yaze/docs/internal/archive/roadmaps/future-improvements.md

Future Improvements & Long-Term Vision

Last Updated: October 10, 2025
Status: Living Document

This document outlines potential improvements, experimental features, and long-term vision for yaze. Items here are aspirational and may or may not be implemented depending on community needs, technical feasibility, and development resources.

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Architecture & Performance

Emulator Core Improvements

See docs/E6-emulator-improvements.md for detailed emulator improvement roadmap.

Priority Items:

• APU Timing Fix: Cycle-accurate SPC700 execution for reliable music playback
• CPU Cycle Accuracy: Variable instruction timing for better game compatibility
• PPU Scanline Renderer: Replace pixel-based renderer for 20%+ performance boost
• Audio Buffering: Lock-free ring buffer to eliminate stuttering

Plugin Architecture (v0.5.x+)

Enable community extensions and custom tools.

Features:

• C API for plugin development
• Hot-reload capability for rapid iteration
• Plugin registry and discovery system
• Example plugins (custom exporters, automation tools)

Benefits:

• Community can extend without core changes
• Experimentation without bloating core
• Custom workflow tools per project needs

Multi-Threading Improvements

Parallelize heavy operations for better performance.

Opportunities:

• Background ROM loading
• Parallel graphics decompression
• Asynchronous file I/O
• Worker thread pool for batch operations

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Graphics & Rendering

Advanced Graphics Editing

Full graphics sheet import/export workflow.

Features:

• Import modified PNG graphics sheets
• Automatic palette extraction and optimization
• Tile deduplication and compression
• Preview impact on ROM size

Use Cases:

• Complete graphics overhauls
• HD texture packs (with downscaling)
• Art asset pipelines

Alternative Rendering Backends

Support beyond SDL3 for specialized use cases.

Potential Backends:

• OpenGL: Maximum compatibility, explicit control
• Vulkan: High-performance, low-overhead (Linux/Windows)
• Metal: Native macOS/iOS performance
• WebGPU: Browser-based editor

Benefits:

• Platform-specific optimization
• Testing without hardware dependencies
• Future-proofing for new platforms

High-DPI / 4K Support

Perfect rendering on modern displays.

Improvements:

• Retina/4K-aware canvas rendering
• Scalable UI elements
• Crisp text at any zoom level
• Per-monitor DPI awareness

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AI & Automation

Autonomous Debugging Enhancements

Advanced features for AI-driven emulator debugging (see docs/internal/agents/archive/foundation-docs-old/ai-agent-debugging-guide.md for current capabilities).

Pattern 1: Automated Bug Reproduction

def reproduce_bug_scenario():
    """Reproduce a specific bug automatically"""
    # 1. Load game state
    stub.LoadState(StateRequest(slot=1))

    # 2. Set breakpoint at suspected bug location
    stub.AddBreakpoint(BreakpointRequest(
        address=0x01A5C0,  # Enemy spawn routine
        type=BreakpointType.EXECUTE,
        description="Bug: enemy spawns in wall"
    ))

    # 3. Automate input to trigger bug
    stub.PressButtons(ButtonRequest(buttons=[Button.UP]))
    stub.HoldButtons(ButtonHoldRequest(buttons=[Button.A], duration_ms=500))

    # 4. Wait for breakpoint
    hit = stub.RunToBreakpoint(Empty())
    if hit.hit:
        # 5. Capture state for analysis
        memory = stub.ReadMemory(MemoryRequest(
            address=0x7E0000,  # WRAM
            size=0x10000
        ))

        # 6. Analyze and log
        analyze_enemy_spawn_state(hit.cpu_state, memory.data)

        return True
    return False

Pattern 2: Automated Code Coverage Analysis

def analyze_code_coverage():
    """Find untested code paths"""
    # 1. Enable disassembly recording
    stub.CreateDebugSession(DebugSessionRequest(
        session_name="coverage_test",
        enable_all_features=True
    ))

    # 2. Run gameplay for 10 minutes
    stub.Start(Empty())
    time.sleep(600)
    stub.Pause(Empty())

    # 3. Get execution trace
    disasm = stub.GetDisassembly(DisassemblyRequest(
        start_address=0x008000,
        count=10000,
        include_execution_count=True
    ))

