Labyrinth MUD Mobile App: Top‐Level Requirements Document - wwestlake/Labyrinth GitHub Wiki

Labyrinth MUD Mobile App: Top-Level Requirements Document

Introduction

The Labyrinth MUD Mobile App is a mobile adaptation of the existing Labyrinth MUD, a text-based, online multiplayer role-playing game. The mobile app will provide players with access to the game on their smartphones and tablets, allowing them to experience the same immersive gameplay as the web and desktop versions. The app must be designed to ensure seamless integration with the existing backend and provide an optimized, user-friendly interface tailored for mobile devices.

System Overview

The Labyrinth MUD Mobile App will connect to the existing server-side infrastructure, enabling players to create and manage characters, explore the labyrinth, engage in combat, and communicate with other players in real-time. The app will focus on delivering a responsive and intuitive experience on mobile platforms, maintaining consistency with the game's web version while optimizing for touch-based interactions and varying screen sizes.

Top-Level Requirements

  1. User Authentication and Character Management

    • Authentication and Authorization: Implement secure login and registration processes. Players must be able to authenticate using credentials stored in the existing system, with support for session management on mobile.
    • Character Management: Allow players to create, view, and manage their characters, including inventory management, skill progression, and attribute monitoring.

  2. Real-Time Gameplay Interaction

    • Navigation and Interaction: Provide a user-friendly interface for exploring the labyrinth, issuing commands, and interacting with the environment and other players. This includes the ability to navigate the labyrinth, solve puzzles, and engage in combat.
    • Combat System: Support the existing turn-based combat mechanics, allowing players to perform actions such as attacking, defending, using items, and casting spells.
    • Real-Time Updates: Ensure the app receives real-time updates from the server, reflecting changes in the game world and player interactions promptly.

  3. User Interface and Experience

    • Responsive UI Design: Design a responsive user interface that adapts to various screen sizes and orientations, ensuring a consistent and engaging experience on both smartphones and tablets.
    • Touch-Based Interaction: Optimize command inputs for touch-based interactions, including on-screen buttons, swipes, and gestures to enhance gameplay.
    • Visual Enhancements: Incorporate optional visual enhancements like a mini-map, health bars, and item icons, ensuring they are intuitive and accessible without overwhelming the text-based core experience.

  4. Communication and Social Features

    • In-Game Chat: Implement a chat system that supports global, local, and private messaging, allowing players to communicate seamlessly with each other within the app.
    • Notifications: Provide in-app notifications for important events such as receiving messages, completing a quest, or being challenged to a duel.
    • Guild and Group Management: Enable players to manage their guilds and groups, with features for inviting members, creating group chats, and tracking shared objectives.

  5. Performance and Optimization

    • Low Latency Communication: Ensure minimal latency in communication between the app and the server, leveraging WebSockets or other suitable protocols.
    • Efficient Data Usage: Optimize data usage to minimize the impact on mobile data plans, especially for players who may be on limited or expensive data connections.
    • Battery Efficiency: Optimize the app's performance to minimize battery consumption, especially during extended gameplay sessions.

  6. Security and Data Privacy

    • Data Encryption: Ensure all data transmitted between the app and the server is encrypted to protect player information and game data.
    • Secure Authentication: Implement secure authentication methods, such as OAuth or token-based authentication, to protect player accounts.
    • Compliance: Ensure the app complies with relevant data protection regulations, including GDPR and COPPA, to protect user privacy.

  7. Cross-Platform Compatibility

    • Integration with Existing Backend: Ensure seamless integration with the existing Labyrinth MUD backend, including character data, game state persistence, and real-time communication.
    • Multi-Platform Synchronization: Allow players to access their accounts and continue their progress across multiple platforms (web, desktop, mobile) without data loss or inconsistency.
    • Offline Mode: Provide limited offline functionality, such as accessing character data or reading game lore, while ensuring no gameplay occurs offline to maintain game integrity.

  8. Extensibility

    • Plugin Support: Ensure the app can support future updates and plugins, allowing developers to extend its functionality without requiring major architectural changes.
    • Modding Capabilities: Allow for potential modding or customization features, in line with the web version’s extensibility, to enhance the app's longevity and player engagement.

Conclusion

The Labyrinth MUD Mobile App aims to provide a seamless, engaging, and accessible way for players to experience the game on their mobile devices. By focusing on user experience, performance optimization, and robust integration with the existing backend, the app will extend the reach of Labyrinth MUD to a broader audience while maintaining the game's depth and complexity.