Add Mission 3 Stage 8 - Technical Validation (Part 3)

planning_notes/overall_story_plan/mission_initializations/m03_ghost_in_the_machine/stages/stage_8/validation_report.md

@@ -373,3 +373,234 @@ Technical implementation is solid across all stages, with proper room dimensions
 
 ---
 
+### 3. Technical Validation - ✅ PASS WITH RECOMMENDATIONS
+
+#### Room Generation Compliance
+
+**Requirement:** All rooms must be 4×4 to 15×15 GU with 1 GU padding on all sides
+
+**Room Dimensions Verification:**
+
+1. **Reception Lobby** (`reception_lobby`)
+   - Dimensions: 8×6 GU ✅ (within 4×4 to 15×15 range)
+   - Usable Space: 6×4 GU ✅ (8-2=6, 6-2=4 - correct 1 GU padding)
+   - Compliance: PASS
+
+2. **Conference Room** (`conference_room_01`)
+   - Dimensions: 10×8 GU ✅ (within range)
+   - Usable Space: 8×6 GU ✅ (10-2=8, 8-2=6 - correct padding)
+   - Compliance: PASS
+
+3. **Main Hallway** (`main_hallway`)
+   - Dimensions: 12×4 GU ✅ (within range)
+   - Usable Space: 10×2 GU ✅ (12-2=10, 4-2=2 - correct padding)
+   - Compliance: PASS
+   - Note: Corridor shape (12×4) appropriate for hallway functionality
+
+4. **Server Room** (`server_room`)
+   - Dimensions: 10×10 GU ✅ (within range)
+   - Usable Space: 8×8 GU ✅ (10-2=8 - correct padding)
+   - Compliance: PASS
+   - Note: Largest room appropriate for investigation hub with 3 workstations
+
+5. **Executive Wing Hallway** (`executive_wing_hallway`)
+   - Dimensions: 8×4 GU ✅ (within range)
+   - Usable Space: 6×2 GU ✅ (8-2=6, 4-2=2 - correct padding)
+   - Compliance: PASS
+
+6. **Executive Office** (`executive_office`)
+   - Dimensions: 10×8 GU ✅ (within range)
+   - Usable Space: 8×6 GU ✅ (10-2=8, 8-2=6 - correct padding)
+   - Compliance: PASS
+
+7. **James's Office** (`james_office`)
+   - Dimensions: 8×6 GU ✅ (within range)
+   - Usable Space: 6×4 GU ✅ (8-2=6, 6-2=4 - correct padding)
+   - Compliance: PASS
+
+**Summary:**
+- ✅ All 7 rooms within 4×4 to 15×15 GU requirement
+- ✅ All rooms correctly implement 1 GU padding (dimensions - 2 = usable space)
+- ✅ Room sizes appropriate for their functions (server room largest, hallways narrower)
+- ✅ No rooms exceed maximum size (largest is 10×10 GU)
+- ✅ No rooms below minimum size (smallest is 8×4 GU)
+
+**Verdict:** PASS - All rooms comply with generation requirements
+
+#### Ink Technical Validation
+
+**Syntax and Structure Review:**
+
+1. **Hub Pattern Implementation:**
+   - ✅ All NPC dialogues use sticky choices (`+`) for repeatable topics
+   - ✅ Hub knots properly return to `-> hub` after topic completion
+   - ✅ Exit paths include `#exit_conversation` before `-> DONE`
+   - Example (m03_npc_victoria.ink):
+     ```ink
+     === hub ===
+     + {not topic_training} [Ask about Zero Day training]
+         -> ask_training
+     + [End conversation]
+         #exit_conversation
+         -> DONE
+     ```
+
+2. **Variable Tracking:**
+   - ✅ Global variables declared at file top (VAR player_approach, handler_trust, etc.)
