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👥 NPC GENERATION MASTER PLAN

Version: 2.0 - Optimized
Date: January 5th, 2026
Total NPCs: 8 Unique + 15 Variations = 23 Base Sprites


🎯 STRATEGY:

Instead of generating 180 unique NPCs, we create:

  • 8 UNIQUE characters (story-critical, unique portraits)
  • 15 VARIATION templates (recolored for different biomes)

This covers ALL 27 towns across 20 biomes!


📊 TIER 1: UNIQUE PORTRAITS (8 Characters)

These get full unique designs with master reference images.

1. KAI MARKOVIĆ 🗡️

Role: Main playable character
Priority: (CRITICAL)

Visual Details:

  • Pink and green dreadlocks
  • Stretched ear gauges, multiple piercings (nose, lip, eyebrow)
  • Katana strapped to back
  • Post-apocalyptic torn jacket, ripped jeans
  • Combat boots, survival backpack
  • Athletic, wiry build
  • Eyes: Red with dark pupils (human, NOT zombie)

Sprites Needed:

  • Master reference portrait (front-facing, full body)
  • 4-direction idle sprites
  • 4-direction walking animations
  • Combat poses (sword attacks)
  • Dialogue portrait (close-up, expressive)

Total: ~10 sprites


2. ANA MARKOVIĆ 👩‍🔬

Role: Twin sister, main quest target
Priority: (CRITICAL)

Visual Details:

  • Light blonde hair (short, practical cut)
  • Blue eyes WITH dark pupils (friendly NPC style)
  • Determined, survival-ready expression
  • Adventure vest with pockets
  • Research backpack
  • Scientist/survivor hybrid look

Sprites Needed:

  • Master reference portrait
  • Dialogue portraits (3 emotions: neutral, happy, worried)
  • Cutscene sprite (for flashbacks)
  • Rescued sprite (end-game)

Total: ~6 sprites


3. GRONK 🧌

Role: Kaijev prijatelj, tamed troll companion
Priority: (CRITICAL)

Visual Details:

  • MASSIVE green troll (3m tall in chibi proportions)
  • Pink dreadlocks
  • Stretched ear gauges, nose ring
  • Vape always in hand (essential!)
  • Black t-shirt: "TROLL SABBATH" (purple text)
  • Torn baggy skater pants
  • Pink sneakers
  • Friendly giant aesthetic

Sprites Needed:

  • Master reference portrait
  • 4-direction idle (massive size)
  • Walking animations
  • Combat poses (earthquake slam)
  • Vaping animation (idle variant)
  • Dialogue portrait

Total: ~10 sprites


4. MIRO PRAVNIK ⚖️

Role: Lawyer (divorces, legal services)
Priority: (High)

Visual Details:

  • Starejši moški (older man, 50s-60s)
  • Wrinkled brown office suit (worn, apocalypse-aged)
  • Rusty briefcase
  • Tired, weathered expression
  • Dark humor in eyes
  • Red eyes with dark pupils (friendly NPC)

Sprites Needed:

  • Master reference portrait
  • Idle sprite (standing behind desk)
  • Dialogue portrait
  • Gesture sprites (signing papers, adjusting glasses)

Total: ~4 sprites


5. MAYOR/ŽUPAN 🏛️

Role: Town administrator, restoration permits
Priority: (Very High)

Visual Details:

  • Serious lik (authoritative, official)
  • Long green coat with official sash
  • Old tablet computer in hand
  • Bureaucratic but fair expression
  • Red eyes with dark pupils (friendly NPC)

Sprites Needed:

  • Master reference portrait
  • Idle sprite (standing, official pose)
  • Dialogue portrait
  • Gesture sprite (handing permit document)

Total: ~4 sprites


6. IVAN KOVAČ ⚒️

Role: Blacksmith (tool repair, enchanting)
Priority: (CRITICAL - already partially generated)

Visual Details:

  • Močan lik (strong, muscular build)
  • Protective goggles pushed up on forehead
  • Blacksmith apron (soot-covered, leather)
  • Muscular arms, soot on face
  • Red eyes with dark pupils (friendly NPC)

Sprites Needed:

  • Master reference portrait (HAVE: download.jpg)
  • Hammering animation
  • Idle standing
  • Showing sword
  • Dialogue portrait
  • Additional: Enchanting pose (at magic table)

Total: ~6 sprites (5 done, 1 needed)


7. ARBORIST/GOZDAR 🌲

Role: Tree planter, forest management
Priority: (High)

Visual Details:

  • Work clothes (green/brown palette)
  • Gardening gloves
  • Seed bags across chest
  • Dirt-stained, nature-loving
  • Calm, patient expression
  • Red eyes with dark pupils (friendly NPC)

Sprites Needed:

  • Master reference portrait
  • Idle sprite (holding sapling)
  • Dialogue portrait
  • Planting animation (kneeling, placing tree)

Total: ~4 sprites


8. ZOMBI SKAVT 🧟

Role: Friendly zombie companion, explorer
Priority: (Very High)

Visual Details:

  • Friendly zombie with red OR blue bandana around neck
  • Small backpack
  • Red eyes WITH dark pupils (special friendly variant)
  • Chibi zombie proportions
  • Non-threatening, helpful pose

Evolution Stages (4 visual levels):

  1. Base (Lv 1-4): Basic zombie scout, bandana, backpack
  2. Lantern (Lv 5-9): Gains glowing lantern
  3. Armored (Lv 10-14): Light armor plates
  4. Winged (Lv 15-19): Small wings (can fly/scout)
  5. LEGENDARY (Lv 20): Glowing purple aura, all upgrades

Sprites Needed:

  • Master reference portrait (base form)
  • 4-direction idle × 5 evolution stages = 20
  • Walking animations × 5 stages = 20
  • Pointing/discovering animation × 5 = 5
  • Digging animation × 5 = 5

Total: ~50 sprites (ALL evolution stages)


📊 TIER 2: VARIATION TEMPLATES (15 Base Sprites)

These are recolored for different biomes. Generate 1 base, recolor for all 20 biomes.

A) GENERIC CITIZENS (6 variations)

Purpose: Populate restored towns

1. Citizen - Male A (Worker type)

  • Generic laborer clothing
  • Neutral expression
  • Red eyes with dark pupils
  • Recolor for: Forest (brown), Desert (tan), Frozen (white), etc.

2. Citizen - Male B (Merchant type)

  • Vest, trader outfit
  • Friendly expression
  • Recolor for: All biomes

3. Citizen - Female A (Farmer type)

  • Work dress, apron
  • Kind expression
  • Recolor for: All biomes

4. Citizen - Female B (Shopkeeper type)

  • Professional clothing
  • Welcoming expression
  • Recolor for: All biomes

5. Citizen - Child (Generic kid)

  • Simple clothes, energetic
  • Playful expression
  • Recolor for: All biomes

6. Citizen - Elder (Old person)

  • Simple robes, walking stick
  • Wise expression
  • Recolor for: All biomes

Total per variation: 1 base sprite × 20 biome recolors = 20 variants each
Total: 6 base sprites → 120 biome variants


B) NOMAD RAIDERS (4 variations)

Purpose: Dynamic enemy threat

1. Desert Nomad (Medium threat)

  • Tan robes, scimitar, turban
  • Desert-themed gear
  • Hostile expression

2. Frost Bandit (High threat)

  • Fur armor, ice axe
  • Frost-themed gear
  • Aggressive expression

3. Jungle Marauder (Very high threat)

  • Tribal mask, poison darts
  • Jungle-themed gear
  • Dangerous expression

4. Tech Scavenger (Extreme threat)

  • Cyberpunk gear, laser weapon
  • Neon-themed gear
  • Menacing expression

Total: 4 unique raider types × 3 unit variants (warrior, archer, brute) = 12 raider sprites


