diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md index 4e28c01..6861795 100644 --- a/CHANGELOG.md +++ b/CHANGELOG.md @@ -7,6 +7,10 @@ versioned release tag yet, so entries are organized as pre-alpha snapshots. ### Added +- Alpha asset shortlist for issue #175, covering Anime-Ready Semi-Real PBR + versus Full Anime Cel / Toon, recommended first import tests, candidate + player/NPC bodies, enemies, environments, shaders, purchase guidance, and + import test order. - Alpha art look-dev backlog lane: Project #5 now tracks the look-dev scene, asset shortlist, clean PBR shader recipe, Web/mobile visual budget, and body rig/animation compatibility validation issues for the Anime-Ready Semi-Real diff --git a/ROADMAP.md b/ROADMAP.md index 5d319ea..6e8c310 100644 --- a/ROADMAP.md +++ b/ROADMAP.md @@ -120,6 +120,9 @@ Recommended views: - [x] Art look-dev execution backlog seeded with Project #5 issues for the isolated look-dev scene, asset shortlist, clean PBR shader recipe, Web/mobile visual budget, and body rig/animation compatibility validation. +- [x] Alpha asset shortlist documented for issue #175, including style-fork + comparison, recommended first import tests, purchase guidance, and import + test order for player/NPC bodies, enemies, environments, and shaders. - [x] Backend tests for Nakama runtime behavior and model-backed fallback. - [x] Unity project baseline upgraded to Unity `6000.5.0b9`. - [x] Local Nakama runtime smoke-tested with the current TypeScript module. @@ -379,6 +382,8 @@ prototype. [#176](https://github.com/DOS/Second-Spawn/issues/176), Web/mobile budget [#177](https://github.com/DOS/Second-Spawn/issues/177), and body rig/action compatibility [#178](https://github.com/DOS/Second-Spawn/issues/178). +- [x] Complete the issue #175 asset shortlist in + `docs/design/41-alpha-asset-shortlist.md`. - [ ] Build alpha work in the milestone order from `docs/design/33-alpha-production-backlog.md`: A0 stabilization, A1 Body Hall, A2 Relay Yard facility loop, A3 Mission Board, A4 Gate combat, A5 diff --git a/docs/SUMMARY.md b/docs/SUMMARY.md index 9a83bd6..0827411 100644 --- a/docs/SUMMARY.md +++ b/docs/SUMMARY.md @@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ - [Alpha Design Decision Register](design/38-alpha-design-decision-register.md) - [Alpha Stats and Skills Design](design/39-alpha-stats-and-skills-design.md) - [Soul Skill Carryover and Sync Design](design/40-soul-skill-carryover-and-sync.md) +- [Alpha Asset Shortlist](design/41-alpha-asset-shortlist.md) - [Game Concept](design/00-game-concept.md) - [Game Pillars](design/01-pillars.md) - [Vertical Slice Spec](design/02-vertical-slice-spec.md) diff --git a/docs/design/03-systems-index.md b/docs/design/03-systems-index.md index 2dfb02e..d6f5dd3 100644 --- a/docs/design/03-systems-index.md +++ b/docs/design/03-systems-index.md @@ -75,6 +75,9 @@ The first alpha execution spine is: 13. [40-soul-skill-carryover-and-sync.md](40-soul-skill-carryover-and-sync.md) for learned skill survival, body imprint loss, equipment gates, soul-body sync, effective skill execution, and UI lock reasons. +14. [41-alpha-asset-shortlist.md](41-alpha-asset-shortlist.md) for alpha asset + candidates, purchase guidance, style-fork comparison, import test order, + and visual budget risks. Use these files when creating GitHub issues, technical designs, or Unity blockout tasks for the alpha. diff --git a/docs/design/32-alpha-art-audio-and-content-direction.md b/docs/design/32-alpha-art-audio-and-content-direction.md index 8f41d91..d71aabc 100644 --- a/docs/design/32-alpha-art-audio-and-content-direction.md +++ b/docs/design/32-alpha-art-audio-and-content-direction.md @@ -20,6 +20,8 @@ The alpha must communicate: - mortal body risk - Gate interior as a separate hostile rule-space - NPCs as living bodies with roles, not decoration +- bright, attractive, character-forward presentation instead of grimdark ARPG + heaviness --- @@ -34,6 +36,11 @@ This is not hard sci-fi. It is not pure medieval fantasy. It is a modern post-disaster world where Gate interiors can create fantasy-readable combat spaces. +The tone is not grimdark. SECOND SPAWN can carry risk, death, TIME pressure, +and body loss while still feeling colorful, aspirational, and character-led. +The main character appeal should favor attractive bodies, memorable faces, +clean silhouettes, and stylish gear over horror, grime, or oppressive realism. + `Anime-Ready Semi-Real` means: - human-proportioned characters, not chibi or super-deformed bodies @@ -72,6 +79,14 @@ Reference examples for direction, not copying: | Love and Deepspace | Semi-real attractive faces and romance-market character polish. | Do not make the game a portrait-first romance product. | | Solo Leveling and Pick Me Up-style manhwa | Modern system-story tone, readable