Machinations

Level progression

Learn how to create a Machination diagram step by step. Creating a new diagram First, you should create a new diagram. If you have a diagram already open.

Creating a new diagram

First, you should create a new diagram. If you have a diagram already open, follow the next steps:

  1. Click the + button at the top of the left rail and choose Blank canvas.    
  1. A blank canvas opens with the name “Untitled”. Click the title at the top left and enter the name “Level Progression”.
  1. Machinations saves the diagram as you work.

If you are in My diagrams, click the + button and choose Blank canvas, then name the diagram as above.

1. Earning Points

In this tutorial, you will build a simple level progression system in Machinations. The player will earn a certain amount of Experience Points by killing enemies every minute. These points can then be used to level up for a certain cost that will increase depending on the player’s level.

The finished level progression model: Kill Enemy earns Points into XP, Level Up turns them into Level, the Raise cost connection makes each level dearer, and two registers set the XP earned per levelThe finished level progression model: Kill Enemy earns Points into XP, Level Up turns them into Level, the Raise cost connection makes each level dearer, and two registers set the XP earned per level

Storing XP

To store the amount of XP Points, you need to create a pool. Pools are used to collect and store resources.

  1. Select the Pool icon (or press p) from the toolbar.
The toolbar with the Pool button outlined in red.
  1. Click anywhere in the canvas to place the pool in that position.
The shape toolbar above the canvas, with the Pool circle, the Source triangle, the Sink triangle and the connection toolsThe shape toolbar above the canvas, with the Pool circle, the Source triangle, the Sink triangle and the connection tools
  1. To change the name of the pool, select it with your mouse, in the Properties panel to the right of the screen, click the name at the top of the panel (it reads “Add a label” on a new component). Enter “XP” and press “Enter” to assign the name to the pool.
The Properties panel of a Pool named XP: the five Trigger buttons, the Direction switch (Pull or Push), the Resources menu, Initial quantity and Capacity.

The player will earn experience points every minute (every time the player kills an enemy).  △ Sources generate an infinite amount of resources. So, let’s add a Source to generate XP:

  1. Click the Source icon in the toolbar or use the keyboard shortcut “s”.
The toolbar with the Source button outlined in red.
  1. Click on the canvas to place the source to the left of the “XP” pool.
The Kill Enemy source placed to the left of the XP pool, not yet connectedThe Kill Enemy source placed to the left of the XP pool, not yet connected
  1. Set the name of the source to “Kill Enemy”. You can do it in the “Properties” panel or just press “Enter” and input the name.
The Kill Enemy source selected on the canvas, with its name shown under itThe Kill Enemy source selected on the canvas, with its name shown under it
  1. Hit the “Play” button and see how the diagram works. Why is the XP pool not storing any points? This is because the XP points are not being transferred from the source to the pool. You need to add a Resource Connection.
Note

Tip: It is not necessary to label your components, but it will make your life much easier once your diagram becomes bigger and more complex.

The player will earn 50 experience points every minute, so you need to connect the source and the pool with a Resource Connection.

  1. Select the Resource Connection from the toolbar or use the keyboard shortcut “c”.
The toolbar with the Resource Connection button outlined in red.
  1. Click on the source to choose it as the origin of the connection.
  1. Click on the pool so that the connection will be created between the two components.
The Kill Enemy source connected to the XP pool: the connection is selected and reads Earn 50 PointsThe Kill Enemy source connected to the XP pool: the connection is selected and reads Earn 50 Points
  1. Now, you must allow the player to earn 50 experience points for enemy killed. Select the Resource Connection, and in the “Properties” panel, and type the value “50” in the amount box under Type (number). Press “Enter” to confirm. You will see that the Resource Connection shows “50” in the canvas.
The Earn connection selected: the panel on the right opens with a Behavior summary and shows Type set to a formula of 50, and the connection on the canvas reads Earn 50 PointsThe Earn connection selected: the panel on the right opens with a Behavior summary and shows Type set to a formula of 50, and the connection on the canvas reads Earn 50 Points
Important

By default, Resource Connections transfer whole resources (integer values), so avoid decimals!

If a decimal value is present in your Resource Connection formula, the connection rounds it to the nearest whole number. To transfer fractions as they are, switch on Allow decimals in the connection’s Properties panel.

  1. To test the diagram, press the “Play” button and see how experience points are transferred from the “Kill Enemy” source to the “XP” Pool. The “XP” pool will start increasing its value as XP flow from the source.
The model after a Play of 20 minutes: Kill Enemy sends 50 Points a minute into XP, the Runtime log lists what happened, and the chart shows the XP pool rising and falling as Level Up spends itThe model after a Play of 20 minutes: Kill Enemy sends 50 Points a minute into XP, the Runtime log lists what happened, and the chart shows the XP pool rising and falling as Level Up spends it
  1. You can see how the game works minute by minute by pressing the button “Step” consecutively.
The model after a Play of 20 minutes, with the Play bar at the bottom reading Play, 20 minutes and a step button, and the chart of XP and Level above itThe model after a Play of 20 minutes, with the Play bar at the bottom reading Play, 20 minutes and a step button, and the chart of XP and Level above it

Selected models to Play and remix: Selected reward system models.