regal-tic System Requirements Document

Introduction

The purpose of this document is to outline the system requirements for the "regal-tic" project. This project aims to develop an engaging and interactive Tic Tac Toe application featuring an AI player, designed for casual players.

System Overview

The regal-tic project is a digital implementation of the classic Tic Tac Toe game, enhanced with an AI opponent to provide a challenging experience for casual players. The application will be accessible on multiple platforms, ensuring a broad reach and user engagement.

Functional Requirements

• As a casual player, I want to play Tic Tac Toe against an AI opponent so that I can enjoy a challenging game.
• As a casual player, I want the option to play against another human player so that I can enjoy the game with friends.
• As a casual player, I want the game to keep track of scores so that I can see my progress over time.
• As a casual player, I want to choose between different difficulty levels for the AI so that I can adjust the challenge to my skill level.
• As a casual player, I want a simple and intuitive user interface so that I can easily navigate the game.
• As a casual player, I want the user interface to have a default black/dark theme to suit my preference.

User Personas

• Casual Player: Enjoys playing simple games during leisure time and seeks a fun, easy-to-use interface. Prefers games that are quick to learn and play.

Core User Flows

• Casual Player vs AI:

  • Player selects "Play vs AI" option.
  • Player chooses difficulty level.
  • Game board is displayed.
  • Player makes a move.
  • AI responds with a move.
  • Repeat until the game ends with a win, loss, or draw.
  • Score is updated.

• Casual Player vs Player:

  • Player selects "Play vs Player" option.
  • Game board is displayed.
  • Players take turns making moves.
  • Repeat until the game ends with a win, loss, or draw.
  • Score is updated.

Visuals Colors and Theme

• primary: #1E90FF (Dodger Blue)
• primary_light: #63B8FF (Light Sky Blue)
• secondary: #FF6347 (Tomato)
• accent: #32CD32 (Lime Green)
• highlight: #FFD700 (Gold)
• bg: #F0F8FF (Alice Blue)
• surface: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9)
• text: #FFFFFF (White)
• text_muted: #696969 (Dim Gray)
• border: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)

Signature Design Concept

The regal-tic homepage will feature an interactive 3D Tic Tac Toe board using @react-three/fiber. The board will rotate slightly as users hover over it, providing a dynamic and engaging experience. Each move will be animated with a smooth transition, and the AI's move will be highlighted with a glowing effect. The background will subtly change colors based on the game's progress, using gsap for smooth transitions. This interactive design will captivate users and encourage them to explore the game further.

Interaction Model & Motion Direction

The landing page will utilize a "parallax" interaction model, creating a layered depth effect as users scroll. The game board and interface elements will have moderate animations triggered by user interactions, enhancing the overall user experience without overwhelming them.

Non-Functional Requirements

• The application should load within 3 seconds on standard broadband connections.
• The AI should respond to player moves within 1 second to maintain a seamless gameplay experience.
• The application should be compatible with modern web browsers and mobile devices.

Tech Stack

• Frontend: React for Web
• Backend: Python with FastAPI
• Database: MongoDB for storing user scores and game data
• AI Models: GPT 5.4 for AI player logic
• Local orchestration: Docker
• Server-side orchestration: Kubernetes

Assumptions and Constraints

• The application will primarily target casual players, so the design will prioritize simplicity and ease of use.
• The AI player will be developed to provide a reasonable challenge but not to be unbeatable.
• The application will not include in-app purchases or advertisements.

Glossary

• AI: Artificial Intelligence, used here to refer to the computer-controlled opponent in the game.
• Casual Player: A user who plays games for leisure and entertainment rather than competition.
• Parallax: A design technique where background images move slower than foreground images, creating an illusion of depth.