Web Under the Hood & The Newsletter System: DevBlog #2

In this new devblog update, the spotlight turns toward an essential foundation of the project: the web presence of the game Luni.

To provide a smooth, dependable experience that honors the artistic vision, the choice was made for a clean, bespoke setup: a fast public website for players and a dedicated administrative panel capable of managing structure and content across six languages seamlessly.

The goal: a nimble, well-structured system that showcases the game's artwork and visual atmosphere while maintaining full publishing control without unused features or unnecessary external dependencies.

A brief note on languages:
I speak three of these (in which we can also communicate directly within the community), but for the rest I decided to translate with the help of AI. It is an excellent use case, opening the visual and narrative universe to more regions.

Under the Hood: Web Architecture in DevBlog #2

The project is organized into two independent applications, each tailored for its specific role within the ecosystem:

1. The Public Site and DevBlog

• Next.js 16: Built as a full static export (SSG). This means that all pages exist beforehand as pre-rendered HTML files and assets, eliminating server-side rendering overhead during visits. Loading is nearly instantaneous whenever an article or page is accessed.

• Tailwind CSS v4 & TypeScript: Delivers a clean, modern aesthetic with strong visual rhythm, allowing smooth integration of subtle animations and interface details alongside robust type safety throughout the codebase.

• Six-Language Internationalization: Content is served natively for each supported language, preserving identical layout architecture while adapting regional text effortlessly.

• AWS & CloudFront Infrastructure: Pre-rendered assets and pages are distributed globally through CloudFront CDN, ensuring minimal latency and rapid loading times regardless of geographic location.

2. The Administrative BackOffice

• Vue 3: A responsive, modern Single Page Application designed for comfortable, fluid editorial content management.

• Modular Block-Based Editor: Custom-built for the specific requirements of the blog. It cleanly decouples visual structure (rows, images, blocks) from translated copy, enabling simultaneous editing across all six languages without risking layout regressions, complete with built-in real-time SEO analysis.

• Backend in .NET 10 & PostgreSQL: ASP.NET Core structured around Clean Architecture, ensuring decoupled business logic, robust input validation, and reliable persistence in a high-performance relational database.

• Hosting & Automation (AWS, Docker & CI/CD): Containerized on AWS with infrastructure declared as code via Terraform and managed through automated deployment pipelines.

What Is in Progress: The Newsletter System

Current development is actively focused on the next major project milestone: an in-house newsletter module integrated directly into the platform.

Why a bespoke solution instead of a third-party service?
The decision was made to centralize on the project's existing infrastructure for practical reasons: complete delivery control, zero third-party tracking scripts, no extra dependencies, and the straightforward developer preference for writing concise, dedicated code rather than relying on bloated or costly external platforms. An internal module delivers precisely what is needed in a lightweight, robust, and easily maintainable format.

How the system works for subscribers:

• Double Opt-In: No email address is subscribed without explicit consent. Verification requires clicking the confirmation link dispatched automatically upon signup.

• Zero Spam: Notifications are dispatched exclusively when a new article is published, keeping subscribers updated on development milestones without ads or promotional clutter.

• One-Click Unsubscribe: Every message provides an immediate, hassle-free unsubscribe link, fully honoring privacy and personal preference.

The Road Ahead

With this web infrastructure phase concluded, development focus returns entirely toward core game production. Recent technical milestones have established a solid foundation for player communication, freeing up maximum time to concentrate on gameplay mechanics, puzzle design, environments, and story sequences.

Future updates will highlight dedicated community channels (such as Discord and social platforms), creating a shared space to discuss game progress and creative milestones.

More news will follow soon!