Network / Infrastructure

Ludic Organisational Structure · III – Spatial Order space · Tipping potential: high

Network/Infrastructure orders through connectivity: a node’s value rises with the number of its connections. The system rewards foresight and investment in infrastructure.

Design question – How are places connected in your game – and what does it mean when a network grows?

Reference example – Ticket to Ride: connected routes fulfil tickets; the longest continuous route earns bonus points. Brass: canals and railways score according to the towns they connect. Mini Metro: every new line has to relieve the growing network, or it grinds to a halt.

Ordering domain

Orders space through connectivity: node value rises with the number of connections.

Emergent behaviour

Network effects (critical mass), hub formation (central junctions) and strategic bottlenecks at connection points.

Core Mechanisms

• Construction (MEC-05) – Build connections/nodes.
• Transit (MEC-12) – Movement/transport along the network.
• Proximity (MEC-13) – Connection proximity as a system resource.

Dynamic Mechanisms

• Accumulation (MEC-02) – The network grows, value rises with size.
• Scoring (MEC-09) – Scoring of the network structure.
• Selection (MEC-07) – which connection to build?
• Investment (MEC-21) – Upfront outlay for future network value.

Feedback architecture

• positive – Network effect: more connections → higher value → more worthwhile investment → more connections. (Investment)
• negative – Cost pressure: rising costs with distance, competition for junctions. (Construction)

Design parameters

• Network type – linear (chain) ↔ free (mesh)
• Build cost – constant ↔ rising with distance
• Exclusivity – shareable ↔ exclusive
• Destructibility – permanent ↔ attackable/blockable
• Network effect – weak (linear) ↔ strong (exponential)

Risk profile

• Runaway leader – high
• Kingmaking – medium
• Stagnation – medium
• Complexity ceiling – medium

Compatible with

• Market (ST-01) – Compatible: trade routes.
• Production Chain (ST-03) – Compatible: supply chains.
• Territory (ST-08) – Compatible: the network connects territories.

Tension with

• Combat System (ST-11) – Tension: networks can be destroyed.