MALACCA: Shadow of the Straits — Game Design Document
v2.8 — Internal Reference — March 2026
CONFIDENTIAL — NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION
Document Index
| File | Sections | Contents |
|---|---|---|
| 01-overview.md | 1–2 | Project metadata, genre, themes, setting, geographic zones, traversal |
| 02-protagonist.md | 3 | Peranakan protagonist, Baba/Nyonya choice, outfit system |
| 03-combat-systems.md | 4–5–6 | Semangat/Rage/Health, combat model, weapons (Keris/kerambit/sumpitan), Ilmu skill tree, progression, Balai |
| 04-mission-design.md | 7 | Mission types, design mandates, social stealth language |
| 05-enemy-design.md | 8 | Guard archetypes, detection model, vision/audio parameters, social stealth thresholds |
| 06-field-systems.md | 9 | Mata-mata contacts, Shahbandar faction economy, corruption states, network fracture |
| 07-orang-laut.md | 10 | Sea nomad faction, Batin leadership, passive judgement system, sumpitan gifting |
| 08-narrative.md | 11–12–13 | Key figures, act structure, Tuah/Jebat branch, myth layer, Arus Dalam cross-save |
| 09-codex.md | 14 | In-game knowledge base, wikiword navigation, category tree, entry template |
| 10-ui-design.md | 15 | HUD, detection feedback, Ilmu tree UI, Keris ritual UI, Codex UI, mission interface, pause menu, accessibility |
| 11-open-questions.md | 16 | Open design questions requiring resolution |
| 12-revision-log.md | 18 | Document revision log |
| appendix-a-codex-register.md | Appendix A | Master Codex entry register (~80–120 entries) |
| BACKLOG.md | — | Development backlog & completed tracker |
Section Number Quick Reference
For legacy cross-references using “Section N” notation:
| Original Section | Now In |
|---|---|
| 1. Project Overview | 01-overview.md |
| 2. Setting & World | 01-overview.md |
| 3. Protagonist | 02-protagonist.md |
| 4. Resources & Combat Philosophy | 03-combat-systems.md |
| 5. Weapon & Capability Systems | 03-combat-systems.md |
| 6. Progression — The Ilmu System | 03-combat-systems.md |
| 7. Mission Design | 04-mission-design.md |
| 8. Enemy Design | 05-enemy-design.md |
| 9. Mission Design — Field Systems | 06-field-systems.md |
| 10. The Orang Laut | 07-orang-laut.md |
| 11. Narrative Structure | 08-narrative.md |
| 12. Myth, Tone & Supernatural Layer | 08-narrative.md |
| 13. Story Bible — Arus Dalam Awareness | 08-narrative.md |
| 14. The Codex | 09-codex.md |
| 15. UI and Information Design | 10-ui-design.md |
| 16. Open Design Questions | 11-open-questions.md |
| 17. GDD Todo List | BACKLOG.md |
| 18. Document Revision Log | 12-revision-log.md |
| Appendix A — Codex Entry Register | appendix-a-codex-register.md |
Sync Rule
This GDD is the source of truth. The pitch at ../pitch/concept-pitch.md must stay in sync.