This repository contains the Game Design Documentation (GDD) for GDTLancer: Generative Dynamic Transmedia Lancer.

GDTLancer is a space adventure RPG blending sandbox simulation with TTRPG-inspired emergent narrative mechanics. A four-layer simulation architecture (World → Grid → Agents → Chronicle) drives a living world shaped by both the player and AI agents. Built in Godot 3 with a neo-retro visual style and a focus on player agency.

Main game repository: https://github.com/roalyr/GDTLancer

• 0.0 — Internal Rules & Conventions: GDD structure and page format standards.
• 0.1 — Main GDD: Central vision, pillars, glossary, development framework, Phase 1 scope summary.
• 0.2 — Sayings: Mottos and in-game lore sayings.

• 1 — Core Mechanics: Action Check (3d6+Mod), Action Stakes, Action Approach, core resources.
• 1.1 — Core Systems: Event, Time, Character, Inventory, Asset systems. Templates and Phase 1 roster.
• 1.2 — Cellular Automata: CA catalogue driving the Grid layer (economy, social, agent CAs).

• 2 — Development Challenges: Key risks and mitigations.
• 2.1 — Phase 1 Scope: "The First Contract" demo — player experience, components, milestones.

• 3 — Architecture & Coding: Coding standards, stateless architecture, autoloads, save/load, testing.

• 4.1 — Analogue Setup: Deferred placeholder.
• 4.2 — Analogue Formatting: Deferred placeholder.
• 4.3 — Analogue Phase 1: Deferred placeholder.

• 5.1 — Piloting Module: Free Flight, Flight Challenges, Narrative Actions.
• 5.2 — Combat Module: Combat Challenges and post-battle Narrative Actions (Preservation Convention).
• 5.3 — Trading Module: Trade Interface, contracts, economic Narrative Actions.

• 6 — Narrative Borders: Thematic constraints guiding the simulation.
• 6.1 — Lore Background: Setting premise, Preservation Convention, technology.
• 6.2 — Player Onboarding: "The First Contract" tutorial scenario.

• 7 — Style Guide: Neo-Retro 3D visual style, UI, audio.
• 7.1 — Ship Design & Component Catalogue: Ship philosophy, all component categories (engines, chassis, power, cooling, life support, tools, storage).

• 8 — Simulation Architecture: Primary reference. Four-layer model (World, Grid, Agents, Chronicle), Bridge Systems, Tick Sequence, Difficulty Tuning.

• LICENSE | AI-ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.md | AI-PRIMING.md

This documentation is a living project under active development.