Getting Started with RagNext

Welcome to the RagNext Game Designer documentation! RagNext is a modern, node-based storytelling and simulation engine designed to build highly interactive text-adventure and simulation RPG games.

RagNext consists of two main components:

1. RagNext Studio (Designer): A cross-platform visual scripting desktop tool built on Avalonia UI.
2. RagNext Player (Runtime): A high-performance simulation runner integrated with Unity to compile and render your interactive worlds on Desktop and Web platforms.

---

Workspace Tour

When you launch RagNext Studio, the designer interface is divided into three key areas:

1. The Left Navigation Sidebar

Quick access to all design aspects of your game:

• Rooms: Define the physical spaces, descriptions, exits, and room-specific actions.
• Characters: Create NPCs, define their attributes, and manage dialog triggers.
• Game Objects: Manage items, quest objects, and containers.
• Game Variables: Maintain game state (scores, flags, timers, lists).
• Action Library: Create global templates or actions.
• Publisher: Prepare and build standalone executables.

2. The Central Workspace / Canvas

The primary area where you design layouts, edit room properties, and write visual scripts. The Visual Script Editor uses a modern, zoomable node grid where you connect flow sockets (execution paths) and evaluate logic.

3. The Live Status Bar

Located at the top right of the application header, the Save Status Indicator keeps track of file state in real-time. RagNext implements Pure Autosave, meaning any modification you make on characters, variables, or rooms is instantly committed to your active project JSON file.

• 🟢 Saved: The project is synchronized with your disk.
• 🔄 Saving changes...: A background disk write is currently executing.

---

Creating Your First Game

1. Open RagNext Studio and select 📂 Launcher or 📂 Load Existing Save to create or import a project workspace.
2. Under Rooms, click ➕ Add Room. Name your starting room (e.g., Highway 9 - Milestone 42).
3. Set your player's start location by choosing the room name in the Starting Room dropdown.
4. Set up exits and navigation routes, then navigate to the Publisher page to build your first standalone application.