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Resource Connections (C) transfer Resources between Nodes and are essential when building a game or system that requires the movement of Resources from point A to point B.

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The number of resources transferred each step on a connections is specified by its Type and Formula

⚠️Since resource tokens represent real life entities the connection formula should include only positive integer values.

Properties

You can adjust the properties of a selected Resource Connections, such as Label, Formula, Interval, Transfer, Resource color, Limits, Style, and Position, in the Properties panel on the right.

We will talk about properties unique to Resource Connections below.

Label & Description

You can add descriptive text or annotations in the Label and Description fields. This will make it easier to identify the purpose of the connection as well as specific properties you might set. It is also good practice and will make your diagram more accessible to others.

Formula Type & Value

Resource Connections can transfer Resources at different rates and with different representations. Here is a list of all the possible Formula Types and how and when to use them:

Number Type

This is the go-to Type for resource connections as this value represents the number of resource tokens used in the transfer. Remember, resource tokens are always positive integers. This type should be used when modeling transfers with deterministic values (static or dynamically adjusted using Modifier state connections).

Chance Type

Selecting this type for the formula, the origin node will have an X% percent chance to transfer one resource; X% must be specified in the Formula’s input box.

When entering a value above 100%, the origin node will divide the percentage by 100; the quotient of the result will represent how many guaranteed resources will be transferred, and the mod of the result will represent the percentage to transfer an extra resource. As such, when formula = 250% – 2 guaranteed resources will be transfered + 50% chance for an extra resource

All Type

Using the “all” formula will ensure that, during a simulation step, all available resources from the input are transferred to the output of the resource connection. Pools are the only compatible input node for an “all” connection since they require a quantifiable number of resources. Use this formula type when you want to transfer all the contents from pool A to pool B, or when targeting a drain or delay

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Dice Roll Type

The Dice Roll formula type should be applied when the diagram requires random values on resource transfers. The first input field of this formula type represents the number of dice you would like to roll, and the second one (next to the “D” notation) represents the number of dice sides. As such, if you type 2D6, the formula will roll 2 dice with 6 faces, outputing a random integer value between 2 and 12. It is important to note that since this formula follows real-life random distributions, 2d6 is not equal to d12. For the d12 formula, the distribution of values is equal, while for 2d6 rolling 12 is 3 times more unlikely than rolling a 7 (the most probable outcome)

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Dice Roll formula type will produce a new random value at the start of each simulation step.

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Formula Type

The formula type is the jack of all traits since you can construct more advanced operations while also using the rest of the options. Additionally, this type is preferred (but not required) when typing Custom Variables names, and functions from the math.js library. We recommend using this type when performing basic operations or when adding specific math.js formulas such as randomInt(). Additionally, this formula type works well combined with a dice roll: if you type 10+ D6 the formula will output a random value in the interval [11,16].

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Resource Connection will blink if there are not enough Resources to be transferred or if the Resources available can’t be accepted by the Target.

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Machinations diagrams do not handle fractional values.

To emulate fractional values, you can express your game’s Resources in sub-units so that

1 sub-unit = 1 Resource

✅ An analogy for this would be working with the amount in ¢ (cents) instead of the amount in $ (dollars). To work with transferring 3.14 Resources, you’d need to multiply the whole flow by 100, resulting in 314 Resources.

✅ A second solution to this representation would be to simply use the round() formula to remove the fractional part, if the decimal accuracy of the result is not needed in the system.

Interval

The Interval determines the number of Steps between transfers. If you want a Node in your diagram to be activated less than every Step, intervals are your best friend.

You can use this if your model requires transferring Resources every “x” Steps. E.g.: Formula = 1; Interval = 3 means 1 Resource is transferred every 3 Steps.

Please look at our Interval article to find out more.

Transfer (Interval vs. Instant)

The transfer of Resources between Nodes can be set to Interval (default) or Instant.

Interval: All Resources are transferred individually within 1 Step. If more Resources are being transferred between 2 Nodes, each will be treated as an individual entity. The changes to the state of the target Node will be updated for each Resource that consecutively reaches its target (within the same Step).

Instant: All Resources are transferred simultaneously, at the beginning of the Step.

This is an important thing to take into account if you have Nodes that are influenced by state changes on your diagram. Here’s an example.

In the examples above, the values of the Registers change simultaneously with the values in the Pools. When you hit Play, the Pool and Register on the left model take the Speed set for the transfer (3 seconds) into account, whereas the Register in the right example is instantly updated to 10.

In the left example (red), where the Resource Connection is set to interval, the Register will gradually reach five, and the execution will stop mid-way, due to the End Condition being triggered.

In the example on the right (blue), the transfer happens instantly at the beginning of the Step, so all 10 Resources reach their Target, and the End Condition never triggers.

Filter colors

State Connections can filter specific colors (Black, Blue, Green, Orange, Red). You can use this if your model requires the Resource Connection to transfer only a specific type of Resource.

You can find out more about this in our Filter [Color coding] article.

Shuffle Origin

Use the Shuffle Origin option in a Resource Connection’s Properties panel to randomize the transfer of differently colored Resources coming from the same origin Node.

By default, Resources from multiple Sources are transferred according to the LIFO principle (last in, first out). When using Shuffle Origin, Resources will be transferred randomly from their origin to the target Node.

To emphasize, in the example above, we used the Color Filter.

Limits

You can limit the amount of Resources being transported by setting a minimum and maximum limit.

In the example below the Resource Connection is set to move 10 Resources from the Source to the Pool. However, due to its Limit being set to a maximum of 3, only 3 Resources will be moved.

In the examples above, the Registers change along with the state changes the Pools go through.

In the red example, where the Resource Connection is set to interval, the Register will gradually reach 5 during the execution, thus triggering the End Condition at the end of the step.

In the blue example, the transfer happens instantly, at the beginning of the Step, so all 10 Resources reach their Target, and the End Condition never triggers.

Notice: When you hit Play, the Pools and Registers on the right are instantly updated to 10, whereas the example on the left takes into account the Speed set for the transfer (3 seconds).

Style Properties

You may use various styles to organize, emphasize, or highlight certain game system elements. In the Style section, you can modify the connection’s drawing style, line color and size, the labels’ font size alignment, and the z position of a connection. However, using these does not affect the flow rate of a Resource Connection.

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The Position options will only arrange the Connections relative to other Connections, as they will always be displayed over Nodes for better visibility.

Connection Styles

There are 4 styles available:

Straight Connections – The behavior of the Straight Connection Style is designed to offer users greater flexibility when drawing connections. Here’s how it works:
- Single Click: Each left click adds a waypoint, and the connection continues to be drawn. This allows users to define precise paths and angles as they construct the connection.
- Double Click: The connection is finalized and placed on the canvas only when a double click is used. This ensures that the user has full control over the connection’s path before it is set.
- ESC Key Shortcut: Pressing the ESC key also finalizes the connection, placing it on the canvas immediately. This provides a quick way to complete the drawing without needing to double-click.
Orthogonal Connections
Curved Connections
Entity Connections – This style does not use additional waypoints, as they will keep their diagonal design and automatically adjust their length based on the distance between nodes.

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By selecting “Remember connection style”, Machinations will remember the last style selected in the proprieties panel and will automatically apply it to all subsequent connections.

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