rank/body fantasy, serious but stylish action mood. | Do not copy protected characters, plots, or exact costume designs. | +Primary market appeal: + +- players who like attractive anime-adjacent characters +- players who want stylish companions, rivals, bosses, and recruitable bodies +- players who care about character identity as much as combat power +- players who respond to bright, polished, social, and collectible character + presentation + Negative references: | Direction | Why It Is Not The Target | @@ -114,6 +129,7 @@ Avoid: - full medieval kingdom baseline outside Gates - pure cyberpunk neon overload - beige/brown-only wasteland +- grimdark ARPG color grading as the default mood - full realistic Western PBR as the primary identity - photoreal scanned faces or hair as the character baseline - chibi or child-proportioned fantasy bodies as the main roster style diff --git a/docs/design/41-alpha-asset-shortlist.md b/docs/design/41-alpha-asset-shortlist.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5896194 --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/design/41-alpha-asset-shortlist.md @@ -0,0 +1,238 @@ +# Alpha Asset Shortlist + +*Status: Research shortlist for issue #175* +*Created: 2026-05-23* +*Source of truth level: Purchase and import guidance for alpha look-dev, not a +final art bible.* + +--- + +## 1. Purpose + +This document turns the Anime-Ready Semi-Real direction into a practical asset +candidate shortlist for the first alpha look-dev pass. + +It answers: + +- which packages are worth testing first +- which packages are useful only as prototype scaffolding +- which packages should be avoided for the current art direction +- what must be verified before purchase, import, or long-term commitment + +Prices and sale states were observed on 2026-05-23 and can change. Verify the +store page before buying. + +--- + +## 2. Decision Summary + +Recommended first import tests: + +1. [Stylized Modular Human Male](https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/characters/stylized-modular-human-male-178646) + and + [Stylized Modular Human Female](https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/characters/stylized-modular-human-female-178653) + by N-hance Studio for the shared modular humanoid baseline. +2. [Gamer Girl](https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/characters/humanoids/humans/gamer-girl-239141) + by Ida Faber as a cheap sale-time visual probe for anime-ready semi-real + appeal, not as the core modular system. +3. [Stylized Survival Characters Pack](https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/characters/humanoids/stylized-survival-characters-pack-352892) + by Firetoy Studios as a Web-friendly social hub and NPC customization + candidate. +4. [Urban Underground](https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/environments/urban/urban-underground-64542) + by Gabro Media for Ash Underpass look-dev if PC alpha quality matters more + than Web size. +5. [RealToon](https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/vfx/shaders/realtoon-pro-anime-toon-shader-65518) + plus a lightweight fallback such as + [URP Toon Shader (Mobile-Ready)](https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/vfx/shaders/urp-toon-shader-mobile-ready-173641) + for issue #176 shader testing. + +Do not buy a large family yet. The first step is a look-dev import test with +one body, one enemy candidate, one Yard corner, and one Gate corner. + +Current style fork: + +| Lane | Description | Fit | Recommendation | +| ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | +| Full Anime Cel / Toon | 3D anime face, flat-clean materials, strong outline or toon lighting, gacha combat appeal. | Strong wibu appeal and high readability, but pushes the whole project toward a full anime content pipeline. | Test as an alternate shader/body lane only. | +| Anime-Ready Semi-Real PBR | Semi-real body proportions, attractive anime/fantasy face, clean controlled PBR, less photoreal noise. | Best match for a bright, character-forward, attractive roster game with body-loss stakes but no grimdark ARPG mood. | Use as the primary art direction until look-dev proves otherwise. | + +The project should not mix both as equal production styles. For alpha, use +Anime-Ready Semi-Real PBR as the default and test Full Anime Cel / Toon as a +deliberate alternative look-dev branch. + +JOY direction: + +- Do not frame the game as dark ARPG. +- Keep the world fresh, readable, and attractive even when the mechanics have + risk and death. +- Prioritize visual appeal for players who like good-looking male and female + characters, companion fantasy, and collectible roster identity. + +--- + +## 3. Scoring Rules + +| Score | Meaning | +| ---- | ---- | +| Accept | Strong candidate for first