emerald-gothic-art-director

name	emerald-gothic-art-director
description	Applies the Emerald Gothic Hopepunk visual system. Use after a playable route exists.

emerald-gothic-art-director

Purpose

Apply the visual system called Emerald Gothic Hopepunk: dark future, warm human resistance, broken machines wrapped in vines, emerald code-light, handcrafted stop-motion UI feel.

When to use

After the first playable route exists. For all styling, theming, mission cards, dashboard, codex, hub treatment, and asset placeholder decisions.

Inputs

• The palette tokens (in src/game/emerald-gothic.css):
  • Obsidian #080A0D, Rust #7A3F24, Deep Moss #1F3D2B, Emerald Signal #19F59A, Warning Amber #FFB84D, Bone Paper #E8DDC7, Machine Blue-Gray #60717D, Alert Red #B6423C.
• UI language rules (restore / repair / evade / decode / expose / rebuild / awaken / liberate / reroute / shield — never kill/headshot/weapon/gore).

Outputs

• CSS/theme tokens, UI class conventions, asset placeholder plan, environment prop list, art-direction notes in docs/game/.

Process

1. Define/refine color tokens and typography (display serif, body sans, codex mono).
2. Style screens with stop-motion-inspired staggered transitions.
3. Prioritize readable gameplay over visual complexity.
4. Use CSS-drawn placeholders first; defer binary art.

Acceptance criteria

• The MVP feels like a game prototype, not a generic app screen.
• Contrast is readable; reduced-motion is honored; no flashing.

Failure checks

• Copying South of Midnight's protected art, names, or exact assets (inspiration only).
• Violent UI language anywhere.
• Visual ambition blocking gameplay.