Elegant Solution
About this model
This diagram models a simplified representation of a dynamic, maze-like system where the aim is to find the most elegant or shortest path through it. The diagram begins with a source node labeled "Start," which signifies the beginning of the maze or puzzle. This node generates resources, symbolizing attempts or efforts to solve the maze. These resources then flow through a series of pool nodes, each representing a stage or decision point within the maze. The resource flow between these pools is regulated by a constant rate, signifying that each attempt to progress through the maze takes a consistent amount of effort or time.
The final destination is symbolized by a pool node labeled "Solution," which represents the endpoint or the discovery of the most elegant solution to the maze. The paths between the start and the solution include branches, which model the various paths a player might take in attempting to solve the maze. Some of these paths loop back or feed into others, representing the maze's complexity and the potential for making choices that do not lead directly to the end but might be necessary to eventually uncover the shortest path. The inclusion of a text cell explains the inspiration for this model, likening it to the daily shifting mazes in the game "Path of Exile," where players seek the shortest path and share their findings with others. This diagram captures the essence of navigating through a changing environment by making strategic decisions at each stage, modeled through the interaction and flow of resources between the nodes.
“Elegant Solution” is a public Machinations diagram by Anıl Akhan, shared in the Machinations Community.
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.