import test. | +| Needs import test | Promising, but must be checked in Unity before commitment. | +| Prototype-only | Useful for blockout or smoke, but not final visual target. | +| Reject for alpha | Poor fit for current style, performance, or workflow. | + +Important checks: + +- Anime-Ready Semi-Real fit from top-down camera. +- Unity 6 URP compatibility or credible conversion path. +- Humanoid rig and animation action registry compatibility. +- Reasonable material count and texture sizes. +- PC alpha look plus Web demo downscale path. +- No dependency that would make the asset annoying to test. +- No hidden NFT or blockchain permission issue for DOS ecosystem use. + +--- + +## 4. Player And NPC Body Candidates + +| Candidate | Role Fit | Technical Notes | Web Risk | Animation Risk | Decision | +| ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | +| [N-hance Stylized Modular Human Male](https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/characters/stylized-modular-human-male-178646) | Strong modular male baseline for Sentinels, Couriers, Wardens, and regular Yard bodies. | Unity 6 URP entry exists, Humanoid support, 222 animations, modular equipment, around 44k triangles total, many materials and textures. | Medium: material count and texture set need pruning. | Low-medium: uses its own animations but Humanoid support should bridge to registry. | Accept for first import test. | +| [N-hance Stylized Modular Human Female](https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/characters/stylized-modular-human-female-178653) | Strong modular female baseline, same family as male. | Unity 6 URP entry exists, N-hance modular ecosystem, 300 MB package. Need full technical check after import. | Medium: likely similar material and texture cost as male. | Low-medium: verify shared skeleton and weapon sockets. | Accept for first import test. | +| [Stellar Modular Character: Stylized Female Base Pack](https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/characters/humanoids/modular-character-stylized-female-base-pack-237635) | Strong character customization system, good for attractive NPC/player bodies. | Unity 6 tested per store page, URP compatible, Humanoid rig, Mixamo compatible, 2048 textures, large modular system. | Medium-high: 841 MB and many textures need compression. | Medium: excellent for customization, but system must not fight our actor/body model. | Needs import test after N-hance. | +| [Gamer Girl](https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/characters/humanoids/humans/gamer-girl-239141) | Best cheap probe for anime-ready semi-real beauty and modern casual appeal. | Built-in, URP, HDRP compatibility listed for Unity 2020.3; 1.1 GB; sale price observed at $3 from $149.99. | High: single asset is large and may be close-up oriented. | Unknown: rig, clips, and action compatibility need import inspection. | Needs import test, buy only as visual probe if sale still exists. | +| [Stylized Survival Characters Pack](https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/characters/humanoids/stylized-survival-characters-pack-352892) | Good modern survivor hub NPC base, social hub, and Web prototype candidate. | URP/HDRP/Built-in, Mixamo compatible, male and female bases, 636 wardrobe pieces, 1024 textures, 2k-15k polycount, no animations. | Low-medium: explicitly lighter than many semi-real packs, but no LODs. | Medium: no animations included; must rely on existing animation packs. | Accept for Web-friendly prototype and NPC variation test. | +| [CombatGirls SwordShieldCharacterPack](https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/characters/humanoids/humans/combatgirls-swordshieldcharacterpack-355960) | Anime combat female reference with sword/shield. | Built-in and URP compatible, depends on Magica Cloth 2, 98.6 MB, includes combat character focus. | Medium: cloth dependency can complicate Web/mobile. | Medium-high: dependency and weapon-specific setup must be tested. | Needs import test later, not first baseline. | + +Recommendation: + +- Use N-hance male/female as the first modular humanoid test if JOY wants a + coherent family. +- Use Gamer Girl only as a cheap visual taste probe while the sale exists. +- Keep Stylized Survival Characters as the practical Web/social-hub fallback. + +--- + +## 5. Enemy, Boss, And Monster Candidates + +| Candidate | Role Fit | Technical Notes | Web Risk | Animation Risk | Decision | +| ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | +| [N-hance Stylized Modular Orc Male](https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/characters/stylized-modular-orc-male-237964) | Good hostile body or boss-adjacent humanoid test, not a normal Yard body. | Unity 6 URP entry, Humanoid setup, 55 animations, around 61k triangles, many