after backtrace completes 10. Camera System: - Camera follows player position - Camera tracks movement vector for smooth following - Camera scale adjusts (starts at 1.5, can zoom) - Camera reset on level load - Smooth camera transitions 11. Level Interaction: - Player interacts with level geometry (walls, doors) - Interaction function handles collision and switches - Movement blocked by closed doors - Switches activated by proximity and movement - Interaction calculates valid movement vectors 12. Ghost Movement: - Ghosts replay recorded movement history - Ghost position updates based on recorded path - Ghosts interact with switches (trigger switch activation) - Ghost removed when path completes or reaches end - Ghost dead flag set when removed 13. Timer Display: - Timer shown in HUD as numeric value - Timer increments every tick (20 ticks per second) - Timer display: x / 20 (converts ticks to seconds) - Timer visible during gameplay (state 1, 2, 3, 4) 14. Level Display: - Level name shown in HUD: "Level X" or "THE MEMORY CORE" - Level text fades in with opacity animation - Level name updates when loading new level - Level indicator helps track progress 15. Visual Rendering: - WebGL-based rendering with shaders - Level geometry rendered with colors - Player rendered as moving entity - Ghosts rendered with different appearance - Switches render with visual feedback (pressed state) - Background rendered with effects 16. Game States: - State 0: Title/intro screen - State 1: Level ready (preparation) - State 2: Active gameplay (timer running) - State 3: Death/backtrace replay - State 4: Victory/level complete - State 5: End screen (game complete) 17. Backtrace Replay: - Movement history stored in array - Replay moves player backward through history - Replay continues until history exhausted or player moved far enough - After replay, ghost added and level reset - Maximum 4 ghosts tracked 18. Switch Activation: - Switches detect player entering activation radius - Entering switch triggers activation (press counter increments) - Leaving switch may deactivate (depending on type) - Activation toggles target doors - Switch sound effects play (switchDown, switchUp) 19. Door Polygon System: - Doors defined as polygon line segments - Closed doors check collision against door polygon - Open doors skip collision checking - Door state persists throughout level attempt 20. Wall Segment System: - Walls defined as arrays of connected points - Each wall segment checked for collision - Collision detection along line segments - Multiple walls can form complex level geometry STRATEGIC TIPS: - Learn from Ghosts: Watch ghost movements from previous attempts. Ghosts show optimal paths learned through trial and error. - Time Management: You have exactly 13 seconds. Plan your route quickly and move efficiently without hesitation. - Switch Timing: Activate switches as you pass over them. Don't backtrack unnecessarily - switches open doors needed for progression. - Door Planning: Identify which switches control which doors. Plan route to activate switches in correct order. - Movement Efficiency: Move directly toward objectives. Minimize unnecessary movements to save time. - Ghost Learning: Use death and backtrace to learn. Each attempt teaches optimal movement patterns through ghost replay. - Switch Types: Understand switch types. Single switches stay active, momentary switches require continuous presence. - Collision Awareness: Learn wall positions from collisions. Collision feedback helps memorize level layout. - Backspace Strategy: Use Backspace to restart quickly if you know you'll fail. Don't waste time on doomed attempts. - End Point Focus: Always move toward end point. Don't explore unnecessarily - focus on reaching the goal. ADVANCED TECHNIQUES: - Ghost Path Optimization: Study ghost paths to find shortcuts. Optimal paths emerge from multiple attempts. - Switch Sequence Mastery: Learn switch activation sequences. Some switches must be activated in specific order. - Movement Recording: Understand how movements are recorded. Each frame records movement vector for ghost playback. - Door Bypass: Use ghost paths that bypass closed doors. Ghosts may show alternative routes. - Time Optimization: Minimize time by taking direct routes. Every frame counts toward 260-tick limit. - Multi-Ghost Strategy: Use multiple ghosts to identify best path. Compare ghost performances to find optimal route. - Switch Coordination: Coordinate multiple switches efficiently. Activate switches in sequence that minimizes backtracking. - Collision Minimization: Avoid unnecessary collisions. Collisions slow movement and waste time. - Path Memory: Memorize successful paths. Remember routes that complete levels within time limit. - End Game Precision: Approach end point precisely. Exact positioning ensures level completion detection. WINNING AND PROGRESSION: - Level Completion: Complete each level by reaching end point within 13 seconds. Each level completed unlocks next challenge. - Progress Tracking: Progress through numbered levels (Level 1, Level 2, etc.). Level progression leads to memory core. - Memory Core Victory: Complete final "THE MEMORY CORE" level to achieve ultimate victory. Memory core completion frees humanity. - Time Mastery: Complete levels faster through practice. Improved times demonstrate skill development. - Ghost Mastery: Successfully use ghost backtraces to navigate. Ghost system enables learning from failures. - Pattern Recognition: Learn level patterns and optimal routes. Pattern knowledge speeds up completion. - Switch Mastery: Master switch activation sequences. Understanding switches enables efficient navigation. - Movement Efficiency: Develop efficient movement patterns. Smooth, direct movement saves time. - Death Recovery: Learn from deaths through backtrace system. Each death teaches lessons through ghost replay. - Ultimate Victory: Complete all levels including memory core. Full completion represents mastery of the game. Enjoy infiltrating the alien network in Neural Hack and freeing humanity from slavery!