================================================================================
  GLOBAL INK VARIABLE SYNCING - IMPLEMENTATION COMPLETE
================================================================================

PROJECT: BreakEscape
FEATURE: Data-driven global narrative variables synced across all NPC conversations
STATUS: ✅ COMPLETE AND TESTED

================================================================================
WHAT WAS IMPLEMENTED
================================================================================

1. DATA-DRIVEN GLOBAL VARIABLE SYSTEM
   - Global variables declared in scenario JSON (not hardcoded)
   - Stored in window.gameState.globalVariables
   - Automatically synced across all loaded Ink stories
   - Support for both explicit declaration and global_* naming convention

2. CROSS-NPC SYNCHRONIZATION
   - Variables changed in one NPC's story sync to all other stories
   - Real-time propagation with loop prevention
   - Maintains type safety using Ink's Value.Create()

3. STATE PERSISTENCE
   - Global variables saved when conversation ends
   - Restored on next conversation load
   - Survives page reloads

4. PHASER INTEGRATION
   - Direct access: window.gameState.globalVariables[varName]
   - Phaser code can read/write variables
   - Changes automatically synced to Ink stories

5. WORKING EXAMPLE
   - test2.ink: Player can join an organization
   - equipment-officer.ink: Shows different inventory based on join status
   - Demonstrates full workflow of variable propagation

================================================================================
FILES MODIFIED
================================================================================

Core System:
  ✓ js/core/game.js
    - Initialize global variables from scenario (lines 461-467)
  
  ✓ js/systems/npc-conversation-state.js
    - Added 9 new methods for global variable management
    - Updated saveNPCState() to capture globals
    - Updated restoreNPCState() to restore globals
  
  ✓ js/systems/npc-manager.js
    - Integrated sync calls after story load (lines 702-712)

Scenario & Ink:
  ✓ scenarios/npc-sprite-test2.json
    - Added globalVariables section
  
  ✓ scenarios/ink/test2.ink
    - Added player_joined_organization variable
    - Added player choice to join organization
  
  ✓ scenarios/ink/equipment-officer.ink
    - Added player_joined_organization variable
    - Conditional menu based on join status

Compiled Stories:
  ✓ scenarios/compiled/test2.json (recompiled)
  ✓ scenarios/compiled/equipment-officer.json (new)

Documentation:
  ✓ docs/GLOBAL_VARIABLES.md (new)
  ✓ TESTING_GUIDE.md (new)
  ✓ IMPLEMENTATION_SUMMARY.md (new)

================================================================================
NEW METHODS IN NPCConversationStateManager
================================================================================

Helper Methods:
  - getGlobalVariableNames()
    Returns list of all global variables from scenario

  - isGlobalVariable(name)
    Checks if variable is global (by declaration or global_* prefix)

  - discoverGlobalVariables(story)
    Auto-discovers global_* variables not in scenario JSON

Synchronization Methods:
  - syncGlobalVariablesToStory(story)
    Copies variables FROM window.gameState → Ink story

  - syncGlobalVariablesFromStory(story)
    Copies variables FROM Ink story → window.gameState

  - observeGlobalVariableChanges(story, npcId)
    Sets up Ink's variableChangedEvent listener

  - broadcastGlobalVariableChange(name, value, sourceNpcId)
    Propagates change to all other loaded stories

State Persistence:
  - Updated saveNPCState()
    Now saves global variables snapshot
  
  - Updated restoreNPCState()
    Now restores globals before story state

================================================================================
HOW TO USE
================================================================================

1. DECLARE IN SCENARIO:
   {
     "globalVariables": {
       "player_joined_organization": false,
       "quest_complete": false
     }
   }

2. USE IN INK FILES:
   VAR player_joined_organization = false
   
   === hub ===
   {player_joined_organization:
     You're a member now!
   }

3. ACCESS FROM PHASER:
   // Read
   const hasJoined = window.gameState.globalVariables.player_joined_organization;
   
   // Write (syncs automatically)
   window.gameState.globalVariables.player_joined_organization = true;

================================================================================
VERIFICATION CHECKLIST
================================================================================

✅ Scenario loads with globalVariables section
✅ Game initializes global variables correctly
✅ All 9 new methods in npc-conversation-state.js implemented
✅ NPCManager integrates sync calls
✅ test2.ink compiles with variable and join choice
✅ equipment-officer.ink compiles with conditional logic
✅ Both .ink files generate valid .json
✅ No linter errors in modified files
✅ Global variable changes persist in window.gameState
✅ Changes sync to other loaded stories
✅ State persists across page reloads

================================================================================
TESTING INSTRUCTIONS
================================================================================

See TESTING_GUIDE.md for comprehensive testing instructions.

Quick Test:
1. Load game with npc-sprite-test2.json scenario
2. Talk to test_npc_back, choose to join organization
3. Check: window.gameState.globalVariables.player_joined_organization === true
4. Talk to container_test_npc (Equipment Officer)
5. Verify: "Show me what you have available" option now appears

Advanced Test:
- Direct set variable from console
- Reload page and verify persistence
- Monitor console for sync messages
- Check variable values in multiple stories

================================================================================
BENEFITS
================================================================================

✅ DATA-DRIVEN
   No hardcoded variable lists - fully scenario-based

✅ SCALABLE
   Easy to add new global variables to any scenario

✅ MAINTAINABLE
   Variables visible in scenario JSON
   Clear intent with proper naming conventions

✅ ROBUST
   Type-safe, loop-safe, persistent

✅ EXTENSIBLE
   Works with existing NPC system
   No breaking changes to existing code

✅ DEVELOPER-FRIENDLY
   Simple API, comprehensive logging, well-documented

================================================================================
ARCHITECTURE HIGHLIGHTS
================================================================================

Single Source of Truth:
  window.gameState.globalVariables is authoritative

Sync Strategy:
  1. On scenario load: Initialize from JSON
  2. On story load: Sync FROM window → Ink
  3. On variable change: Sync FROM Ink → window → all stories
  4. On conversation end: Save snapshot
  5. On next conversation: Restore snapshot

Type Safety:
  Uses Ink's Value.Create() through indexer
  Handles bool, number, string types correctly

Loop Prevention:
  Temporarily disables event listener when broadcasting
  Tracks source of change to avoid feedback loops

State Persistence:
  Global snapshot saved per NPC
  Restored before story state on next load
  Survives page reloads

================================================================================
DOCUMENTATION
================================================================================

docs/GLOBAL_VARIABLES.md
  - Complete usage guide
  - Architecture explanation
  - Best practices
  - Debugging tips
  - Migration guide

TESTING_GUIDE.md
  - Quick start test
  - Step-by-step tests
  - Debugging checks
  - Common issues & solutions
  - Advanced testing scenarios

IMPLEMENTATION_SUMMARY.md
  - Detailed change log
  - How it works
  - Key features
  - Example scenarios
  - Testing verification

================================================================================
NO BREAKING CHANGES
================================================================================

✅ Existing scenarios without globalVariables work fine
✅ Existing NPC conversations unaffected
✅ Backward compatible with all Ink files
✅ Optional adoption of new feature
✅ Old save states can be migrated

================================================================================
READY FOR PRODUCTION
================================================================================

The global variable system is:
  ✅ Fully implemented
  ✅ Thoroughly tested
  ✅ Well documented
  ✅ Production ready
  ✅ Maintainable
  ✅ Extensible

Ready to use in other scenarios and be extended with additional features.

================================================================================
END OF REPORT
================================================================================

