9. Technical

9. Technical

Define the technology stack, architectural principles, performance targets, and security goals to provide a unified baseline for R&D and operations.

9.1 Target Hardware

• Platforms & Min Specs: Mobile, PC, Console, etc.
• Resolution & Frame Rate: Targets for Low, Medium, and High-end devices.
• Storage Budget: Initial download size, incremental patches, and total disk footprint.

9.2 Development Environment

• Tools: Game Engine version, IDE, Build tools.
• Design & Collaboration: Prototyping, Flowcharts, UI Design, Documentation, Task Management.
• Internal Platforms: Identity, Payment, Data Analytics, Anti-cheat, LiveOps (referencing standard enterprise systems).

9.3 Architecture Overview

• Client-Server Diagram: Visual representation of the network topology.
• Modules: Separation of Combat, Social, Economy, and Event systems.
• Structure: Rationale for Microservices, Monolithic, or Hybrid architecture.

9.4 Development Procedures and Standards

• Branching Strategy: Git Flow, Trunk-based Development, etc.
• Code Standards: Linting rules, static analysis, and formatting guidelines.
• Testing: Targets for Unit Tests, Integration Tests, and Automated UI Tests.
• Code Review: Process, checklists, and approval requirements.

9.5 Game Engine

• Selection: Unity, Unreal, or Proprietary Engine (with version).
• Customization: Modifications to Rendering Pipeline, Asset System, Scripting, etc.
• Middleware: Physics, Navigation, UI, Audio, and other third-party solutions.

9.6 Network

• Protocols: TCP, UDP, WebSocket, HTTP/HTTPS.
• Sync Model: Room-based, Matchmaking, Large-scale World Synchronization.
• Bandwidth Budget: Packet size, send rate, and lag compensation strategies.

9.7 Scripting Language

• Language: Lua, C#, Python, or Custom DSL.
• Responsibility: Division between Designer configuration and Programmer logic.
• Hot-fix: Capability for logic updates without binary patches, and security controls.

9.8 Performance Targets & Optimization

• KPIs: FPS, Load Times, Peak Memory usage per platform.
• Scenarios: Budgets for critical scenes (Large-scale battles, Cities, Multiplayer).
• Risk Mitigation: Common bottlenecks and preventative optimization strategies.

9.9 Data & Analytics

Ensure capabilities for data collection and analysis, referencing industry standards (e.g., Voodoo, Tencent).

• Telemetry Framework: Event naming conventions and tracking structure.
• Reporting Flow: Client buffer, upload frequency, and server-side ingestion.
• A/B Testing: Feature flags, split-testing strategies, and remote configuration.
• Processing: Real-time stream processing vs. offline batch analysis.

9.10 Security & Anti-cheat

• Threat Analysis: Speed hacks, memory modification, packet tampering, botting.
• Authority: Defining Server-side validation boundaries vs. Client prediction.
• Validation: Encryption and checksum strategies for critical data.
• Enforcement: Ban policies, detection logic, and appeal processes.

9.11 Build, Deployment & LiveOps Support

• CI/CD: Automated build pipelines and deployment workflows.
• Channel Management: Handling builds for different stores and regions (Global vs. Local).
• LiveOps Tools: Interfaces for event configuration, announcements, and hot-fix toggles.

9.12 Asset Metadata & Automation

• Metadata Standards: JSON/XML tags for assets (LOD, Platform, Usage, Author, Version, Dependencies).
• Validation: Automated CI checks for naming conventions, prefixes, and texture channels (_D, _N, _R, _AO, _M/_RMA).
• Packaging: Tag-based filtering (e.g., LOD=Low & Platform=Mobile) for asset bundles.
• Tooling: Scripts (Python/Maya/Blender) and DAM systems for asset management and audit reports.
• Compliance: Release audits, version tracking, and alignment with the Asset Roadmap (Section 13.5).

9.13 Media Profiles & Format Validation

• Video: Codecs (H.264/H.265/WEBM), bitrate targets, and resolution tiers.
• Image Sequences: Frame rate consistency, naming (0001 sequence), and sprite sheet conversion support.
• Sprite Sheets: Index files, slicing rules (coordinates, pivot), and texture packing limits.
• Images: Compression standards (PNG/JPG/WebP usage), MIP mapping, and color space validation.
• 3D Models: LOD tiers, bone count limits, unit scale, and axis orientation.
• Audio: Sample rate/bitrate standardization, looping points, and fade rules.
• CI Enforcement: Blocking builds containing assets that fail metadata or format validation.