HOW WOULD YOU PLAY?

Seven worked examples show how a hypothetical decision follows a public game rule. The complete JSON pack contains traces for all 31 missions, covering reasoning, results and educational lessons.

Evidence: These are locally computed source-engine reference traces, not observations of an AI model, a human player or a live connector. The Neon Guardian examples are explicitly tabletop strategy analogies rather than actual physics replays.

◇ Vector Run

A new signal emerges on the other side of a fractured data grid. Recover every lost core and escape before the path closes.

Concept: A clear route is not enough: every required dependency must be collected.

Explore the first decisions

[
  {
    "action": "MOVE_S",
    "previous": {
      "x": 0,
      "y": 0,
      "cores": 0
    },
    "result": {
      "x": 0,
      "y": 1,
      "cores": 0
    },
    "event": "VALID_MOVE"
  },
  {
    "action": "MOVE_S",
    "previous": {
      "x": 0,
      "y": 1,
      "cores": 0
    },
    "result": {
      "x": 0,
      "y": 2,
      "cores": 0
    },
    "event": "VALID_MOVE"
  },
  {
    "action": "MOVE_S",
    "previous": {
      "x": 0,
      "y": 2,
      "cores": 0
    },
    "result": {
      "x": 0,
      "y": 3,
      "cores": 0
    },
    "event": "VALID_MOVE"
  },
  {
    "action": "MOVE_S",
    "previous": {
      "x": 0,
      "y": 3,
      "cores": 0
    },
    "result": {
      "x": 0,
      "y": 4,
      "cores": 0
    },
    "event": "VALID_MOVE"
  },
  {
    "action": "MOVE_S",
    "previous": {
      "x": 0,
      "y": 4,
      "cores": 0
    },
    "result": {
      "x": 0,
      "y": 5,
      "cores": 1
    },
    "event": "DATA_CORE_RECOVERED"
  }
]

Read the entire reference trace

[
  {
    "action": "MOVE_S",
    "previous": {
      "x": 0,
      "y": 0,
      "cores": 0
    },
    "result": {
      "x": 0,
      "y": 1,
      "cores": 0
    },
    "event": "VALID_MOVE"
  },
  {
    "action": "MOVE_S",
    "previous": {
      "x": 0,
      "y": 1,
      "cores": 0
    },
    "result": {
      "x": 0,
      "y": 2,
      "cores": 0
    },
    "event": "VALID_MOVE"
  },
  {
    "action": "MOVE_S",
    "previous": {
      "x": 0,
      "y": 2,
      "cores": 0
    },
    "result": {
      "x": 0,
      "y": 3,
      "cores": 0
    },
    "event": "VALID_MOVE"
  },
  {
    "action": "MOVE_S",
    "previous": {
      "x": 0,
      "y": 3,
      "cores": 0
    },
    "result": {
      "x": 0,
      "y": 4,
      "cores": 0
    },
    "event": "VALID_MOVE"
  },
  {
    "action": "MOVE_S",
    "previous": {
      "x": 0,
      "y": 4,
      "cores": 0
    },
    "result": {
      "x": 0,
      "y": 5,
      "cores": 1
    },
    "event": "DATA_CORE_RECOVERED"
  },
  {
    "action": "MOVE_N",
    "previous": {
      "x": 0,
      "y": 5,
      "cores": 1
    },
    "result": {
      "x": 0,
      "y": 4,
      "cores": 1
    },
    "event": "VALID_MOVE"
  },
  {
    "action": "MOVE_E",
    "previous": {
      "x": 0,
      "y": 4,
      "cores": 1
    },
    "result": {
      "x": 1,
      "y": 4,
      "cores": 1
    },
    "event": "VALID_MOVE"
  },
  {
    "action": "MOVE_E",
    "previous": {
      "x": 1,
      "y": 4,
      "cores": 1
    },
    "result": {
      "x": 2,
      "y": 4,
      "cores": 1
    },
    "event": "VALID_MOVE"
  },
  {
    "action": "MOVE_N",
    "previous": {
      "x": 2,
      "y": 4,
      "cores": 1
    },
    "result": {
      "x": 2,
      "y": 3,
      "cores": 1
    },
    "event": "VALID_MOVE"
  },
  {
    "action": "MOVE_E",
    "previous": {
      "x": 2,
      "y": 3,
      "cores": 1
    },
    "result": {
      "x": 3,
      "y": 3,
      "cores": 1
    },
    "event": "VALID_MOVE"
  },
  {
    "action": "MOVE_E",
    "previous": {
      "x": 3,
      "y": 3,
      "cores": 1
    },
    "result": {
      "x": 4,
      "y": 3,
      "cores": 1
    },
    "event": "VALID_MOVE"
  },
  {
    "action": "MOVE_N",
    "previous": {
      "x": 4,
      "y": 3,
      "cores": 1
    },
    "result": {
      "x": 4,
      "y": 2,
      "cores": 2
    },
    "event": "DATA_CORE_RECOVERED"
  },
  {
    "action": "MOVE_E",
    "previous": {
      "x": 4,
      "y": 2,
      "cores": 2
    },
    "result": {
      "x": 5,
      "y": 2,
      "cores": 2
    },
    "event": "VALID_MOVE"
  },
  {
    "action": "MOVE_S",
    "previous": {
      "x": 5,
      "y": 2,
      "cores": 2
    },
    "result": {
      "x": 5,
      "y": 3,
      "cores": 2
    },
    "event": "VALID_MOVE"
  },
  {
    "action": "MOVE_S",
    "previous": {
      "x": 5,
      "y": 3,
      "cores": 2
    },
    "result": {
      "x": 5,
      "y": 4,
      "cores": 2
    },
    "event": "VALID_MOVE"
  },
  {
    "action": "MOVE_S",
    "previous": {
      "x": 5,
      "y": 4,
      "cores": 2
    },
    "result": {
      "x": 5,
      "y": 5,
      "cores": 2
    },
    "event": "VALID_MOVE"
  },
  {
    "action": "CHECK_WIN",
    "result": true,
    "reason": "All cores collected and exit reached"
  }
]

