Ridge Character Conversation Overlay

[DaniloNovakovic]

Context

Bridge currently shows deliberate interaction dialogue as sticky Phaser text near the top of the canvas. That is acceptable for the tracer but not for the authored Ridge route.

This issue should happen after #90, because the Bridge Visual Coherence Pass should define grounded staging and tiny role portrait/icon placeholders first. Integrate the first version into Bridge before Concert implementation begins.

Goal

Build a reusable route-wide Character Conversation Overlay for deliberate Ridge character interactions.

The intended feel is Persona 5 / Yakuza-style conversation presentation adapted to the Digital Sketchbook aesthetic: lower-screen panel, character icon or portrait, typed text reveal, and clear advance/close affordance.

Acceptance Criteria

• Character Conversation Overlay is implemented as a React Scene UI surface, not Phaser-drawn top text.
• Phaser owns conversation start, player stand-still/freeze behavior, active dialogue IDs, and when conversation state ends.
• React owns the lower-screen panel, character icon/portrait frame, typed text reveal, and advance/close controls.
• The first version shows one speaker and one active line at a time, Persona-like.
• Authored line sequences can advance and switch speaker between lines.
• Conversation state freezes player control and interaction target switching while allowing harmless ambient animation to continue.
• Bridge deliberate interactions use this overlay instead of the current sticky/top Phaser dialogue panel.
• Use the role portrait/icon placeholders from Bridge Visual Coherence Pass before Concert #90 for Cicka, Bridge Draftsperson, and neutral Prompt/narration.
• Keyboard and pointer/touch advance paths work.
• Browser smoke verifies the Bridge route remains completable with the new overlay.

Boundaries

• Do not build branching dialogue choices in the first version.
• Do not build multiple simultaneous portraits.
• Do not build backlog/history.
• Do not build camera cuts or voice timing.
• Do not include Ambient Bark Bubbles here beyond keeping data boundaries distinct.
• Do not turn prompt/objective text into a quest log.

Recommended Sequence

1. Merge PR [codex] Implement Ridge Bridge tracer slice #89 / finish Bridge Tracer Slice.
2. Complete Bridge Visual Coherence Pass before Concert #90 Bridge Visual Coherence Pass.
3. Do this issue.
4. Investigate interactive shell screen usage / fullscreen if the overlay or new Bridge staging feels cramped.
5. Begin Concert Area implementation.

Source Docs

• CONTEXT.md: Character Conversation Overlay and Ambient Bark Bubble.
• docs/game-design/ridge/areas/01-bridge/README.md: post-tracer sequence and Bridge integration expectation.
• docs/runtime-architecture.md: character conversations should use the Scene UI seam.