# lofivor - build roadmap

survivor-like optimized for weak hardware. finding the performance ceiling first, then building the game.

## phase 1: sandbox stress test

- [ ] create sandbox.zig (separate from existing game code)
- [ ] entity struct (x, y, vx, vy, color)
- [ ] flat array storage for entities
- [ ] spawn entities at random screen edges
- [ ] update loop: move toward center, respawn on arrival
- [ ] render: filled circles (4px radius, cyan)
- [ ] metrics overlay (entity count, frame time, update time, render time)
- [ ] controls: +/- 100, shift +/- 1000, space pause, r reset

## phase 2: find the ceiling

- [ ] test on i5-6500T / HD 530 @ 1280x1024
- [ ] record entity count where 60fps breaks
- [ ] identify bottleneck (CPU update vs GPU render)
- [ ] document findings

## phase 3: optimization experiments

based on phase 2 results:

- [ ] if render-bound: batch rendering, instancing
- [ ] if cpu-bound: SIMD, struct-of-arrays, multithreading
- [ ] re-test after each change

## phase 4: add collision

- [ ] spatial partitioning (grid or quadtree)
- [ ] projectile-to-enemy collision
- [ ] measure new ceiling with collision enabled

## phase 5: game loop

- [ ] player entity (keyboard controlled)
- [ ] enemy spawning waves
- [ ] player attacks / projectiles
- [ ] enemy death on hit
- [ ] basic game feel

## future

- [ ] different enemy types
- [ ] player upgrades
- [ ] actual game design (after we know the constraints)