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Shadowed Realms - Complete Design Document (Updated)

Game Overview
Technical Architecture
Combat System
Alliance System
Kingdom vs Kingdom (KvK) Events
Kingdom Management
Alliance Territory System
Dragon System
Resource Economy
PvE Content System
Player Progression System
Monetization Strategy
Server Infrastructure
Implementation Roadmap

Game Overview

Vision Statement

Create a production-ready multiplayer strategy MMO that addresses critical design flaws in existing King of Avalon-style games while maintaining commercial viability. Focus on preserving player agency, preventing pay-to-win dominance, and avoiding vendor lock-in through self-hosted infrastructure.

Core Objectives

Preserve Player Agency: Field interception system allows defenders to meet attackers before castle sieges
Prevent Pay-to-Win: Speed boost limitations and skill-based alternatives maintain competitive balance
Strategic Depth: Multiple victory paths and sophisticated political systems
Social Preservation: Alliance coalition system eliminates forced alliance merging
Technical Independence: Self-hosted infrastructure avoids cloud vendor lock-in

Target Platform

Primary: Mobile (iOS/Android) with Unity client
Secondary: PC support with enhanced features
Cross-Platform: Shared progression and multiplayer interaction

Launch Parameters

Maximum Castle Level: Level 30 (expandable post-launch)
Maximum Troop Tier: T10 at launch
Post-Launch Expansion: T11 at Castle 35, T12 at Castle 40, T13 at Castle 44

Technical Architecture

Development Stack

Client Side:

Engine: Unity 2023.3 LTS
Networking: Unity Netcode for GameObjects (client-side only)
UI Framework: UI Toolkit for scalable interfaces
Platforms: iOS, Android, PC (Windows/Mac/Linux)

Server Side:

Language: C# .NET 8 (for production)
IDE: Visual Studio 2022
Framework: ASP.NET Core Web API
Database: PostgreSQL with Entity Framework Core
Caching: Redis for sessions and real-time data
Real-time: SignalR for WebSocket communication
Hosting: Self-hosted, cross-platform (Linux/Windows)

Architecture Principles

Server-Authoritative: All game logic validated server-side
Cross-Platform Deployment: Identical operation on Linux and Windows
Horizontal Scaling: Kingdom-based partitioning for growth
Decoupled Design: Unity client communicates with independent server

Combat System

Core Combat Mechanics

Troop System

Four Main Troop Types:

Infantry: Defensive tanks, absorb casualties
Cavalry: High damage, mobile attackers
Bowmen: Ranged damage dealers
Siege: Anti-building specialists

Effectiveness Matrix:

Infantry > Cavalry > Bowmen > Siege > Infantry

Tier System:

10 tiers per troop type at launch (T1-T10)
Higher tiers cost more but provide better effectiveness
Mixed-tier armies often optimal due to resource constraints

Battle Resolution

Statistical Combat System:

Effective Damage = (Attacker Attack - Defender Defense) × Damage Multipliers
Casualties = Effective Damage / Troop Health

Key Modifiers:

Dragon Skills: Significant damage and damage reduction bonuses
Equipment Bonuses: Lord gear provides army-wide improvements
Research Bonuses: University and Alliance research trees
Terrain Effects: Different battlefield types affect troop effectiveness

Automatic Field Interception System

Revolutionary Defensive Innovation

Automatic Interceptor Formation:

Pre-configured defensive army set by defender
Automatically deploys against incoming attacks without manual intervention
Toggle on/off - players can enable/disable the system
24/7 protection - works whether player is online or offline

Per-Attacker Trigger System

Smart Anti-Abuse Mechanics:

First attack from Player A → Interceptor triggers
Second attack from Player A → Goes directly to castle (no interception)
First attack from Player B → Interceptor can trigger again
Prevents ping-pong exploitation while maintaining defensive value

Hybrid Defense System

Multiple Attacker Management:

Interceptor auto-engages largest incoming attack (by army size)
20% reserve force held back for potential second engagement
Maximum 2 engagements per interceptor deployment
Priority target selection prevents overwhelming but maintains coverage

Strategic Risk/Reward Balance

Interceptor Advantages:

Field initiative - meet enemies on neutral ground
Tactical choice - prevent siege bonuses for attackers
Always active - works even when offline

Interceptor Disadvantages:

No home castle buffs - lose defensive research, trap support, wall bonuses
Committed troops - can't use those armies for other activities
Double jeopardy - lose interceptor battle AND still face castle attack
March capacity based - interceptor size limited by march capacity and dragon presence