C) TROLLS (3 variations)

Purpose: Town inhabitants, companions

1. Troll - Male (Friendly)

  • Similar build to Gronk
  • Different color (gray, blue)
  • Work clothes
  • Friendly expression

2. Troll - Female (Friendly)

  • Slightly smaller than male
  • Different color palette
  • Town clothing
  • Welcoming expression

3. Troll - Wild (Enemy)

  • Hostile variant
  • Ragged clothing
  • Aggressive pose
  • No pupils (enemy variant)

Total: 3 troll variations × 5 color variants = 15 troll sprites


📊 TOTAL SPRITE COUNT

Unique Characters:

Character Sprites Priority
Kai 10
Ana 6
Gronk 10
Miro Pravnik 4
Mayor 4
Ivan Kovač 1 (5 done)
Arborist 4
Zombi Skavt 50
TOTAL 89

Variation Templates:

Type Base Sprites Recolors Total
Citizens 6 20 biomes 120
Raiders 12 - 12
Trolls 3 5 colors 15
TOTAL 21 147

🎯 KICKSTARTER DEMO PRIORITY

Generate ONLY these for demo:

Phase 1 (Immediate):

  1. Ivan Kovač - 1 more sprite (enchanting pose)
  2. Zombi Skavt - Base form (8 sprites)
  3. Mayor - Complete set (4 sprites)
  4. 1 Citizen variation (male + female)
  5. 1 Raider type (Desert Nomad)

Total Phase 1: ~20 sprites

Phase 2 (Post-Demo):

  • Kai full sprite set (10)
  • Ana full sprite set (6)
  • Gronk full sprite set (10)
  • Remaining NPCs

📁 FOLDER STRUCTURE

/references/
  ├── main_characters/
  │   ├── kai/
  │   │   └── master_reference.png
  │   ├── ana/
  │   │   └── master_reference.png
  │   └── gronk/
  │       └── master_reference.png
  │
  ├── npcs/
  │   ├── ivan_kovac/
  │   │   └── master_reference.png (✅ HAVE: download.jpg)
  │   ├── mayor/
  │   ├── miro_pravnik/
  │   └── arborist/
  │
  ├── companions/
  │   └── zombie_scout/
  │       ├── base_form.png
  │       ├── level_5_lantern.png
  │       ├── level_10_armored.png
  │       ├── level_15_winged.png
  │       └── level_20_legendary.png
  │
  ├── enemies/
  │   └── nomad_raiders/
  │       ├── desert_nomad.png
  │       ├── frost_bandit.png
  │       ├── jungle_marauder.png
  │       └── tech_scavenger.png
  │
  └── species/
      └── trolls/
          ├── male_friendly.png
          ├── female_friendly.png
          └── wild_hostile.png

GENERATION RULES

ALL NPC Sprites:

  • Style 32 Dark-Chibi Noir
  • Thick black outlines (4-5px)
  • 32x32px base size (larger for portraits)
  • Green background for easy keying
  • Chibi proportions

Eye Rules (CRITICAL):

  • 👥 Friendly NPCs/Humans: Red eyes WITH dark pupils
  • 🧟 Weak/Tamed Zombies: White eyes, NO pupils
  • 🧟 Strong/Wild Zombies: Red eyes, NO pupils
  • 🧡 Zombi Skavt: Red eyes WITH pupils (special exception)

🚀 NEXT STEPS:

  1. Generate Phase 1 sprites (~20)
  2. Organize into /references/ folders
  3. Create master reference sheet for each unique character
  4. Test recoloring system for citizen variations
  5. Update asset browser with new NPCs

Status: 🟢 READY FOR GENERATION
Estimate: Phase 1 = ~2 hours (20 sprites)
Total Project: ~240 sprites (with all variations)