SoberLife-III

🎯 Game Objective

Jump Into Task: Jump directly into your next uncompleted challenge by managing stress and winning blackjack rounds for each step.

Campaign Mode: Progress through multiple stress management scenarios, upgrading your deck between tasks to become more mindful and capable.

Free Play Mode: Pure blackjack gameplay with progressive difficulty. Complete 5-round tasks and choose to continue for higher rewards or cash out safely.

🃏 Blackjack Rules

• Get as close to 21 as possible without going over
• Number cards = face value, Face cards = 10, Aces = 1 or 11
• Wild Jokers = 1-11 (automatically calculated for optimal play)
• Click "Hit" to draw another card
• Click "Stand" to keep your current total
• Beat the house to advance to the next step

😰 Stress Management

• Your stress level increases when you lose rounds
• Reaching 100% stress = game over
• Use zen activities to reduce stress:
• 🌬️ Deep Breath: 10 zen points • -10% stress
• 🤸 Quick Stretch: 25 zen points • -20% stress
• 🧘 Mini Meditation: 50 zen points • -35% stress

🧭🗺️ Campaign Mode

In Campaign Mode, you'll progress through multiple stress management scenarios:

• DMV License Renewal: Navigate bureaucratic processes
• Job Interview: Handle performance anxiety and professional pressure
• Deck Upgrades: Spend zen points to add Wild Jokers to your deck
• Progressive Difficulty: Later tasks unlock as you complete earlier ones
• Shop Access: Visit the shop anytime from the campaign overview

🃏 Free Play Mode

Pure blackjack gameplay without roleplay elements. Perfect for practicing stress management mechanics with progressive difficulty:

• Overview Screen: Start from a dedicated Free Play landing page showing your deck and session stats
• Generic Actions: Simple "Hit" and "Stand" buttons (no contextual actions)
• Task Structure: Complete 5 rounds per task to finish
• Risk/Reward System: After each task, choose to continue (higher difficulty, better rewards) or end your session
• Progressive Difficulty: Stress multiplier increases 15% with each task you continue
• Bonus Rewards: Earn zen points based on performance and difficulty level
• Shared Progression: Uses your campaign deck upgrades and unlocked activities
• Session Metrics: Track tasks completed, total rounds played, and current difficulty

🃏 Wild Joker Cards

• Intelligent Value: Jokers automatically calculate the perfect value (1-11) for your hand
• Perfect 21: If you need 6 to reach 21, the Joker becomes 6
• Bust Prevention: If you'd bust, the Joker becomes 1 to save you
• Visual Effects: Jokers have rainbow animations and show their calculated value
• Celebration: Special effects when Jokers help you achieve perfect scores

🛒 Upgrade Shop

• Access the shop from the campaign overview or after completing tasks
• Purchase Jokers: Add Wild Joker cards to your deck for superior gameplay
• Cost increases with each purchase (starts at 75 zen points)
• Your upgraded deck carries over to all future tasks
• Mind Palace: Click "Visit Mind Palace" to see your current deck composition, available stress management techniques, and upgrade history

⌨️ Keyboard Shortcuts

• H - Hit (take another card)
• S - Stand (keep current total)
• N - Next Step (when available)
• ? or / - Show/hide this help
• ESC - Close help modal

💡 Tips for Success

• Use zen activities strategically - don't wait until stress is too high
• Remember basic blackjack strategy: stand on 17+, be careful with 12-16
• Your initial survey affects starting stress level (not in Free Play)
• Campaign Mode: Save zen points for Wild Joker upgrades between tasks
• Campaign Mode: More Jokers = intelligent plays and better odds
• Free Play Mode: Each task increases difficulty by 15% - plan your risk tolerance
• Free Play Mode: Cash out when you're ahead to secure your zen point rewards
• Joker Strategy: Jokers automatically calculate the best value - trust their intelligence!
• Each task teaches different stress management techniques