materials and textures. | Medium-high: heavy for Web unless reduced. | Low-medium: Humanoid support helps; verify body scale and action registry. | Needs import test for hostile body candidate. | +| [N-hance Stylized Fantasy Forest Creatures](https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/characters/animals/stylized-fantasy-forest-creatures-174597) | Gate anomaly animals, not core NPC bodies. | Unity 6 URP entry, animated, stylized PBR / hand-painted wording. | Medium: creature count and shaders need profiling. | Medium: animal rigs may not map to humanoid action registry. | Prototype-only for Gate enemies. | +| [N-hance Stylized Fantasy Creatures Bundle](https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/characters/stylized-fantasy-creatures-bundle-184409/reviews) | Broad creature library for later Gate variety. | Reviews praise visual quality but mention animation gaps for some creatures. Sale observed through store listing. | Medium-high: too broad for first alpha import. | Medium-high: verify every selected creature. | Defer until Gate enemy direction is clearer. | +| [Synty POLYGON Apocalypse Pack](https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/environments/urban/polygon-apocalypse-pack-art-by-synty-154193) | Great placeholder zombies, survivors, props, and weapons. | Huge prefab library, URP support, Mecanim-compatible characters, no animations. | Low: lightweight low-poly. | Medium: no animations included, style too low-poly. | Prototype-only, not final character identity. | + +Recommendation: + +- Use one N-hance humanoid monster or orc as the first hostile body candidate. +- Avoid buying creature bundles until the Gate enemy style is more explicit. + +--- + +## 6. Relay Yard And Environment Candidates + +| Candidate | Role Fit | Technical Notes | Web Risk | Style Risk | Decision | +| ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | +| [Urban Underground](https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/environments/urban/urban-underground-64542) | Very strong Ash Underpass fit: subway, railcar, props, decals, signage. | Over 200 prefabs, PBR, LOD groups, URP/HDRP shader packs, 2.0 GB, PC/console target, not recommended for mobile. | High for Web/mobile, manageable for PC look-dev. | Low for Ash Underpass, too heavy for broad Web use. | Accept for PC Ash Underpass look-dev, with Web budget warning. | +| [Idyllic City Ruins - Post-Apocalypse](https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/environments/urban/idyllic-city-ruins-post-apocalypse-232931) | Lightweight stylized ruined city candidate for Yard outskirts or Gate approach. | 212.8 MB, Unity 2021.1 baseline, stylized post-apocalypse. | Medium: older package, pipeline details must be tested. | Medium: may be too cute or generic depending screenshots. | Needs visual test. | +| [3D Stylized Post Apocalyptic City](https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/environments/3d-stylized-post-apocalyptic-city-277161) | Low-cost stylized post-apocalypse environment probe. | URP-only, 139.6 MB, $29.99 observed. | Low-medium: compact package. | Medium: likely too stylized/low-detail unless lighting sells it. | Needs visual test. | +| [Modern City/Block 7 (URP)](https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/environments/urban/modern-city-block-7-urp-303725) | Modern urban block reference for pre-disaster or city district. | URP only, 5.4 GB, $19.99 observed. | High: very large. | Medium: may feel too clean or generic for Relay Yard. | Defer unless a modern city test is needed. | +| [Dead District - Post Apocalyptic City Environment](https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/environments/urban/dead-district-post-apocalyptic-city-environment-325454) | Strong post-apocalyptic city candidate. | URP compatible, 2.0 GB, $59.99 observed, realistic/dystopian tags. | High: heavy. | High: risks full Western realistic PBR drift. | Defer, maybe reject if too realistic. | +| [Post-Apocalyptic Workshop Building](https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/environments/industrial/post-apocalyptic-workshop-building-355058) | Excellent small Relay Yard workshop prop test. | 3266 polygons, 2 materials, URP/HDRP convertible, $4.99 observed. | Low. | Medium: realistic PBR may need shader/color pass. | Accept as cheap Yard prop probe. | +| [STYLIZED Fantasy Market](https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/environments/fantasy/stylized-fantasy-market-low-poly-3d-art-260824) | Useful for market/workshop prop inspiration, not final world style. | Unity 6 compatible, URP/HDRP support, 544 prefabs, low-poly, compact textures. | Low. | High: medieval fantasy drift. | Prototype-only for layout ideas. | +| [STYLIZED Low Poly Fantasy