Enhancements to breadcrumb trail

AGENTS.md

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # Repository Guidelines
 
 ## Project Structure & Module Organization
-Core gameplay lives in root-level C++ translation units: `ghostland.cpp` orchestrates the loop, `player.cpp`, `ghost.cpp`, `collisions.cpp`, `shader.cpp`, `text.cpp`, and `config.cpp` own their respective systems. Runtime assets stay alongside code: GLSL shaders (`*shader.glsl`), UI textures (PNG in the repo root), and bitmap fonts under `fonts/`. Level data is serialized in `maze.txt`, typically regenerated via `mazeparser.py` from `maze.png`. Adjustable settings belong in `ghostland.json`; document experimental JSON entries before relying on them in code to avoid null lookups.
+Core gameplay lives in root-level C++ translation units: `ghostland.cpp` orchestrates the loop, `player.cpp`, `ghost.cpp`, `collisions.cpp`, `shader.cpp`, `text.cpp`, and `config.cpp` own their respective systems. Runtime assets stay alongside code: GLSL shaders (`*shader.glsl`), UI textures (PNG in the repo root), and bitmap fonts under `fonts/`. Level data is serialized in `maze.txt`, typically regenerated via `mazeparser.py` from `maze.png`. Adjustable settings belong in `ghostland.json`; keep defaults mirrored in code so omitted keys never cause null or invalid lookups.
 
 ## Build, Test, and Development Commands
 - `make` – builds all objects with C++17 + O3 and links the `ghostland` binary with GLFW, GLAD, stb_image, and Freetype.
@@ -12,6 +12,15 @@ Core gameplay lives in root-level C++ translation units: `ghostland.cpp` orchest
 ## Coding Style & Naming Conventions
 Use 4-space indentation, braces on the same line as control statements, and guard new modules with include guards. Keep standard-library/GLM includes before project headers as in `ghostland.cpp`. Classes use PascalCase (`Player`), local variables use `snake_case`, compile-time constants stay uppercase. Prefer STL containers over manual arrays unless performance-critical, and keep shader uniform names centralized near the top of `ghostland.cpp`.
 
+## Configuration Guidelines
+`ghostland.json` is intentionally a flat runtime tuning file. The parser in `config.cpp` is a minimal line-oriented JSON subset reader: it expects one `"key": value` pair per line, ignores braces and comment-like lines, strips one trailing comma, and stores raw strings in a process-wide map. Do not rely on nested objects, arrays, inline comments after values, duplicate-key semantics beyond "last loaded wins", or full JSON validation unless you first replace the parser deliberately.
+
+Load config values once during startup after `Config::loadFromFile("ghostland.json")`, then copy them into typed globals or small config structs. Always use `Config::getFloat`, `Config::getInt`, or `Config::getString` with a meaningful in-code default; missing or malformed values should keep the game playable. Keep booleans as `0` / `1` integer keys for consistency with existing options.
+
+When adding or renaming a setting, update all three surfaces together: the struct or default value in code, the sample value in `ghostland.json`, and the README configuration table/example. Prefer descriptive key names grouped by system prefix (`minimap_*`, `trail_*`, `ghost_*`). If compatibility matters, read the legacy key first and let the new key override it, as with `trail_y_offset` falling back to `trail_y_position`.
+
+Validate numeric config values at the use site when bad ranges can break rendering or gameplay. Clamp or guard zero/negative values where appropriate (`std::max` for lifetimes, spacing, sizes, and shader divisors), and keep color channels documented as 0-1 floats. Avoid adding config knobs for internal implementation details unless they are useful for tuning gameplay, visuals, or reproduction.
+
 ## Testing Guidelines
 There is no automated framework yet, so rely on focused manual passes. Before opening a PR, build fresh (`make clean && make`), run `./ghostland`, and verify spawn position, collision bounds, ghost ordering, and text rendering. When touching geometry, regenerate `maze.txt` and inspect extremes logged at the bottom of the file. Mention any GPU or driver quirks encountered so others can reproduce.
 
@@ -20,6 +29,16 @@ Existing history favors short, descriptive subjects ("Player's position is reset
 
 ## Minimap Implementation Plan
 - Add minimap config keys in `ghostland.json` (enable flag, width/height, margin, colors). After loading `maze.txt`, cache 2D wall segments plus world bounds for quick reuse.
-- Create a lightweight 2D orthographic shader/VAO for overlay drawing; use GL_LINES for walls, triangle-fan circles for breadcrumbs/ghosts, and a small triangle for the player arrow. Disable depth test while rendering the overlay near the end of the frame.
-- Each frame convert wall endpoints and breadcrumb/ghost positions relative to the player’s X/Z so the minimap scrolls with the player centered. Clip or skip segments outside the visible minimap extents.
-- Draw order: white background quad, wall lines, breadcrumb dots, ghost dots (border then fill), red arrow rotated by player yaw. Re-enable depth test and continue with HUD text.
+- Create a lightweight 2D orthographic shader/VAO for overlay drawing; use GL_LINES for walls, triangle quads for the trail stroke, triangle-fan circles for ghosts, and a small triangle for the player arrow. Disable depth test while rendering the overlay near the end of the frame.
+- Each frame convert wall endpoints, trail points, and ghost positions relative to the player’s X/Z so the minimap scrolls with the player centered. Clip or skip segments outside the visible minimap extents.
+- Draw order: white background quad, wall lines, trail stroke, ghost dots (border then fill), red arrow rotated by player yaw. Re-enable depth test and continue with HUD text.
+
+## Trail Implementation Overview
+The old breadcrumb arrows have been replaced by a continuous time-limited trail rendered as a flat ribbon mesh in world space. `ghostland.cpp` owns the trail data structures: `TrailPoint` stores sampled X/Z player positions, timestamps, and a `starts_segment` flag that prevents respawns from drawing teleport lines. `TrailVertex` stores generated ribbon vertices plus the source timestamp. `update_trail()` prunes samples older than `trail_lifetime_minutes`, adds a new sample only after the player moves at least `trail_sample_spacing`, and removes nearly straight intermediate samples using `trail_simplify_epsilon`.
+
+`rebuild_trail_mesh()` turns adjacent trail samples into quad segments made from two triangles, avoiding driver-dependent OpenGL line width behavior. The VBO is updated only when samples are added, pruned, simplified, or a reset splits the trail. `trailshader.glsl` passes each vertex timestamp to `trailfragshader.glsl`, which blends from `trail_recent_*` color values toward `trail_old_*` based on age. Keep the shader GLSL version aligned with the requested OpenGL 3.3 context.
+
+Trail tuning belongs in `ghostland.json`: `trail_enabled`, `trail_lifetime_minutes`, `trail_sample_spacing`, `trail_width`, `trail_y_position`, `trail_simplify_epsilon`, `trail_reset_marker_size`, and RGB triplets for recent/old colors. The legacy `trail_y_offset` key is still accepted as a fallback. The minimap consumes the same trail point deque and renders a screen-space stroke whose half-width is controlled by `minimap_breadcrumb_radius`, so changes to sampling behavior affect both the world ribbon and overlay path.
+
+## Danger Tint Notes
+The red danger tint is driven by the nearest ghost in X/Z space rather than 3D distance, so ghost bobbing does not change the warning. Keep the tint calculation independent of ghost render ordering: the partial sort is only for drawing. The tint also keeps persistent intensity with a 30-unit enter / 35-unit exit hysteresis band and frame-rate-independent smoothing; this prevents threshold jitter from flashing the camera between normal and red.

