Tiny Brains by stmatn

[raw]
made by stmatn for Ludum Dare 56 (JAM)

Prerequisites

  • You need a working Java Runtime Environment or JDK to run the game!
  • Unpack the zip file befor running the .jar

Screenshot0.png

About the game

Tiny creatures have tiny brains. Therefore it should be easy to create those brains fron scratch, right? ... right?!

In Tiny Brains you create neural networks that control fleas. Help the fleas jump over (or duck under) dust particles.

Can you solve all three scenarios?

How to play

  • Drag neurons from the growing vat into the brain area
  • Connect neurons to other neurons by dragging their axons (orange circle) to other neurons
  • Disconnect neurons by dragging another connection to the same target
  • Some neurons only allow for one input
  • The input neuron (to the left at the start) inputs the distance to the first dust particle
  • The flea jumps if the signal at the output neuron (to the right at the start) is at least 1
  • Hit the play button to start the simulation with the brain you built

TinyBrainsV1.0.gif

Available Neurons

  • Input: Its activation value is the distance to the first visible dust particle
  • Output: Makes the flea jump it it is activated with a value of at least 1
  • Constant: Emits a constant value. The value can be adjusted.
  • Adder: Adds all inputs and outputs the sum.
  • Multiplyer: Multiplies all inputs and outputs the product
  • Negator: Negates the input number. (switches the sign)
  • Sigmoid: Computes the sigmoid function value of the input.
  • Sign: Outputs 1, if the input is positive; 0 if the input is 0; and -1 otherwise
  • Delay: Outputs the input value on the next activation.

Info on the scenarios

  • Scenario 1: One dust particle with varying distance and constant speed
  • Scenario 2: Two consecutive dust particle with varying distance and constant speed
  • Scenario 3: Two consecutive dust particle with varying distance and varying speed

Addional controls

  • Mouse wheel scrolls between simulation and brain editing views
  • F1 starts simualtion
  • F2 pauses/unpauses simulation
  • F3 stops simulation

Ratings

Given 5🗳️ 10🗨️

Feedback

Tofi123
08. Oct 2024 · 08:41 UTC
it downloads as a .jar file and i cant seem to be able to open it
CrozzY
08. Oct 2024 · 08:49 UTC
I think the game is quite interesting and would like to play it, but the file really does not start or I do not understand how to open the game file
AlexTagtal
08. Oct 2024 · 08:54 UTC
Very cool idea, had to play around quite a bit to finish scenario 1. I'd suggest adding some explanations for the nodes, what they do, how many inputs they take etc. Also, I couldn't figure out how to destroy a connection or a node, but that's minor. It's a very smart idea for a puzzle game with a hint of programming!

Edit: Just saw your node explanations on the page xD
AlexTagtal
08. Oct 2024 · 08:56 UTC
For anyone trying to play this, you need to have installed Java on your computer. Its free, you can google to download it, but yeah, extra steps...
NeOleg
08. Oct 2024 · 09:00 UTC
Cool idea, interestig to play, but damn that was HARD. didn't really understood how to destroy neurons
ZoeAgxn
08. Oct 2024 · 09:03 UTC
I managed to get it running and this is an really interesting idea!
I had an issue in scenario 2 where the game crashed.
But I really love the idea of setting up this graph of neurons to let the flea do platforming!
🎤 stmatn
08. Oct 2024 · 09:06 UTC
@tofi123 , @crozzy , as @alextagtal mentioned, you need Java installed. If you have it installed, you may need to unpack the zip-file for the game to access the assets. Sorry for the inconvenience :(
plasticsword
08. Oct 2024 · 09:06 UTC
For anyone that's trying to get this to work, you have to download java then run `java -jar TinyBrainsV1.0.jar`

I like the idea but I couldn't seem to get it to work or see much of an effect on the actual flea after connecting the nodes.
🎤 stmatn
08. Oct 2024 · 09:09 UTC
@alextagtal thank you for the feedback :) Unfortunately I was not able to include a tutorial, but I will add information on your questions to the description. Also thanks for clarifying the Java-problem for the other users :)

And congratulations on finishing scenario 1. Nice to hear that someone elso was also able to do it :)
🎤 stmatn
08. Oct 2024 · 09:12 UTC
@neoleg thanks for the feedback! Yes, I figure, the puzzles are especially hard since the are not self explanatory... Next time I'll focus on including explanations ingame. For now the description has to step in :D
🎤 stmatn
08. Oct 2024 · 09:15 UTC
@zoeagxn Sorry to hear that the game crashed :( If you got an error message I would love to see it. Otherwise i hope, you had fun until that point :) Nice to hear that you solved scenario 1!
🎤 stmatn
08. Oct 2024 · 09:16 UTC
@plasticsword Thanks for clarifying the java command! I'll add it to the description.

And thank you for your feedback. If you would like a hint: You need to figure out the right moment to jump and apply a positive value to the putput neuron only then.
Oduvan
08. Oct 2024 · 09:46 UTC
Fun idea, great work!
Tasostagtal
08. Oct 2024 · 10:41 UTC
Very innovative, very difficult. Lacking in game development but makes up for it with great game design.
Kevinary101
08. Oct 2024 · 23:48 UTC
Great puzzle and I got instantly hooked after finishing the first scenario. It was very satifisying to see each level being finished.