From 5b131d5d375be1cf9c05e2e4607c6f4bd53ad885 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: "google-labs-jules[bot]"
 <161369871+google-labs-jules[bot]@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2026 17:17:58 +0000
Subject: [PATCH] =?UTF-8?q?=F0=9F=8E=A8=20Palette:=20Enhanced=20achievemen?=
 =?UTF-8?q?t=20feedback=20and=20real-time=20high-score=20tracking?=
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- Update the live gameplay UI to display the high score in real-time.
- Colorize the "GO!" transition message with Bold Green for better visual feedback.
- Modify the achievement logic to include first-time players (where initial high score is 0).
- Update the Palette journal with learnings on inclusive achievement feedback.

Co-authored-by: aidasofialily-cmd <247843425+aidasofialily-cmd@users.noreply.github.com>
---
 .Jules/palette.md | 4 ++++
 src/main.cpp      | 9 +++++----
 2 files changed, 9 insertions(+), 4 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.Jules/palette.md b/.Jules/palette.md
index c4e3778..01506c8 100644
--- a/.Jules/palette.md
+++ b/.Jules/palette.md
@@ -25,3 +25,7 @@
 ## 2026-03-02 - Hiding the Cursor in CLI Games
 **Learning:** In terminal applications that require rapid visual updates or where user input doesn't involve typing text, an actively blinking cursor can be a visual distraction. Hiding it during interaction (`\033[?25l`) and rigorously ensuring it is restored (`\033[?25h`) on exit—including signal interrupts—significantly improves the aesthetic and focus.
 **Action:** Always hide the cursor for interactive CLI games and explicitly restore it across all exit paths, including async-signal-safe signal handlers.
+
+## 2026-05-24 - Inclusive Achievement Feedback
+**Learning:** Users experience the highest level of engagement during their initial interaction. Suppressing "New Personal Best" or congratulations messages for first-time players (e.g., by checking `initialHighscore > 0`) misses a critical opportunity for delight.
+**Action:** Ensure achievement celebrations and personal best indicators are inclusive of first-time players by comparing against the initial baseline, even if that baseline is zero.
diff --git a/src/main.cpp b/src/main.cpp
index e72f1da..695a994 100644
--- a/src/main.cpp
+++ b/src/main.cpp
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ int main() {
             }
         }
     }
-    std::cout << "\rGO!             \n" << std::flush;
+    std::cout << "\r" << CLR_NORM << "GO!             " << CLR_RESET << "\n" << std::flush;
     std::this_thread::sleep_for(std::chrono::milliseconds(200));
     tcflush(STDIN_FILENO, TCIFLUSH);
 
@@ -137,9 +137,10 @@ int main() {
         }
 
         if (updateUI) {
-            std::cout << "\r" << CLR_SCORE << "Score: " << score << CLR_RESET << " "
+            std::cout << "\r" << CLR_SCORE << "Score: " << score << CLR_RESET
+                      << " | High: " << (score > highscore ? score : highscore) << " "
                       << (hardMode ? CLR_HARD "[HARD MODE]" : CLR_NORM "[NORMAL MODE]")
-                      << (score > initialHighscore && initialHighscore > 0 ? " NEW BEST! 🥳" : "")
+                      << (score > initialHighscore ? " NEW BEST! 🥳" : "")
                       << "           " << std::flush;
             updateUI = false;
         }
@@ -151,7 +152,7 @@ int main() {
 
     tcsetattr(STDIN_FILENO, TCSANOW, &oldt);
     std::cout << "\n\n" << CLR_SCORE << "Final Score: " << score << CLR_RESET << "\n";
-    if (score > initialHighscore && initialHighscore > 0) {
+    if (score > initialHighscore) {
         std::cout << "Congratulations! A new personal best!\n";
     }
     std::cout << "Thanks for playing!\n";