Add a free-costs sandbox tool

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 5 <noreply@anthropic.com>
Claude-Session: https://claude.ai/code/session_019AJMdB7iuHuLFZM1aBu3GD

controllers/LaserController.gd

@@ -11,6 +11,9 @@ extends "res://controllers/AimedFleetAbilityController.gd"
 # while they aim it.
 
 const BEAM_EFFECT = preload("res://vfx/LaserBeamEffect.gd")
+# #201: the beam borrows the fire stick's aim helper, so it is loaded here
+# for its static assist rather than for anything a laser hull carries.
+const WEAPON_COMPONENT = preload("res://vessels/VesselWeaponComponent.gd")
 const BEAM_COLOR := BEAM_EFFECT.BEAM_COLOR
 const TARGET_COLOR := Color(0.6, 0.95, 1.0)
 const BEAM_HALF_WIDTH := BEAM_EFFECT.BEAM_HALF_WIDTH
@@ -51,7 +54,25 @@ func _aim_max_range() -> float:
 func _calculate_aim_target(drag: Vector2, origin: Vector2) -> Vector2:
 	# A beam always reaches full range; dragging chooses its direction only.
 	var direction: Vector2 = drag.normalized() if drag.length() > 0.001 else Vector2.UP
-	return origin + direction * _aim_max_range()
+	return _assisted_target(origin, origin + direction * _aim_max_range())
+
+
+# The mouse path (#80) names a world point directly instead of dragging one
+# into existence. It has a real cursor, so it is assisted from that rather
+# than from a virtual one at the end of the beam - otherwise the crosshair
+# would be the only aim in the game the helper does not touch.
+func fire_at(world_target: Vector2) -> bool:
+	return super(_assisted_target(_aim_origin(), world_target))
+
+
+# #201: ordinary fire's aim helper, applied to the beam. It answers with a
+# PLACE, not a heading - the same thing the fire stick resolves and every
+# hull then converges on - so a drag that ends near an enemy, or merely
+# inside the assist cone, passes through that enemy instead of a few degrees
+# past it. The beam still runs on to its full range from there.
+func _assisted_target(origin: Vector2, point: Vector2) -> Vector2:
+	return WEAPON_COMPONENT.assisted_point(get_tree(), origin, point,
+		_aim_max_range())
 
 
 func _consume_shot(component: Node) -> bool:
@@ -62,7 +83,12 @@ func _perform_shot(ship: Node2D, component: Node) -> void:
 	# The cooldown was already spent by _consume_shot() above, so this fires
 	# the effect directly rather than going through fire_ability() and
 	# spending it twice.
-	var direction: Vector2 = aim_target - _aim_origin()
+	# Aimed from the HULL, not from the fleet centre. aim_target is a place
+	# now that the assist can move it onto an enemy (#201), and ordinary fire
+	# converges on such a place by letting each hull find its own heading to
+	# it - a shared heading measured at the centroid would walk this beam off
+	# the very target the assist just picked, by the ship's formation offset.
+	var direction: Vector2 = aim_target - ship.global_position
 	direction = direction.normalized() if direction.length() > 0.001 else Vector2.UP
 	var effect: Node2D = BEAM_EFFECT.fire(get_tree().root, ship.global_position,
 		direction, component.beam_range, int(component.damage))

core/GameState.gd

@@ -190,11 +190,17 @@ var research_points: int = 0
 # place to set it - assigning dev_mode anywhere, tests included, reaches
 # world generation.
 var dev_unlimited_resources: bool = false
+# #202: every research and production price answers zero while this is on.
+# A separate switch from the one above rather than a stronger version of it -
+# unlimited resources tests whether a price can be PAID, and this tests what
+# happens when there is no price at all, which is a different play-test.
+var dev_free_costs: bool = false
 var dev_mode: bool = false:
 	set(value):
 		dev_mode = value
 		if not value:
 			dev_unlimited_resources = false
+			dev_free_costs = false
 		WORLD_GEN.dev_planets_enabled = value
 