README.md

@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ While the previous project was implemented in go, for this project I was not abl
 | `minimap_breadcrumb_[rgb]` | float | `1.0 / 0.3 / 0.3` | Breadcrumb dot color per channel (0–1). |
 | `minimap_breadcrumb_radius` | float | `3.0` | Breadcrumb radius in pixels. |
 | `breadcrumb_max_distance` | float | `200.0` | Bread crumbs beyond this world-space distance from the player are not drawn (both in-world and on the minimap). |
+| `trail_y_position` | float | `0.06` | World-space Y coordinate used to draw the trail ribbon and reset marker. `trail_y_offset` is still accepted as a legacy fallback. |
 | `minimap_ghost_fill_[rgb]` | float | `0.9 / 0.9 / 1.0` | Ghost dot interior color on the minimap. |
 | `minimap_ghost_border_[rgb]` | float | `0.2 / 0.2 / 0.4` | Ghost dot border color. |
 | `minimap_ghost_radius` | float | `4.0` | Ghost indicator radius in pixels. |
@@ -54,6 +55,7 @@ Example:
     "minimap_breadcrumb_b": 0.3,
     "minimap_breadcrumb_radius": 3.0,
     "breadcrumb_max_distance": 200.0,
+    "trail_y_position": 0.06,
     "minimap_ghost_fill_r": 0.9,
     "minimap_ghost_fill_g": 0.9,
     "minimap_ghost_fill_b": 1.0,

fragmentshader.glsl

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-#version 460 core
+#version 330 core
 // Phong lighting fragment shader driven by a single spotlight described in ghostland.cpp.
 out vec4 FragColor;
 

ghostfragshader.glsl

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-#version 460 core
+#version 330 core
 // Ghost sprite fragment shader: samples alpha texture and fades opacity to 30%.
 
 out vec4 FragColor;

ghostland.cpp

@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 #include <iostream>
 #include <filesystem>
 #include <vector>
+#include <deque>
 #include <math.h>
 
 #include "collisions.h"
@@ -28,7 +29,6 @@ void framebuffer_size_callback(GLFWwindow* window, int width, int height);
 void mouse_callback(GLFWwindow* window, double xpos, double ypos);
 void scroll_callback(GLFWwindow* window, double xoffset, double yoffset);
 void set_light_front(int xoffset, int yoffset);
-void render_minimap(const glm::vec3 &player_pos, float player_yaw, const glm::vec3 *trail_positions, int trail_sz, const std::vector<Ghost *> &ghosts);
 
 // player
 Player *player;
@@ -76,7 +76,52 @@ struct MinimapBounds {
     float zmax = 0.0f;
 };
 
+struct TrailConfig {
+    bool enabled = true;
+    float lifetime_minutes = 3.0f;
+    float sample_spacing = 1.0f;
+    float width = 0.25f;
+    float y_position = 0.06f;
+    float simplify_epsilon = 0.15f;
+    float reset_marker_size = 2.0f;
+    glm::vec3 recent_color = glm::vec3(1.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f);
+    glm::vec3 old_color = glm::vec3(0.35f, 0.18f, 0.05f);
+};
+
+struct TrailPoint {
+    glm::vec3 position;
+    float timestamp;
+    // True for the first point after spawn/reset; prevents drawing teleport segments.
+    bool starts_segment;
+};
+
+struct TrailVertex {
+    glm::vec3 position;
+    float timestamp;
+};
+
+struct TrailResetMarker {
+    glm::vec3 position;
+    // Player yaw at reset time, used to orient the flattened marker sprite.
+    float yaw;
+    float timestamp;
+};
+
+void render_minimap(const glm::vec3 &player_pos, float player_yaw, const std::deque<TrailPoint> &trail_points, const std::vector<Ghost *> &ghosts);
+bool update_trail(std::deque<TrailPoint> &trail_points, const glm::vec3 &player_pos, float current_time);
+bool end_trail_segment(std::deque<TrailPoint> &trail_points, const glm::vec3 &player_pos, float current_time);
+bool begin_trail_segment(std::deque<TrailPoint> &trail_points, const glm::vec3 &player_pos, float current_time);
+void add_trail_reset_marker(std::deque<TrailResetMarker> &reset_markers, const glm::vec3 &player_pos, float player_yaw, float current_time);
+bool prune_trail_reset_markers(std::deque<TrailResetMarker> &reset_markers, float current_time);
+void render_trail_reset_markers(int ghost_program, unsigned int ghostVAO, const std::deque<TrailResetMarker> &reset_markers);
+void rebuild_trail_mesh(const std::deque<TrailPoint> &trail_points, std::vector<TrailVertex> &trail_vertices);
+float distance_xz(const glm::vec3 &a, const glm::vec3 &b);
+bool is_redundant_trail_point(const TrailPoint &a, const TrailPoint &b, const TrailPoint &c);
+glm::vec2 trail_segment_direction(const std::deque<TrailPoint> &trail_points, size_t from_ix, size_t to_ix);
+glm::vec3 trail_join_offset(const std::deque<TrailPoint> &trail_points, size_t point_ix, const glm::vec2 &fallback_normal, float half_width);
+
 MinimapConfig minimap_config;
+TrailConfig trail_config;
 std::vector<MinimapSegment> minimap_segments;
 MinimapBounds minimap_bounds;
 unsigned int minimapVAO = 0;
@@ -87,7 +132,6 @@ const char *projectionC = "projection";
 const char *viewC = "view";
 const char *modelC = "model";
 
-const char *objectcolorC = "objectcolor";
 const char *viewposC = "viewPos";
 const char *shininessC = "material.shininess";
 const char *colorC = "material.color";
@@ -102,8 +146,6 @@ const char *specularC = "light.specular";
 int num_walls;
 float *wall_vertices;
 
-int trailmax = 500;
-
 int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
 
     int success;
@@ -134,6 +176,20 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
     minimap_config.breadcrumb_color.b = Config::getFloat("minimap_breadcrumb_b", minimap_config.breadcrumb_color.b);
     minimap_config.breadcrumb_radius = Config::getFloat("minimap_breadcrumb_radius", minimap_config.breadcrumb_radius);
     minimap_config.breadcrumb_max_distance = Config::getFloat("breadcrumb_max_distance", minimap_config.breadcrumb_max_distance);
+    trail_config.enabled = Config::getInt("trail_enabled", trail_config.enabled ? 1 : 0) != 0;
+    trail_config.lifetime_minutes = Config::getFloat("trail_lifetime_minutes", trail_config.lifetime_minutes);
+    trail_config.sample_spacing = Config::getFloat("trail_sample_spacing", trail_config.sample_spacing);
+    trail_config.width = Config::getFloat("trail_width", trail_config.width);
+    trail_config.y_position = Config::getFloat("trail_y_offset", trail_config.y_position);
+    trail_config.y_position = Config::getFloat("trail_y_position", trail_config.y_position);
+    trail_config.simplify_epsilon = Config::getFloat("trail_simplify_epsilon", trail_config.simplify_epsilon);
+    trail_config.reset_marker_size = Config::getFloat("trail_reset_marker_size", trail_config.reset_marker_size);
+    trail_config.recent_color.r = Config::getFloat("trail_recent_r", trail_config.recent_color.r);
+    trail_config.recent_color.g = Config::getFloat("trail_recent_g", trail_config.recent_color.g);
+    trail_config.recent_color.b = Config::getFloat("trail_recent_b", trail_config.recent_color.b);
+    trail_config.old_color.r = Config::getFloat("trail_old_r", trail_config.old_color.r);
+    trail_config.old_color.g = Config::getFloat("trail_old_g", trail_config.old_color.g);
+    trail_config.old_color.b = Config::getFloat("trail_old_b", trail_config.old_color.b);
     minimap_config.ghost_fill_color.r = Config::getFloat("minimap_ghost_fill_r", minimap_config.ghost_fill_color.r);
     minimap_config.ghost_fill_color.g = Config::getFloat("minimap_ghost_fill_g", minimap_config.ghost_fill_color.g);
     minimap_config.ghost_fill_color.b = Config::getFloat("minimap_ghost_fill_b", minimap_config.ghost_fill_color.b);
@@ -269,6 +325,9 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
         return -1;
     }
 
+    printf("OpenGL version: %s\n", glGetString(GL_VERSION));
+    printf("GLSL version: %s\n", glGetString(GL_SHADING_LANGUAGE_VERSION));
+
     glEnable(GL_DEPTH_TEST);
     //glEnable(GL_CULL_FACE);
     glEnable(GL_BLEND);
@@ -282,7 +341,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
 
     // Perhaps there's a better way of doing this, rather than re-compiling the same files?
     int floor_program = create_shader_program("vertexshader.glsl", "fragmentshader.glsl");
-    if (wall_program < 0) {
+    if (floor_program < 0) {
         glfwTerminate();
         return -1;
     }
@@ -323,21 +382,8 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
     glVertexAttribPointer(1, 3, GL_FLOAT, GL_FALSE, 6 * sizeof(float), (void*)(3 * sizeof(float)));
     glEnableVertexAttribArray(1);
 
-    // do stuff for trail
-    float trail_vertices[] = {
-        0.25f, 0.0f, 0.0f,
-        -0.25f, 0.0f, 0.5f,
-        -0.25f, 0.0f, -0.5f,
-
-        -0.25f, 0.0f, 0.1f,
-        -0.25f, 0.0f, -0.1f,
-        -0.75f, 0.0f, 0.1f,
-
-        -0.75f, 0.0f, 0.1f,
-        -0.75f, 0.0f, -0.1f,
-        -0.25f, 0.0f, -0.1f,
-    };
-
+    // The trail is a dynamic ribbon mesh. Each vertex carries the timestamp of
+    // its source path sample so the shader can fade red-to-brown by age.
     unsigned int trailVBO, trailVAO;
     glGenVertexArrays(1, &trailVAO);
     glGenBuffers(1, &trailVBO);
@@ -345,10 +391,12 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
     glBindVertexArray(trailVAO);
 
     glBindBuffer(GL_ARRAY_BUFFER, trailVBO);
-    glBufferData(GL_ARRAY_BUFFER, sizeof(float) * 3 * 3 * 3, trail_vertices, GL_STATIC_DRAW);
+    glBufferData(GL_ARRAY_BUFFER, sizeof(TrailVertex), NULL, GL_DYNAMIC_DRAW);
 
-    glVertexAttribPointer(0, 3, GL_FLOAT, GL_FALSE, 3 * sizeof(float), (void *)0);
+    glVertexAttribPointer(0, 3, GL_FLOAT, GL_FALSE, sizeof(TrailVertex), (void *)0);
     glEnableVertexAttribArray(0);
+    glVertexAttribPointer(1, 1, GL_FLOAT, GL_FALSE, sizeof(TrailVertex), (void *)(3 * sizeof(float)));
+    glEnableVertexAttribArray(1);
 
     int trail_program = create_shader_program("trailshader.glsl", "trailfragshader.glsl");
     if (trail_program < 0) {
@@ -356,10 +404,10 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
         return -1;
     }
 
-    glm::vec3 *trail_positions = (glm::vec3 *)calloc(sizeof(glm::vec3), trailmax);
-    float *trail_angles = (float *)calloc(sizeof(float), trailmax);
-    int trail_ix = 0;
-    int trail_sz = 0;
+    std::deque<TrailPoint> trail_points;
+    std::vector<TrailVertex> trail_vertices;
+    std::deque<TrailResetMarker> trail_reset_markers;
+    bool trail_dirty = update_trail(trail_points, player->get_pos(), 0.0f);
 
     // do stuff for ghosts
     // create program
@@ -448,6 +496,10 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
     glm::vec3 ambient = glm::vec3(0.007f, 0.006f, 0.005f);
     glm::vec3 diffuse = glm::vec3(0.61f, 0.60f, 0.59f);
     glm::vec3 specular = glm::vec3(0.11f, 0.10f, 0.09f);
+    // Persistent danger tint state. The target can change abruptly as ghosts move,
+    // so the displayed intensity is smoothed below to avoid camera flicker.
+    float danger_tint_intensity = 0.0f;
+    bool danger_tint_active = false;
 
     float largecutoff = glm::cos(glm::radians(30.0f));
     float smallcutoff = glm::cos(glm::radians(7.5f));
@@ -484,15 +536,6 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
             time_sec = current_frame;
             time_secI = current_frameI;
             num_frames = 1;
-            trail_positions[trail_ix].x = player_pos.x;
-            trail_positions[trail_ix].y = 6.5;
-            trail_positions[trail_ix].z = player_pos.z;
-            trail_angles[trail_ix] = yaw;
-            //printf("Recorded trail %d: (%f, %f, %f) %f\n", trail_ix, trail_positions[trail_ix].x, trail_positions[trail_ix].y, trail_positions[trail_ix].z, yaw);
-            trail_ix = (trail_ix + 1) % trailmax;
-            if (trail_sz < trailmax) {
-                trail_sz++;
-            }
         } else { // otherwise increase number of frames
             num_frames++;
         }
@@ -531,8 +574,25 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
         glm::vec3 light_front = player->get_light_front();
         //printf("light_pos: (%f, %f, %f)\n", light_front.x, light_front.y, light_front.z);
 
-        // Sort ghosts by distance to player for optimization.
         glm::vec3 player_pos = player->get_pos();
+        if (trail_config.enabled) {
+            trail_dirty = update_trail(trail_points, player_pos, current_frame) || trail_dirty;
+            prune_trail_reset_markers(trail_reset_markers, current_frame);
+            // Upload after sample/prune changes so the world trail VBO is ready
+            // when rendered later in this frame. The minimap reads the deque.
+            if (trail_dirty) {
+                rebuild_trail_mesh(trail_points, trail_vertices);
+                glBindBuffer(GL_ARRAY_BUFFER, trailVBO);
+                glBufferData(
+                    GL_ARRAY_BUFFER,
+                    std::max<size_t>(trail_vertices.size(), 1) * sizeof(TrailVertex),
+                    trail_vertices.empty() ? NULL : trail_vertices.data(),
+                    GL_DYNAMIC_DRAW
+                );
+                trail_dirty = false;
+            }
+        }
+        // Sort ghosts by distance to player for render-order optimization.
         struct {
             bool operator()(const Ghost *a, const Ghost *b) const {
                 glm::vec3 a_diff, b_diff;
@@ -547,21 +607,44 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
         // Only the closest 20% need perfect ordering for blending, so partial_sort is cheaper than full sort.
         std::partial_sort(ghosts.begin(), ghosts.begin() + ghosts.size() / 5, ghosts.end(), ghost_compare);
         
-        // Calculate nearest ghost distance (first ghost is now closest)
-        float nearest_ghost_distance = glm::length(ghosts[0]->get_pos() - player_pos);
+        // Drive the danger tint from the actual nearest ghost. Use X/Z distance
+        // so vertical ghost bobbing cannot push the warning in and out.
+        float nearest_ghost_distance = distance_xz(ghosts[0]->get_pos(), player_pos);
+        for (size_t i = 1; i < ghosts.size(); i++) {
+            float ghost_distance = distance_xz(ghosts[i]->get_pos(), player_pos);
+            if (ghost_distance < nearest_ghost_distance) {
+                nearest_ghost_distance = ghost_distance;
+            }
+        }
         
-        // Interpolate flashlight color based on nearest ghost distance
+        // Interpolate flashlight color based on nearest ghost distance. The
+        // active band has hysteresis so tiny distance changes at the edge do
+        // not flicker the tint on/off.
         // At 30.0+ units: (0.61, 0.60, 0.59) - normal color
         // At 10.0 units: (0.99, 0.60, 0.59) - red shift
+        if (nearest_ghost_distance <= 30.0f) {
+            danger_tint_active = true;
+        } else if (nearest_ghost_distance >= 35.0f) {
+            danger_tint_active = false;
+        }
+
         float color_factor = 1.0f;
-        if (nearest_ghost_distance < 30.0f) {
+        if (danger_tint_active) {
             color_factor = (nearest_ghost_distance - 10.0f) / (30.0f - 10.0f);
             color_factor = glm::clamp(color_factor, 0.0f, 1.0f);
         }
+        float target_danger_intensity = 1.0f - color_factor;
+        if (danger_tint_active) {
+            target_danger_intensity = std::max(target_danger_intensity, 0.35f);
+        }
+        // Attack quickly when danger rises, release more slowly when it falls.
+        float tint_response = target_danger_intensity > danger_tint_intensity ? 16.0f : 4.0f;
+        float tint_blend = 1.0f - exp(-tint_response * timed);
+        danger_tint_intensity = glm::mix(danger_tint_intensity, target_danger_intensity, tint_blend);
         
         glm::vec3 normal_color = glm::vec3(0.61f, 0.60f, 0.59f);
         glm::vec3 danger_color = glm::vec3(0.99f, 0.60f, 0.59f);
-        diffuse = glm::mix(danger_color, normal_color, color_factor);
+        diffuse = glm::mix(normal_color, danger_color, danger_tint_intensity);
 
         // fragment requirements
         set_uniform(wall_program, viewposC, camera_pos);
@@ -599,31 +682,6 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
         glBindVertexArray(floorVAO);
         glDrawArrays(GL_TRIANGLES, 0, 6 * 6 * 1);
 
-        glUseProgram(trail_program);
-
-        set_uniform(trail_program, projectionC, projection);
-        set_uniform(trail_program, viewC, view);
-        glm::vec3 trail_color = glm::vec3(1.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f);
-        set_uniform(trail_program, objectcolorC, trail_color);
-
-        float breadcrumb_draw_limit_sq = minimap_config.breadcrumb_max_distance > 0.0f
-            ? minimap_config.breadcrumb_max_distance * minimap_config.breadcrumb_max_distance
-            : -1.0f;
-        for (int i = 0; i < trail_sz; i++) {
-            if (breadcrumb_draw_limit_sq > 0.0f) {
-                glm::vec3 delta = trail_positions[i] - player_pos;
-                if (glm::dot(delta, delta) > breadcrumb_draw_limit_sq) {
-                    continue;
-                }
-            }
-            glm::mat4 model = glm::mat4(1.0f);
-            model = glm::translate(model, trail_positions[i]);
-            model = glm::rotate(model, glm::radians(trail_angles[i]), glm::vec3(0.0f, -1.0f, 0.0f));
-            set_uniform(trail_program, modelC, model);
-            glBindVertexArray(trailVAO);
-            glDrawArrays(GL_TRIANGLES, 0, 3 * 3 * 3);
-        }
-
         glUseProgram(ghost_program);
         
         glActiveTexture(GL_TEXTURE0);
@@ -631,6 +689,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
 
         set_uniform(ghost_program, projectionC, projection);
         set_uniform(ghost_program, viewC, view);
+        bool player_reset_this_frame = false;
         for (int i = ghosts.size()/5; i >= 0; i--) {
             glm::mat4 ghost_model = ghosts[i]->get_model(camera_pos);
             ghosts[i]->apply_movement(current_frame, timed);
@@ -639,8 +698,18 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
             glm::vec3 ghost_pos = ghosts[i]->get_pos();
             glm::vec3 player_pos = player->get_pos();
             float distance = glm::length(ghost_pos - player_pos);
-            if (distance <= ghost_reset_distance) {
+            if (!player_reset_this_frame && distance <= ghost_reset_distance) {
+                glm::vec3 reset_pos = player->get_pos();
+                float reset_yaw = player->get_yaw();
+                if (trail_config.enabled) {
+                    trail_dirty = end_trail_segment(trail_points, reset_pos, current_frame) || trail_dirty;
+                    add_trail_reset_marker(trail_reset_markers, reset_pos, reset_yaw, current_frame);
+                }
                 player->reset_position(start_position, start_yaw);
+                if (trail_config.enabled) {
+                    trail_dirty = begin_trail_segment(trail_points, start_position, current_frame) || trail_dirty;
+                }
+                player_reset_this_frame = true;
             }
             
             // Nudge ghosts away from the spawn area so the player gets a breather.
@@ -654,8 +723,48 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
             glDrawArrays(GL_TRIANGLES, 0, (3 + 3 + 2) * 6);
         }
 
+        if (trail_config.enabled) {
+            // Ghost resets can split the trail after the initial upload above.
+            // Rebuild here before drawing so reset markers, world trail, and
+            // minimap all reflect the same reset on the current frame.
+            if (trail_dirty) {
+                rebuild_trail_mesh(trail_points, trail_vertices);
+                glBindBuffer(GL_ARRAY_BUFFER, trailVBO);
+                glBufferData(
+                    GL_ARRAY_BUFFER,
+                    std::max<size_t>(trail_vertices.size(), 1) * sizeof(TrailVertex),
+                    trail_vertices.empty() ? NULL : trail_vertices.data(),
+                    GL_DYNAMIC_DRAW
+                );
+                trail_dirty = false;
+            }
+
+            if (!trail_vertices.empty()) {
+                glUseProgram(trail_program);
+
+                set_uniform(trail_program, projectionC, projection);
+                set_uniform(trail_program, viewC, view);
+                set_uniform(trail_program, modelC, glm::mat4(1.0f));
+                set_uniform(trail_program, "currentTime", current_frame);
+                set_uniform(trail_program, "maxAge", std::max(0.001f, trail_config.lifetime_minutes * 60.0f));
+                set_uniform(trail_program, "recentColor", trail_config.recent_color);
+                set_uniform(trail_program, "oldColor", trail_config.old_color);
+                glBindVertexArray(trailVAO);
+                glDrawArrays(GL_TRIANGLES, 0, trail_vertices.size());
+            }
+
+            if (!trail_reset_markers.empty()) {
+                glUseProgram(ghost_program);
+                glActiveTexture(GL_TEXTURE0);
+                glBindTexture(GL_TEXTURE_2D, ghost_texture);
+                set_uniform(ghost_program, projectionC, projection);
+                set_uniform(ghost_program, viewC, view);
+                render_trail_reset_markers(ghost_program, ghostVAO, trail_reset_markers);
+            }
+        }
+
         if (minimap_config.enabled) {
-            render_minimap(player->get_pos(), player->get_yaw(), trail_positions, trail_sz, ghosts);
+            render_minimap(player->get_pos(), player->get_yaw(), trail_points, ghosts);
         }
 
         if (FPS != -1) {
@@ -680,6 +789,10 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
     glDeleteVertexArrays(1, &floorVAO);
     glDeleteBuffers(1, &floorVBO);
 
+    glDeleteVertexArrays(1, &trailVAO);
+    glDeleteBuffers(1, &trailVBO);
+    glDeleteProgram(trail_program);
+
     if (minimap_config.enabled) {
         glDeleteVertexArrays(1, &minimapVAO);
         glDeleteBuffers(1, &minimapVBO);
@@ -702,7 +815,223 @@ void scroll_callback(GLFWwindow* window, double xoffset, double yoffset) {
     player->scroll_callback(window, xoffset, yoffset);
 }
 
-void render_minimap(const glm::vec3 &player_pos, float player_yaw, const glm::vec3 *trail_positions, int trail_sz, const std::vector<Ghost *> &ghosts) {
+float distance_xz(const glm::vec3 &a, const glm::vec3 &b) {
+    float dx = a.x - b.x;
+    float dz = a.z - b.z;
+    return sqrt(dx * dx + dz * dz);
+}
+
+bool is_redundant_trail_point(const TrailPoint &a, const TrailPoint &b, const TrailPoint &c) {
+    if (trail_config.simplify_epsilon <= 0.0f) {
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    glm::vec2 ab(b.position.x - a.position.x, b.position.z - a.position.z);
+    glm::vec2 ac(c.position.x - a.position.x, c.position.z - a.position.z);
+    float ac_len_sq = glm::dot(ac, ac);
+    if (ac_len_sq <= 0.0001f) {
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    float t = glm::dot(ab, ac) / ac_len_sq;
+    if (t <= 0.0f || t >= 1.0f) {
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    glm::vec2 closest = ac * t;
+    return glm::length(ab - closest) <= trail_config.simplify_epsilon;
+}
+
+bool update_trail(std::deque<TrailPoint> &trail_points, const glm::vec3 &player_pos, float current_time) {
+    if (!trail_config.enabled) {
+        bool had_points = !trail_points.empty();
+        trail_points.clear();
+        return had_points;
+    }
+
+    bool dirty = false;
+    // Keep a time window instead of a fixed sample count so trail length is
+    // stable across different movement speeds and frame rates.
+    float max_age = std::max(0.001f, trail_config.lifetime_minutes * 60.0f);
+    while (!trail_points.empty() && current_time - trail_points.front().timestamp > max_age) {
+        trail_points.pop_front();
+        dirty = true;
+    }
+
+    glm::vec3 sample_pos(player_pos.x, trail_config.y_position, player_pos.z);
+    float min_spacing = std::max(0.001f, trail_config.sample_spacing);
+    if (trail_points.empty() || distance_xz(sample_pos, trail_points.back().position) >= min_spacing) {
+        TrailPoint new_point = {sample_pos, current_time, trail_points.empty()};
+        if (trail_points.size() >= 2 && !trail_points.back().starts_segment) {
+            TrailPoint previous = trail_points.back();
+            TrailPoint before_previous = trail_points[trail_points.size() - 2];
+            if (!previous.starts_segment && is_redundant_trail_point(before_previous, previous, new_point)) {
+                trail_points.pop_back();
+            }
+        }
+        trail_points.push_back(new_point);
+        dirty = true;
+    }
+
+    return dirty;
+}
+
+bool end_trail_segment(std::deque<TrailPoint> &trail_points, const glm::vec3 &player_pos, float current_time) {
+    glm::vec3 sample_pos(player_pos.x, trail_config.y_position, player_pos.z);
+    if (trail_points.empty()) {
+        trail_points.push_back({sample_pos, current_time, true});
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    if (distance_xz(sample_pos, trail_points.back().position) <= 0.0001f) {
+        // If the last regular sample is already at the reset location, refresh
+        // its age rather than adding a zero-length segment.
+        trail_points.back().position = sample_pos;
+        trail_points.back().timestamp = current_time;
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    trail_points.push_back({sample_pos, current_time, false});
+    return true;
+}
+
+bool begin_trail_segment(std::deque<TrailPoint> &trail_points, const glm::vec3 &player_pos, float current_time) {
+    glm::vec3 sample_pos(player_pos.x, trail_config.y_position, player_pos.z);
+    if (!trail_points.empty()
+        && trail_points.back().starts_segment
+        && distance_xz(sample_pos, trail_points.back().position) <= 0.0001f) {
+        trail_points.back().timestamp = current_time;
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    TrailPoint new_point = {sample_pos, current_time, true};
+    trail_points.push_back(new_point);
+    return true;
+}
+
+void add_trail_reset_marker(std::deque<TrailResetMarker> &reset_markers, const glm::vec3 &player_pos, float player_yaw, float current_time) {
+    glm::vec3 marker_pos(player_pos.x, trail_config.y_position + 0.002f, player_pos.z);
+    reset_markers.push_back({marker_pos, player_yaw, current_time});
+}
+
+bool prune_trail_reset_markers(std::deque<TrailResetMarker> &reset_markers, float current_time) {
+    bool dirty = false;
+    float max_age = std::max(0.001f, trail_config.lifetime_minutes * 60.0f);
+    while (!reset_markers.empty() && current_time - reset_markers.front().timestamp > max_age) {
+        reset_markers.pop_front();
+        dirty = true;
+    }
+    return dirty;
+}
+
+void render_trail_reset_markers(int ghost_program, unsigned int ghostVAO, const std::deque<TrailResetMarker> &reset_markers) {
+    if (trail_config.reset_marker_size <= 0.0f) {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    glBindVertexArray(ghostVAO);
+    for (const TrailResetMarker &marker : reset_markers) {
+        glm::mat4 marker_model = glm::mat4(1.0f);
+        marker_model = glm::translate(marker_model, marker.position);
+        marker_model = glm::rotate(marker_model, glm::radians(90.0f - marker.yaw), glm::vec3(0.0f, 1.0f, 0.0f));
+        marker_model = glm::rotate(marker_model, glm::radians(90.0f), glm::vec3(1.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f));
+        marker_model = glm::scale(marker_model, glm::vec3(trail_config.reset_marker_size, trail_config.reset_marker_size, 1.0f));
+        set_uniform(ghost_program, modelC, marker_model);
+        glDrawArrays(GL_TRIANGLES, 0, 6);
+    }
+}
+
+glm::vec2 trail_segment_direction(const std::deque<TrailPoint> &trail_points, size_t from_ix, size_t to_ix) {
+    glm::vec3 delta = trail_points[to_ix].position - trail_points[from_ix].position;
+    glm::vec2 delta_xz(delta.x, delta.z);
+    float len = glm::length(delta_xz);
+    if (len <= 0.0001f) {
+        return glm::vec2(0.0f, 0.0f);
+    }
+    return delta_xz / len;
+}
+
+glm::vec3 trail_join_offset(const std::deque<TrailPoint> &trail_points, size_t point_ix, const glm::vec2 &fallback_normal, float half_width) {
+    bool has_prev = point_ix > 0 && !trail_points[point_ix].starts_segment;
+    bool has_next = point_ix + 1 < trail_points.size() && !trail_points[point_ix + 1].starts_segment;
+
+    if (!has_prev && !has_next) {
+        return glm::vec3(fallback_normal.x * half_width, 0.0f, fallback_normal.y * half_width);
+    }
+
+    if (!has_prev || !has_next) {
+        glm::vec2 dir = has_prev
+            ? trail_segment_direction(trail_points, point_ix - 1, point_ix)
+            : trail_segment_direction(trail_points, point_ix, point_ix + 1);
+        if (glm::length(dir) <= 0.0001f) {
+            return glm::vec3(fallback_normal.x * half_width, 0.0f, fallback_normal.y * half_width);
+        }
+        glm::vec2 normal(-dir.y, dir.x);
+        return glm::vec3(normal.x * half_width, 0.0f, normal.y * half_width);
+    }
+
+    glm::vec2 prev_dir = trail_segment_direction(trail_points, point_ix - 1, point_ix);
+    glm::vec2 next_dir = trail_segment_direction(trail_points, point_ix, point_ix + 1);
+    if (glm::length(prev_dir) <= 0.0001f || glm::length(next_dir) <= 0.0001f) {
+        return glm::vec3(fallback_normal.x * half_width, 0.0f, fallback_normal.y * half_width);
+    }
+
+    glm::vec2 prev_normal(-prev_dir.y, prev_dir.x);
+    glm::vec2 next_normal(-next_dir.y, next_dir.x);
+    glm::vec2 miter = prev_normal + next_normal;
+    float miter_len = glm::length(miter);
+    if (miter_len <= 0.0001f) {
+        return glm::vec3(fallback_normal.x * half_width, 0.0f, fallback_normal.y * half_width);
+    }
+
+    miter /= miter_len;
+    float denom = glm::dot(miter, fallback_normal);
+    if (denom <= 0.1f) {
+        return glm::vec3(fallback_normal.x * half_width, 0.0f, fallback_normal.y * half_width);
+    }
+
+    // Clamp miters so tight turns do not produce long spikes in the ribbon.
+    float miter_scale = std::min(half_width / denom, half_width * 2.5f);
+    return glm::vec3(miter.x * miter_scale, 0.0f, miter.y * miter_scale);
+}
+
+void rebuild_trail_mesh(const std::deque<TrailPoint> &trail_points, std::vector<TrailVertex> &trail_vertices) {
+    trail_vertices.clear();
+    if (trail_points.size() < 2 || trail_config.width <= 0.0f) {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    trail_vertices.reserve((trail_points.size() - 1) * 6);
+    float half_width = trail_config.width * 0.5f;
+    for (size_t i = 1; i < trail_points.size(); i++) {
+        const TrailPoint &p0 = trail_points[i - 1];
+        const TrailPoint &p1 = trail_points[i];
+        if (p1.starts_segment) {
+            continue;
+        }
+        glm::vec2 dir = trail_segment_direction(trail_points, i - 1, i);
+        if (glm::length(dir) <= 0.0001f) {
+            continue;
+        }
+
+        glm::vec2 normal(-dir.y, dir.x);
+        glm::vec3 start_offset = trail_join_offset(trail_points, i - 1, normal, half_width);
+        glm::vec3 end_offset = trail_join_offset(trail_points, i, normal, half_width);
+        TrailVertex v0 = {p0.position + start_offset, p0.timestamp};
+        TrailVertex v1 = {p0.position - start_offset, p0.timestamp};
+        TrailVertex v2 = {p1.position + end_offset, p1.timestamp};
+        TrailVertex v3 = {p1.position - end_offset, p1.timestamp};
+
+        trail_vertices.push_back(v0);
+        trail_vertices.push_back(v1);
+        trail_vertices.push_back(v2);
+        trail_vertices.push_back(v2);
+        trail_vertices.push_back(v1);
+        trail_vertices.push_back(v3);
+    }
+}
+
+void render_minimap(const glm::vec3 &player_pos, float player_yaw, const std::deque<TrailPoint> &trail_points, const std::vector<Ghost *> &ghosts) {
     // 2D overlay renders last so sorting/blending for 3D content is unaffected.
     if (!minimap_config.enabled || minimap_program < 0) {
         return;
@@ -761,35 +1090,62 @@ void render_minimap(const glm::vec3 &player_pos, float player_yaw, const glm::ve
     }
     if (!line_vertices.empty()) {
         glBindBuffer(GL_ARRAY_BUFFER, minimapVBO);
-        glBufferSubData(GL_ARRAY_BUFFER, 0, line_vertices.size() * sizeof(float), line_vertices.data());
+        glBufferData(GL_ARRAY_BUFFER, line_vertices.size() * sizeof(float), line_vertices.data(), GL_DYNAMIC_DRAW);
         set_uniform(minimap_program, "inColor", minimap_config.wall_color);
         glDrawArrays(GL_LINES, 0, line_vertices.size() / 2);
     }
 
