A Workflow with AI

Title: The Last Spark
Author: A. Storyteller
Credit: A Visual Novel Example
Scene: The Quiet Forest

INT. OLD CABIN - DAY

A dusty sunbeam cuts through the broken window of a small, abandoned cabin. Dust motes dance in the light.

On the wooden table, a single, faintly glowing seed pulses with a soft, warm light. This is the LUMIN SEED.

ELARA (19, with determined eyes and practical, worn-out clothing) carefully wraps the seed in a cloth and places it in her satchel.

SFX: Rustling cloth, gentle wind

ELARA
(V.O.)
The Lumin Seed was the last one. The last spark of the Great Tree's light. If I couldn't get it to the Sunstone Spire before the new moon...

She doesn't finish the thought. She shoulders her satchel and steps outside.

EXT. FOREST PATH - DAY

The forest is unnervingly quiet. No birdsong, no rustle of creatures.

Elara walks cautiously along the overgrown path.

SFX: Crunch of footsteps on leaves, a distant, eerie caw

Suddenly, a low growl rumbles from the shadows of the trees. A CORRUPTED WOLF, its form made of twisted bark and shadow, steps onto the path, blocking her way.

Elara freezes, her hand instinctively going to the knife at her belt.

ELARA
(whispering)
Oh no.

The Corrupted Wolf snarls, baring jagged, wooden teeth.

MUSIC: Tension_Builds.mp3 - Fades in

CHARACTER: Corrupted Wolf
IMAGE: corrupted_wolf_aggro.png

DIALOGUE:
* Fight it!
* Try to calm it.
* Run back to the cabin!

MUSIC: Tension_Sting.mp3 - Hits a climax

FADE OUT.

# Define characters
define e = Character("Elara", color="#c8ffc8")
define narrator = Character(None, kind=narrator)

# Define images (the files you generated)
image bg cabin = "bg_old_cabin_interior.png"
image bg forest = "bg_forest_path.png"
image elara = "elara_neutral.png"
image corrupted_wolf = "corrupted_wolf_aggro.png"
image lumin_seed = "item_lumin_seed.png"

# Start the game
label start:

    scene bg cabin
    show lumin_seed at center
    with fade

    "A dusty sunbeam cuts through the broken window of a small, abandoned cabin."

    show elara at left
    with moveinleft

    # Play SFX
    play sound "sfx_rustling_cloth.wav"
    play sound "sfx_wind_gentle.wav" loop

    "Elara carefully wraps the seed in a cloth and places it in her satchel."

    # Play Voice-Over
    play sound "elara_vo_01.wav"
    e "The Lumin Seed was the last one. The last spark of the Great Tree's light..."

    stop sound fadeout 1.0 # Stop the wind sound
    scene bg forest
    show elara at left
    with dissolve

    play sound "sfx_footsteps_forest.wav" loop
    play sound "sfx_crow_caw_distant.wav"

    "The forest is unnervingly quiet."

    stop sound fadeout 1.0 # Stop footsteps
    play sound "sfx_wolf_growl_corrupted.wav"
    show corrupted_wolf at right
    with hpunch

    # Play Music
    play music "Music_Tension_Builds.mp3"

    e "Oh no."

    # This is where the player would make a choice
    menu:
        "Fight it!":
            jump fight_scene
        "Try to calm it.":
            jump calm_scene
        "Run back to the cabin!":
            jump run_scene

    return

TheLastSpark/
├── main.lua
├── config.lua
├── scenes/
│   └── forestScene.lua
├── audio/
│   ├── vo_elara_01.wav
│   ├── sfx_wind.wav
│   ├── sfx_footsteps.wav
│   ├── sfx_growl.wav
│   └── music_tension.mp3
└── images/
    ├── bg_cabin.png
    ├── bg_forest.png
    ├── elara_neutral.png
    ├── elara_scared.png
    └── corrupted_wolf.png

application = {
    content = {
        width = 1280,
        height = 720,
        scale = "letterbox",
        fps = 60,

        imageSuffix = {
            ["@2x"] = 2,
        },
    },
}

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- Main Game File - The Last Spark
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

local composer = require("composer")

-- Hide status bar
display.setStatusBar(display.HiddenStatusBar)

-- Set default background color
display.setDefault("background", 0.1, 0.1, 0.2)

-- Initialize audio
audio.reserveChannels(3) -- Reserve channels for music, SFX, and VO

-- Global game data
gameData = {
    currentScene = "forestScene",
    playerChoice = nil,
    hasLuminSeed = true
}

-- Load the first scene
composer.gotoScene("scenes.forestScene")

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- Forest Scene - Solar2D Implementation
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

local scene = composer.newScene()
local widget = require("widget")

-- Local variables for this scene
local elara, wolf, luminSeed
local background, vignette
local dialogueText, choiceGroup
local currentDialogueIndex = 1
local isChoiceActive = false