 # Explored-chunk history for the world map's fog-of-war reveal. Lives
@@ -676,7 +682,7 @@ func prerequisite_met(id: String) -> bool:
 # ever compared two nodes by price - keeps working on a plain number.
 func skill_costs(id: String) -> Dictionary:
 	var node: Dictionary = skill_node(id)
-	if node.is_empty():
+	if node.is_empty() or costs_are_free():
 		return {}
 	var costs: Dictionary = node.get("costs", {})
 	if not costs.is_empty():
@@ -692,7 +698,7 @@ func can_unlock(id: String, payment_position: Variant = null) -> bool:
 
 
 func skill_research_point_cost(id: String) -> int:
-	return int(skill_node(id).get("research_points", 0))
+	return 0 if costs_are_free() else int(skill_node(id).get("research_points", 0))
 
 
 func unlock(id: String, payment_position: Variant = null) -> bool:
@@ -792,6 +798,7 @@ func reset_new_game() -> void:
 	boost_depleted_notice = false
 	research_points = 0
 	dev_unlimited_resources = false
+	dev_free_costs = false
 	dev_mode = false
 	explored_chunks.clear()
 	scanner_target.clear()
@@ -954,6 +961,21 @@ func set_dev_unlimited_resources(enabled: bool) -> bool:
 	return true
 
 
+func set_dev_free_costs(enabled: bool) -> bool:
+	if enabled and not dev_mode:
+		return false
+	dev_free_costs = enabled
+	return true
+
+
+# Asked by every price below, and by the menus that display them. The dev_mode
+# term is not redundant: the setter refuses outside a dev game and the dev_mode
+# setter clears the flag, so this is the third guard rather than the first, and
+# it is the one that holds if a save or a test sets the field directly.
+func costs_are_free() -> bool:
+	return dev_mode and dev_free_costs
+
+
 func _refill_dev_resources() -> void:
 	for resource_type in resource_types():
 		if bank_inventory.amount(resource_type) < DEV_UNLIMITED_AMOUNT:
@@ -1052,7 +1074,7 @@ func find_building(id: int) -> Dictionary:
 # there is one question with one answer whatever is being bought.
 func building_costs(type: String) -> Dictionary:
 	var definition: Resource = building_definition(type)
-	if definition == null:
+	if definition == null or costs_are_free():
 		return {}
 	if not definition.build_resource_costs.is_empty():
 		return definition.build_resource_costs.duplicate()
@@ -1494,7 +1516,10 @@ func unlock_vessel(vessel: String, payment_position: Variant = null) -> bool:
 	if definition == null or definition.unlock_id == "" or vessel_is_unlocked(vessel) or not has_ship_lab():
 		return false
 	var costs: Dictionary = research_costs(definition.unlock_id)
-	var points_needed: int = int(definition.research_point_cost)
+	# Through the accessor, not off the definition: this used to be the one
+	# place a research price was read straight from its file, which #202's
+	# free-costs switch would have left charging full price here alone.
+	var points_needed: int = research_point_cost(definition.unlock_id)
 	if research_points < points_needed or not spend_resources(costs, payment_position):
 		return false
 	if points_needed > 0:
@@ -1540,7 +1565,7 @@ func upgrade_maxed(id: String) -> bool:
 
 func upgrade_cost(id: String) -> int:
 	var d: Dictionary = upgrade_def(id)
-	if d.is_empty():
+	if d.is_empty() or costs_are_free():
 		return 0
 	return int(d.cost) * (upgrade_level(id) + 1)
 
@@ -1631,7 +1656,7 @@ func product_cost(product: String) -> int:
 
 func product_costs(product: String) -> Dictionary:
 	var definition: Resource = vessel_definition(product)
-	if definition == null:
+	if definition == null or costs_are_free():
 		return {}
 	if not definition.build_resource_costs.is_empty():
 		return definition.build_resource_costs.duplicate()
@@ -2332,6 +2357,8 @@ func research_cost(id: String) -> int:
 
 
 func research_point_cost(id: String) -> int:
+	if costs_are_free():
+		return 0
 	var unlock_definition: Resource = vessel_for_unlock(id)
 	if unlock_definition != null:
 		return int(unlock_definition.research_point_cost)
@@ -2340,6 +2367,8 @@ func research_point_cost(id: String) -> int:
 
 
 func research_costs(id: String) -> Dictionary:
+	if costs_are_free():
+		return {}
 	var unlock_definition: Resource = vessel_for_unlock(id)
 	if unlock_definition != null:
 		if not unlock_definition.unlock_resource_costs.is_empty():

tests/test_dev_menu.gd

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ extends SceneTree
 # the live fleet, not only GameState bookkeeping.
 
