Add pixel trail to bolt visuals

vfx.lua

@@ -94,6 +94,11 @@ function VFX.init()
         -- Generic effects
         sparkle = "assets/sprites/sparkle.png",
         impactRing = "assets/sprites/impact-ring.png",
+
+        -- Pixel primitive effects
+        pixel1 = "assets/sprites/1px.png",
+        twinkle1 = "assets/sprites/3px-twinkle1.png",
+        twinkle2 = "assets/sprites/3px-twinkle2.png",
 
         -- Bolt effects
         boltFrames = {
@@ -146,6 +151,12 @@ function VFX.init()
     -- Preload sparkle asset (used in many effects)
     print("[VFX] Preloading essential asset: sparkle")
     VFX.assets.sparkle = AssetCache.getImage(VFX.assetPaths.sparkle)
+
+    -- Preload pixel primitives used for hard-edged effects
+    print("[VFX] Preloading pixel primitive assets")
+    VFX.assets.pixel1 = AssetCache.getImage(VFX.assetPaths.pixel1)
+    VFX.assets.twinkle1 = AssetCache.getImage(VFX.assetPaths.twinkle1)
+    VFX.assets.twinkle2 = AssetCache.getImage(VFX.assetPaths.twinkle2)
 
     -- Preload bolt frames for the bolt effects
     print("[VFX] Preloading bolt frame assets")
@@ -214,6 +225,7 @@ function VFX.init()
             flickerRate = 12,             -- Rate at which particles flicker (Hz)
             flickerIntensity = 0.3,       -- Intensity of the flicker effect (0-1)
             useSprites = true,            -- Flag to indicate this effect uses sprite frames
+            pixelTrail = true,            -- Use pixel primitives for the trail
             spriteFrameRate = 15,         -- Frames per second for sprite animation
             spriteRotationOffset = 0.78,  -- Radians to rotate the sprite by default (≈45 degrees)
             spriteScale = 0.85,           -- Base scale factor for the sprite
@@ -223,6 +235,7 @@ function VFX.init()
             criticalAssets = {"boltFrames"} -- Mark bolt frames as critical assets to preload
         },
 
+
         warp_base = {
             type = "warp_base",           -- Template name as type
             duration = 1.0,                -- Standard duration

vfx/effects/projectile.lua

@@ -214,7 +214,12 @@ local function updateProjectile(effect, dt)
         if math.random() < particleRate then
             -- Create a new particle using specialized helper
             local particle = ParticleManager.createProjectileTrailParticle(effect, head.x, head.y)
-
+
+            if effect.pixelTrail then
+                particle.assetId = (math.random() < 0.5) and "twinkle1" or "twinkle2"
+                particle.size = 3
+            end
+
             -- Add the particle to the effect
             table.insert(effect.particles, particle)
         end
@@ -316,6 +321,9 @@ local function drawProjectile(effect)
     local particleImage = getAssetInternal("fireParticle")
     local glowImage = getAssetInternal("fireGlow")
     local impactImage = getAssetInternal("impactRing")
+    local pixelImage = getAssetInternal("pixel1")
+    local twinkle1 = getAssetInternal("twinkle1")
+    local twinkle2 = getAssetInternal("twinkle2")
 
     -- Get bolt frames if needed
     local boltFrames = nil
@@ -348,18 +356,25 @@ local function drawProjectile(effect)
             local point = effect.trailPoints[i]
             local trailSize = (effect.size or 1.0) * 3 * (1 - (i-1)/#effect.trailPoints)
             local trailAlpha = point.alpha * 0.4
-            
+
             -- Draw trail glow at each point
             local color = effect.color or {1, 1, 1} -- Default to white if no color
             love.graphics.setColor(
-                color[1], 
-                color[2], 
-                color[3], 
+                color[1],
+                color[2],
+                color[3],
                 trailAlpha
             )
-
-            -- Draw a circle for each trail point
-            if glowImage then
+
+            if effect.pixelTrail and pixelImage then
+                love.graphics.draw(
+                    pixelImage,
+                    point.x, point.y,
+                    0,
+                    trailSize, trailSize,
+                    0.5, 0.5
+                )
+            elseif glowImage then
                 love.graphics.draw(
                     glowImage,
                     point.x, point.y,
@@ -368,7 +383,6 @@ local function drawProjectile(effect)
                     glowImage:getWidth()/2, glowImage:getHeight()/2
                 )
             else
-                -- Fallback to a circle if glow asset is missing
                 love.graphics.circle("fill", point.x, point.y, trailSize * 10)
             end
         end
@@ -391,16 +405,30 @@ local function drawProjectile(effect)
             )
 
             -- Draw particle
-            if particleImage then
+            local img = particleImage
+            local scale = (particle.size or 5)/20
+            if effect.pixelTrail then
+                if particle.assetId == "twinkle1" and twinkle1 then
+                    img = twinkle1
+                    scale = effect.size or 1
+                elseif particle.assetId == "twinkle2" and twinkle2 then
+                    img = twinkle2
+                    scale = effect.size or 1
+                elseif pixelImage then
+                    img = pixelImage
+                    scale = effect.size or 1
+                end
+            end
+
+            if img then
                 love.graphics.draw(
-                    particleImage,
+                    img,
                     particle.x, particle.y,
                     0,
-                    (particle.size or 5)/20, (particle.size or 5)/20,
-                    particleImage:getWidth()/2, particleImage:getHeight()/2
+                    scale, scale,
+                    (img:getWidth()/2), (img:getHeight()/2)
                 )
             else
-                -- Fallback to a circle if particle asset is missing
                 love.graphics.circle("fill", particle.x, particle.y, particle.size or 5)
             end