-    // Breadcrumbs mark recently recorded player positions.
-    if (trail_positions != nullptr && trail_sz > 0 && minimap_config.breadcrumb_radius > 0.0f) {
-        const int circle_segments = 12;
-        const float angle_step = glm::two_pi<float>() / static_cast<float>(circle_segments);
-        float radius = minimap_config.breadcrumb_radius;
-        float max_dist_sq = minimap_config.breadcrumb_max_distance > 0.0f ? minimap_config.breadcrumb_max_distance * minimap_config.breadcrumb_max_distance : -1.0f;
-        std::vector<float> circle_vertices((circle_segments + 2) * 2);
-        for (int i = 0; i < trail_sz; i++) {
-            glm::vec2 rel = glm::vec2(trail_positions[i].x, trail_positions[i].z) - player_flat;
-            if (max_dist_sq > 0.0f && glm::dot(rel, rel) > max_dist_sq) {
+    // The minimap mirrors the world trail as a real screen-space stroke. The
+    // old breadcrumb radius now acts as stroke half-width in pixels.
+    if (trail_points.size() >= 2 && minimap_config.breadcrumb_radius > 0.0f) {
+        static std::vector<float> trail_line_vertices;
+        trail_line_vertices.clear();
+        trail_line_vertices.reserve((trail_points.size() - 1) * 12);
+        float max_dist_sq = minimap_config.breadcrumb_max_distance > 0.0f
+            ? minimap_config.breadcrumb_max_distance * minimap_config.breadcrumb_max_distance
+            : -1.0f;
+        float half_width = minimap_config.breadcrumb_radius;
+        for (size_t i = 1; i < trail_points.size(); i++) {
+            if (trail_points[i].starts_segment) {
                 continue;
             }
-            glm::vec2 center = map_center + rel * scale;
-            circle_vertices[0] = center.x;
-            circle_vertices[1] = center.y;
-            for (int seg = 0; seg <= circle_segments; seg++) {
-                float angle = seg * angle_step;
-                circle_vertices[(seg + 1) * 2 + 0] = center.x + cos(angle) * radius;
-                circle_vertices[(seg + 1) * 2 + 1] = center.y + sin(angle) * radius;
+            glm::vec2 rel0 = glm::vec2(trail_points[i - 1].position.x, trail_points[i - 1].position.z) - player_flat;
+            glm::vec2 rel1 = glm::vec2(trail_points[i].position.x, trail_points[i].position.z) - player_flat;
+            if (max_dist_sq > 0.0f && glm::dot(rel0, rel0) > max_dist_sq && glm::dot(rel1, rel1) > max_dist_sq) {
+                continue;
             }
+            glm::vec2 p0 = map_center + rel0 * scale;
+            glm::vec2 p1 = map_center + rel1 * scale;
+            glm::vec2 segment = p1 - p0;
+            float segment_len = glm::length(segment);
+            if (segment_len <= 0.0001f) {
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            glm::vec2 normal = glm::vec2(-segment.y, segment.x) / segment_len * half_width;
+            glm::vec2 p0_left = p0 + normal;
+            glm::vec2 p0_right = p0 - normal;
+            glm::vec2 p1_left = p1 + normal;
+            glm::vec2 p1_right = p1 - normal;
+
+            trail_line_vertices.push_back(p0_left.x);
+            trail_line_vertices.push_back(p0_left.y);
+            trail_line_vertices.push_back(p0_right.x);
+            trail_line_vertices.push_back(p0_right.y);
+            trail_line_vertices.push_back(p1_left.x);
+            trail_line_vertices.push_back(p1_left.y);
+            trail_line_vertices.push_back(p1_left.x);
+            trail_line_vertices.push_back(p1_left.y);
+            trail_line_vertices.push_back(p0_right.x);
+            trail_line_vertices.push_back(p0_right.y);
+            trail_line_vertices.push_back(p1_right.x);
+            trail_line_vertices.push_back(p1_right.y);
+        }
+        if (!trail_line_vertices.empty()) {
             glBindBuffer(GL_ARRAY_BUFFER, minimapVBO);
-            glBufferSubData(GL_ARRAY_BUFFER, 0, circle_vertices.size() * sizeof(float), circle_vertices.data());
+            glBufferData(GL_ARRAY_BUFFER, trail_line_vertices.size() * sizeof(float), trail_line_vertices.data(), GL_DYNAMIC_DRAW);
             set_uniform(minimap_program, "inColor", minimap_config.breadcrumb_color);
-            glDrawArrays(GL_TRIANGLE_FAN, 0, circle_vertices.size() / 2);
+            glDrawArrays(GL_TRIANGLES, 0, trail_line_vertices.size() / 2);
         }
     }
 