Attack Classification System

Lightning Raids (2-5 minutes) - UNRESTRICTED

Targets: Resource gatherers, exposed armies
Purpose: Fast resource acquisition
Restrictions: None - full speed boost effectiveness
Balance: Only works on small, exposed targets

Hit-and-Run Attacks (5-15 minutes) - LIGHTLY RESTRICTED

Targets: Castle outskirts, economic buildings
Restrictions: 5-minute minimum approach time
Purpose: Quick tactical strikes without full siege commitment

Surgical Strikes (10-30 minutes) - MODERATELY RESTRICTED

Targets: Specific strategic elements
Restrictions: 10-minute minimums, reduced speed boost effectiveness
Purpose: Strategic depth without slow pacing

Castle Sieges (30+ minutes) - FULLY RESTRICTED

Targets: Complete base destruction
Restrictions: All defensive mechanics apply
Purpose: Epic strategic warfare with proper build-up

Speed Boost Limitations

Preventing Abuse:

Minimum March Times: 5-30 minutes based on distance
Diminishing Returns: Each successive speed boost less effective
Detection Grace Periods: Mandatory warning times regardless of speed boosts
Phase-Based Pricing: Speed boosts cost more in final approach

Stealth Attack System

Free Stealth Through Skill

Route Planning Mechanics:

Forest Paths: 75% reduced detection range
Mountain Passes: 60% reduced detection range
River Valleys: 50% reduced detection range
Timing Windows: Attack during target's offline hours for 90% stealth

Skill Requirements:

2-6 hours of route scouting and target analysis
Learning defender patterns and offline schedules
Terrain knowledge and route optimization
Precise timing coordination

Premium Stealth Convenience

Gold-Based Alternatives:

Instant Route Analysis: 200 gold for immediate scouting
Intelligence Reports: 300 gold for defender activity analysis
Stealth Enhancement: 500 gold for artificial stealth bonuses

Alliance System

Alliance Structure and Hierarchy

Leadership Roles

Alliance Leader (1) - Ultimate authority
├── Right Hand (1) - Co-leader with most permissions
├── Generals (3-5) - Military commanders and recruiters
├── Captains (8-12) - Mid-tier leaders and moderators
├── Veterans (20-30) - Experienced trusted members
└── Members (60-150) - Standard participants

Role-Based Permissions

Send Mail, Kick Members, Accept Applications
Initiate War, Manage Resources, Set Policy
Promote Members, Alliance Research, Territory Management

Alliance Progression System

Alliance Levels (1-25)

Level Benefits Include:

Member Capacity: 50 → 200 members
Territory Slots: 1 → 20 controlled territories
Research Slots: 2 → 15 simultaneous projects
Rally Size: 500k → 3M total army capacity

Experience Sources

Combat Victories: Battle wins and rally successes
Territory Control: Daily XP for strategic locations
Member Activity: Bonus based on participation rates
Research Completion: Large XP for alliance projects
Event Participation: Alliance-wide milestone achievements

Level Requirements

Multiple Advancement Paths:

Activity-Based: Time and member engagement
Investment-Based: Resource and gold contributions
Achievement-Based: Strategic accomplishments and victories

Alliance Research System

Research Categories

Military Research:

Army Effectiveness (+5% per level)
Rally Capacity (+10k per level)
March Speed (+3% per level)
Reinforcement Efficiency (+2% per level)

Economic Research:

Resource Production (+8% per level)
Construction Speed (+5% per level)
Trading Efficiency (+10% per level)
Tax Collection Optimization (+3% per level)

Technology Research:

Advanced Communications (coordination tools)
Intelligence Networks (enemy detection)
Logistics Mastery (reduced march costs)
Defensive Strategies (fortification bonuses)

Alliance Economy

Treasury System

Revenue Sources:

Member Donations: Voluntary contributions
Territory Income: Automatic from controlled areas
Tax Collection: Percentage of member generation
War Spoils: Resources from successful battles
Trade Commissions: Fees from facilitated trades

Member-to-Member Trading: With alliance commission
Emergency Assistance: Support for attacked members
Bulk Purchasing: Collective buying power discounts
Research Funding: Pooled resources for advancement

Kingdom vs Kingdom (KvK) Events

KvK Scheduling and Timing

Kingdom Creation and First KvK

New Kingdom Creation Trigger: When current newest kingdom reaches ~1,200 players
First KvK Delay: 1 month after kingdom creation
Realistic Timeline: First KvK typically occurs months 2-4 depending on population growth
Age-Based Matching: Kingdoms matched with similar creation dates when possible

