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Scenario strategic identity (not only numeric modifiers) #98

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Description

@Skeyelab

Context

Scenarios ship in data/scenarios.json (#62) with starting resources and modifiers (e.g. Dust Season event gate, Silent Colony requiresBuilding). Game-design review: avoid a single dominant build order (hydro + solar L3) across all scenarios; each scenario should imply a different viable strategy, not only ±resources.

Related: Epic #79, gameplay-depth-plan.md, balance.md (CI stays on Standard run).

Problem

Scenario Risk today
Dust Season More events, same optimal economy
Silent Colony Radio gate on events, economy unchanged
Beacon Rush Shorter beacon path, may still mirror solar→beacon script

Players who learn one opening solve every profile.

Proposal

For each non-standard scenario, document and implement one situational advantage that rewards a distinct build or pacing choice:

Scenario Example strategic hook (pick/adjust in implementation)
Dust Season Events or modifiers that reward extra power buffer / repair spend
Silent Colony Radio Tower earlier is required for trade/event access—not just gated events
Beacon Rush Credit or power tradeoff that makes skipping full hydro L3 viable
First Landing Onboarding only—no new dominant strategy; cushioned start only

Use existing levers: modifiers, event requiresBuilding / weight, dailyEffects, building modifiers—not Go-only switches unless eligibility needs it.

Acceptance criteria

  • Design note in PR (or docs/balance.md § Scenarios): intended “good” opener per scenario in 2–3 sentences each.
  • At least two non-standard scenarios have a baseline or simulate script that differs materially from scripts/conservative.json opener (new script or extended script OK).
  • Standard run baselines unchanged unless intentional (TDD: failing baseline → tune → update baseline.go).
  • go test ./internal/game/ -run TestBalanceBaseline passes.

Out of scope

  • New scenario IDs beyond the five already planned.
  • PvP / leaderboard balance.

Agent notes

  • RED: add/adjust baseline or TestEarlyBalance_* assertion for one scenario-specific script before tuning JSON.
  • Terminology: Scenario, Standard run, Event eligibility per CONTEXT.md.

Activity

  1. added this to the Gameplay depth v0.2 milestone on May 22, 2026
  2. Skeyelab commented on May 22, 2026

    @Skeyelab
    MemberAuthor

    Balance check (2026-05-22) — related follow-ups filed for wiring and content:

    This issue (#98) remains the strategic identity slice (distinct openers per scenario); the above are regression, content, and tuning support.

  3. Skeyelab commented on May 22, 2026

    @Skeyelab
    MemberAuthor

    Correction — issue numbers for balance-check follow-ups:

    (Supersedes prior comment that listed #101–#105.)

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