{"schemaVersion":1,"record":{"key":"mechanic/activity-simulators--t137","type":"mechanic","id":"activity-simulators--t137","lang":"en","title":"Scientific experiments and instruments","summary":"An experiment changes a selected variable, measures results and compares them with expectations while preserving test conditions.","updatedAt":"2026-10-22","status":"active","url":"https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/activity-simulators--t137/","jsonUrl":"https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/activity-simulators--t137.json","markdownUrl":"https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/activity-simulators--t137.md","aliases":["Experiments and scientific instruments"],"tags":["Activity and profession simulators","Mechanics and variants"],"sourceIds":["source-3817d420df0baa92","source-ef0022dff522a76d"],"sources":[{"id":"source-3817d420df0baa92","title":"Robert Nystrom: State","url":"https://github.com/munificent/game-programming-patterns/blob/master/book/state.markdown","verifiedAt":null},{"id":"source-ef0022dff522a76d","title":"In Other Waters","url":"https://store.steampowered.com/app/890720/","verifiedAt":null}],"sections":[{"id":"principle","title":"How it works","body":"An experiment changes a selected variable, measures results and compares them with expectations while preserving test conditions."},{"id":"variants","title":"Variants","body":"### Mechanic variants\n\n<a id=\"t137-variants\"></a>\n\n- Controls keep other conditions unchanged. <a id=\"t137-v1\"></a>\n- Instruments have stated precision and range. <a id=\"t137-v2\"></a>\n- Repetition separates stable links from chance outcomes. <a id=\"t137-v3\"></a>\n- Protocols preserve settings and observations. <a id=\"t137-v4\"></a>"},{"id":"example","title":"Design example","body":"A player changes one reagent and compares two identically configured fictional sensors.\n\nPrototype check: Test reproducing an experiment from its log and distinguishing an assumption from an observed game result."},{"id":"context","title":"Context and limits","body":"Activity simulators turn observation, operation sequences and limited tools into a testable work task. Each overview separates player actions, state changes and alternative rules. Examples are hypothetical design scenarios, not claims about a named game. A prototype check states an observable question for the next iteration. Existing detailed references remain separately linked from the direction map."}],"relations":[{"type":"uses","direction":"outgoing","label":"Sources in the selection","key":"resource/state-pattern","title":"State: Game Programming Patterns","url":"https://gamemechanics.pro/en/resources/#resource-state-pattern","jsonUrl":"https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/resource/state-pattern.json","markdownUrl":"https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/resource/state-pattern.md"}],"placements":[{"catalogId":"activity-simulators","id":"t137","title":"Activity and profession simulators","url":"https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/activity-simulators/#t137","categoryIds":["mechanics"]}],"supersededBy":[],"attributes":{"preview":{"updatedAt":"2026-10-22","title":"Experiments and scientific instruments","description":"An experiment changes a selected variable, measures results and compares them with expectations while preserving test conditions.","image":{"src":"images/mechanics/strategy-in-other-waters-05.webp","width":1440,"height":810,"game":"In Other Waters","sourceUrl":"https://store.steampowered.com/app/890720/","originalUrl":"https://shared.akamai.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/890720/ss_2d54e423db28949853e52bf48f49811248f9800b.1920x1080.jpg?t=1780960958","credit":"Jump Over The Age / Fellow Traveller","rights":"© Jump Over The Age / Fellow Traveller. All rights reserved.","caption":"The laboratory analyzes a collected biological sample","alt":"The laboratory analyzes a collected biological sample","markers":[{"x":44,"y":51,"label":"Analysis complete: the species entry is updated"},{"x":56,"y":35,"label":"Samples are stored in the base’s slots"}]},"tips":["Preserve the link between sample, chosen procedure and resulting observation."],"examples":[{"title":"In Other Waters","url":"https://store.steampowered.com/app/890720/"}]}},"endsAt":null,"provenance":"Original bilingual editorial overviews authored for gamemechanics.pro on 2026-10-20 and reviewed on 2026-10-21. Scenarios are hypothetical design examples; prototype checks describe work to perform, not completed playtests. Primary sources support the stated techniques and implementation context, not every proposed variant.","license":"CC-BY-4.0","codeLicense":"MIT","attribution":"gamemechanics.pro contributors","catalogKey":"catalog/activity-simulators"}}