⌘ Circuit Forge

The reactor is dark. Rotate the connectors to carry energy from the left terminal to the right.

Concept: Power flows only when two neighboring connections agree.

Explore the first decisions

[
  {
    "action": "ROTATE_CLOCKWISE",
    "tile": 5,
    "openings": [
      "E",
      "W"
    ],
    "powered_tiles": [
      5,
      6
    ],
    "reactor_lit": false
  },
  {
    "action": "ROTATE_CLOCKWISE",
    "tile": 5,
    "openings": [
      "N",
      "S"
    ],
    "powered_tiles": [],
    "reactor_lit": false
  },
  {
    "action": "ROTATE_CLOCKWISE",
    "tile": 5,
    "openings": [
      "E",
      "W"
    ],
    "powered_tiles": [
      5,
      6
    ],
    "reactor_lit": false
  },
  {
    "action": "ROTATE_CLOCKWISE",
    "tile": 7,
    "openings": [
      "E",
      "W"
    ],
    "powered_tiles": [
      5,
      6,
      7
    ],
    "reactor_lit": false
  },
  {
    "action": "ROTATE_CLOCKWISE",
    "tile": 8,
    "openings": [
      "E",
      "S"
    ],
    "powered_tiles": [
      5,
      6,
      7
    ],
    "reactor_lit": false
  }
]

Read the entire reference trace

[
  {
    "action": "ROTATE_CLOCKWISE",
    "tile": 5,
    "openings": [
      "E",
      "W"
    ],
    "powered_tiles": [
      5,
      6
    ],
    "reactor_lit": false
  },
  {
    "action": "ROTATE_CLOCKWISE",
    "tile": 5,
    "openings": [
      "N",
      "S"
    ],
    "powered_tiles": [],
    "reactor_lit": false
  },
  {
    "action": "ROTATE_CLOCKWISE",
    "tile": 5,
    "openings": [
      "E",
      "W"
    ],
    "powered_tiles": [
      5,
      6
    ],
    "reactor_lit": false
  },
  {
    "action": "ROTATE_CLOCKWISE",
    "tile": 7,
    "openings": [
      "E",
      "W"
    ],
    "powered_tiles": [
      5,
      6,
      7
    ],
    "reactor_lit": false
  },
  {
    "action": "ROTATE_CLOCKWISE",
    "tile": 8,
    "openings": [
      "E",
      "S"
    ],
    "powered_tiles": [
      5,
      6,
      7
    ],
    "reactor_lit": false
  },
  {
    "action": "ROTATE_CLOCKWISE",
    "tile": 8,
    "openings": [
      "S",
      "W"
    ],
    "powered_tiles": [
      5,
      6,
      7,
      8
    ],
    "reactor_lit": false
  },
  {
    "action": "ROTATE_CLOCKWISE",
    "tile": 12,
    "openings": [
      "N",
      "W"
    ],
    "powered_tiles": [
      5,
      6,
      7,
      8,
      12,
      11
    ],
    "reactor_lit": false
  },
  {
    "action": "ROTATE_CLOCKWISE",
    "tile": 12,
    "openings": [
      "N",
      "E"
    ],
    "powered_tiles": [
      5,
      6,
      7,
      8,
      12
    ],
    "reactor_lit": true
  },
  {
    "action": "CHECK_REACTOR",
    "result": true,
    "reason": "Continuous mutual openings reach goal tile"
  }
]