+   - ✅ External variables declared for cross-file state (EXTERNAL player_name, objectives_completed)
+   - ✅ Choice outcomes set variables (`~ victoria_fate = "recruited"`)
+   - ✅ Conditional logic uses variables correctly (`{victoria_fate == "recruited": ...}`)
+
+3. **Tag System:**
+   - ✅ Speaker tags present (`#speaker:victoria_sterling`, `#speaker:agent_0x99`)
+   - ✅ Display tags for expressions (`#display:victoria-persuasive`)
+   - ✅ Task tags for objectives (`#complete_task:clone_rfid_card`, `#unlock_task:access_server_room`)
+   - ✅ Item tags for game integration (`#give_item:victoria_keycard_clone`)
+   - ✅ Event tags for triggers (`#trigger_event:m2_revelation_call`)
+
+4. **Dialogue Pacing:**
+   - ✅ Most dialogue blocks follow 3-line maximum guideline
+   - ⚠️ **Minor Issue:** Some Victoria confrontation blocks exceed 3 lines
+     - Example: Lines 280-290 in m03_npc_victoria.ink have 4-line block
+     - **Recommendation:** Split longer exposition into player acknowledgment beats
+   - ⚠️ **Minor Issue:** M2 revelation call (m03_phone_agent0x99.ink) has extended exposition
+     - **Assessment:** Acceptable for emotional payoff moment
+     - **Rationale:** Single dramatic reveal justifies longer uninterrupted dialogue
+
+5. **Choice Implementation:**
+   - ✅ Moral choices (Victoria recruit/arrest, James protect/expose/ignore) fully branched
+   - ✅ All choice paths lead to valid knots
+   - ✅ No orphaned knots detected (all knots have entry points)
+   - ✅ DONE endpoints properly reached
+
+6. **Event-Triggered Knots:**
+   - ✅ Event knots properly named (m2_revelation_call, on_lockpick_detected, etc.)
+   - ✅ Event triggers documented in comments
+   - ✅ Event-triggered dialogues set appropriate flags
+
+**Potential Issues:**
+- ⚠️ **Not Verified:** Ink compilation status (scripts not yet compiled to .json)
+  - **Recommendation:** Compile all 9 Ink scripts in Inky editor before implementation
+  - **Rationale:** Syntax errors may exist that weren't caught in manual review
+- ⚠️ **Not Verified:** Cross-file variable consistency (external variables shared across files)
+  - **Recommendation:** Create master variable list to ensure consistency
+  - **Example:** Verify `player_approach` values match across all files (cautious/aggressive/diplomatic)
+
+**Verdict:** PASS - Ink syntax appears correct with minor pacing recommendations (non-blocking)
+
+#### Game System Integration
+
+**Challenge-Objective Mapping:**
+
+1. **RFID Cloning Challenge:**
+   - ✅ Defined in Stage 0 technical_challenges.md
+   - ✅ Implemented in Stage 7 m03_npc_victoria.ink (proximity-based, 10-second timer)
+   - ✅ Mapped to Stage 4 objective `clone_rfid_card`
+   - ✅ Unlocks server room access (progressive unlocking)
+   - Integration: PASS
+
+2. **Network Reconnaissance Challenge:**
+   - ✅ Defined in Stage 0 (nmap, netcat, exploitation)
+   - ✅ VM terminal in server room (Stage 5 placement)
+   - ✅ Flag submission terminal (Stage 7 m03_terminal_dropsite.ink)
+   - ✅ Mapped to 4 objectives: `scan_network`, `ftp_banner`, `http_analysis`, `distcc_exploit`
+   - Integration: PASS
+
+3. **Multi-Encoding Puzzles Challenge:**
+   - ✅ Defined in Stage 0 (ROT13, Hex, Base64, double-encoding)
+   - ✅ CyberChef workstation (Stage 5 placement)
+   - ✅ Decoding interface (Stage 7 m03_terminal_cyberchef.ink)
+   - ✅ Mapped to objectives: `decode_whiteboard`, `decode_client_roster`, `lore_fragment_3`
+   - Integration: PASS
+
+4. **Lockpicking Challenge:**
+   - ✅ Defined in Stage 0 (4 locks: IT cabinet, executive office, safe, filing cabinet)
+   - ✅ Locks placed in Stage 5 room designs
+   - ✅ No dedicated Ink script (lockpicking is game mechanic, not dialogue)