 const VESSEL_DEFINITIONS = preload("res://vessels/VesselDefinitions.gd")
+const BUILDING_DEFINITIONS = preload("res://buildings/BuildingDefinitions.gd")
 
 var state: Node
 var scene: Node
@@ -73,6 +74,39 @@ func _process(delta: float) -> bool:
 				return _fail("unlimited mode did not replenish research points")
 			print("skill unlock and unlimited resources operate on persistent GameState")
 
+			# --- #202: every research and production price reads zero -------
+			# Unlimited resources goes off first: a bottomless bank and a free
+			# price are indistinguishable while both are on, and it is the
+			# price this checks.
+			menu.unlimited_button.pressed.emit()
+			if state.dev_unlimited_resources:
+				return _fail("the unlimited-resources toggle did not turn back off")
+			var charged: int = _priced_things()
+			if charged == 0:
+				return _fail("nothing in the game carries a price to make free")
+			menu.free_costs_button.pressed.emit()
+			if not state.dev_free_costs:
+				return _fail("the free-costs toggle did not turn on")
+			if _priced_things() != 0:
+				return _fail("%d prices survived the free-costs toggle" % _priced_things())
+			# The accessors are what every purchase, queue and price label
+			# reads, so an empty bank must now afford anything.
+			for resource_type in state.resource_types():
+				state.bank_inventory.set_amount(resource_type, 0)
+				state.fleet_inventory.set_amount(resource_type, 0)
+			state.research_points = 0
+			for definition in BUILDING_DEFINITIONS.all():
+				if not state.can_afford_resources(state.building_costs(String(definition.definition_id))):
+					return _fail("a broke fleet could not afford the free %s" % definition.definition_id)
+			print("free costs zeroed every research and production price")
+
+			menu.free_costs_button.pressed.emit()
+			if state.dev_free_costs:
+				return _fail("the free-costs toggle did not turn back off")
+			if _priced_things() != charged:
+				return _fail("turning free costs off did not restore every price")
+			print("prices come back exactly as they were when the toggle goes off")
+
 			var wave_before: int = state.wave_number
 			menu.wave_button.pressed.emit()
 			if menu.visible:
@@ -81,7 +115,7 @@ func _process(delta: float) -> bool:
 				return _fail("the dev menu did not retain the immediate wave tool")
 
 			state.reset_new_game()
-			if state.dev_mode or state.dev_unlimited_resources:
+			if state.dev_mode or state.dev_unlimited_resources or state.dev_free_costs:
 				return _fail("dev cheats leaked into a normal new game")
 			print("TEST_DEV_MENU: PASS")
 			quit(0)
@@ -89,6 +123,30 @@ func _process(delta: float) -> bool:
 	return false
 
 
+# How many prices in the whole game are currently non-zero: skills, vessel
+# unlocks and upgrades on the research side, buildings and vessel production
+# on the other. Counted rather than sampled so a price added later is covered
+# here without anyone remembering to add it.
+func _priced_things() -> int:
+	var total: int = 0
+	for node in GameState.SKILL_TREE:
+		var id: String = String(node.id)
+		total += state.skill_costs(id).size() + state.skill_research_point_cost(id)
+	for definition in BUILDING_DEFINITIONS.all():
+		total += state.building_costs(String(definition.definition_id)).size()
+	for definition in VESSEL_DEFINITIONS.all():
+		total += state.product_costs(String(definition.definition_id)).size()
+		var unlock_id: String = String(definition.unlock_id)
+		if unlock_id != "":
+			total += state.research_costs(unlock_id).size() \
+				+ state.research_point_cost(unlock_id)
+		for upgrade in definition.upgrades:
+			var upgrade_id: String = String(upgrade.upgrade_id)
+			total += state.upgrade_cost(upgrade_id) \
+				+ state.research_point_cost(upgrade_id)
+	return total
+
+
 func _fail(message: String) -> bool:
 	print("TEST_DEV_MENU: FAIL (%s)" % message)
 	quit(1)