    # 4. Find unexecuted code
    unexecuted = [line for line in disasm.lines if line.execution_count == 0]

    print(f"Code coverage: {len(disasm.lines) - len(unexecuted)}/{len(disasm.lines)}")
    print(f"Untested code at:")
    for line in unexecuted[:20]:  # Show first 20
        print(f"  ${line.address:06X}: {line.mnemonic} {line.operand_str}")

Pattern 3: Autonomous Bug Hunting

def hunt_for_bugs():
    """AI-driven bug detection"""
    # Set watchpoints on critical variables
    watchpoints = [
        ("LinkHealth", 0x7EF36D, 0x7EF36D, True, True),
        ("LinkPos", 0x7E0020, 0x7E0023, False, True),
        ("RoomID", 0x7E00A0, 0x7E00A1, False, True),
    ]

    for name, start, end, track_reads, track_writes in watchpoints:
        stub.AddWatchpoint(WatchpointRequest(
            start_address=start,
            end_address=end,
            track_reads=track_reads,
            track_writes=track_writes,
            break_on_access=False,
            description=name
        ))

    # Run game with random inputs
    stub.Start(Empty())

    for _ in range(1000):  # 1000 random actions
        button = random.choice([Button.UP, Button.DOWN, Button.LEFT,
                               Button.RIGHT, Button.A, Button.B])
        stub.PressButtons(ButtonRequest(buttons=[button]))
        time.sleep(0.1)

        # Check for anomalies every 10 actions
        if _ % 10 == 0:
            status = stub.GetDebugStatus(Empty())

            # Check for crashes or freezes
            if status.fps < 30:
                print(f"ANOMALY: Low FPS detected ({status.fps:.2f})")
                save_crash_dump(status)

            # Check for memory corruption
            health = stub.ReadMemory(MemoryRequest(
                address=0x7EF36D, size=1
            ))
            if health.data[0] > 0xA8:  # Max health
                print(f"BUG: Health overflow! Value: {health.data[0]:02X}")
                stub.Pause(Empty())
                break

Future API Extensions

// Time-travel debugging
rpc Rewind(RewindRequest) returns (CommandResponse);
rpc SetCheckpoint(CheckpointRequest) returns (CheckpointResponse);
rpc RestoreCheckpoint(CheckpointIdRequest) returns (CommandResponse);

// Lua scripting
rpc ExecuteLuaScript(LuaScriptRequest) returns (LuaScriptResponse);
rpc RegisterLuaCallback(LuaCallbackRequest) returns (CommandResponse);

// Performance profiling
rpc StartProfiling(ProfileRequest) returns (CommandResponse);
rpc StopProfiling(Empty) returns (ProfileResponse);
rpc GetHotPaths(HotPathRequest) returns (HotPathResponse);

Multi-Modal AI Input

Enhance z3ed with visual understanding.

Features:

• Screenshot → context for AI
• "Fix this room" with image reference
• Visual diff analysis
• Automatic sprite positioning from mockups

Collaborative AI Sessions

Shared AI context in multiplayer editing.

Features:

• Shared AI conversation history
• AI-suggested edits visible to all users
• Collaborative problem-solving
• Role-based AI permissions

Automation & Scripting

Python/Lua scripting for batch operations.

Use Cases:

• Batch room modifications
• Automated testing scripts
• Custom validation rules
• Import/export pipelines

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Content Editors

Music Editor UI

Visual interface for sound and music editing.

Features:

• Visual SPC700 music track editor
• Sound effect browser and editor
• Import custom SPC files
• Live preview while editing

Dialogue Editor

Comprehensive text editing system.

Features:

• Visual dialogue tree editor
• Text search across all dialogues
• Translation workflow support
• Character count warnings
• Preview in-game font rendering

Event Editor

Visual scripting for game events.

Features:

• Node-based event editor
• Trigger condition builder
• Preview event flow
• Debug event sequences

Hex Editor Enhancements

Power-user tool for low-level editing.

Features:

• Structure definitions (parse ROM data types)
• Search by data pattern
• Diff view between ROM versions
• Bookmark system for addresses
• Disassembly view integration

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Collaboration & Networking

Real-Time Collaboration Improvements

Enhanced multi-user editing.

