1. Game Overview

• Game Title: Cosmic Encounters: The Alien Connection
• Core Concept: A space-based dating simulator combining deck-building and exploration mechanics, where players encounter and bond with unique alien personalities.
• Core Gameplay Loop: Players explore a map of encounters, selecting paths based on five alien personality traits—Appearance, Location Preference, Personality, Compatibility, and Hobbies. Through card-based interactions, players build Affinity Points, unlocking new dialogue, card upgrades, and unique relationship endings.

2. High-Level Architecture

Core Systems

1. Map Exploration System
   • Procedurally generates a branching map where each node represents a trait-based encounter.
   • Players choose paths based on which alien trait they wish to explore, progressing along routes that deepen relationships.
2. Deck-Building & Card System
   • Provides players with an initial deck of response cards aligned with the five traits.
   • Cards can be upgraded or evolved based on relationship progression, allowing players to customize interactions.
3. Encounter System
   • Each encounter presents a situation related to one of the alien traits. Players select cards to respond, gaining Affinity Points that influence relationship progression.
   • Encounters include scripted dialogue, event triggers, and affinity tracking.
4. Relationship System
   • Tracks Affinity Points for each trait (Appearance, Location, Personality, Compatibility, Hobbies) and governs relationship level progression.
   • Unlocks new interactions, events, or endings as Affinity Points meet specific thresholds.
5. Trait-Based Affinity System
   • Affinity Points are accumulated for each trait, allowing players to unlock new traits, locations, and relationship stages.
   • Manages relationship compatibility for each alien based on the trait affinities built up during encounters.

High-Level Unity Architecture

1. Scenes

   • Map Scene: Displays the map with paths and nodes for each encounter. Handles map navigation, encounter selection, and trait-specific paths.
   • Encounter Scene: Manages card-based encounters with aliens. Displays alien characters, dialogue, and player response options.
   • Card Deck Scene: Allows players to view and upgrade their card decks, customize their interactions, and select cards for encounters.

2. Prefabs

   • Node Prefab: Represents map nodes, each with unique identifiers for trait types (Appearance, Location, etc.).
   • Card Prefab: Represents individual response cards with customizable text, icons, and effects.
   • Alien Character Prefab: Stores each alien’s unique appearance, personality data, and affinity tracking.

3. Data Structures

   • ScriptableObjects: Used for storing alien personality data, card data, and trait affinities.
   • JSON: Used for dialogue, encounter options, and character backstories, allowing easy updates or localization.

4. Main Classes

   Class	Responsibilities
   MapManager	Manages map generation, player navigation, and encounter nodes.
   CardManager	Handles card deck, upgrades, and response selection in encounters.
   EncounterManager	Manages trait-based encounters, handles card interactions, and tracks Affinity Points.
   AlienManager	Stores alien data, manages affinity tracking, and triggers dialogue or event changes.

3. Core Systems & Technical Specifications