Payload Specialist

Payload Specialist is a space launch vehicle construction game that spans multiple eras of space exploration. The game focuses on the players ability to design and assemble space vehicles by stacking modular parts and configuring them for launch, followed by testing and troubleshooting in-flight systems. Players must manage the design and launch of spacecraft with the goal of completing various missions, each reflecting key milestones in space history.The game offers a blend of drag-and-drop construction mechanics, part configuration, and mission control simulation during launches. Players monitor gauges and cameras in real-time during launches, making adjustments to ensure mission success or diagnosing failures.The narrative loosely follows the historical progression of space exploration, though the in-game agency (ISA) serves as a fictional amalgamation of real-world space programs.Payload Specialist features a pixel art aesthetic, with simple, functional designs for UI components, spacecraft parts, backgrounds, and character portraits. It incorporates lo-fi and aspirational music depending on the game phase, with sound effects emphasizing mechanical and space-related atmospheres.The games technical challenges include managing complex drag-and-drop mechanics and accurately simulating mission control data in real-time. It targets a niche audience of gamers who enjoy puzzle-building and light simulation, and it is planned as a solo development project.This document outlines all major aspects of the game, from gameplay and story to production plans and marketing strategies.