tests/test_gas_bomber.gd

@@ -144,6 +144,12 @@ func _process(delta: float) -> bool:
 			main._handle_touch(release)
 			if not skill.projectile_active:
 				return _fail_now("release did not throw a gas bomb")
+			# #201 doubled the blast. Read off the bomb actually in flight, so
+			# a constant that stops reaching the effect fails here rather than
+			# passing on the strength of its own declaration.
+			if int(skill.projectiles[0].damage) != 6:
+				return _fail_now("gas bomb carries %d damage, expected the doubled 6" \
+					% int(skill.projectiles[0].damage))
 			elapsed = 0.0
 			stage = 1
 		1:

tests/test_laser_vessel.gd

@@ -99,6 +99,12 @@ func _process(delta: float) -> bool:
 				return _fail_now("no laser ship is ready right after spawning")
 			if absf(first_shooter.get_component("laser").beam_range - 2900.0) > 0.1:
 				return _fail_now("laser ship beam range was not doubled to 2900")
+			# #201 tripled the beam's damage. Read off the COMPONENT rather
+			# than off the definition, so a stat that stops reaching the hull
+			# fails here instead of passing on the strength of its own file.
+			if first_shooter.get_component("laser").damage != 6:
+				return _fail_now("laser damage is %d, expected the tripled 6" \
+					% first_shooter.get_component("laser").damage)
 
 			var press := InputEventScreenTouch.new()
 			press.index = 7
@@ -203,6 +209,37 @@ func _process(delta: float) -> bool:
 			if absf(main.get_node("Camera2D").zoom.x - original_zoom) > 0.03:
 				return _fail_now("camera did not restore its pre-aim zoom")
 			print("camera zoom restored")
+
+			# --- E. #201: the beam gets ordinary fire's aim helper ----------
+			# Checked on the resolution itself rather than by firing again:
+			# both hulls are still cooling down, and what the ticket asks for
+			# is exactly that a drag resolves onto a nearby enemy.
+			for spent in on_line_enemies + [off_line_enemy, beyond_range_enemy]:
+				if is_instance_valid(spent):
+					spent.free()
+			var origin: Vector2 = skill._aim_origin()
+			var in_cone: Node = load("res://enemies/Enemy.tscn").instantiate()
+			in_cone.position = origin + Vector2(800.0, 0.0).rotated(deg_to_rad(20.0))
+			main.add_child(in_cone)
+			in_cone.speed = 0.0
+			# Nearer than the one in the cone, and deliberately outside it:
+			# the assist must not treat "closest" as "aimed at".
+			var out_of_cone: Node = load("res://enemies/Enemy.tscn").instantiate()
+			out_of_cone.position = origin + Vector2(600.0, 0.0).rotated(deg_to_rad(60.0))
+			main.add_child(out_of_cone)
+			out_of_cone.speed = 0.0
+
+			var assisted: Vector2 = skill._calculate_aim_target(Vector2(300.0, 0.0), origin)
+			if assisted.distance_to(in_cone.global_position) > 1.0:
+				return _fail_now("a drag past an enemy inside the assist cone did not snap onto it")
+			print("aiming snapped onto the enemy inside the assist cone")
+
+			in_cone.free()
+			var unassisted: Vector2 = skill._calculate_aim_target(Vector2(300.0, 0.0), origin)
+			if unassisted.distance_to(origin + Vector2(2900.0, 0.0)) > 1.0:
+				return _fail_now("the aim bent toward an enemy outside the assist cone")
+			print("an enemy outside the cone left the aim where it was pointed")
+
 			print("TEST_LASER_VESSEL: PASS")
 			quit(0)
 			return true

ui/DevMenuButton.gd

@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ func _ready() -> void:
 	menu.fleet_remove_requested.connect(_on_fleet_remove_requested)
 	menu.unlock_skills_requested.connect(_on_unlock_skills_requested)
 	menu.unlimited_resources_requested.connect(_on_unlimited_resources_requested)
+	menu.free_costs_requested.connect(_on_free_costs_requested)
 	menu.wave_requested.connect(_on_wave_requested)
 	visible = false
 