KvK Frequency

Standard Schedule: Once per month (configurable)
Frequency Adjustments: Based on player feedback and engagement metrics
Population Considerations: May adjust timing based on kingdom development rates

3-Kingdom KvK Format

Enhanced Political Complexity

Triangle Dynamic:

Kingdom A vs Kingdom B vs Kingdom C
No permanent alliances - any two can ally against the third
Dynamic alliance shifts throughout the 6-hour battle
Trust becomes strategic resource with long-term consequences

Real-Time Political Alliance System

Alliance Proposal Framework:

Formal proposals between kingdom Host Alliances during KvK
Example: "Kingdom A + Kingdom B eliminate Kingdom C first, then 1v1 finale"
Accept/Reject/Counter-propose options for strategic negotiation
Betrayal mechanics - either kingdom can attack their "ally" instantly breaking alliance

Active Alliance Benefits:

Cross-kingdom reinforcements - Kingdom B can help defend Kingdom A's castles
Coordinated attacks - Joint rallies against common enemy
Shared intelligence - Both kingdoms see each other's strategic information
Joint victory bonuses - Shared rewards if target kingdom eliminated

Betrayal Consequences:

Instant alliance termination when ally attacks ally
All reinforcements recalled immediately upon betrayal
Public announcement of betrayal visible to all kingdoms
Reputation impact affecting future KvK negotiation credibility

Alliance Coalition System (Revolutionary Feature)

Preserving Alliance Independence

Core Innovation:

No forced alliance merging - all alliances maintain independence during KvK
Coalition cooperation - temporary coordination without structural changes
Shared kingdom objectives while preserving alliance identity
Cross-alliance participation in rallies and reinforcements

Democratic Host Selection

Democratic Process:

24-48 hours before KvK: Kingdom-wide voting period
One vote per alliance (not per player) - prevents large alliance dominance
Alliance leaders cast votes on behalf of their members
Host alliance responsibilities: Strategic coordination, diplomacy, King/Queen appointment

Rally System Across Alliances

Cross-Alliance Rally Participation

Merit-Based Leadership:

Any player can start a rally regardless of alliance membership
Rally participants inherit leader's stats - encourages following strongest leaders
Natural coordination - players gravitate toward most effective commanders
Alliance research bonuses: Only rally leader's alliance research applies (prevents host alliance favoritism)

Rally Mechanics:

Rally leader limit: Can only host 1 rally at a time
No cooldowns: Can start new rally immediately after previous concludes
Rally capacity: Based on Hall of War level + Alliance Mega Rally research
Timing coordination: Multiple strong leaders can launch simultaneous rallies for "double whammy" attacks

Rally Formation Rules:

5-minute standard formation time (shorter rallies possible but limited)
Troops must reach rally castle before departure (geography matters)
No army composition changes once rally launches
March speed affects participation ability

KvK Event Structure

Event Duration

6-Hour Base Battle:

Continuous competition without artificial phases
Dynamic extensions if victory margins are close (<10%)
Maximum 8-10 hours including potential overtime
Optimal timing for multiple time zones

24-Hour Preparation Period

Pre-Battle Activities:

Strategy Declaration: Choose kingdom focus (Military/Economic/Diplomatic/Technological)
Treaty Negotiations: Form alliances, non-aggression pacts, trade agreements
Coalition Planning: Alliance coordination and resource preparation
Diplomatic Maneuvering: Target selection and partnership building

Multi-Path Victory System

Victory Types

Military Domination: Traditional conquest and territory control Economic Supremacy: Resource control and infrastructure development Diplomatic Victory: Coalition building and alliance success Technological Advancement: Research leadership and innovation Hybrid Strategies: Adaptive multi-path approaches

Victory Point Distribution

25% Military actions and conquest
25% Economic development and resource control
25% Diplomatic achievements and alliance success
15% Technological progress and innovation
10% Participation bonuses and engagement

Advanced KvK Features

Forest Barrier Mechanics

High-Risk Zone Around Center Castle:

50% movement speed reduction in forest zone
Castle banishment consequence for losing forest battles
All reinforcements recalled when castle is banished
Strategic isolation from kingdom support during forest approach

Castle Control Victory

Cumulative Time System:

Victory Condition: Hold center castle for 3+ hours cumulative
Any coalition alliance holding castle counts for kingdom
Rotation strategies allow different alliances to defend
Last-hour drama as kingdoms race to threshold

