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Mission Prop States

Published mirror · Source of truth: pending in Captainswords.app/docs

Not every asset needs states.

Only mission props need states.

Prop classes

Class 1: Binary props

Most common.

State pattern:

broken → fixed

Examples:

  • net
  • basket
  • rope
  • sign
  • gate
  • bridge plank
  • ladder
  • fence

Required images:

  • broken/problem state
  • fixed/complete state

Class 2: Progressive props

These show progress over multiple rounds.

State pattern:

0% → 25% → 50% → 75% → 100%

Examples:

  • lighthouse
  • dock
  • boat
  • map
  • garden
  • campfire
  • whale rescue progress
  • fog clearing

Required images:

Usually 3–5 states, depending on importance.

For MVP, use 3 states where possible:

  • start
  • middle
  • complete

Class 3: Container props

These fill with objects.

Examples:

  • basket
  • cargo hold
  • bucket
  • treasure chest
  • fuel tank
  • water barrel

Best implementation:

Use one container sprite plus separate fill objects.

Do not create many baked states unless needed.

Example:

basket sprite + fish sprites

The engine places fish inside procedurally.

Class 4: Revealable props

These reveal hidden information.

Examples:

  • map
  • journal
  • sign
  • old letter
  • wall inscription

Required assets:

  • base image
  • reveal mask or hidden layer

Average asset count

For MVP, most mission props need 2–3 images.

Examples:

Fishing net:

  • net_broken
  • net_repaired

Lantern:

  • lantern_off
  • lantern_dim
  • lantern_on

Map:

  • map_base
  • map_reveal_mask
  • map_revealed_details

Basket:

  • basket_empty
  • fish_tokens as separate objects

Rule

Do not animate every prop frame-by-frame.

Use static states plus reusable FX.