Features:

• Conflict resolution strategies
• User presence indicators (cursor position)
• Chat integration
• Permission system (read-only, edit, admin)
• Rollback/version control

Cloud ROM Storage

Optional cloud backup and sync.

Features:

• Encrypted cloud storage
• Automatic backups
• Cross-device sync
• Shared project workspaces
• Version history

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Platform Support

Web Assembly Build

Browser-based yaze editor.

Benefits:

• No installation required
• Cross-platform by default
• Shareable projects via URL
• Integrated with cloud storage

Challenges:

• File system access limitations
• Performance considerations
• WebGPU renderer requirement

Mobile Support (iOS/Android)

Touch-optimized editor for tablets.

Features:

• Touch-friendly UI
• Stylus support
• Cloud sync with desktop
• Read-only preview mode for phones

Use Cases:

• Tablet editing on the go
• Reference/preview on phone
• Show ROM to players on mobile

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Quality of Life

Undo/Redo System Enhancement

More granular and reliable undo.

Improvements:

• Per-editor undo stacks
• Undo history viewer
• Branching undo (tree structure)
• Persistent undo across sessions

Project Templates

Quick-start templates for common ROM hacks.

Templates:

• Vanilla+ (minimal changes)
• Graphics overhaul
• Randomizer base
• Custom story framework

Asset Library

Shared library of community assets.

Features:

• Import community sprites/graphics
• Share custom rooms/dungeons
• Tag-based search
• Rating and comments
• License tracking

Accessibility

Make yaze usable by everyone.

Features:

• Screen reader support
• Keyboard-only navigation
• Colorblind-friendly palettes
• High-contrast themes
• Adjustable font sizes

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Testing & Quality

Automated Regression Testing

Catch bugs before they ship.

Features:

• Automated UI testing framework
• Visual regression tests (screenshot diffs)
• Performance regression detection
• Automated ROM patching tests

ROM Validation

Ensure ROM hacks are valid.

Features:

• Detect common errors (invalid pointers, etc.)
• Warn about compatibility issues
• Suggest fixes for problems
• Export validation report

Continuous Integration Enhancements

Better CI/CD pipeline.

Improvements:

• Build artifacts for every commit
• Automated performance benchmarks
• Coverage reports
• Security scanning

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Documentation & Community

API Documentation Generator

Auto-generated API docs from code.

Features:

• Doxygen → web docs pipeline
• Example code snippets
• Interactive API explorer
• Versioned documentation

Video Tutorial System

In-app video tutorials.

Features:

• Embedded tutorial videos
• Step-by-step guided walkthroughs
• Context-sensitive help
• Community-contributed tutorials

ROM Hacking Wiki Integration

Link editor to wiki documentation.

Features:

• Context-sensitive wiki links
• Inline documentation for ROM structures
• Community knowledge base
• Translation support

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Experimental / Research

Machine Learning Integration

AI-assisted ROM hacking.

Possibilities:

• Auto-generate room layouts
• Suggest difficulty curves
• Detect similar room patterns
• Generate sprite variations

VR/AR Visualization

Visualize SNES data in 3D.

Use Cases:

• 3D preview of overworld
• Virtual dungeon walkthrough
• Spatial room editing

Symbolic Execution

Advanced debugging technique.

Features:

• Explore all code paths
• Find unreachable code
• Detect potential bugs
• Generate test cases

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Implementation Priority

These improvements are not scheduled and exist here as ideas for future development. Priority will be determined by:

1. Community demand - What users actually need
2. Technical feasibility - What's possible with current architecture
3. Development resources - Available time and expertise
4. Strategic fit - Alignment with project vision

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Contributing Ideas

Have an idea for a future improvement?

• Open a GitHub Discussion in the "Ideas" category
• Describe the problem it solves
• Outline potential implementation approach
• Consider technical challenges

The best ideas are:

• Specific: Clear problem statement
• Valuable: Solves real user pain points
• Feasible: Realistic implementation
• Scoped: Can be broken into phases

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Note: This is a living document. Ideas may be promoted to the active roadmap (I1-roadmap.md) or removed as project priorities evolve.