Hand Module System

Overview

The Hand Module System is a signature interaction tool mounted on the character’s left arm — a tractor‑beam style manipulator with an industrial sci‑fi feel. It allows objects to be targeted, lifted, repositioned, and aligned with clear visual feedback and consistent rules.

The design goal is “powerful but controlled.” The module prioritizes readability (what is targeted and why), stability (safe interaction rules that avoid physics chaos), and expandability (future upgrades, robot/vehicle synergy, and deeper hooks like power draw or tool modes).

Related: Many placements ultimately resolve through the Storage System rules (snap, occupancy, validation).

Key features

• Target acquisition: highlights eligible objects and communicates state (in range / blocked / too heavy / invalid).
• Manipulation modes: grabbing, holding, positioning, and releasing objects with predictable constraints.
• Placement preview: shows intended landing position and orientation before committing.
• Stable constraints: controlled motion/alignment rules to reduce jitter, clipping, and runaway physics.
• Feedback-first UX: prompts for success/failure reasons (range, line-of-sight, collision, limits).
• Integration-friendly: designed to cooperate with storage now, and robotics/vehicle logistics later.

Interaction flow (high level)

1. Aim & acquire: scan for a valid target within range and line-of-sight.
2. Lock: confirm constraints (movable, within limits) and switch feedback to “active”.
3. Manipulate: control position/orientation with smoothing and optional snapping rules.
4. Validate: run placement checks before release (collisions, boundaries, storage rules if applicable).
5. Commit: place the object (or return it to a safe state) and update system state (ownership, occupancy, etc.).

Design notes

• Clarity over chaos: the player should always understand what can be grabbed and why something fails.
• Physics discipline: controlled motion beats raw force; stable outcomes matter more than “wild realism”.
• Consistent constraints: range, weight limits, and snapping rules remain predictable across interactions.
• Upgradeable foundation: built to support future modules, tool modes, or power/heat limitations.

Planned extensions

• Mode switching: utility modes (carry / align / precision / quick-drop) depending on context.
• Power & limits: optional energy draw, cooldown, or heat to balance heavier objects and longer use.
• Storage synergy: direct “place into storage” actions with validated snap/occupancy rules.
• Robotics/vehicles: shared manipulation rules for automated handling and cargo workflows.

Current status

In progress — core grabbing and manipulation are functional, tuning & edge cases ongoing.

Changelog

• 2026-01-17 — Added system overview, key features, and interaction flow.