Hoop Dynasty - The Between-Game Layer
1. Structure
Section titled “1. Structure”After each game, and before the next, the player moves through a fixed short sequence with one meaningful decision slot. The sequence is completable in under 5 minutes.
Fixed sequence:
- Postgame summary — key narrative flashes from the narrator voices; injury and fatigue flags; development events that fired
- Roster check — one visible urgent item (injured player, chemistry event, player morale flag)
- One free decision — a single contextually gated action (see 1.2)
- Opponent scouting preview — partial view of the next opponent’s visible formation and known players
- Pre-game setup — select 5 situation cards for the game hand; confirm rotation queue; set opening scheme
2. The Context-Gated Decision
Section titled “2. The Context-Gated Decision”The one free decision is not always the same menu. Available options are determined by the current season phase and events:
| Context | Available actions |
|---|---|
| Regular season, healthy roster | Training session, film room scouting, development card application |
| Player injured | Healing/recovery card, rest decision, emergency signing |
| Free agency period | Sign free agents, contract negotiations |
| Pre-draft period | Draft scouting, prospect development |
| Post-blowout win | Bonus development opportunity (bench player who performed) |
| Pre-playoff | Extra scouting action, scheme refinement |
The constrained menu makes each decision meaningful. The player cannot do everything — they must choose.
3. Scouting and Information Decay
Section titled “3. Scouting and Information Decay”Own scheme: Always fully visible. The player chose it.
Opponent formation: Always visible on the court display. The player can see the scheme shape.
Opponent’s hidden information (specific synergy bonuses, rotation tendencies, bench patterns): Revealed only through:
- Prior film room scouting (between-game action)
- Experience from previous games against this team — the more times you’ve played a team, the more information is automatically revealed
- Specific scouting cards in the situation hand (“Film Room Read”)
Stale scouting is a real risk: A team that traded away their aging franchise player mid-season has a different scheme profile than their earlier scouting report suggested. Meeting a familiar opponent in the playoffs after a major roster change is a genuine surprise and challenge.