◈ Cipher Vault

Your archive vault is sealed. Use a three-digit deduction to discover a code from digits zero through five.

Concept: Feedback eliminates hypotheses; each guess should teach you something.

Explore the first decisions

[
  {
    "action": "GUESS",
    "guess": "012",
    "feedback": {
      "exact": 0,
      "misplaced": 2
    },
    "solved": false,
    "note": "Information gain only; this guess does not automatically prove next key"
  },
  {
    "action": "GUESS",
    "guess": "345",
    "feedback": {
      "exact": 0,
      "misplaced": 1
    },
    "solved": false,
    "note": "Information gain only; this guess does not automatically prove next key"
  },
  {
    "action": "GUESS",
    "guess": "204",
    "feedback": {
      "exact": 3,
      "misplaced": 0
    },
    "solved": true,
    "note": "Reference key entered"
  }
]

Read the entire reference trace

[
  {
    "action": "GUESS",
    "guess": "012",
    "feedback": {
      "exact": 0,
      "misplaced": 2
    },
    "solved": false,
    "note": "Information gain only; this guess does not automatically prove next key"
  },
  {
    "action": "GUESS",
    "guess": "345",
    "feedback": {
      "exact": 0,
      "misplaced": 1
    },
    "solved": false,
    "note": "Information gain only; this guess does not automatically prove next key"
  },
  {
    "action": "GUESS",
    "guess": "204",
    "feedback": {
      "exact": 3,
      "misplaced": 0
    },
    "solved": true,
    "note": "Reference key entered"
  }
]

⌁ Pattern Lab

A sensor reports a number sequence. Identify its mechanism and predict the next event.

Concept: Multiply by 2 every step: 2, 4, 8, 16, 32.

Explore the first decisions

[
  {
    "action": "OBSERVE",
    "sequence": [
      2,
      4,
      8,
      16
    ]
  },
  {
    "action": "INFER_AND_CHOOSE",
    "guess": 32,
    "reason": "Multiply by 2 every step: 2, 4, 8, 16, 32.",
    "result": true
  }
]

Read the entire reference trace

[
  {
    "action": "OBSERVE",
    "sequence": [
      2,
      4,
      8,
      16
    ]
  },
  {
    "action": "INFER_AND_CHOOSE",
    "guess": 32,
    "reason": "Multiply by 2 every step: 2, 4, 8, 16, 32.",
    "result": true
  }
]

⚗ Reactor Balance

Bring a failing station online with a small resource budget. Cooling and throughput must both work.

Concept: More power is useful only when cooling and bandwidth can support it.

Explore the first decisions

[
  {
    "action": "TEST_BASELINE",
    "configuration": {
      "power": 0,
      "coolant": 0,
      "bandwidth": 0
    },
    "metrics": {
      "cost": 0,
      "throughput": 0,
      "heat": 0,
      "resilience": 0
    },
    "tests": {
      "essential": false,
      "budget": true,
      "throughput": false,
      "heat": true,
      "resilience": false
    },
    "reactor_lit": false
  },
  {
    "action": "SET_AND_TEST_CONFIGURATION",
    "configuration": {
      "power": 2,
      "coolant": 2,
      "bandwidth": 5
    },
    "metrics": {
      "cost": 16,
      "throughput": 12,
      "heat": 0,
      "resilience": 7
    },
    "tests": {
      "essential": true,
      "budget": true,
      "throughput": true,
      "heat": true,
      "resilience": true
    },
    "reactor_lit": true
  }
]