Matchmaking and Balance

Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Beyond Raw Power:

Active Player Count (25% of matching weight)
Alliance Coordination Score (20% weight)
Spending Distribution (10% weight)
Recent Activity Trends (5% weight)

Age-Based Competition Brackets

Month 1-3 Kingdoms: First-time KvK participants, learning-focused Month 4-8 Kingdoms: Developing strategies and competitive meta Month 9+ Kingdoms: Mature competitive play with established politics

Dynamic Balance Mechanisms

Mid-Event Adjustments:

Underdog bonuses if early results show severe imbalance
Multiple victory paths beyond pure domination
Participation rewards ensure meaningful engagement for all

Kingdom Management

Kingdom Population Strategy

Optimal Kingdom Size

Target Population: 1,200-1,500 active players

Alliance Distribution: 8-12 alliances × 100-150 members
KvK Balance: Sufficient for competitive 3-kingdom battles
Social Dynamics: Large enough for politics, not overwhelming
Resource Competition: Adequate nodes and strategic locations

New Kingdom Creation

Triggers:

Population Threshold: Current kingdom reaches ~1,200 active players
Age Requirement: Kingdom minimum 14 days old
Automatic Process: New kingdoms open when conditions met

Kingdom Selection System

Player Choice with Smart Defaults

Default Selection:

Newest kingdom accepting players (recommended for new players)
Population balance consideration
Language and time zone optimization

Available Information:

Player count and activity levels
Kingdom age and competitive level
Primary language and time zones
Recent KvK performance and community rating

Personalized Recommendations

Matching Factors:

Language preference alignment
Time zone compatibility
Competitive level (Casual/Moderate/Competitive/Hardcore)
Community culture fit

Castle Teleportation System

Balanced Teleportation Mechanics

Post-Teleport Combat Restrictions:

0-30 minutes: Cannot launch attacks
30-60 minutes: 50% army effectiveness
1-2 hours: 25% army effectiveness
2-4 hours: Normal combat capability

Teleportation Limitations

Proximity Blocks (REMOVED):

Previous 100km restriction removed to allow legitimate castle sieges and farming

Escalating Costs:

1st teleport: 1000 gold, 24-hour cooldown
2nd teleport: 2500 gold, 48-hour cooldown
3rd+ teleport: 5000+ gold, 72+ hour cooldowns

Territory-Based Pricing

Friendly territory: 500 gold
Neutral territory: 1500 gold
Enemy territory: 5000 gold
Active war zones: 10000+ gold

Kingdom Merger System

Voluntary Merger Framework

Democratic Process:

48-hour proposal period with kingdom-wide voting
60% approval threshold required
Weighted voting based on activity and contribution
Alliance leader consultation and coalition input

Merger Eligibility

Quality-Based Assessment:

Competitive viability over raw population numbers
Coordination quality and strategic execution
KvK performance and win rates
Player retention and community health

Compatibility Matching

Multi-Factor Analysis:

Population balance (neither kingdom > 70% of merged total)
Alliance structure compatibility
Economic and technological balance
Cultural and language compatibility
Time zone overlap optimization

Alliance Territory System

Core Alliance Buildings

Fortress - Territory Control Hub

Largest territory claim - major strategic footprint
Alliance stronghold - heavily defended, high-value target
Command center - hub for alliance-wide coordination
Limited quantity - 1-2 per alliance to maintain strategic value
Upgradeable - Level 1-10 with scaling territory and benefits

Tower - Expansion Points

Smaller territory bubbles - fill strategic gaps
Flexible placement - control resource nodes, chokepoints, borders
Faster construction - easier to build than fortresses
Contested zones - "first tower up wins" in prime locations
Upgradeable - Enhanced territory radius and alliance benefits per level

Resource Buildings - Economic Infrastructure

Alliance-wide resource generation boosts for members
Specialized buildings for different resource types
Strategic vulnerability - enemies benefit from destroying these
Collective investment - alliance funds construction and upgrades

Alliance Hospital - Military Support

Reduced healing costs for alliance members within territory
Faster healing times - accelerated troop recovery
Capacity scaling - handle more wounded troops as alliance/building levels increase
Strategic military infrastructure enabling more aggressive alliance warfare

Trade Route Buildings - Economic Networks

In-kingdom alliance commerce - no cross-kingdom trading
Alliance specialization - some alliances become economic powerhouses
Farm alliance strategy - dedicated resource generation alliances
Economic warfare - rival alliances can target trade infrastructure
Trade route vulnerability - buildings can be attacked and disrupted

