Roadmap

Roadmap

This roadmap summarizes the most reasonable next steps based on the current project state and the checked-in reports.

The written report recommends productization rather than redesign. The core rules work; the next work should make the game easier to learn, easier to host, easier to share, and easier to package for a small public audience.

Near-Term Gameplay and UX

• Add a stronger first-run tutorial so new players can learn the draft, Traversing, and Appeasing Pan without outside explanation.
• Add a simple solo tutorial opponent or guided scenario for onboarding.
• Keep improving leave, reconnect, and status messaging in two-player sessions.
• Continue polishing request popups, board readability, and mobile-sized layouts.

Deployment and Publishing

• Host a public one-link browser demo backed by the Python room server.
• Move hosted multiplayer onto stable HTTPS by default.
• Package a clean public demo build for class review, friends, and wider testing.
• Prepare trailer, screenshots, and store-facing material for a later public release.
• Use the web demo as the lead platform before testing itch.io, Steam, and mobile/tablet release paths.

Balance and Design Iteration

• Continue running AI-vs-AI balance studies after major rule changes.
• Review seat fairness, request usage, and endgame pacing after each balance pass.
• Tune AI behavior so single-player mode becomes a stronger strategic test.

Product Expansion

• Explore a web-first launch followed by desktop storefront release.
• Consider cosmetic board themes or visual packs that do not affect competitive fairness.
• Evaluate a mobile or tablet release once the browser and desktop flows are stable.
• Keep monetization cosmetic, access-based, or convenience-based so paid content does not damage competitive trust.

Engineering Extensions

• Strengthen reconnect and state recovery further for hosted multiplayer.
• Keep the engine and UI cleanly separated as new features land.
• Expand automated coverage when new requests, UI flows, or hosting modes are added.

Long-Term Opportunities

• Additional AI profiles or self-play experiments
• Classroom or educational use as a rules-engineering example
• Small tournament or community playtesting events built around the browser version

Priority Order

If time is limited, the most valuable sequence is:

1. first-run tutorial polish
2. public hosted browser demo
3. stronger AI and balance iteration
4. platform expansion and release packaging

Report Links

• Publication Case
• Testing and Balance
• Media and References