gd-design-game-loop

name	gd-design-game-loop
description	Core gameplay loop design documentation. Use when defining the core gameplay loop, mapping the player experience over time, designing session structures, or identifying pacing issues.

Game Loop Design

Core Loop Template

# Core Loop Specification v[X.X]
**Last Updated:** YYYY-MM-DD
**Owners:** [Designers]

## Loop Overview

[PRE-GAME] → [SESSION] → [POST-GAME] → [LOOP BACK]

## Session Structure

### Pre-Game Phase
**Duration:** [Target time]

**Player Actions:**
1. [Action 1]
2. [Action 2]
3. [Action 3]

**Emotional Beat:** [Feeling player has]

**Objectives:**
- [Goal 1]
- [Goal 2]

---

### Session Start (0:00 - [X:XX])

**State:** Players [enter spawn/start]
**Objectives:** [Initial goals]
**Threats:** [What can hurt players]
**Emotional Beat:** [Feeling]

**Key Events:**
- [X:XX] - [Event 1]
- [Y:YY] - [Event 2]

---

### Early Game ([X:XX] - [Y:YY])

**State:** [Game state description]
**Objectives:** [What players should do]
**Threats:** [What challenges exist]
**Emotional Beat:** [Feeling]

---

### Mid Game ([Y:YY] - [Z:ZZ])

**State:** [Game state description]
**Objectives:** [What players should do]
**Threats:** [What challenges exist]
**Emotional Beat:** [Feeling]

---

### Late Game ([Z:ZZ] - [End])

**State:** [Game state description]
**Objectives:** [Final objectives]
**Threats:** [Maximum challenges]
**Emotional Beat:** [Feeling]

---

### End Game

**Victory Conditions:**
- [Condition 1]
- [Condition 2]

**Defeat Conditions:**
- [Condition 1]
- [Condition 2]

**Rewards:**
- [What players earn]
- [Progression updates]

---

## Post-Game Phase

**Duration:** [Target time]

**Player Actions:**
1. [Action 1]
2. [Action 2]

**Emotional Beat:** [Feeling]

**Session Loop:** [What brings players back]

Loop Design Principles

Engagement

Keep players engaged by:

• Immediate action - Something to do right away
• Clear goals - Know what to do next
• Meaningful choices - Decisions that matter
• Feedback - See results of actions

Pacing

Create tension through:

• Buildup - Escalate towards climax
• Variation - Mix fast/slow moments
• Surprises - Unexpected events
• Release - Tension breaks

Progression

Enable growth through:

• Learning - Skills improve over time
• Unlocking - New content available
• Building - Accumulate resources
• Advancing - Move through content

Session Flow Diagrams

Text-Based Flow

┌─────────┐
│ LOBBY   │
└────┬────┘
     │
     ▼
┌─────────┐
│ MATCH   │◄──────────────────────┐
└────┬────┘                        │
     │                            │
     ├──────────┬─────────┐      │
     │          │         │      │
     ▼          ▼         ▼      ▼
┌────────┐ ┌───────┐ ┌──────┐ ┌──────┐
│EXPLORE│ │FIGHT  │ │LOOT  │ │OBJ   │
└────────┘ └───────┘ └──────┘ └──────┘
     │          │         │      │
     └──────────┴─────────┴──────┘
                    │
                    ▼
              ┌─────────┐
              │EXTRACT  │
              └─────────┘
                    │
                    ▼
              ┌─────────┐
              │ SUMMARY │
              └────┬────┘
                   │
                   ▼
              ┌─────────┐
              │  LOBBY  │
              └─────────┘

Common Loop Patterns

Round-Based

Discrete turns with planning phases:

1. Plan phase
2. Execution phase
3. Resolution phase
4. Reward phase

Real-Time

Continuous action with moments:

1. Constant engagement
2. Peaks and valleys
3. No pausing
4. Immediate feedback

Session-Based

Complete matches with:

1. Preparation phase
2. Main gameplay
3. Conclusion phase
4. Summary/rewards

Loop Review Checklist

Before finalizing the core loop:

• Minute-by-minute flow documented
• Session phases defined
• Emotional beats mapped
• Pacing is appropriate
• Engagement maintained
• Goals are clear
• Feedback is immediate
• Win/lose conditions defined
• Progression tied to loop
• Technical feasibility confirmed

---

Multiplayer State Synchronization (NEW - 2026-01-28)

Design considerations for server-authoritative multiplayer games.

State Authority Model

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                      SERVER AUTHORITATIVE                     │
│  ┌─────────────┐    ┌─────────────┐    ┌─────────────┐     │
│  │  Game State │◄───│   Physics   │◄───│   Player    │     │
│  │   (Truth)   │    │  Simulation │    │   Inputs    │     │
│  └─────────────┘    └─────────────┘    └─────────────┘     │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
         │                                          │
         │ State sync (20Hz)                        │ Input (client)
         ▼                                          ▼
┌─────────────────┐                     ┌─────────────────────┐
│  CLIENT STATE   │                     │   PREDICTED STATE   │
│  (Display only) │                     │   (Immediate feedback)│
└─────────────────┘                     └─────────────────────┘

State Design Principles

Server State (Authoritative):

• Player positions (x, y, z, rotation)
• Health, armor, weapon state
• Match state (lobby, playing, ended)
• Projectile positions and velocities

Client State (Predicted):

• Local player position (client-side prediction)
• Visual effects (immediate feedback)
• UI state (local only)

Shared State (Synced):

• Match scores
• Leaderboard
• Player alive/dead status

State Update Categories

Category	Update Rate	Authority	Rollback
Player Input	Client → Server (immediate)	Client	No
Player Position	Server → Client (20Hz)	Server	Yes
Health/Armor	Server → Client (on change)	Server	Yes
Visual Effects	Client only	Client	No
Match State	Server → Client (on change)	Server	No

Prediction vs Reconciliation

Client sends input → Client predicts result → Display immediately
                      ↓
                      Server processes input → Sends correction
                      ↓
                      Client reconciles (smooth correction)

Design Checklist for Multiplayer Features

Before adding gameplay features:

• Is this feature server-authoritative or client-authoritative?
• What happens if state sync is delayed (100ms+ latency)?
• Can this feature exploit prediction/reconciliation?
• What visual feedback is needed during network delays?
• Does this feature need rollback support?

State Management for Multiplayer

Store Structure:

src/store/
├── connectionStore.ts  - Server connection status
├── playerStore.ts      - Local player state (predicted)
├── matchStore.ts       - Match/server state (authoritative)
└── uiStore.ts          - UI state (local only)

Integration Points:

• connectionStore.sessionId - Unique player identifier
• playerStore.position - Predicted local position
• matchStore.players - Server-authoritative player list
• matchStore.leaderboard - Synced match state

Sources:

• https://docs.colyseus.io/state
• https://docs.colyseus.io/state/best-practices
• Learned from arch-002 retrospective (2026-01-28)