Axon Signals

🧠 Axon Signals

Theme: Signal

> Think fast. Send the signal. Save your brain.

---

🎮 What is Axon Signals?

Axon Signals is a puzzle/strategy game inspired by how real neurons transmit signals.

Your goal is simple:

👉 Design the optimal neural pathway so a signal can reach the brain in time.

But there's a catch:

- Signals fade over distance
- Nodes of Ranvier regenerate the signal (but cost ATP ⚡)
- Myelin protects and preserves the signal
- Too many nodes → energy failure
- Too few nodes → signal dies

Find the balance. Save the reaction.

---

🧩 Gameplay

Each level is a real-life situation where your brain must react quickly:

- 🍦 Hear the ice cream truck before it drives away
- 🔥 Pull your hand away from a hot pan
- 🦶 Avoid stepping on a nail
- ⚾ React to a fast baseball
- 🤢 Smell spoiled food before it’s too late

You choose and configure neural paths:

- Optimize myelin coverage
- Balance node spacing
- Manage signal strength and ATP

Then press:

👉 Send Signal

…and watch the wave travel across your neuron.

---

🧠 Inspired by Real Neuroscience

This game is based on saltatory conduction:

- Signals travel quickly through myelinated axons
- They are regenerated at nodes of Ranvier
- Energy (ATP) is required to restore ion balance

💡 The game simplifies the science to make it fun — but stays conceptually accurate.

---

✨ Features

- ⚡ Signal propagation simulation
- 🧠 Strategy-based path optimization
- 🎯 Multiple paths per level
- 📊 Strength & ATP resource management
- 🎨 Sci-fi bio-electric visual style
- 🎓 Optional learning mode ("Did you know?" facts)
- 🎬 Final cinematic ending with a fully activated brain

---

🧪 Tech & Tools

🧩 Built with Clayground Web Dojo

This game runs entirely in the browser using:

👉 Clayground Web Dojo (Qt/QML in the browser)

- Real-time iteration
- Declarative UI
- Smooth animations
- Rapid prototyping during the jam

---

🧬 3D Assets with QtMesh Cloud

3D elements (like neurons, ions, and brain visualization) were:

- Processed using QtMeshEditor
- Validated using QtMesh Cloud

👉 This allowed fast iteration and reliable asset integration during the jam.

---

🎧 Audio

- Procedural and lightweight sci-fi sound effects
- Ambient background to match the neural theme

---

🎯 Controls

- Click segments to toggle myelin
- Select a path
- Press Send Signal
- Optimize until the brain activates

---

🏁 Goal

Reach the brain with enough signal strength before it's too late.

---

💡 Why this game?

The Ludum Dare theme "Signal" inspired us to explore:

👉 *What if the signal is inside you?*

Instead of radios or antennas, we focused on:

- biological signals
- decision-making under pressure
- invisible systems that keep us alive

---

🚀 Final Thoughts

This project was built during Ludum Dare with a focus on:

- clarity
- originality
- and making science feel fun

---

🧠 *Your brain is counting on you.*

🧬 QtMesh Cloud Analysis

3D assets used in this project were validated with QtMesh Cloud.

👉 View full report: