Getting Started with Adastrea

March 16, 2026 · View on GitHub

Last Updated: March 16, 2026 (Endless Development Cycle #12) Project Status: Trade Simulator MVP - Week 12 of 12 (Final Polish & Demo Preparation) Engine: Unreal Engine 5.6 Language: C++ with Blueprint integration Development Mode: 🔄 Endless Development Active - Hourly improvements and maintenance

🎯 Current Focus: Trade Simulator MVP Final Demo

Adastrea is completing a space trading game MVP to validate market interest and secure funding. We're focused on ONE core gameplay loop: buy low, sell high, upgrade ship, repeat.

Target: Playable 30-minute demo ready for publishers (March 2026)

🚀 Quick Start Paths

Choose your role:

🎮 Want to Play the MVP?

Available Now: March 2026 (Week 12 - Final Demo Preparation)

The MVP demo is in final preparation phase. You can:

  • Star/watch this repo for demo release announcements
  • Check ROADMAP.md for current development status and timeline
  • See docs/mvp/README.md for MVP development progress
  • Follow .github/instructions/trade-simulator-mvp.instructions.md for MVP implementation details
  • Test Python validation scripts in the repository to understand game mechanics

💻 Want to Contribute Code?

C++ and Blueprint developers

  1. Prerequisites: UE 5.6, Visual Studio 2022, Git
  2. Clone: git clone https://github.com/Mittenzx/Adastrea.git
  3. Build: See QUICKSTART.md for detailed setup
  4. Read: .github/instructions/README.md for coding guidelines
  5. Focus: MVP systems only (trading, docking, economy)

Key Documents:

  • ARCHITECTURE.md - System architecture
  • CODE_STYLE.md - C++ and Blueprint standards
  • CONTRIBUTING.md - Contribution workflow
  • .github/instructions/trade-simulator-mvp.instructions.md - MVP plan

🎨 Want to Create Content?

Designers and content creators

  1. Setup: Install Unreal Engine 5.6
  2. Open: Adastrea.uproject
  3. Learn: docs/mvp/GETTING_STARTED.md - MVP content guide
  4. Create: Ships, stations, and trade goods using Data Assets

Key Documents:

  • Assets/SpaceshipTemplates/ - Ship templates and examples
  • Assets/TradingSystemGuide.md - Trading system overview
  • .github/instructions/data-assets.instructions.md - Data Asset patterns

📚 Want to Understand the Project?

Researchers, reviewers, or curious developers

Start Here:

  1. README.md - Project overview (this file)
  2. ARCHITECTURE.md - Technical architecture and design patterns
  3. docs/archive/critical-review-2025/README.md - Why we pivoted to MVP
  4. .github/instructions/anti-patterns.instructions.md - Lessons learned

Explore:

  • docs/ - All technical documentation (organized by category)
  • wiki/ - GitHub wiki pages
  • CHANGELOG.md - What's changed recently

📝 Want to Help with Documentation?

Technical writers

  1. Read: docs/README.md - Documentation structure
  2. Follow: CODE_STYLE.md - Documentation standards
  3. Focus: MVP documentation gaps
  4. Update: Keep cross-references current

📁 Repository Structure

Adastrea/
├── .github/              # GitHub configuration and AI instructions
│   └── instructions/     # ⭐ Copilot and agent guidelines
├── Source/               # C++ source code
│   └── Adastrea/         # Main game module
├── Content/              # Unreal Engine content (Blueprints, assets)
├── docs/                 # ⭐ All documentation (lowercase!)
│   ├── mvp/              # ⭐ Trade Simulator MVP documentation
│   ├── development/      # Developer guides
│   ├── reference/        # Quick references
│   └── archive/          # Historical documents
├── Assets/               # YAML templates and system guides
├── Tools/                # Python automation scripts
├── tests/                # Test suite
├── README.md             # Project overview
├── ARCHITECTURE.md       # System architecture
├── CODE_STYLE.md         # Coding standards
├── CONTRIBUTING.md       # Contribution guide
└── CHANGELOG.md          # Version history

⭐ Key Locations:

  • MVP Documentation: docs/mvp/
  • AI Instructions: .github/instructions/
  • Developer Docs: docs/development/
  • Code Standards: CODE_STYLE.md

🎮 What We're Building (MVP Scope)

Core Gameplay Loop (3-5 minutes)

Dock at Station A
    ↓
Buy cargo (cheap goods)
    ↓
Fly to Station B
    ↓
Sell cargo (expensive there)
    ↓
Profit! 💰
    ↓
Upgrade ship capacity
    ↓
Repeat with bigger profits

MVP Features (March 2026)

  • ✅ 1 flyable ship (with upgrades)
  • ✅ 5-10 trading stations
  • ✅ 10-20 trade goods
  • ✅ Dynamic supply/demand economy
  • ✅ Simple docking
  • ✅ Trading UI
  • ✅ Profit tracking
  • ✅ Ship upgrades

NOT in MVP (Future)

  • ❌ Combat system
  • ❌ Exploration mechanics
  • ❌ Faction diplomacy (beyond pricing)
  • ❌ Crew management
  • ❌ Quest system
  • ❌ Multiplayer

Why? We're validating ONE core loop is fun before expanding. See .github/instructions/anti-patterns.instructions.md for lessons learned.

📖 Essential Documentation

For Everyone

  • README.md (this file) - Project overview and getting started
  • CHANGELOG.md - What's new and what changed
  • docs/README.md - Complete documentation index

For Developers

  • ARCHITECTURE.md - System design and patterns
  • CODE_STYLE.md - C++ and Blueprint standards
  • CONTRIBUTING.md - How to contribute
  • QUICKSTART.md - Detailed setup instructions

For MVP Work

  • docs/mvp/README.md - MVP documentation hub
  • .github/instructions/trade-simulator-mvp.instructions.md - Week-by-week plan
  • .github/instructions/anti-patterns.instructions.md - What NOT to do

For Understanding the Pivot

  • docs/archive/critical-review-2025/README.md - December 2025 assessment
  • .github/instructions/anti-patterns.instructions.md - Lessons learned

🛠️ Development Setup (Quick)

Prerequisites

  • Windows 10/11, macOS, or Linux
  • Unreal Engine 5.6
  • Visual Studio 2022 (Windows) or Xcode (Mac)
  • Git
  • 20GB+ free disk space

Installation

# Clone repository
git clone https://github.com/Mittenzx/Adastrea.git
cd Adastrea

# Generate project files
# Windows: Right-click Adastrea.uproject → "Generate Visual Studio project files"
# Mac: Right-click Adastrea.uproject → "Generate Xcode project"

# Open in IDE and build
# Windows: Open Adastrea.sln in Visual Studio 2022
# Mac: Open Adastrea.xcworkspace in Xcode

# Build configuration: "Development Editor"

Detailed setup: See QUICKSTART.md

🧪 Running Tests

# Python tests (automation and validation)
cd tests
python3 run_all_tests.py

# Unreal Engine tests
# Open Adastrea.uproject → Tools → Test Automation

📊 Project Status

Current Phase: MVP Development

  • Week: 3-4 of 12 (Prototype phase)
  • Goal: Hardcoded playable prototype by Week 4
  • Next: External playtesting, GO/NO-GO decision

Success Metrics

  • Week 4: 60% of playtesters say "this is fun"
  • Week 8: 70% "had fun", multiple trade routes
  • Week 12: 75% "had fun", 50% "would buy", 30-min polished demo

Timeline

  • Jan 2026: Weeks 1-4 (Prototype)
  • Feb 2026: Weeks 5-8 (Structure and content)
  • Mar 2026: Weeks 9-12 (Polish and demo)

Track Progress: See CHANGELOG.md for updates

🤝 Contributing

We welcome contributions focused on the Trade Simulator MVP!

Before Contributing

  1. Read CONTRIBUTING.md - Contribution workflow
  2. Read .github/instructions/trade-simulator-mvp.instructions.md - Current focus
  3. Read .github/instructions/anti-patterns.instructions.md - What to avoid
  4. Check open issues for "MVP" label

Contribution Guidelines

  • Focus on MVP - Trading, docking, economy only
  • Keep it simple - Minimal viable changes
  • Test your changes - Don't break existing features
  • Follow standards - See CODE_STYLE.md
  • Update docs - If you change APIs

MVP Priorities

  1. ✅ Trading UI improvements
  2. ✅ Economy simulation
  3. ✅ Ship docking mechanics
  4. ✅ Cargo management
  5. ✅ Station variety

NOT Priorities (Yet)

  • ❌ Combat features
  • ❌ AI improvements (beyond economy)
  • ❌ Faction systems
  • ❌ Quest systems
  • ❌ Multiplayer

📞 Getting Help

Documentation

  • Quick Start: See QUICKSTART.md
  • Full Docs: See docs/README.md
  • MVP Docs: See docs/mvp/README.md
  • Troubleshooting: See docs/reference/ quick references

Community

  • Issues: GitHub Issues (tag with "help wanted")
  • Discussions: GitHub Discussions
  • Wiki: wiki/Home.md

For Developers

  • Architecture Questions: See ARCHITECTURE.md
  • Coding Standards: See CODE_STYLE.md
  • AI Instructions: See .github/instructions/README.md

📚 Learning Resources

Unreal Engine

Adastrea Specific

  • System Guides: Assets/ directory (system-specific documentation)
  • Code Examples: Source/Adastrea/ (reference implementations)
  • Templates: Assets/SpaceshipTemplates/, Assets/SectorTemplates/

🎯 Project Vision

Short-Term (Q1 2026)

Build a fun, polished 30-minute trading demo that validates market interest.

Medium-Term (2026)

If MVP succeeds:

  • Secure funding (publisher, crowdfunding, or early access)
  • Expand trade simulator (more ships, stations, goods)
  • Add progression systems (reputation, unlocks)

Long-Term (2027+)

If funded:

  • Add exploration gameplay
  • Add tactical combat
  • Add faction diplomacy
  • Add crew management
  • Build towards full open-world space game

But first: Prove trading is fun. Everything else depends on that.

⚠️ Important Notes

What Changed (December 2025)

Adastrea underwent a strategic pivot in December 2025:

  • Before: Building 22 systems simultaneously, no playable content
  • After: Focus on ONE system (trading), playable in 12 weeks

Why? See docs/archive/critical-review-2025/README.md for full analysis.

Development Philosophy

Gameplay First: Fun, validated gameplay before infrastructure Keep It Simple: Minimal viable features, iterate based on feedback Test Early: Player feedback every 2 weeks Focus Wins: One polished system beats ten half-finished systems

See .github/instructions/anti-patterns.instructions.md for lessons learned.

📜 License

See LICENSE file for details.

🙏 Acknowledgments

  • Unreal Engine by Epic Games
  • Community Contributors - See CONTRIBUTING.md
  • Critical Review (Dec 2025) - For honest assessment that led to MVP pivot

Ready to contribute? Start with CONTRIBUTING.md Want to understand the project? Read ARCHITECTURE.md Looking for MVP docs? See docs/mvp/README.md

Questions? Open a GitHub Issue or Discussion.

Last updated: January 14, 2026 - Repository Modernization