## Summary When a new tool/item is unlocked, show a clear visual indicator on its **bottom-menu toolbar icon** (e.g., subtle glow outline, pulse, or small “NEW” badge) so players notice and try it. ## Motivation / Problem Unlocking new tools doesn’t always translate into discovery: - the bottom toolbar looks static, - new tools can go unnoticed during active gameplay, - progression feels less rewarding if the player misses what changed. A lightweight “new” indicator would surface new content naturally. ## Proposed Solution ### Visual indicator options - Neon/glowing border/outline (matching UI style) - Subtle 1–2s pulse animation - Small corner badge: `NEW` or a dot ### Suggested behavior - When a tool unlocks, its icon: - briefly pulses / gains glowing outline - optionally displays `NEW` label/dot - Indicator clears on: - first hover, click, or opening that tool (pick best semantic) - Optional reminder: - if never interacted with after X minutes, re-pulse once (avoid spam) - If multiple tools unlock at once: - pulse sequentially to reduce clutter ## Settings / Accessibility - Toggle: `Show "New" indicators` (On/Off) - Option: `Subtle mode` (border only, no pulse) - Respect “Reduced motion”: - replace pulse with static badge/border ## Implementation Notes (high-level) - Emit a global event/signal on unlock (e.g., `tool_unlocked(tool_id)`). - Bottom toolbar buttons subscribe and set a `has_new` state. - Persist `has_new` state in save/config until cleared by interaction. ## Acceptance Criteria - [ ] Newly unlocked tools are visibly highlighted in the bottom toolbar. - [ ] Indicator clears on first relevant interaction (hover/click/open). - [ ] Multiple new items are handled without overwhelming the UI. - [ ] User can disable the behavior; reduced motion is respected. - [ ] State persists correctly across sessions until cleared.