# AeThex Engine Core

**The only game engine with cloud services built-in.**

Build multiplayer games in minutes, not months. Deploy with one click. Scale automatically. All free.

> 🎮 Same great engine as Godot + ☁️ Cloud services + 🤖 AI assistant = 🚀 AeThex

## 🎉 **NEW: Unified Studio Available!**

**Complete game development IDE with AI assistance:**
- 🌲 Scene editor with real-time viewport
- 💻 Code editor with syntax highlighting
- 🤖 AI assistant for instant help
- 📁 Asset browser + file management
- 🔍 Inspector panel for properties
- 📋 Real-time console output

**👉 Access now:** http://localhost:9002/ide

📚 **[Read the Unified Studio Guide →](UNIFIED_STUDIO_GUIDE.md)**

---

## 🚀 Quick Start

### Prerequisites
```bash
# Install build dependencies (Ubuntu/Debian)
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install build-essential scons pkg-config libx11-dev libxcursor-dev \
    libxinerama-dev libgl1-mesa-dev libglu-dev libasound2-dev libpulse-dev \
    libudev-dev libxi-dev libxrandr-dev
```

### Start Development Environment

```bash
# 1. Start the engine backend
cd engine
./bin/aethex.linuxbsd.editor.x86_64 --headless-editor > /tmp/engine.log 2>&1 &

# 2. Start the studio frontend  
cd ../aethex-studio
npm run dev > /tmp/studio.log 2>&1 &

# 3. Open the unified studio
# Visit: http://localhost:9002/ide
```

### Build the Engine (if needed)
```bash
cd engine
scons platform=linuxbsd target=editor -j4
```

## 📁 Project Structure

```
AeThex-Engine-Core/
├── engine/                    # Core game engine
│   ├── modules/studio_bridge/ # WebSocket + HTTP API for Studio
│   └── bin/                   # Compiled binaries
├── aethex-studio/             # Unified Studio IDE (Next.js)
│   ├── src/engine/            # Engine integration components
│   ├── src/components/aethex/ # UI components + unified studio
│   └── public/                # Static assets + test pages
├── tools/                     # Custom development tools
├── services/                  # Cloud services and APIs
├── docs/                      # Documentation
└── examples/                  # Sample projects
```

## 🚀 What Makes AeThex Different

### ✅ Completed Features
- **Unified Studio IDE** - Beautiful glassmorphism UI with real-time viewport
- **AI Assistant** - Claude-powered code completion and generation
- **Studio Bridge** - WebSocket/HTTP API for real-time engine communication
- **Complete Rebrand** - All Godot references replaced with AeThex

### 🔥 Unique Features (In Development)

#### 1. Cloud Services (FREE)
```gdscript
# Multiplayer in 3 lines of code:
AeThexCloud.matchmaking.find_match(2, 4)
await AeThexCloud.matchmaking.match_found
# Done! Players connected with voice chat
```

#### 2. Zero-Config Cloud Saves
```gdscript
# Save to cloud (auto-syncs across devices):
AeThexCloud.saves.save("slot1", player_data)
var data = await AeThexCloud.saves.load("slot1")
```

#### 3. One-Click Publishing
- Click "Publish" → Get URL: `yourgame.aethex.games`
- Free hosting included
- Automatic SSL, CDN, analytics

#### 4. AI That Understands Your Project
- Describe feature in English → Get working code
- Context-aware suggestions
- Automatic refactoring

### 🎯 Roadmap

**Month 1-2:** Cloud Foundation (IN PROGRESS)
- [ ] Authentication service
- [ ] Cloud saves
- [ ] Basic multiplayer
- [ ] Analytics dashboard

**Month 3-4:** AI Enhancement
- [ ] Context-aware AI
- [ ] Asset generation
- [ ] Visual scripting from text

**Month 5-6:** Developer Experience
- [ ] Template marketplace
- [ ] Collaborative editing
- [ ] Hot reload everything

See [DIFFERENTIATION_STRATEGY.md](DIFFERENTIATION_STRATEGY.md) for complete roadmap.

## 🛠️ Development

### Building for Different Platforms
```bash
# Linux
scons platform=linuxbsd target=editor

# Windows (cross-compile)
scons platform=windows target=editor

# Web
scons platform=web target=template_release
```

### Running Tests
```bash
cd engine
scons tests=yes
./bin/aethex.linuxbsd.editor.x86_64 --test
```

## 📚 Documentation

- **[Quick Start Guide](QUICK_START_DIFFERENTIATION.md)** - Start building cloud features TODAY
- **[Differentiation Strategy](DIFFERENTIATION_STRATEGY.md)** - The complete roadmap  
- **[Competitive Advantage](COMPETITIVE_ADVANTAGE.md)** - Why we'll win
- **[Unified Studio Guide](UNIFIED_STUDIO_GUIDE.md)** - Using the IDE
- **[Cloud Services Architecture](docs/CLOUD_SERVICES_ARCHITECTURE.md)** - Technical details
- [Godot Official Docs](https://docs.godotengine.org/) - Reference (AeThex is Godot-compatible)

## 🤝 Contributing

We welcome contributions! Whether it's:
- 🔧 Cloud service implementations  
- 🤖 AI feature enhancements
- 🐛 Bug fixes and improvements
- 📖 Documentation

See [CONTRIBUTING.md](./engine/CONTRIBUTING.md) for guidelines.

## 💬 Community

- **GitHub Issues:** [Report bugs & request features](https://github.com/AeThex-LABS/AeThex-Engine-Core/issues)
- **Discord:** Coming soon
- **Forum:** Coming soon

## 📄 License

AeThex Engine Core is based on Godot Engine, licensed under the MIT License.
- Original Godot Engine © 2014-present Godot Engine contributors
- AeThex Engine additions © 2024-present AeThex Labs

See [LICENSE.txt](./engine/LICENSE.txt) for details.

## 🌟 Why AeThex?

**We're not just another game engine. We're the only engine with:**
- ☁️ Cloud services built-in (multiplayer, saves, analytics)
- 🤖 AI that understands your entire project
- 🚀 One-click publishing with free hosting  
- 💰 $0 cost forever (no runtime fees, no install fees)
- 🔓 Truly open source (MIT licensed)

See [COMPETITIVE_ADVANTAGE.md](COMPETITIVE_ADVANTAGE.md) for detailed comparison.

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**Status**: 🚀 Active Development | **Version**: 0.2.0-alpha | **Next Release:** Cloud Services Beta