# 🎮 MAIN CHARACTER PRODUCTION NOTES

**Status:** 🏠 USER MANUAL PRODUCTION  
**Date:** 2026-01-02  
**Decision:** Main characters will be created manually by hipodevil666 at home

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## 🎯 CHARACTERS TO BE CREATED MANUALLY

### **Kai** (Main Protagonist)
- 4-directional idle poses (front, back, left, right)
- Walk animation frames (2 per direction = 8 frames)
- **Total:** 12 sprites
- **Reference:** Dark green dreadlocks, ear gauges, blue jacket
- **Style:** Style 32 (Cult of the Lamb cute-dark)

### **Ana** (Twin Sister)
- 4-directional idle poses
- Walk animation frames (2 per direction = 8 frames)
- **Total:** 12 sprites
- **Reference:** Survivor gear, similar to Kai
- **Style:** Style 32

### **Gronk** (Troll Companion)
- 4-directional idle poses
- **Total:** 4 sprites
- **Reference:** 3m tall troll, pink dreadlocks, "TROLL SABBATH" shirt, ear gauges, piercings, vape
- **Style:** Style 32

### **Susi** (Pet Dog)
- 4-directional idle poses
- **Total:** 4 sprites
- **Reference:** Small terrier dog
- **Style:** Style 32

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## 📊 TOTAL MANUAL SPRITES: 32

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## ✅ AUTOMATED GENERATOR SCOPE

The automated generator (`production_generator_v2.py`) handles:

**Phase 2: Creatures & NPCs (45 sprites)**
- ✅ Zombies (10)
- ✅ Dinosaurs (10)
- ✅ Animals (10)
- ✅ Magical beings (5)
- ✅ Police NPCs (3)
- ✅ Medical NPCs (2)
- ✅ Merchant NPCs (3)
- ✅ Mentor NPCs (2)

**Phase 3: Main Characters**
- ❌ SKIPPED - Manual production by user

**Future Phases:**
- Phase 4: Biomes (5000+ sprites)
- Phase 5: Items & Equipment (3000+ sprites)
- Phase 6: Buildings & Props (4000+ sprites)
- Phase 7: Effects & UI (1830+ sprites)

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## 🎨 WHY MANUAL FOR MAIN CHARACTERS?

1. **Highest Visual Importance** - Players see these characters constantly
2. **Need Perfect Consistency** - Animation frames must flow smoothly
3. **Character Personality** - Subtle expressions and poses matter most
4. **Reference Control** - User has specific vision for Kai, Ana, Gronk
5. **Quality Over Speed** - Worth taking extra time for perfection

**This is the right decision!** ✅

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## 📝 PRODUCTION STRATEGY

**Automated Generator:**
- Background characters (NPCs, enemies, creatures)
- Environmental assets (plants, props, items)
- Large-scale asset batches (biomes, effects)

**Manual Creation:**
- Main playable characters
- Critical story NPCs (if needed)
- Special boss characters (optional)
- Hero assets that define the game's identity

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**END OF MANUAL PRODUCTION NOTES**