01 / Foundations
How to choose the base game
The base game is the project’s center of gravity. Pick the one whose camera, input, save flow, and primary verb already resemble the prototype you want to test.
The problem to solve
Choosing the more recognizable game instead of the more compatible game creates a beautiful brief with no reliable implementation path.
Write the expected behavior before changing a game directory or adding a new dependency. A precise failure statement helps you choose a smaller test and prevents a tool from becoming a collection of unrelated experiments.
A practical method
Score each candidate on mod support, offline testing, camera fit, save access, physics fit, and the cost of restoring a failed experiment. Pick the game with the lowest irreversible risk.
Keep the base loop, input contract, and save boundary visible. Use original placeholders and a reversible local test whenever the workflow touches game files or generated assets.
How to verify the result
Build a movement-only scene or mod hook before importing the second system. If the base route is unstable, change the base choice early.
Record the engine or tool version, the exact steps, the observed result, and the recovery path. A problem article is useful when another reader can reproduce the check without guessing what changed.
101 / Quick answers
Common How to choose the base game questions
001Should the more popular game always be the base?+
No. The base should be the game with the clearest supported runtime and the best fit for the preserved player verb.
002What should the first test include?+
One controlled scenario, one expected result, and one reset or restore path. Expand only after that scenario is repeatable.
003What should I document?+
Document the base game or tool version, required ownership, files changed, expected output, and the safe way to undo the experiment.
004What should I avoid?+
Avoid distributing proprietary files, bypassing ownership or anti-cheat checks, and making irreversible changes before a backup and a small test exist.
FAQ
FAQ
Should the more popular game always be the base?+
No. The base should be the game with the clearest supported runtime and the best fit for the preserved player verb.
Can I solve this with a larger prompt?+
Usually not. A smaller prompt tied to one reproducible failure produces a more useful implementation and a clearer review.
Where can I continue?+
Continue with game merging or engine compatibility or input camera boundaries and compare the linked workflow before expanding scope.
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