@@ -808,7 +1164,7 @@ void render_minimap(const glm::vec3 &player_pos, float player_yaw, const glm::ve
                 ghost_vertices[(seg + 1) * 2 + 1] = center.y + sin(angle) * radius;
             }
             glBindBuffer(GL_ARRAY_BUFFER, minimapVBO);
-            glBufferSubData(GL_ARRAY_BUFFER, 0, ghost_vertices.size() * sizeof(float), ghost_vertices.data());
+            glBufferData(GL_ARRAY_BUFFER, ghost_vertices.size() * sizeof(float), ghost_vertices.data(), GL_DYNAMIC_DRAW);
             set_uniform(minimap_program, "inColor", color);
             glDrawArrays(GL_TRIANGLE_FAN, 0, ghost_vertices.size() / 2);
         };

ghostland.json

@@ -27,5 +27,18 @@
     "minimap_ghost_border_g": 0.2,
     "minimap_ghost_border_b": 0.4,
     "minimap_ghost_radius": 4.0,
-    "breadcrumb_max_distance": 200.0
+    "breadcrumb_max_distance": 200.0,
+    "trail_enabled": 1,
+    "trail_lifetime_minutes": 3.0,
+    "trail_sample_spacing": 1.0,
+    "trail_width": 0.25,
+    "trail_y_position": 10.0,
+    "trail_simplify_epsilon": 0.15,
+    "trail_reset_marker_size": 2.0,
+    "trail_recent_r": 1.0,
+    "trail_recent_g": 0.0,
+    "trail_recent_b": 0.0,
+    "trail_old_r": 0.35,
+    "trail_old_g": 0.18,
+    "trail_old_b": 0.05
 }

ghostshader.glsl

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-#version 460 core
+#version 330 core
 // Billboarded ghost vertex shader: passes world pos/normal and flips UV.y for texture atlases.
 layout (location = 0) in vec3 aPos;
 layout (location = 1) in vec3 aNormal;

minimapfragshader.glsl

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-#version 460 core
+#version 330 core
 // Solid-color fragment shader for minimap overlay primitives.
 out vec4 FragColor;
 

minimapshader.glsl

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-#version 460 core
+#version 330 core
 // Vertex shader for minimap overlay geometry (lines/quads) in screen space.
 layout (location = 0) in vec2 aPos;
 

player.cpp

@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ Player::Player(glm::vec3 startpos, float startyaw) {
     first_frame = false;
     light_xpersist = 0.0f;
     light_ypersist = 0.0f;
-    armlength = 0.5f;
+    armlength = 0.0f;
     camera_offset = glm::vec3(0.0f, 2.5f, 0.0f);
     camera_up = glm::vec3(0.0f, 1.0f, 0.0f);
     fov = 60.0f;

shader.cpp

@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 int create_shader(const char *filename, int shadertype) {
     FILE* fp = fopen(filename, "r");
     if (!fp) {
-        printf("failed to open vertex shader!\n");
+        printf("failed to open shader file %s!\n", filename);
         return -1;
     }
     fseek(fp, 0L, SEEK_END);
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ int create_shader(const char *filename, int shadertype) {
 
     char *buffer = (char *)calloc(sizeof(char), buffer_sz + 1);
     if (fread(buffer, buffer_sz, 1, fp) != 1) {
-        printf("failed to read vertex shader!\n");
+        printf("failed to read shader file %s!\n", filename);
         return -1;
     }
     fclose(fp);

textfragshader.glsl

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-#version 460 core
+#version 330 core
 // Samples single-channel glyph texture and applies RGB tint.
 in vec2 TexCoords;
 out vec4 color;

textshader.glsl

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-#version 460 core
+#version 330 core
 // HUD text vertex shader: projects screen-space quad verts and forwards glyph UVs.
 layout (location = 0) in vec4 vertex; // <vec2 pos, vec2 tex>
 out vec2 TexCoords;
@@ -7,6 +7,6 @@ uniform mat4 projection;
 
 void main()
 {
-    gl_Position = projection * vec4(vertex.xy, 0.0f, 1.0);
+    gl_Position = projection * vec4(vertex.xy, 0.0, 1.0);
     TexCoords = vertex.zw;
 }

trailfragshader.glsl

@@ -1,12 +1,17 @@
-#version 460 core
-// Colors the trail geometry with a solid uniform tint.
+#version 330 core
+// Colors the trail geometry by age: newest samples are red and old samples
+// fade toward brown before they expire from the CPU-side trail window.
 out vec4 FragColor;
 
-in vec3 FragPos;
+in float TrailTimestamp;
 
-uniform vec3 objectcolor;
+uniform float currentTime;
+uniform float maxAge;
+uniform vec3 recentColor;
+uniform vec3 oldColor;
 
 void main()
 {
-    FragColor = vec4(objectcolor, 1.0);
+    float ageRatio = clamp((currentTime - TrailTimestamp) / maxAge, 0.0, 1.0);
+    FragColor = vec4(mix(recentColor, oldColor, ageRatio), 1.0);
 }

trailshader.glsl

@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
-#version 460 core
-// Simple vertex shader for the player's breadcrumb trail triangles.
+#version 330 core
+// Dynamic ribbon trail vertex shader. Timestamp is used by the fragment shader
+// to fade recent path segments from red toward brown as they age.
 layout (location = 0) in vec3 aPos;
+layout (location = 1) in float aTimestamp;
 
-out vec3 FragPos;
+out float TrailTimestamp;
 
 uniform mat4 model;
 uniform mat4 view;
@@ -10,7 +12,7 @@ uniform mat4 projection;
 
 void main()
 {
-    FragPos = vec3(model * vec4(aPos, 1.0));
+    TrailTimestamp = aTimestamp;
 
-    gl_Position = projection * view * vec4(FragPos, 1.0);
+    gl_Position = projection * view * model * vec4(aPos, 1.0);
 }

vertexshader.glsl

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-#version 460 core
+#version 330 core
 // Basic vertex shader for world geometry (walls/floor). Transforms positions/normals into view space.
 layout (location = 0) in vec3 aPos;
 layout (location = 1) in vec3 aNormal;