godot-game-loop-time-trial

Architectural Thinking: The "Validation-Chain" Pattern

A Master implementation treats Time Trials as a State-Validated Sequence. Recording a time is easy; ensuring the player didn't cheat via shortcuts requires a strictly ordered CheckpointManager.

Core Responsibilities

• TimeTrialManager: The central clock. Validates checkpoint order and handles "Best Lap" logic.
• GhostRecorder: Captures high-frequency transform data. Uses delta-time timestamps for frame-independent playback.
• Checkpoint: Spatial triggers that notify the Manager.

Expert Code Patterns

1. Robust Checkpoint Validation

Prevent "Shortcut Cheating" by requiring checkpoints to be cleared in numerical order.

Wire Area body_entered (physics) → TimeTrialManager.pass_checkpoint(index). The manager owns usec timing — see script.

2. Space-Efficient Ghosting

Sample at a fixed rate (e.g. 10 Hz). Lerp position; slerp Quaternion rotation (ghost_recorder.gd / ghost_replayer.gd). Never Euler-lerp ghost heading.