Territory Benefits and Scaling

Dynamic Territory System

Alliance Level + Building Level Synergy:

Territory bonuses scale with both alliance level and individual building level
Maximum benefits require investment in both alliance advancement AND building upgrades
Example: Level 20 Alliance + Level 5 Fortress = major bonuses
Resource allocation strategy - balance alliance research vs building investment

Territory Benefits:

Resource generation boost for members within territory
March speed bonus for alliance members in own territory
Troop training speed improvements near alliance buildings
Healing cost reduction within alliance medical buildings' territory

Forest Competition Strategy

Prime Territory Around Forest

Highest tier resource nodes concentrated near forest border
Strategic positioning for KvK castle approach routes
Limited prime spots - intense competition during expansion
Risk/reward balance - better resources but more vulnerable during KvK

Contested Zone Resolution

"First tower up wins" creates land rush dynamics
Multiple alliances racing to claim forest-adjacent locations
Tower construction speed becomes competitive advantage
Territory wars - destroy enemy construction to claim contested spots

Building Progression System

Upgrade Framework

Building Levels 1-10:

Exponential resource costs - higher levels require massive investment
Extended construction times - weeks or months for maximum level buildings
Collective alliance effort - multiple members contribute to upgrades
Alliance level gates - advanced building levels require advanced alliance levels

Strategic Investment Decisions:

Quality over quantity - upgrade existing buildings vs building new ones
Territorial expansion vs territorial consolidation strategies
Specialization paths - focus on military buildings vs economic buildings

Dragon System

Dragon Acquisition and Basic Progression

Initial Dragon Acquisition

Automatic unlock at Castle Level 2 - ensures players understand basic mechanics first
No equipment system - dragons provide benefits through skills only
Single dragon per player - maintains strategic choice and balance

Dragon Leveling System

Primary Progression:

Building level correlation - dragon level tied to castle development
Activity bonuses - additional XP from completing various in-game actions
Future expansion potential - gold-based acceleration items in later updates

Dragon Skill Categories

Offensive Skills:

Flaming Arrows I/II/III: Bowmen damage bonuses against other troop types
Cavalry Claw I/II/III: Cavalry damage bonuses against other troop types
March of Fury: Increases army size capacity for larger forces

Defensive Skills:

Infantry Backbone I/II/III: Damage reduction bonuses for infantry units
Dragon Blessing: Reduces overall troop casualties in battle
Smokescreen: Increases trap health for castle defense scenarios

Utility Skills:

Beast of Burden: Increases resource carrying capacity for gathering
Winged Heels: Increases march speed for faster army movement
Trap Wrecker: Anti-trap damage bonuses for siege units

Shadow Dragon System (Premium)

Time-Limited Dragon Support

Revolutionary Multi-March Solution:

Purchase Shadow Dragons with gold for temporary use
Every march can have dragon support while Shadow Dragon is active
Time-limited duration - hours or days depending on purchase tier
Strategic timing - save Shadow Dragons for crucial battles or KvK events

Balance Considerations:

Temporary boost rather than permanent advantage
Strategic resource management - when to use limited Shadow Dragons
Maintains single permanent dragon as core progression system
Premium convenience without breaking free-to-play viability

Shadow Dragon Mechanics

Same skill effects as permanent dragon
Applies to all marches simultaneously while active
Countdown timer visible to player
Cannot be extended - must purchase new Shadow Dragon when expired
Stacks with permanent dragon for enhanced effects during Shadow Dragon periods

Resource Economy

Resource Types and Uses

Five Core Resources

Traditional Resources:

Food: Troop training, troop upkeep, building construction
Wood: Building construction, research projects, equipment crafting
Iron: Troop training, equipment crafting, advanced buildings

Advanced Resources:

Silver: Premium currency for advanced items and acceleration
Mithril: Rare resource for high-end equipment and upgrades

Resource Applications

Construction: All buildings require specific resource combinations
Military: Troop training costs scale with tier and quantity
Research: University and Alliance research consume resources over time
Equipment: Crafting and upgrading gear requires material combinations
Alliance: Territory buildings and upgrades require massive resource investment

Dynamic Resource Node System

Node Mechanics

Tier-Based Resource Nodes:

T1-T10 nodes corresponding to different resource quantities and quality
Higher tier nodes contain more resources per gathering session
Troop efficiency scaling - T10 troops gather significantly faster than T1 troops
Capacity based on node tier - higher tier nodes support more simultaneous gatherers