-- Scene sequence and dialogue
local sceneDialogue = {
    { type = "narration", text = "A dusty sunbeam cuts through the broken window of a small, abandoned cabin. Dust motes dance in the light." },
    { type = "show", what = "luminseed" },
    { type = "show", what = "elara" },
    { type = "sfx", sound = "rustling" },
    { type = "sfx", sound = "wind", loop = true },
    { type = "vo", sound = "vo_elara_01", text = "The Lumin Seed was the last one. The last spark of the Great Tree's light..." },
    { type = "scene", background = "forest" },
    { type = "sfx", sound = "footsteps", loop = true },
    { type = "sfx", sound = "caw" },
    { type = "narration", text = "The forest is unnervingly quiet. No birdsong, no rustle of creatures." },
    { type = "sfx", sound = "growl" },
    { type = "show", what = "wolf" },
    { type = "music", sound = "tension", action = "play" },
    { type = "emotion", character = "elara", state = "scared" },
    { type = "vo", sound = "vo_elara_02", text = "Oh no." },
    { type = "choice", options = {
        "Fight it!",
        "Try to calm it.",
        "Run back to the cabin!"
    }}
}

-- Audio file mappings
local audioFiles = {
    rustling = "audio/sfx_rustling_cloth.wav",
    wind = "audio/sfx_wind_gentle.wav",
    footsteps = "audio/sfx_footsteps_forest.wav",
    caw = "audio/sfx_crow_caw_distant.wav",
    growl = "audio/sfx_wolf_growl_corrupted.wav",
    vo_elara_01 = "audio/elara_vo_01.wav",
    vo_elara_02 = "audio/elara_whisper_ohno.wav",
    tension = "audio/Music_Tension_Builds.mp3"
}

-- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- Scene event functions
-- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

function scene:create(event)
    local sceneGroup = self.view

    -- Create display groups for organization
    background = display.newGroup()
    characterGroup = display.newGroup()
    uiGroup = display.newGroup()

    sceneGroup:insert(background)
    sceneGroup:insert(characterGroup)
    sceneGroup:insert(uiGroup)

    -- Initial background (cabin interior)
    local bgImage = display.newImageRect(background, "images/bg_cabin.png", 1280, 720)
    bgImage.x = display.contentCenterX
    bgImage.y = display.contentCenterY

    -- Create vignette for mood
    vignette = display.newRect(background, display.contentCenterX, display.contentCenterY, 1280, 720)
    vignette:setFillColor(0, 0, 0, 0.3)

    -- Dialogue box
    local dialogueBox = display.newRoundedRect(uiGroup, display.contentCenterX, 600, 1000, 120, 10)
    dialogueBox:setFillColor(0, 0, 0, 0.8)
    dialogueBox.strokeWidth = 2
    dialogueBox:setStrokeColor(0.5, 0.3, 0.1)

    -- Dialogue text
    dialogueText = display.newText({
        parent = uiGroup,
        text = "",
        x = display.contentCenterX,
        y = 600,
        width = 900,
        height = 100,
        font = native.systemFont,
        fontSize = 24,
        align = "center"
    })
    dialogueText:setFillColor(1, 1, 1)

    -- Next button (initially hidden)
    nextButton = widget.newButton({
        label = "Next",
        shape = "roundedRect",
        width = 120,
        height = 50,
        cornerRadius = 10,
        fillColor = { default={0.2,0.5,0.2,1}, over={0.3,0.6,0.3,1} },
        labelColor = { default={1,1,1}, over={0.8,0.8,0.8} },
        onRelease = function()
            self:advanceDialogue()
        end
    })
    nextButton.x = display.contentWidth - 100
    nextButton.y = 660
    uiGroup:insert(nextButton)
    nextButton.isVisible = false

    -- Pre-load characters (but don't show them yet)
    elara = display.newImageRect(characterGroup, "images/elara_neutral.png", 300, 500)
    elara.x = 300
    elara.y = 500
    elara.isVisible = false

    luminSeed = display.newImageRect(characterGroup, "images/item_lumin_seed.png", 100, 100)
    luminSeed.x = display.contentCenterX
    luminSeed.y = 400
    luminSeed.isVisible = false

    wolf = display.newImageRect(characterGroup, "images/corrupted_wolf_aggro.png", 400, 300)
    wolf.x = 900
    wolf.y = 450
    wolf.isVisible = false
end

function scene:show(event)
    if event.phase == "will" then
        -- Start the scene sequence
        self:executeSceneStep(1)
    elseif event.phase == "did" then
        -- Scene is fully shown
    end
end

function scene:hide(event)
    if event.phase == "will" then
        -- Clean up audio
        audio.stop()  -- Stop all audio
    end
end

function scene:destroy(event)
    -- Clean up if needed
end

-- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- Custom scene functions
-- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

function scene:executeSceneStep(index)
    if index > #sceneDialogue then return end

    local step = sceneDialogue[index]
    currentDialogueIndex = index

    -- Execute the current step
    if step.type == "narration" then
        self:showDialogue(step.text)

