Design: multi-level world model for tunnels & mining (epic, design-first) #268

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opened 2026-08-03 13:24:34 +02:00 by panda · 0 comments

panda commented

2026-08-03 13:24:34 +02:00

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Agreed design (design-first)

Full design doc: docs/superpowers/specs/2026-08-03-multi-level-world-model-design.md.

Locked decisions:

Representation = ModernUO surfaces, arbitrary stacking — a cell's walkable surfaces = the land (GroundZAt) + surface statics (statics flagged walkable-on-top, each with its Z + a height for head-clearance). Cave floor = a surface static low with the mountain land staying high (the roof); bridge = a surface static above; multi-storey = stacked. The chunked format already stores stacked statics with Z ⇒ no new map format.
Rendering = level-focus, seamless (UO-classic) — you see the surface you stand on; geometry above your level that would occlude you is culled. Continuous world, same coordinates.

Per-layer changes: StaticDef gains surface/height columns · position gains Z (⇒ protocol bump, entity-Z persistence) · a pure SurfaceResolver picks the reachable surface (step-height + head-clearance), server-authoritative · client culls the roof above the player's level · AoI stays 2D for the MVP · editor gains a floor/tunnel brush.

Phases (each = its own spec/plan/PR/DoD)

P1 — Foundation: surfaces + walkability (Shared/server): defs, entity Z, SurfaceResolver, movement, protocol bump, persistence. Unit-tested, not visible yet.
P2 — Rendering: level-focus draw (client): surface floors + roof cull + entity-on-surface Z. Caves become visible.
P3 — Authoring: cave/tunnel brush (editor).
(later, separate design) Mining gameplay — dig/ore/resources.

MVP = walk into a cave and see it (P1 + minimal P2 + a test cave). Order: P1 → P3-min → P2.

Definition of Done (this design issue)

Agreed design doc with the chosen model, a critical ModernUO comparison, per-layer changes, and the epic decomposed into phases each with its own DoD.
Passes the critical-design-review Invariants Check (in the doc): server-authoritative surface selection, protocol/persistence version bumps flagged, multi-platform, ModernUO reference.
No implementation until the P1 sub-design/plan is agreed.

## Agreed design (design-first) Full design doc: `docs/superpowers/specs/2026-08-03-multi-level-world-model-design.md`. **Locked decisions:** - **Representation = ModernUO surfaces, arbitrary stacking** — a cell's walkable surfaces = the land (`GroundZAt`) + **surface statics** (statics flagged walkable-on-top, each with its Z + a **height** for head-clearance). Cave floor = a surface static low with the mountain land staying high (the roof); bridge = a surface static above; multi-storey = stacked. The chunked format already stores stacked statics with Z ⇒ **no new map format**. - **Rendering = level-focus, seamless** (UO-classic) — you see the surface you stand on; geometry above your level that would occlude you is culled. Continuous world, same coordinates. **Per-layer changes:** `StaticDef` gains `surface`/`height` columns · position gains **Z** (⇒ protocol bump, entity-Z persistence) · a pure `SurfaceResolver` picks the reachable surface (step-height + head-clearance), server-authoritative · client culls the roof above the player's level · AoI stays 2D for the MVP · editor gains a floor/tunnel brush. ## Phases (each = its own spec/plan/PR/DoD) - **P1 — Foundation: surfaces + walkability** (Shared/server): defs, entity Z, `SurfaceResolver`, movement, protocol bump, persistence. Unit-tested, not visible yet. - **P2 — Rendering: level-focus draw** (client): surface floors + roof cull + entity-on-surface Z. Caves become visible. - **P3 — Authoring: cave/tunnel brush** (editor). - **(later, separate design) Mining gameplay** — dig/ore/resources. **MVP** = walk into a cave and see it (P1 + minimal P2 + a test cave). Order: P1 → P3-min → P2. ## Definition of Done (this design issue) - [x] Agreed design doc with the chosen model, a critical ModernUO comparison, per-layer changes, and the epic decomposed into phases each with its own DoD. - [x] Passes the critical-design-review Invariants Check (in the doc): server-authoritative surface selection, protocol/persistence version bumps flagged, multi-platform, ModernUO reference. - [ ] No implementation until the P1 sub-design/plan is agreed.

panda referenced this issue from a commit

2026-08-03 21:00:28 +02:00

docs(design): multi-level world model (surfaces, level-focus render) — epic #268 design

panda referenced this issue

2026-08-03 21:01:15 +02:00

docs(design): multi-level world model (epic #268 design) #269

panda referenced this issue

2026-08-03 21:59:10 +02:00

fix(client): draw entities at the mesh display-Z (P2a — kill the float) #270

panda referenced this issue from a commit

2026-08-03 22:00:27 +02:00

docs(design): multi-level world model (epic #268 design) (#269)