@@ -70,6 +71,13 @@ func _on_unlimited_resources_requested(enabled: bool) -> void:
 	menu.set_status("Unlimited resources %s" % ("enabled" if enabled else "disabled"))
 
 
+func _on_free_costs_requested(enabled: bool) -> void:
+	if not GameState.set_dev_free_costs(enabled):
+		return
+	menu.set_status("Research and production costs %s" \
+		% ("are now free" if enabled else "are charged again"))
+
+
 func _on_wave_requested() -> void:
 	GameState.force_wave_now()
 	menu.close_menu()

ui/menus/DevMenu.gd

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ signal fleet_add_requested(vessel_type: String)
 signal fleet_remove_requested(vessel_type: String)
 signal unlock_skills_requested
 signal unlimited_resources_requested(enabled: bool)
+signal free_costs_requested(enabled: bool)
 signal wave_requested
 
 const ICON_BUTTON = preload("res://ui/IconButton.gd")
@@ -16,8 +17,10 @@ const DESIGN_SIZE := Vector2(720.0, 1280.0)
 @onready var fleet_rows: VBoxContainer = $Content/FleetRows
 @onready var unlock_button: IconButton = $Content/ToolButtons/UnlockSkills
 @onready var unlimited_button: IconButton = $Content/ToolButtons/UnlimitedResources
+@onready var free_costs_button: IconButton = $Content/ToolButtons/FreeCosts
 @onready var wave_button: IconButton = $Content/ToolButtons/StartWave
 @onready var unlimited_label: Label = $Content/ToolLabels/UnlimitedLabel
+@onready var free_costs_label: Label = $Content/ToolLabels/FreeCostsLabel
 @onready var status: Label = $Content/StatusLabel
 
 var fleet: Node = null
@@ -31,6 +34,8 @@ func _ready() -> void:
 	unlock_button.pressed.connect(func(): unlock_skills_requested.emit())
 	unlimited_button.pressed.connect(func():
 		unlimited_resources_requested.emit(not GameState.dev_unlimited_resources))
+	free_costs_button.pressed.connect(func():
+		free_costs_requested.emit(not GameState.dev_free_costs))
 	wave_button.pressed.connect(func(): wave_requested.emit())
 	_layout_content()
 
@@ -80,8 +85,11 @@ func refresh() -> void:
 		(controls.remove as IconButton).enabled = count > 0 and total > 1
 	unlock_button.highlighted = _all_skills_unlocked()
 	unlimited_button.highlighted = GameState.dev_unlimited_resources
-	unlimited_label.text = "UNLIMITED RESOURCES\n%s" \
+	unlimited_label.text = "UNLIMITED\nRESOURCES\n%s" \
 		% ("ON" if GameState.dev_unlimited_resources else "OFF")
+	free_costs_button.highlighted = GameState.dev_free_costs
+	free_costs_label.text = "FREE\nCOSTS\n%s" \
+		% ("ON" if GameState.dev_free_costs else "OFF")
 
 
 func _all_skills_unlocked() -> bool:

ui/menus/DevMenu.tscn

@@ -105,11 +105,11 @@ horizontal_alignment = 1
 
 [node name="ToolButtons" type="HBoxContainer" parent="Content"]
 anchor_right = 1.0
-offset_left = 70.0
+offset_left = 24.0
 offset_top = 896.0
-offset_right = -70.0
+offset_right = -24.0
 offset_bottom = 1012.0
-theme_override_constants/separation = 56
+theme_override_constants/separation = 52
 alignment = 1
 
 [node name="UnlockSkills" type="Control" parent="Content/ToolButtons"]
@@ -126,6 +126,13 @@ script = ExtResource("icon_button")
 icon = 29
 glow_color = Color(1, 0.78, 0.25, 1)
 
