2. CORE GAME MECHANICS - zwaper/terminal-clicker GitHub Wiki

┌─────────────────┐ ┌─────────────────┐ ┌─────────────────┐ │ Generate │ │ Invest │ │ Optimize │ │ Resources │────▶│ Resources │────▶│ Systems │ │ │ │ │ │ │ └────────┬────────┘ └────────┬────────┘ └────────┬────────┘ │ │ │ └───────────────────────┴───────────────┬───────┘ │ ▼ ┌─────────────────┐ │ Expand │ │ Capabilities │ │ │ └─────────────────┘

1. Execute commands to generate initial resources (cycles, bandwidth, storage)
2. Invest resources to automate processes
3. Unlock new systems and capabilities
4. Manage occasional network issues and security threats
5. Expand network infrastructure
6. Optimize for maximum efficiency
7. Collect cards for passive bonuses
8. Progress toward network migrations (prestige resets)

Players will interact with the game through a simulated terminal interface using commands:

• mine - Manually generate computational cycles
• status - Display current resources and generation rates
• upgrade <system> - Spend resources to upgrade a specific system
• automate <process> - Set up a process to run automatically
• research <technology> - Research new technologies in the tech tree
• deploy <system> - Deploy new systems to the network
• help - Display available commands
• save - Save game progress
• quit - Exit the game

• terminal switch <terminal-id> - Switch to a different terminal type
• cards - Access the card management system
• skill-tree - Access the skill tree interface
• migrate - Initiate a network migration (prestige reset)
• network - Display network infrastructure visualization
• challenge - List available challenges

Each specialized terminal has unique commands relevant to its function (see Terminal Varieties section)

• Resources continue to generate while the game is closed
• Auto-processes run in the background
• Time-based events occur based on real time
• Offline progression with summary upon return
• Cards provide passive bonuses even when offline
• Skills apply their effects constantly

• Short-term goals: Complete small tasks for immediate rewards (seconds/minutes)
• Medium-term goals: Research specific technologies (hours/days)
• Long-term goals: Build complete network infrastructures (weeks/months)
• Meta progression: Migration system for permanent bonuses
• Collection: Card collection for completionists
• Mastery: Skill tree optimization for strategists

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