Node Spawning and Competition

Dynamic Map System:

Node depletion - nodes disappear when fully harvested
Random respawn locations - prevents territory monopolization
Balanced spawn algorithms - ensure adequate resource availability across kingdom
Geographic distribution - higher tier nodes more likely to spawn near strategic locations

Resource Competition:

No permanent resource control - nodes move to prevent static advantages
Gathering speed advantages reward military investment in higher tier troops
Alliance coordination for securing high-value nodes
Territory benefits enhance gathering within alliance-controlled areas

Storage and Protection System

Alliance Storage Integration

Alliance storage buildings provide shared resource pools
Individual storage houses protect percentage of personal resources
Protection scaling based on storage house level and alliance storage access
Raidable resources - unprotected resources can be stolen in attacks
Strategic resource management - balance protection vs accessibility

Resource Security Balance

Protected resource percentage requires careful balance testing
Too much protection reduces raid incentives and economic warfare
Too little protection frustrates casual players and new accounts
Dynamic protection scaling based on player activity and development level

PvE Content System

Monster and Barbarian Progression

Sequential PvE Content

Monster Hunting System:

Level-gated progression - must kill Level 1 monsters before accessing Level 2
Random map spawning - monsters appear throughout kingdom territory
Solo engagement - individual players hunt monsters for personal rewards
Geographic difficulty - higher level monsters spawn near forest and strategic areas

Barbarian Camp System:

Rally requirement - barbarian camps require coordinated alliance attacks
Progressive difficulty - must clear lower level camps before accessing higher tiers
Alliance cooperation - encourages teamwork and strategic coordination
Proximity to forest - higher level barbarian camps spawn closer to strategic forest areas

PvE Reward Scaling

Experience and resources from monster kills
Alliance XP bonuses from barbarian camp victories
Unique materials available only through PvE content
Equipment crafting components from higher tier PvE encounters

Raid Mob Kingdom Events

Dynamic Kingdom-Wide Events

Raid Mob Spawn System:

Completely random timing - no predictable schedule
Minimum 48+ hour respawn after successful kill
Random location spawning - cannot be camped or predicted
Kingdom-wide notification when raid mob appears (optional feature)

Raid Mob Engagement Rules

First-Come, First-Served System:

First alliance to reach and engage locks the encounter for 10 minutes
10-minute exclusive window - sufficient time for organized assault
Teleport on failure - raid mob relocates if not defeated within time limit
Defeated army restriction - armies that lose cannot re-engage the same raid mob

Alliance Level Scaling Rewards

Dynamic Reward System:

Rewards scale with alliance level - ensures value for both new and mature alliances
Unique materials only available through raid mob encounters
Alliance-wide benefits - entire alliance receives rewards upon successful completion
Strategic coordination requirement - encourages alliance teamwork and planning

Player Progression System

Hero and Lord Development

Hero Star System

Fragment-based progression - collect hero fragments to increase star rating
Long-term advancement - provides sustained progression goals
Star-based power scaling - clear milestones with meaningful power increases
Multiple acquisition methods - events, purchases, achievements

Talent Point Progression

Activity-based advancement - talent points earned through gameplay actions
Diversified XP sources - building, researching, fighting, gathering all contribute
Skill tree specialization - players choose focus areas for character development
Respec availability - ability to redistribute talent points (potentially premium feature)

Equipment and Crafting System

Material-Based Crafting

Resource requirements - equipment requires specific material combinations
Crafting within castle - no separate alliance crafting buildings needed
Tier-based materials - higher tier equipment requires rare materials from advanced content
Enhancement system - upgrade existing equipment rather than replacing

Equipment Sources

PvE content - monsters and raids provide crafting materials
Resource conversion - basic resources can be processed into crafting materials
Event rewards - special materials available through competitions and achievements
Trading system - alliance members can exchange materials and components

University Research System

Individual Research Paths

Personal advancement separate from alliance research
Multiple specialization trees - military, economic, technological focus options
Long-term progression - months of advancement available in each tree
Strategic choices - cannot max all trees simultaneously, requires focus

Research Integration

Stacks with alliance research - personal and alliance bonuses combine
Prerequisites and gates - certain research requires building levels or achievements
Resource investment - significant resource costs for advanced research
Time investment - days or weeks for high-level research projects

Monetization Strategy

Revenue Model Framework

Free-to-Play Foundation

Core Gameplay Accessibility:

All essential features available without payment
Skill-based alternatives to premium conveniences
Daily allowances for competitive participation
Alliance support systems for resource sharing and progression assistance

Premium Convenience Options

Speed Boost System:

Graduated effectiveness with diminishing returns after multiple uses
Phase-based pricing - more expensive during final approach phases
Daily usage caps to prevent pure pay-to-win scenarios
Emergency reserves available at premium costs for critical situations

Shadow Dragon System:

Time-limited dragon support for multiple marches simultaneously
Strategic resource - when to use limited Shadow Dragons for maximum effect
Maintains balance - temporary boost rather than permanent advantage
Premium convenience without breaking free-to-play competitive viability

Skill vs. Convenience Balance

Multiple Paths to Success

Free Skill-Based Options:

Route planning stealth - 2-6 hours of scouting for maximum stealth effectiveness
Timing coordination - precise attack timing for optimal results
Alliance cooperation - teamwork and coordination competitive with individual spending
Strategic planning - long-term progression through smart resource management

Premium Convenience Alternatives:

Instant route analysis - immediate scouting results for gold
Intelligence reports - defender activity analysis for premium currency
Speed boost options - reduced travel time with diminishing returns
Shadow Dragon support - temporary multi-march dragon bonuses

Tax and Tribute System

Victory-Based Resource Benefits

Conquest Rewards:

0% tax on domestic gathering for victorious kingdoms in KvK
4% tax on conquered kingdoms' resource collection
Royal treasury management by democratically elected King/Queen
Merit-based reward distribution rather than spending-based favoritism

Democratic Resource Distribution

Elected leadership manages kingdom resources and rewards
Alliance contribution tracking for fair reward allocation
Player activity consideration in benefit distribution
Transparent resource flow with visible contribution and reward metrics

Anti-Pay-to-Win Measures

System Safeguards

Minimum march times prevent instant attacks regardless of spending level
Detection grace periods ensure defender response opportunities exist
Diminishing returns on excessive speed boost usage
Democratic systems prevent single-player kingdom dominance through spending

Balanced Progression

Time investment paths can achieve premium-equivalent results
Strategic skill valued over pure monetary investment
Alliance cooperation provides competitive advantages beyond individual spending
Multiple victory conditions prevent single-strategy dominance

Server Infrastructure

Production-Ready Architecture

Self-Hosted Design

Cross-Platform Server:

C# .NET 8 for identical Linux/Windows operation
Visual Studio 2022 development environment
Single binary deployment with minimal runtime dependencies
Auto-scaling capability for unpredictable growth patterns

Database Strategy

Multi-Kingdom Database:

PostgreSQL with kingdom-based partitioning
Redis caching for real-time data and session management
Automated sharding when kingdom count exceeds server thresholds
Read replica support for query distribution and performance optimization

Scalability Framework

Kingdom Distribution

Dynamic Assignment:

Load balancing across server instances based on kingdom activity
Maximum kingdoms per server with automatic overflow to new instances
Server health monitoring and capacity management
Auto-scaling triggers based on player count and usage metrics

Growth Adaptation

Designed for Unknown Scale:

Single server start capable of handling 1-50 kingdoms
Horizontal scaling to multiple server instances as growth demands
Database cluster expansion with kingdom-based sharding strategies
Configuration-driven scaling parameters for easy adjustment

Monitoring and Administration

Comprehensive Logging

Server Monitoring:

Combat logging for all battles, outcomes, and balance analysis
Purchase tracking for spending pattern analysis and revenue optimization
Player behavior analytics for retention improvement and engagement optimization
Performance metrics across all server instances and database queries

Administrative Dashboard

Real-Time Management:

Live kingdom statistics including population, activity, and health metrics
Server performance monitoring with automated alerting systems
Revenue analytics and monetization effectiveness tracking
Player support tools and community management interfaces

Web Dashboard Features

Public Features

Community Engagement:

Live kingdom map displaying alliance territories and control
Active battle tracker for ongoing conflicts and major engagements
Alliance rankings and achievement displays
Player statistics and leaderboards across multiple categories

Administrative Features

Operational Management:

Server health monitoring and performance optimization tools
Balance analysis for game mechanics and competitive fairness
Revenue tracking and monetization strategy effectiveness
Community health metrics and player retention analysis

Implementation Roadmap

Phase 1: Foundation (Months 1-3)

Core Infrastructure:

Visual Studio 2022 project setup with proper architecture and organization
PostgreSQL database schema design and Entity Framework integration
Basic API controllers for player authentication and alliance management
JWT authentication system with ASP.NET Core Identity integration
Unity client with server communication layer and basic UI framework

Phase 2: Combat System (Months 4-6)

Battle Mechanics:

Statistical combat engine with troop effectiveness calculations and damage systems
Dragon system implementation with skills, leveling, and Shadow Dragon mechanics
Automatic field interception mechanics with per-attacker triggers and hybrid defense
Speed boost limitations, diminishing returns, and balance systems
Attack classification framework with appropriate restrictions per attack type

Phase 3: Alliance Features (Months 7-9)

Social Systems:

Alliance hierarchy and role-based permission systems
Alliance research trees with military, economic, and technology branches
Alliance territory system with buildings, upgrades, and scaling benefits
Alliance level progression with meaningful capacity and feature unlocks
Resource sharing and treasury management systems

Phase 4: KvK Events (Months 10-12)

Kingdom Warfare:

3-kingdom KvK system with dynamic political alliance mechanics
Multi-alliance coalition system preserving alliance independence
Democratic host selection with cross-alliance rally coordination
Victory condition systems with multiple paths to success
Forest barrier mechanics and strategic territory control

Phase 5: Kingdom Management (Months 13-15)

Population Systems:

Kingdom creation triggers and population management systems
Player assignment and kingdom selection interface with smart recommendations
Castle teleportation system with balanced restrictions and escalating costs
Kingdom merger framework with democratic processes and compatibility matching
Tax and tribute systems with royal distribution mechanics

Phase 6: Polish and Launch (Months 16-18)

Production Readiness:

Performance optimization across all systems and database queries
Comprehensive testing and quality assurance validation
Balance refinement based on extensive internal testing and feedback
Administrative tools and monitoring systems for live service management
Marketing preparation and community building initiatives

Phase 7: Post-Launch Evolution (Months 19+)

Continuous Development:

Castle level expansion to 35+ with T11+ troop tiers
Advanced alliance buildings - Dragon Altar and Spirit Altar ceremony systems
Seasonal events and competitive tournament systems
PvE expansion with raid dungeons and advanced monster encounters
Cross-kingdom features for advanced players and mature server clusters

Success Metrics and KPIs

Technical Performance

Server uptime: >99.5% availability across all instances
Response times: <200ms for API calls and <50ms for database queries
Concurrent players: Target support for 10,000+ simultaneous users per server cluster
Kingdom capacity: 1,200-1,500 players per kingdom with optimal performance

Player Engagement

Daily Active Users (DAU) tracking with growth targets and retention analysis
Session length and frequency analysis for engagement optimization
Player retention rates (D1, D7, D30) with industry-leading targets
Alliance participation metrics and social engagement measurement

Business Metrics

Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) optimization with sustainable growth targets
Player Lifetime Value (LTV) measurement and improvement strategies
Conversion rates from free to paying players with balanced monetization
Kingdom population health and competitive balance maintenance

Community Health

Alliance stability and member retention within social structures
KvK participation rates and competitive balance across all kingdom tiers
Player satisfaction through regular surveys and community feedback analysis
Community growth through organic word-of-mouth and player referrals

Risk Management and Mitigation

Technical Risks

Server scaling challenges - Mitigated by kingdom-based partitioning design and horizontal scaling architecture
Database performance - Addressed through PostgreSQL optimization, Redis caching, and read replica strategies
Security vulnerabilities - Prevented by server-authoritative design and comprehensive input validation
Cross-platform compatibility - Managed through .NET 8 standardization and extensive testing protocols

Business Risks

Monetization balance - Addressed through skill-based alternatives, democratic systems, and anti-pay-to-win measures
Player retention - Mitigated by strong social features, meaningful progression, and preserved alliance structures
Market competition - Differentiated through innovative field interception, coalition systems, and political mechanics
Development timeline - Managed through phased implementation, MVP approach, and realistic scope management

Operational Risks

Community management - Planned through comprehensive administrative tools and moderation systems
Balance maintenance - Supported by extensive logging, analytics systems, and data-driven optimization
Technical support - Enabled through detailed monitoring, diagnostic capabilities, and player support tools
Growth management - Prepared through scalable architecture, kingdom merger systems, and population balancing

This design document represents the complete vision for Shadowed Realms, incorporating all discussed refinements and new systems. The game is designed to scale from hundreds to tens of thousands of players while preserving the social dynamics, strategic depth, and competitive balance that create compelling long-term player experiences in the strategy MMO genre.

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