Signal Weave
> *Route the noise. Find the signal.*
A node-based idle puzzle game about building signal networks. Connect sources to outputs, mix colors, upgrade signals, and watch your operation grow from a single wire to a sprawling machine.
Bigger game demo with more mechanics, better visuals and over an hour of content
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1. Click a source (colored circle) to select it, then click a relay or output to link them with a wire
2. Signals flow automatically — sources emit colored pulses, relays pass them along
3. Output nodes absorb signals of their matching color and earn you money
4. Use money to expand your build radius and buy new relay nodes
5. Route signals through upgrade nodes to level them up and multiply their value
6. Mix two primary colors through the same relay to produce secondary colors worth far more
Controls
- `Click node` — select & start linking
- `Click target` — complete the link
- `RMB / Esc` — cancel
- `B` — buy relay node
- `E` — expand radius
- `F` — fullscreen
- `Scroll` — zoom | `Drag` — pan
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Your goal is to route signals from sources into black holes, earn money, expand your map, and collect the required resources shown in the UI.
- Sources are the colored dots with particles coming out of them. They generate signals.
- Star nodes are normal transmitter-relays. They do not change signal level. They only pass signals along. Can blend signals.
- Arrow nodes are upgrade nodes. They only upgrade a signal one level, and only if the node matches that signal’s current level.
- Black holes are the black circles with colored outlines. They consume incoming signals and reward you with money.
- Signals can have different levels.
- The number shown on a signal is its current level.
- Higher level signals are worth much more than lower level signals.
Arrow nodes are labeled with upgrades like: `1->2`
Each arrow node upgrades a signal by exactly one level.
Examples:
- A `1->2` node upgrades a level 1 signal into level 2.
- A `3->4` node upgrades a level 3 signal into level 4.
An upgrade node only works on the exact level shown.
A `2->3` node will not upgrade level 1 or level 3 signals.
- Send signals into black holes to earn money.
- Higher level signals score much more.
- Use money to expand your building circle (map).
- Use money to buy nodes (relays).
To win, you must reach the required amount of every resource listed in the UI.
- Plan upgrade chains carefully, because signals only level up one step at a time.
- Higher level signals are much more valuable.
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*Made for Ludum Dare. Built in TypeScript, runs in the browser, no install needed.*
A node-based idle puzzle game about building signal networks. Connect sources to outputs, mix colors, upgrade signals, and watch your operation grow from a single wire to a sprawling machine.
Bigger game demo with more mechanics, better visuals and over an hour of content
---
---
How to Play
1. Click a source (colored circle) to select it, then click a relay or output to link them with a wire
2. Signals flow automatically — sources emit colored pulses, relays pass them along
3. Output nodes absorb signals of their matching color and earn you money
4. Use money to expand your build radius and buy new relay nodes
5. Route signals through upgrade nodes to level them up and multiply their value
6. Mix two primary colors through the same relay to produce secondary colors worth far more
Controls
- `Click node` — select & start linking
- `Click target` — complete the link
- `RMB / Esc` — cancel
- `B` — buy relay node
- `E` — expand radius
- `F` — fullscreen
- `Scroll` — zoom | `Drag` — pan
---
Gameplay Description
Your goal is to route signals from sources into black holes, earn money, expand your map, and collect the required resources shown in the UI.
Nodes
- Sources are the colored dots with particles coming out of them. They generate signals.
- Star nodes are normal transmitter-relays. They do not change signal level. They only pass signals along. Can blend signals.
- Arrow nodes are upgrade nodes. They only upgrade a signal one level, and only if the node matches that signal’s current level.
- Black holes are the black circles with colored outlines. They consume incoming signals and reward you with money.
Signal Levels
- Signals can have different levels.
- The number shown on a signal is its current level.
- Higher level signals are worth much more than lower level signals.
Upgrading Signals
Arrow nodes are labeled with upgrades like: `1->2`
Each arrow node upgrades a signal by exactly one level.
Examples:
- A `1->2` node upgrades a level 1 signal into level 2.
- A `3->4` node upgrades a level 3 signal into level 4.
An upgrade node only works on the exact level shown.
A `2->3` node will not upgrade level 1 or level 3 signals.
Scoring
- Send signals into black holes to earn money.
- Higher level signals score much more.
- Use money to expand your building circle (map).
- Use money to buy nodes (relays).
Winning
To win, you must reach the required amount of every resource listed in the UI.
Tips
- Plan upgrade chains carefully, because signals only level up one step at a time.
- Higher level signals are much more valuable.
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*Made for Ludum Dare. Built in TypeScript, runs in the browser, no install needed.*
Comments67
I didn't get the message "wrong input" though.
The game works great, you have really good feedback which made understanding the game so simple. When i realised you combine the color i got so nice AHAA moment. The level layout is nicely done which makes you think.
Exapanding the concept would be so nice so you can have crossings etc. Its like minimetro but more relaxing without pressure.
Really satisfying to get production chains set up across the system. Great stuff!
It took me an embarrassingly long time to realise I needed to mix colours (I just kept expanding expecting to be given a green / purple / orange source lol). So in that regard I would have preferred that info to also be in UI, but thankfully I went back and checked the description after 25 mins.
Nonetheless it's a great, fun experience. Thanks
I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if this game ends up getting very high ratings, or even winning. Everything feels thoughtfully crafted, especially from a game design perspective. It’s clear, readable, and intuitive — you immediately understand what to do and how to do it.
Overall, great job — I really enjoyed it!
This game is one of my favourites.
This game is one of my favourites.
You’ve built a solid foundation for further development.
If you continue working on it, it would be cool to add more challenges—like breakdowns at stations or something similar—because at some point, there’s nothing left to do except wait for the progress bars to fill.
You’ve built a solid foundation for further development.
If you continue working on it, it would be cool to add more challenges—like breakdowns at stations or something similar—because at some point, there’s nothing left to do except wait for the progress bars to fill.
@phasmantic @pipetto @bananplyte @xientra @xientra @theoratkin @oleksandr-marynenko @evgenii-petrov @jhax @fifut @nbumgardner @zedgame @kamikazeessj13 @indiepanda @recursor @janku @tetracold @crispypear @senior-sigan @tykki19 @robotchimp @thormoth @anatei @prunus-padis @telkan @flowerfield-games
Nice and polished entry 😎
The turrets and asteroids change the game balance a lot and will take some getting used to for me. I probably need upgrades in order to consistently defend a single crossing line with a red-1 turret.
Also as a heads up, the fullscreen web build has a few bugs when you have time:
1. The Controls menu overlaps the top-right corner 'x' and cog, so the only way I found for backing out was by pressing Esc which also leaves the fullscreen.
2. The Upgrades menu's tooltips for unpurchased upgrades overlaps `1star(`. Maybe add width for the star to fix it.
Excellent work -- well done!
I think that kind of incremental game could warrant Steam entry for a right price. Just make loads of upgrades and things to achieve so player doesn't run out of things to grind for... And slowly drop in some new mechanics along the way.