+[node name="FreeCosts" type="Control" parent="Content/ToolButtons"]
+custom_minimum_size = Vector2(116, 116)
+layout_mode = 2
+script = ExtResource("icon_button")
+icon = 28
+glow_color = Color(0.55, 0.75, 1, 1)
+
 [node name="StartWave" type="Control" parent="Content/ToolButtons"]
 custom_minimum_size = Vector2(116, 116)
 layout_mode = 2
@@ -135,15 +142,15 @@ glow_color = Color(1, 0.45, 0.2, 1)
 
 [node name="ToolLabels" type="HBoxContainer" parent="Content"]
 anchor_right = 1.0
-offset_left = 28.0
+offset_left = 24.0
 offset_top = 1018.0
-offset_right = -28.0
-offset_bottom = 1098.0
+offset_right = -24.0
+offset_bottom = 1114.0
 theme_override_constants/separation = 8
 alignment = 1
 
 [node name="UnlockLabel" type="Label" parent="Content/ToolLabels"]
-custom_minimum_size = Vector2(210, 76)
+custom_minimum_size = Vector2(160, 92)
 layout_mode = 2
 theme_override_font_sizes/font_size = 20
 text = "UNLOCK ALL\nSKILLS"
@@ -151,15 +158,23 @@ horizontal_alignment = 1
 vertical_alignment = 1
 
 [node name="UnlimitedLabel" type="Label" parent="Content/ToolLabels"]
-custom_minimum_size = Vector2(210, 76)
+custom_minimum_size = Vector2(160, 92)
 layout_mode = 2
 theme_override_font_sizes/font_size = 20
-text = "UNLIMITED RESOURCES\nOFF"
+text = "UNLIMITED\nRESOURCES\nOFF"
+horizontal_alignment = 1
+vertical_alignment = 1
+
+[node name="FreeCostsLabel" type="Label" parent="Content/ToolLabels"]
+custom_minimum_size = Vector2(160, 92)
+layout_mode = 2
+theme_override_font_sizes/font_size = 20
+text = "FREE\nCOSTS\nOFF"
 horizontal_alignment = 1
 vertical_alignment = 1
 
 [node name="WaveLabel" type="Label" parent="Content/ToolLabels"]
-custom_minimum_size = Vector2(210, 76)
+custom_minimum_size = Vector2(160, 92)
 layout_mode = 2
 theme_override_font_sizes/font_size = 20
 text = "START ENEMY\nWAVE"

vessels/LaserVesselDefinition.tres

@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ hull_points = PackedVector2Array(0, -26, -9, 14, -4, 10, 4, 10, 9, 14)
 fleet_eligible = true
 capabilities = PackedStringArray("laser")
 component_scenes = Array[PackedScene]([ExtResource("2")])
-base_stats = {"max_speed": 660.0, "acceleration": 1890.0, "delivery_speed": 180.0, "damage": 2.0, "beam_range": 2900.0, "beam_cooldown": 4.0}
+base_stats = {"max_speed": 660.0, "acceleration": 1890.0, "delivery_speed": 180.0, "damage": 6.0, "beam_range": 2900.0, "beam_cooldown": 4.0}
 minimum_stats = {"beam_cooldown": 1.5}
 upgrades = Array[Resource]([ExtResource("3"), ExtResource("4"), ExtResource("5")])
 unlock_id = "unlock_laser"

vessels/VesselGasBomberComponent.gd

@@ -14,7 +14,9 @@ func _init() -> void:
 const BOMB_EFFECT = preload("res://vfx/GasBombEffect.gd")
 const GAS_PER_SHOT: int = 5
 const MAX_RANGE: float = 950.0
-const BLAST_DAMAGE: int = 3
+# #201: doubled. The bomb is the fleet's only area weapon and one slow,
+# expensive throw was worth less than a couple of seconds of ordinary fire.
+const BLAST_DAMAGE: int = 6
 const SHOT_COOLDOWN: float = 5.0
 
 

vessels/VesselLaserComponent.gd

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ class_name VesselLaserComponent
 extends "res://vessels/VesselCooldownFillComponent.gd"
 
 var capability_id := "laser"
-var damage: int = 2
+var damage: int = 6
 var beam_range: float = 2900.0
 
 const READY_COLOR := Color(0.3, 0.9, 1.0)