+   - ✅ Integrated with LORE fragment discovery
+   - Integration: PASS
+
+5. **Guard Stealth Challenge:**
+   - ✅ Defined in Stage 0 (avoid detection, patrol patterns)
+   - ✅ Guard patrol routes specified in Stage 5
+   - ✅ Guard NPC dialogue (Stage 7 m03_npc_guard.ink)
+   - ✅ Bribe/SAFETYNET reveal/hostile paths implemented
+   - ✅ Mapped to optional objective `perfect_stealth`
+   - Integration: PASS
+
+**Hybrid Architecture Verification:**
+
+- ✅ **VM Component:** 4 VM challenges with flag submission (nmap, FTP, HTTP, distcc)
+  - VM provides technical validation (player must run real commands)
+  - Flags unlock narrative intel at drop-site terminal
+  - Integration point: `#complete_task` tags in m03_terminal_dropsite.ink
+
+- ✅ **ERB Component:** 3 LORE fragments + encoding puzzles
+  - LORE fragments embedded in game world (safe, filing cabinet, USB drive)
+  - Encoding challenges use in-game CyberChef workstation
+  - Integration point: CyberChef terminal provides decoded text to Ink dialogue
+
+- ✅ **Separation of Concerns:**
+  - VM validates technical skills (can player run nmap?)
+  - ERB provides narrative context (what does evidence mean?)
+  - Both systems converge at M2 revelation (VM flag → narrative event)
+
+**Progressive Unlocking System:**
+
+- ✅ **Act 1 (Daytime):**
+  - Reception + Conference Room accessible
+  - Clone RFID card → unlocks Act 2
+
+- ✅ **Act 2 (Nighttime):**
+  - RFID card → server room access
+  - Lockpicking → executive office access
+  - VM challenges → evidence discovery
+  - distcc exploit → M2 revelation event trigger
+
+- ✅ **Act 3 (Confrontation):**
+  - All evidence gathered → moral choices unlocked
+  - Victoria/James confrontations → mission resolution
+
+**Verdict:** PASS - All game systems properly integrated with clear implementation paths
+
+#### Implementation Feasibility
+
+**Room Generation:**
+- ✅ All dimensions specified clearly (e.g., "8×6 GU (12m × 9m)")
+- ✅ Usable space calculated correctly (dimensions - 2 GU padding)
+- ✅ Container positions specified in GU coordinates
+- ✅ NPC spawn positions and patrol waypoints defined
+- **Assessment:** Implementable with room generation system
+
+**NPC Behavior:**
+- ✅ Guard patrol routes specified with waypoints and timings
+- ✅ NPC conditional spawning (time_of_day, mission_phase flags)
+- ✅ Line of sight parameters documented (150 pixels, 120° cone)
+- **Assessment:** Implementable with existing NPC AI systems
+
+**Minigames:**
+- ✅ RFID cloning: Proximity-based (2 GU), 10-second timer, progress bar
+- ✅ Lockpicking: Standard mechanic (no special requirements)
+- ✅ VM terminal: Command input system (nmap, netcat, etc.)
+- ✅ CyberChef: Decoding interface (ROT13, Hex, Base64 operations)
+- **Assessment:** All minigames have clear specifications for implementation
+
+**Event System:**
+- ✅ Event triggers documented (`#trigger_event:m2_revelation_call`)
+- ✅ Conditional conversations based on flags (distcc_exploit completed → revelation)
+- ✅ Variable-based branching (victoria_fate, james_fate)
+- **Assessment:** Event system requirements are standard and implementable
+
+**Concerns:**
+- ⚠️ **Economy Balance:** Guard bribe ($500) not validated against player economy
+  - **Recommendation:** Verify player has access to $500 by nighttime infiltration
+  - **Impact:** Non-blocking (players can choose stealth or SAFETYNET reveal instead)
+
+- ⚠️ **VM Network Realism:** 192.168.100.0/24 network must contain vulnerable services
+  - **Requirement:** ProFTPD 1.3.5, Apache on .10, distcc on .20
+  - **Assessment:** Standard CTF VM setup, implementable
+
+**Verdict:** PASS - All systems implementable with existing architecture
+
+---
+