# Spacetris — COOPERATE Mode ## Middle SYNC Line Effect (SDL3) ### VS Code Copilot AI Agent Integration Guide > Goal: Implement a **visual SYNC divider line** in COOPERATE mode that communicates cooperation state between two players. > This effect must be lightweight, performant, and decoupled from gameplay logic. --- ## 1. Concept Overview The **SYNC Line** is the vertical divider between the two halves of the COOPERATE grid. It must: - Always be visible - React when one side is ready - Pulse when both sides are ready - Flash on line clear - Provide instant, text-free feedback No shaders. No textures. SDL3 only. --- ## 2. Visual States Define these states: ```cpp enum class SyncState { Idle, // no side ready LeftReady, // left half complete RightReady, // right half complete Synced, // both halves complete ClearFlash // row cleared }; ```` --- ## 3. Color Language | State | Color | Meaning | | ------------------ | --------------- | ------------------- | | Idle | Blue | Neutral | | Left / Right Ready | Yellow | Waiting for partner | | Synced | Green (pulsing) | Perfect cooperation | | ClearFlash | White | Successful clear | --- ## 4. Geometry The SYNC line is a simple rectangle: ```cpp SDL_FRect syncLine; syncLine.x = gridCenterX - 2; syncLine.y = gridTopY; syncLine.w = 4; syncLine.h = gridHeight; ``` --- ## 5. Rendering Rules * Always render every frame * Use alpha blending * Pulse alpha when synced * Flash briefly on clear --- ## 6. SyncLineRenderer Class (Required) ### Header ```cpp #pragma once #include enum class SyncState { Idle, LeftReady, RightReady, Synced, ClearFlash }; class SyncLineRenderer { public: SyncLineRenderer(); void SetRect(const SDL_FRect& rect); void SetState(SyncState state); void TriggerClearFlash(); void Update(float deltaTime); void Render(SDL_Renderer* renderer); private: SDL_FRect m_rect; SyncState m_state; float m_flashTimer; float m_time; static constexpr float FLASH_DURATION = 0.15f; SDL_Color GetBaseColor() const; }; ``` --- ### Implementation ```cpp #include "SyncLineRenderer.h" #include SyncLineRenderer::SyncLineRenderer() : m_state(SyncState::Idle), m_flashTimer(0.0f), m_time(0.0f) {} void SyncLineRenderer::SetRect(const SDL_FRect& rect) { m_rect = rect; } void SyncLineRenderer::SetState(SyncState state) { if (state != SyncState::ClearFlash) m_state = state; } void SyncLineRenderer::TriggerClearFlash() { m_state = SyncState::ClearFlash; m_flashTimer = FLASH_DURATION; } void SyncLineRenderer::Update(float deltaTime) { m_time += deltaTime; if (m_state == SyncState::ClearFlash) { m_flashTimer -= deltaTime; if (m_flashTimer <= 0.0f) { m_state = SyncState::Idle; m_flashTimer = 0.0f; } } } SDL_Color SyncLineRenderer::GetBaseColor() const { switch (m_state) { case SyncState::LeftReady: case SyncState::RightReady: return {255, 220, 100, 200}; // yellow case SyncState::Synced: return {100, 255, 120, 220}; // green case SyncState::ClearFlash: return {255, 255, 255, 255}; // white default: return {80, 180, 255, 180}; // idle blue } } void SyncLineRenderer::Render(SDL_Renderer* renderer) { SDL_SetRenderDrawBlendMode(renderer, SDL_BLENDMODE_BLEND); SDL_Color color = GetBaseColor(); if (m_state == SyncState::Synced) { float pulse = 0.5f + 0.5f * std::sinf(m_time * 6.0f); color.a = static_cast(160 + pulse * 80); } SDL_SetRenderDrawColor(renderer, color.r, color.g, color.b, color.a); SDL_RenderFillRect(renderer, &m_rect); if (m_state == SyncState::ClearFlash) { SDL_FRect glow = m_rect; glow.x -= 3; glow.w += 6; SDL_SetRenderDrawColor(renderer, 255, 255, 255, 180); SDL_RenderFillRect(renderer, &glow); } } ``` --- ## 7. Integration Flow ### Initialization ```cpp SyncLineRenderer syncLine; syncLine.SetRect({ gridCenterX - 2.0f, gridTopY, 4.0f, gridHeight }); ``` --- ### Update Loop ```cpp syncLine.Update(deltaTime); ``` --- ### Game Logic → Sync State Mapping ```cpp if (leftRowReady && rightRowReady) syncLine.SetState(SyncState::Synced); else if (leftRowReady) syncLine.SetState(SyncState::LeftReady); else if (rightRowReady) syncLine.SetState(SyncState::RightReady); else syncLine.SetState(SyncState::Idle); ``` --- ### On Line Clear Event ```cpp syncLine.TriggerClearFlash(); ``` --- ### Render Loop ```cpp syncLine.Render(renderer); ``` --- ## 8. Performance Requirements * ≤ 2 draw calls per frame * No textures * No dynamic allocations * No blocking logic * Suitable for 60–240 FPS --- ## 9. UX Rationale * Color communicates state without text * Pulse indicates readiness * Flash provides satisfaction on success * Reinforces cooperation visually --- ## 10. Acceptance Criteria * Divider is always visible * State changes are instantly readable * Flash triggers exactly on cooperative line clear * No performance impact * Clean separation from gameplay logic --- ## 11. Optional Future Enhancements (Not Required) * Vertical energy particles * Sound hooks on SYNC / CLEAR * Combo-based intensity * Color-blind palette * Gradient or glow variants --- ## Summary for Copilot Implement a `SyncLineRenderer` class in SDL3 to render the cooperative divider line. The line reflects cooperation state through color, pulse, and flash effects. The renderer must be lightweight, stateless with gameplay, and fully driven by external state updates.