Linear Lock

About this model

This diagram represents a game mechanic where players engage in actions that might lead to finding keys, unlocking mechanisms, and progressing to the next level. Beginning from an infinite source of actions, players can potentially find a key with a 10% chance with each action. If the key is found, it can be used to try unlocking a lock. However, there is also a 90% chance that actions lead to exploration without finding a key, contributing to a loop where players can continuously attempt to find keys.

Keys are pooled and can be utilized to open a lock, metaphorically represented as attempting to "Go to next level!" The process of finding a key and attempting to open a lock can trigger a converter node labeled "Open Lock," which processes the attempt and can lead to success—progressing to the next level. Should the key not be found, the actions lead to exploration depicted by a drain, illustrating resources used in this quest. This mechanism encourages repeated attempts and exploration, integrating both chance and resource management to advance.

This public Machinations diagram, “Linear Lock”, was shared in the Machinations Community by Nicolás Munafó.

You can open the original diagram in the Machinations app, press Play to watch how resources move through it, and change its values to see how the system responds. Machinations is a visual tool for designing, simulating and balancing game economies and other systems, where resources flow through sources, pools, drains, converters and gates.