    elseif step.type == "show" then
        self:showObject(step.what)
        timer.performWithDelay(500, function()
            self:executeSceneStep(index + 1)
        end)

    elseif step.type == "scene" then
        self:changeBackground("images/" .. step.background .. ".png")
        timer.performWithDelay(500, function()
            self:executeSceneStep(index + 1)
        end)

    elseif step.type == "sfx" then
        self:playSFX(step.sound, step.loop)
        self:executeSceneStep(index + 1)

    elseif step.type == "vo" then
        self:showDialogue(step.text)
        self:playSFX(step.sound)

    elseif step.type == "music" then
        if step.action == "play" then
            audio.play(audio.loadStream(audioFiles[step.sound]), { channel = 1, loops = -1 })
        end
        self:executeSceneStep(index + 1)

    elseif step.type == "emotion" then
        self:changeEmotion(step.character, step.state)
        self:executeSceneStep(index + 1)

    elseif step.type == "choice" then
        self:showChoice(step.options)
    end
end

function scene:advanceDialogue()
    nextButton.isVisible = false
    self:executeSceneStep(currentDialogueIndex + 1)
end

function scene:showDialogue(text)
    dialogueText.text = text
    nextButton.isVisible = true
end

function scene:showObject(object)
    if object == "elara" then
        transition.fadeIn(elara, { time = 1000 })
    elseif object == "luminseed" then
        luminSeed.isVisible = true
        transition.scaleTo(luminSeed, { xScale = 1.2, yScale = 1.2, time = 500 })
        transition.scaleTo(luminSeed, { xScale = 1.0, yScale = 1.0, time = 500, delay = 500 })
    elseif object == "wolf" then
        wolf.isVisible = true
        transition.from(wolf, { x = 1400, time = 800, transition = easing.outBack })
    end
end

function scene:changeBackground(imagePath)
    transition.fadeOut(background, { time = 800 })
    timer.performWithDelay(800, function()
        background:remove(1) -- Remove old background

        local newBg = display.newImageRect(background, imagePath, 1280, 720)
        newBg.x = display.contentCenterX
        newBg.y = display.contentCenterY
        newBg.alpha = 0

        background:insert(1, vignette) -- Keep vignette on top
        transition.fadeIn(newBg, { time = 800 })
    end)
end

function scene:playSFX(soundName, shouldLoop)
    local options = { channel = 2 }
    if shouldLoop then
        options.loops = -1
    end
    audio.play(audio.loadSound(audioFiles[soundName]), options)
end

function scene:changeEmotion(character, state)
    if character == "elara" then
        if state == "scared" then
            elara:removeSelf()
            elara = display.newImageRect(characterGroup, "images/elara_scared.png", 300, 500)
            elara.x = 300
            elara.y = 500
        end
    end
end

function scene:showChoice(options)
    isChoiceActive = true
    dialogueText.text = "What will you do?"

    -- Remove existing choice buttons
    if choiceGroup then
        choiceGroup:removeSelf()
    end

    choiceGroup = display.newGroup()
    self.view:insert(choiceGroup)

    -- Create choice buttons
    for i, option in ipairs(options) do
        local choiceButton = widget.newButton({
            label = option,
            shape = "roundedRect",
            width = 350,
            height = 60,
            cornerRadius = 8,
            fillColor = { default={0.3,0.3,0.4,1}, over={0.4,0.4,0.5,1} },
            labelColor = { default={1,1,1}, over={0.8,0.8,0.8} },
            onRelease = function()
                self:handleChoice(i, option)
            end
        })
        choiceButton.x = display.contentCenterX
        choiceButton.y = 400 + (i * 80)
        choiceGroup:insert(choiceButton)
    end
end

function scene:handleChoice(choiceIndex, choiceText)
    if not isChoiceActive then return end

    isChoiceActive = false

    -- Remove choice buttons
    if choiceGroup then
        choiceGroup:removeSelf()
        choiceGroup = nil
    end

    -- Show player's choice
    self:showDialogue("You chose: " .. choiceText)

    -- Store choice for game logic
    gameData.playerChoice = choiceIndex

    -- Add a longer delay before next action
    timer.performWithDelay(2000, function()
        self:transitionToNextScene()
    end)
end

function scene:transitionToNextScene()
    -- Based on the choice, go to different scenes
    local nextScene
    if gameData.playerChoice == 1 then
        nextScene = "scenes.fightScene"
    elseif gameData.playerChoice == 2 then
        nextScene = "scenes.calmScene"
    else
        nextScene = "scenes.retreatScene"
    end

    composer.gotoScene(nextScene, { effect = "fade", time = 1000 })
end

-- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- Scene event listeners
-- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
scene:addEventListener("create", scene)
scene:addEventListener("show", scene)
scene:addEventListener("hide", scene)
scene:addEventListener("destroy", scene)

return scene