Research and Design Save Game System

[brylie]

Conduct research and design a save game system that enables players to save their progress reliably and efficiently. The system should be compatible with our game's architecture and designed to be user-friendly, ensuring a seamless experience for players when saving and loading game states.

Objectives

• Research Existing Solutions: Investigate existing save game systems to understand best practices and common methodologies.
• Design a Flexible System: Develop a design for a save system that is flexible, robust, and integrates smoothly with our game's specific features and requirements.
• Plan for Future Scalability: Ensure the system is scalable and can handle additional features and complexities that may be added in the future.

Requirements

• The save system must support serialization of game states, including player progress, in-game settings, and dynamic game elements.
• It should be capable of handling multiple save slots to give players options for managing different game progressions.
• Design should prioritize data integrity and minimize the risk of data loss or corruption.

Tasks

• Research Phase:
  • Review literature and case studies on popular save game systems used in similar games, particularly in the Godot engine if possible.
  • Analyze the pros and cons of various approaches, such as local storage, cloud saves, and autosaves.
• Design Documentation:
  • Create a detailed design document outlining the proposed save game system architecture.
  • Specify the data structures, storage formats, and interfaces needed for the save system.
• User Experience Design:
  • Plan the user interface for the save system, including menu integration and user interaction flows for saving and loading games.
  • Ensure the system design includes feedback mechanisms for successful saves, errors, and data restoration processes.
• Scalability and Security Planning:
  • Define strategies for data encryption and protection, especially if saves are cloud-based or include sensitive information.
  • Ensure the design allows for future expansions, such as additional save slots or cross-platform syncing.
• Feedback Collection:
  • Gather input from the development team and potential users on the proposed design through surveys or discussions.
  • Adjust the design based on feedback to improve functionality and user satisfaction.

Acceptance Criteria

• A comprehensive design document for the save game system that includes technical specifications, user interface designs, and interaction diagrams.
• The design should be validated by the development team and key stakeholders, ensuring it meets technical feasibility and user experience goals.
• A plan for future implementation steps that outlines necessary resources, potential challenges, and milestones.