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+---
+phase: 3
+slug: complete-experience
+status: draft
+nyquist_compliant: false
+wave_0_complete: false
+created: 2026-03-10
+---
+
+# Phase 3 — Validation Strategy
+
+> Per-phase validation contract for feedback sampling during execution.
+
+---
+
+## Test Infrastructure
+
+| Property | Value |
+|----------|-------|
+| **Framework** | Manual gameplay testing (no automated framework — no test setup in scope) |
+| **Config file** | none — Wave 0 installs N/A |
+| **Quick run command** | Open `index.html`, click through Title → Mode Select → Game → Game Over |
+| **Full suite command** | Full playthrough: all modes (AI easy/medium/hard, 2P), all palettes, sound toggle, audio timing |
+| **Estimated runtime** | ~3-5 minutes |
+
+---
+
+## Sampling Rate
+
+- **After every task commit:** Run quick manual test (open index.html, navigate Title → Settings → Mode Select → Game → Game Over)
+- **After every plan wave:** Run full suite (all game modes, all palette switches, sound toggle, audio verification)
+- **Before `/gsd:verify-work`:** Full suite must complete with no errors; all screens render; keyboard nav works; audio plays correctly
+- **Max feedback latency:** ~5 minutes
+
+---
+
+## Per-Task Verification Map
+
+| Task ID | Plan | Wave | Requirement | Test Type | Automated Command | File Exists | Status |
+|---------|------|------|-------------|-----------|-------------------|-------------|--------|
+| 3-01-01 | 01 | 1 | SCRN-01 | manual/visual | Open index.html → title screen renders with game name + neon branding | ❌ manual | ⬜ pending |
+| 3-01-02 | 01 | 1 | SCRN-02 | manual/keyboard | Press Enter on Play → mode select screen renders, arrow keys navigate | ❌ manual | ⬜ pending |
+| 3-01-03 | 01 | 1 | SCRN-03 | manual | From title, press Settings → settings screen renders with difficulty/sound/palette | ❌ manual | ⬜ pending |
+| 3-01-04 | 01 | 1 | SCRN-04 | manual | Play game to completion → game over screen shows winner + score + options | ❌ manual | ⬜ pending |
+| 3-02-01 | 02 | 2 | AUD-01 | manual/audio | Start game, rally ball → paddle hit sound plays each collision | ❌ manual | ⬜ pending |
+| 3-02-02 | 02 | 2 | AUD-02 | manual/audio | Ball bounces off wall → wall hit sound plays (distinct from paddle hit) | ❌ manual | ⬜ pending |
+| 3-02-03 | 02 | 2 | AUD-03 | manual/audio | Ball passes paddle → score sound plays (deep thud, distinct from others) | ❌ manual | ⬜ pending |
+| 3-02-04 | 02 | 2 | AUD-04 | manual/console | Page load → AudioContext.state = 'suspended'; first keydown → 'running' | ❌ manual | ⬜ pending |
+| 3-02-05 | 02 | 2 | AUD-05 | manual | Settings → Sound OFF → no audio plays; Sound ON → audio resumes | ❌ manual | ⬜ pending |
+
+*Status: ⬜ pending · ✅ green · ❌ red · ⚠️ flaky*
+
+---
+
+## Wave 0 Requirements
+
+None — existing infrastructure (Phase 2 game loop in index.html) covers all phase requirements. Phase 3 adds manual gameplay tests only. No dedicated test framework is in scope for v1.
+
+*Existing infrastructure covers all phase requirements.*
+
+---
+
+## Manual-Only Verifications
+
+| Behavior | Requirement | Why Manual | Test Instructions |
+|----------|-------------|------------|-------------------|
+| Title screen renders with neon game name and branding | SCRN-01 | Requires visual inspection of canvas rendering | Open index.html, verify title displays with glow effect and arcade aesthetic |
+| Mode select screen navigates with arrow keys | SCRN-02 | Requires keyboard input + visual verification | Press Enter → verify mode select; use Up/Down arrows; verify highlight changes |
+| Settings screen: difficulty/sound/palette changes apply | SCRN-03 | Requires keyboard interaction + visual/audio feedback | Open Settings, change each option, verify game reflects changes |
+| Game over screen shows score + winner + navigation | SCRN-04 | Requires completing a full game match | Play to score limit, verify PLAYER X WINS N–M format, Play Again returns to mode select, Main Menu returns to title |
+| Paddle hit sound plays | AUD-01 | Requires audio device + active listening | Start game, rally ball, listen for mid-range tone on paddle collision |
+| Wall hit sound plays | AUD-02 | Requires audio device + active listening | Bounce ball off top/bottom wall, listen for higher-pitch snap |
+| Score sound plays | AUD-03 | Requires audio device + active listening | Score a point, listen for low-frequency thud (distinct from paddle/wall) |
+| Audio initializes only after first user interaction | AUD-04 | Requires console inspection + timing verification | Open DevTools console, load page, `audioContext.state` should be 'suspended'; press any key, state should be 'running' |
+| Sound toggle mutes/unmutes audio | AUD-05 | Requires interaction + audio device | Toggle Sound OFF in settings → play game → no sounds; toggle ON → sounds return |
+
+---
+
+## Validation Sign-Off
+
+- [ ] All tasks have `<automated>` verify or Wave 0 dependencies
+- [ ] Sampling continuity: no 3 consecutive tasks without automated verify
+- [ ] Wave 0 covers all MISSING references
+- [ ] No watch-mode flags
+- [ ] Feedback latency < 5 minutes
+- [ ] `nyquist_compliant: true` set in frontmatter
+
+**Approval:** pending