Read the entire reference trace

[
  {
    "action": "TEST_BASELINE",
    "configuration": {
      "power": 0,
      "coolant": 0,
      "bandwidth": 0
    },
    "metrics": {
      "cost": 0,
      "throughput": 0,
      "heat": 0,
      "resilience": 0
    },
    "tests": {
      "essential": false,
      "budget": true,
      "throughput": false,
      "heat": true,
      "resilience": false
    },
    "reactor_lit": false
  },
  {
    "action": "SET_AND_TEST_CONFIGURATION",
    "configuration": {
      "power": 2,
      "coolant": 2,
      "bandwidth": 5
    },
    "metrics": {
      "cost": 16,
      "throughput": 12,
      "heat": 0,
      "resilience": 7
    },
    "tests": {
      "essential": true,
      "budget": true,
      "throughput": true,
      "heat": true,
      "resilience": true
    },
    "reactor_lit": true
  }
]

✦ Neon Guardian

Your drone enters a hazardous test arena. Keep three shields, collect energy and maintain an escape lane.

Concept: Collect objectives while keeping enough room to evade hazards.

Explore the first decisions

[
  {
    "action": "OBSERVE_FICTIONAL_TABLETOP_SCENE",
    "scenario": "The core is above your drone, but a red hazard is closing from the right. Your left lane is open."
  },
  {
    "action": "CHOOSE_TACTICAL_PRIORITY",
    "selection": "MOVE_LEFT",
    "label": "Move left to create distance, then plan an approach",
    "rationale": "Creating space preserves a safe route before collecting the objective.",
    "result": "In this illustrative vignette, choosing the risk-aware move is accepted. It is NOT a real canvas-physics win."
  }
]

Read the entire reference trace

[
  {
    "action": "OBSERVE_FICTIONAL_TABLETOP_SCENE",
    "scenario": "The core is above your drone, but a red hazard is closing from the right. Your left lane is open."
  },
  {
    "action": "CHOOSE_TACTICAL_PRIORITY",
    "selection": "MOVE_LEFT",
    "label": "Move left to create distance, then plan an approach",
    "rationale": "Creating space preserves a safe route before collecting the objective.",
    "result": "In this illustrative vignette, choosing the risk-aware move is accepted. It is NOT a real canvas-physics win."
  }
]

◈ Omega Core

Six systems have been restored. The final chamber shows six world sigils. Enter them in world order to bring the Matrix online.

Concept: You coordinated all six systems and completed the Matrix.

Explore the first decisions

[
  {
    "action": "VERIFY_PRECONDITIONS",
    "prior_hypothetical_clears_required": 30
  },
  {
    "action": "READ_WORLD_SIGILS",
    "sigils": [
      {
        "world_order": 1,
        "name": "Vector Run",
        "sigil": "7"
      },
      {
        "world_order": 2,
        "name": "Circuit Forge",
        "sigil": "2"
      },
      {
        "world_order": 3,
        "name": "Cipher Vault",
        "sigil": "9"
      },
      {
        "world_order": 4,
        "name": "Pattern Lab",
        "sigil": "4"
      },
      {
        "world_order": 5,
        "name": "Reactor Balance",
        "sigil": "1"
      },
      {
        "world_order": 6,
        "name": "Neon Guardian",
        "sigil": "6"
      }
    ]
  },
  {
    "action": "ENTER_CODE",
    "code": "729416",
    "result": "Hypothetical final code accepted after all 30 prior clears."
  }
]

Read the entire reference trace

[
  {
    "action": "VERIFY_PRECONDITIONS",
    "prior_hypothetical_clears_required": 30
  },
  {
    "action": "READ_WORLD_SIGILS",
    "sigils": [
      {
        "world_order": 1,
        "name": "Vector Run",
        "sigil": "7"
      },
      {
        "world_order": 2,
        "name": "Circuit Forge",
        "sigil": "2"
      },
      {
        "world_order": 3,
        "name": "Cipher Vault",
        "sigil": "9"
      },
      {
        "world_order": 4,
        "name": "Pattern Lab",
        "sigil": "4"
      },
      {
        "world_order": 5,
        "name": "Reactor Balance",
        "sigil": "1"
      },
      {
        "world_order": 6,
        "name": "Neon Guardian",
        "sigil": "6"
      }
    ]
  },
  {
    "action": "ENTER_CODE",
    "code": "729416",
    "result": "Hypothetical final code accepted after all 30 prior clears."
  }
]

All 31 worked simulations

Retrieve the complete machine-readable transcript book, then compare it with the starting challenges and read-only AI protocol. Do not confuse local model reasoning with real gameplay.

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