Rework settings selection

[nvs]

Additional Settings

Presets

• Gem TD+ (Default)
• Bryvx

These would not actually be settings, but rather would be a selectable option to set settings to specific values. For example, the Bryvx preset (name open for change) would push the settings to produce a game that would feel very similar to the current Gem.

Individual Settings

• Disabled (Default)
• Enabled

Not sure what honestly would be the default here. However, if chosen, this would allow players to select their own settings. Each players setup could be unique in that game. If disabled, everyone would be forced to share the same settings. This could be useful on a bot that is deemed to be less competitive if Gem were ever to be auto-hosted on multiple bots. In fact, I may simply push this to become the default regardless.

Mazing Style

• Random (Default)
• Classic

Random will involve randomized checkpoint locations. Every game will be different. Do note that each player in the game will experience the same setup.

Classic will be the current layout of Gem. It will be preserved as a selectable option.

Difficulty

• 50%
• 100% (Default)
• 200%
• 400%

Obstacles

• 0% (Disabled)
• 50%
• 100% (Default)
• 200%
• 400%

Obstacles would include, at least according to the current planning, areas that prevent both building and creep pathing, and areas that prevent only building. It would force players to adapt further as well.

Chance Style

• Disabled
• Alignment (Default)
• Extra Chance

Disabled would prevent either Alignment or Extra Chance from being active.

Alignment would be a new setup, that lets players spend gold to permanently alter their gem type chances. For example, +20% Diamonds, +10% Topazes, and +10% Amethysts, while being -8% to the others. There would be no 'Extra Chance' at all, in the hope of pushing people away from a 'give me what I want when I want it' mindset. The player would be able to focus on a single alignment, or spread out their investments, thus altering their luck in a game.

Extra Chance would be the current Gem style.

Slates

• Classic
• All (Default)

All would allow both the existing Gem slates, and any new slates that may be added. There are plans to add numerous slates (details are still up in the air) in an attempt to increase the number of strategies.

Classic would only allow the current Gem slates.

Three of a Kind

• Disabled
• Enabled (Default)

This would control activiation of the three of a kind move that allows skipping a quality in a single round. A sort of one-hit, if you will. Do realize that this does not mean the 'glitch' will become activated if three of a kind is disabled. The 'glitch' is (or will be) permanently removed.

Tournament Mode (Competitive Mode)

• Disabled (Default)
• Enabled

A few changes to the game would be activated if this mode is selected. First off, all players will experience the same luck. That is to say, they would be presented the same choices if they perform the same actions. This will keep things fair throughout the game.

However, to prevent players who are trailing the leaders from having an advantage, Fog of War would also be enabled. This may not be popular, but in the context of a competitive tournament, it is necessary. More notifications will need to be added, to ensure that the game feels 'alive', despite not being able to look at opponents. And, of course, notifications will need to be adjusted to ensure that information is not leaked during various events.

Now, a few complications are presented, particularly with how to handle Extra Chance. One solution is to simply disable it. If it is a competitive tournament, then perhaps the players will not mind the game essentially being harder. It forces them to be more adaptable, which just happens to be one of the main ways a player can express their skill at Gem.

Supporting Alignment or Extra Chance would take a bit of work and planning. As such, I'm okay with it being disabled in 'Tournament Mode' initially. However, in the long run, I would not want any features disabled in 'Tournament Mode'. But a quick thought about how to implement it would be storing the integer rolls for each placed for the leading player (including rolls for extra chance, whether he used it or not). If players opt to 'Extra Chance' on the round same, they will get their chanced choice regardless of what it is instead of the non-chanced choice.

I do see the addition of one rule if this mode ever became the de facto on a bot: punishments for spoilers in regards to luck. That's about it. My feeling is if a rule is needed, it better be because it involves something that cannot be adjusted in the map.