Bundle](https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/3d/props/interior/stylized-low-poly-fantasy-bundle-271530) | Huge prop library for Yard/decor placeholders. | Unity 6 compatible, 4344 prefabs, no LOD, no rigging, most props 50-2500 triangles. | Low-medium. | High: medieval fantasy drift and not anime-ready semi-real. | Prototype-only, do not make final baseline. | + +Recommendation: + +- Use Urban Underground for the Ash Underpass Gate look-dev if PC alpha + quality is the priority. +- Use Post-Apocalyptic Workshop Building as a cheap Relay Yard prop probe. +- Treat fantasy market/interior packs as layout scaffolding only. + +--- + +## 7. Shader And Material Candidates + +| Candidate | Role Fit | Technical Notes | Web Risk | Decision | +| ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | ---- | +| [RealToon](https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/vfx/shaders/realtoon-pro-anime-toon-shader-65518) | Best first anime/toon shader candidate for clean PBR-to-anime look-dev. | Unity 6, Built-in, URP, HDRP compatibility listed; large user favorite count; mobile and desktop keywords. | Medium: shader features must be profiled and simplified for Web. | Accept for #176 material test. | +| [URP Toon Shader (Mobile-Ready)](https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/vfx/shaders/urp-toon-shader-mobile-ready-173641) | Lightweight fallback for Web/mobile toon test. | URP-only, small package, mobile-ready positioning. | Low-medium. | Accept as fallback test if RealToon is too heavy. | +| [Toony Colors Pro 2](https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/vfx/shaders/toony-colors-pro-2-8105) | Mature stylized shader system, good alternate if RealToon workflow is poor. | Supports Unity 6 / URP 17 per store page, many shader-generation features. | Medium-high: powerful system can become overkill. | Defer until RealToon and simple URP Toon test fail. | +| [Painterly Normals Shader](https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/vfx/shaders/painterly-normals-shader-325417) | Free experiment for painterly surface response. | Unity 6 URP, free, small package. | Low. | Optional experiment, not baseline. | + +Recommendation: + +- Start issue #176 with URP Lit, URP Simple Lit, RealToon, and a small URP + Toon fallback. +- Do not use a shader package to hide bad asset selection. The model must look + readable before shader tricks. + +--- + +## 8. Current Purchase Guidance + +Buy or import first: + +1. N-hance Human Male and Human Female, if JOY wants a coherent modular body + system test. +2. Gamer Girl, only if the $3 sale still exists and JOY wants a cheap + anime-ready visual probe. +3. RealToon, if not already owned and if the sale price is acceptable. + +Wait before buying: + +- Large environment packs above 1 GB unless they are isolated to look-dev. +- Big creature bundles. +- Medieval fantasy prop bundles. +- Any package with unclear rigging or required dependencies. + +Reject for now: + +- Chibi packs. +- Full photoreal scan packs. +- Pure Western realistic fantasy creature packs. +- Heavy city packs that do not directly serve Relay Yard or Ash Underpass. + +--- + +## 9. Import Test Order + +Use one package per branch and commit. + +1. `art-test-nhance-human-male-female` + - Check Unity 6.5 URP import. + - Check Humanoid rig. + - Map idle, walk, run, talk, attack, hit react, death if possible. + - Check material count, texture memory, scale, sockets, and top-down read. +2. `art-test-gamer-girl` + - Check rig and top-down face/hair read. + - Check whether the model survives clean / controlled PBR and RealToon. + - Do not integrate as core body system. +3. `art-test-stylized-survival` + - Check Web-friendly NPC population and modular clothing. + - Check compatibility with existing animation action registry. +4. `art-test-urban-underground` + - Build a tiny Ash Underpass corner only. + - Profile texture size, prefab count, LOD, lighting, and Web downscale. +5. `art-test-realtoon` + - Compare the same body under URP Lit, URP Simple Lit, RealToon, and mobile + toon fallback. + +Each import test must end with: + +- screenshot evidence +- Unity console check +- material/texture budget notes +- action registry compatibility notes +- clear accept / reject / prototype-only decision + +--- + +## 10. Open Questions + +- Does JOY want to buy N-hance modular humans now, or first test cheaper + sale-time single bodies? +- Does SECOND SPAWN want N-hance-style stylized PBR as the first coherent + family, or a higher-beauty semi-real character line for core marketing art? +- Should Web demo prioritize current low-poly readability first and delay + Anime-Ready Semi-Real bodies until PC alpha? +- Are any N-hance NFT/blockchain permission notes relevant to DOS Chain use, + or only to asset use inside a commercial NFT project?