The Journey Begins

Install Perforce Helix Core for the Unreal project.

Keep web and backend code in a separate repository.

Prepare account, license, ban, loot, and audit-log services.

Prepare PostgreSQL tables for accounts, characters, inventory, loot, and bans.

Verify that a second developer can submit and sync project changes.

Block pre-alpha login without a valid license.

Use the working title Tower of Awakening: Awakening Isle.

Keep the first build small and playable.

Focus on island, hideout, arena, party test, and combat loop.

Avoid big dungeon, teleport, and open-world systems until the core works.

Build the first 100x100 m playable zone.

Place the island above water or lake terrain.

Keep the center clean for combat readability.

Mask borders with rocks, trees, ruins, and collision walls.

Prepare a clear path from hideout to arena.

Create a temporary hideout under the arena.

Add player and party spawn points.

Reserve space for stash and inventory tests.

Reserve space for party invite/join UI.

Connect the hideout to the arena without teleporting.

Connect the playable character.

Add HP orb, mana orb, and EXP bar.

Implement dash and two basic skills.

Add ultimate / awakened skill placeholder.

Show level and basic player stats.

Create one basic enemy.

Let the player damage the enemy.

Let the enemy damage the player.

Add death and respawn flow.

Add hit effects, cooldowns, and mana cost.

Add an obelisk or arena start panel.

Add difficulty selection.

Start wave combat from the arena entrance.

Create 3-5 test waves.

Add a mini-boss at the end.

Support 1-4 players in the same hideout.

Add invite and join party flow.

Let the party start waves together.

Make enemy targeting work for multiple players.

Verify UI and damage per player.

Confirm enemy kills through the server.

Generate loot server-side only.

Return item responses from the database.

Test solo drops.

Test party drops.

Log important loot events for debugging and anti-cheat.

Connect game login to the server.

Store accounts in the database.

Require a valid pre-alpha license.

Allow licenses to be revoked or disabled.

Allow account bans with admin reason, duration, and audit trail.

Block login when license or ban state says no.

Never let the client decide loot.

Validate XP and level server-side.

Validate damage and kill events.

Validate wave progress and party state.

Add simple rate limits for sensitive requests.

Log suspicious damage, fast kills, movement, and request spam.

Visually polish the island in the anime fantasy direction.

Add skybox, water, grass, rocks, and ruins.

Optimize the small test map.

Package a playable build for testing with another player.