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Worthbound MVP Archetype Set

Canonical Production/System File
Version: 0.1
Authority Level: Production
Depends On:

  • 03-Archetypes/00-Archetype-Overview.md
  • 03-Archetypes/03-Archetype-Balance-Framework.md
  • 09-Production/01-MVP-Scope.md

This file locks the playable archetype roster for the Worthbound mobile-first MVP.

Its purpose is to:

  • prevent archetype creep during MVP development
  • identify the four required playable archetypes
  • explain why these four were selected
  • preserve balance clarity for implementation and testing

This file has production authority over the MVP playable archetype set.


The Worthbound mobile-first MVP includes exactly these four playable archetypes:

  1. Skilled Worker
  2. Professional
  3. Corporate Climber
  4. Entrepreneur

No additional archetypes are required for MVP completeness.


These four archetypes were selected because they create the strongest useful contrast with the smallest viable content load.

Together, they provide:

  • blue-collar and white-collar representation
  • lower-overhead and higher-overhead starts
  • stable and volatile income patterns
  • practical and premium opportunity profiles
  • different relationships to protection
  • different routes to passive-income escape

This creates a strong replayable archetype spread without overloading the first release.


Anchors the grounded practical lane.

  • practical cashflow play
  • interruption sensitivity
  • side-hustle identity
  • strong protection relevance

It proves that a lower-to-mid income path can remain viable through discipline, lower overhead, and practical ownership. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index="1"}


Anchors the stable white-collar lane.

  • reliable planning rhythm
  • moderate opportunity access
  • comfort/stagnation trap
  • steady asset conversion play

It proves that stability is useful but not sufficient without ownership conversion. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index="2"}


Anchors the high-income, high-pressure lane.

  • large salary
  • strong opportunity access
  • extreme lifestyle inflation pressure
  • expensive mistakes

It proves that high income can still produce entrapment when overhead and status pressure rise with earnings.


Anchors the volatile high-upside lane.

  • strongest non-linear upside
  • highest instability
  • strongest reserve pressure
  • strongest need for disciplined protection

It proves that upside without reserves and protection is fragile. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index="4"}


The following archetypes remain in full canon but are outside the MVP playable set:

  • Service Worker
  • Public Servant

They are excluded from MVP not because they are weak, but because the current four already cover the most important contrast space for the first release:

  • practical blue-collar
  • stable professional
  • high-income lifestyle-pressure
  • volatile upside

Adding the other two now would increase balancing and content load without proportionate MVP benefit. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index="5"}


The four MVP archetypes must each prove all of the following during testing:

  1. They feel distinct within early cycles.
  2. Their pressure patterns are understandable on mobile.
  3. Their primary win routes are credible.
  4. Their failure patterns are recognizable.
  5. Protection matters differently across them.
  6. No one archetype becomes the obvious dominant pick.

If these conditions are not met, the issue should be solved through balancing before adding more archetypes.


All MVP implementation, UI design, tuning, and content distribution should assume only these four archetypes are playable.

Reserve archetypes may be documented in canon, but they should not create hidden implementation burden for the first release.


The Worthbound mobile-first MVP playable archetype set is:

  • Skilled Worker
  • Professional
  • Corporate Climber
  • Entrepreneur

This set is locked for MVP because it provides the strongest strategic contrast with the least scope burden.