# Space Game — Project Overview

## Concept

A 2D pixel-art top-down space shooter inspired by **Subspace Continuum**, built for **Steam Deck and PC**. Two human factions — Inner Sphere Navy (disciplined military) and Outer Rim Collective (scrappy belters), not aliens — fight for control of a galaxy inside the tight corridors of factories, refineries, and shipyards. Fast matchmaking like Rocket League — quick in, quick out.

## Core Loop

1. Launch → Main Menu
2. Enter callsign (PROFILE overlay, auto-opens first time) → click QUICK PLAY
3. World loads → pick your faction (both offered every match) → pick your ship
4. Fight in a 25v25 battle
5. Return to main menu

## Game Modes

| Mode | Size | Status |
|------|------|--------|
| Casual | 25v25 (bots fill to 7v7 minimum) | Live |
| Ranked | 5v5, competitive MMR | Removed (not just disabled) until it's real — see `CLAUDE.md` Current Tasks |

## Current Game Flow (as built)

```
Main Menu (HL2-style vertical nav: QUICK PLAY / SERVER SELECT / OPTIONS / PROFILE / QUIT)
  └─ QUICK PLAY ──► matchmaking queue (casual) ──► World loads (game active)
       (SERVER SELECT skips the queue, connects to a picked server directly)
                  └─ TeamSelect overlay appears
                       ├─ Pick faction  (both offered every match)
                       └─ Pick ship  (3 available, sprites shown)
                            └─ Player spawns centred, invincible briefly, flies in from a random direction
                                 └─ ESC / Start ──► Pause menu overlay
                                      ├─ RESUME
                                      ├─ SETTINGS (live — audio, frame-rate cap, vsync, window mode, colorblind mode, key rebinding)
                                      ├─ SELECT TEAM (live — reopens TeamSelect mid-match, swaps faction/ship with a fresh respawn)
                                      ├─ QUIT TO MENU
                                      └─ QUIT TO DESKTOP
```

## Factions

2 playable factions (a third, Apex Dynamics, was cut to simplify the art pipeline) — see `racesclasses.md`. Each faction has 3 ship classes:

| Class | Role |
|-------|------|
| Fighter | Single, high-precision, high-damage shot |
| Gunner | Rapid-fire spray/burst, more shots for less damage each |
| Tank | Bigger and slower; fires both bullets and missiles |

Factions are visually distinct — critical for reading a 25v25 battlefield at a glance.

## Match Setup

- Both factions are fielded every match (order they're presented in is randomized)
- Player picks which of the 2 they fight for, then picks their ship
- Bot fill ensures a minimum of **7v7** in casual; no bots added beyond that
- Each ship has an energy pool spent on firing (Fighter 100/Gunner 150/Tank 250 max, regenerating over time) alongside health — see `CLAUDE.md` item 23

## Design Philosophy

- Maps inspired by CSGO — tight, intentional, not the sprawling Subspace Trench Wars layout
- 10 maps at launch (small for ranked, medium/large for casual)
- All art: pixel art
- Platform primary: Steam Deck (1280×800, controller-first)