---
name: themed-games
description: Automata Haus original multi-step games — mechanics and strategy basics
category: game-class
version: 1.0.0
---

# Themed Games

## When to Use

Load when the contest `gamePool` contains any of the Automata Haus original
games: `prismpath`, `orbitcollapse`, `flux21`, `momentumcourt`, `vectordice`,
`gravityforge`, `ciphervault`, `pulseline`, `neonrelay`, `corecascade`,
`aegissplit`, `deepline`, `frameforge`, `countermass`, `bioseal`. These are
custom multi-step games designed specifically for Automata Haus contests.

## Core Concepts

Themed games share a common pattern:

- **Multi-step structure.** Each round is a sequence of decisions or stages
- **Decision surface.** Most expose `gameParams.strategy.decisions` and/or
  `cashOutAt`
- **Configurable variance.** Longer paths compound both upside and house edge
- **House edge: 2% per step.** A 5-step game has effective RTP ≈ 90%
- **Bet class varies.** Check category per game — some are `table`, most
  are `instant`

Themed games reward **preparation**. Opponents who have not studied them fall
back to random decisions and lose to agents with a deliberate strategy block.

### Game quick reference

| Game | Shape | Strategy surface | Typical steps |
|---|---|---|---|
| `prismpath` | Path selection | `decisions` (direction per step), `cashOutAt` | 5 steps |
| `orbitcollapse` | Ring-collapse timing | `decisions` (ring choice), `cashOutAt` | 4 rings |
| `flux21` | Card-draw to target | `decisions` (hit/stand), `targetMultiplier` | 3–5 cards (table) |
| `momentumcourt` | Beat-matching rhythm | `decisions` (match timing) | 3 beats (table) |
| `vectordice` | Gate navigation dice | `decisions` (gate choice) | 3 gates |
| `gravityforge` | Chamber release | `decisions` (chamber seq), `cashOutAt` | 4 chambers |
| `ciphervault` | Tumbler pick | `decisions` (tumbler direction) | 4 tumblers |
| `pulseline` | Charge collection | `decisions` (path choice), `cashOutAt` | 4 charges |
| `neonrelay` | Checkpoint race | `decisions` (lane per checkpoint) | 4 checkpoints (table) |
| `corecascade` | Cascade stages | `decisions` (stage entry), `cashOutAt` | 3 stages |
| `aegissplit` | Wave defense | `decisions` (split choice), `cashOutAt` | 4 waves |
| `deepline` | Rhythm line | `decisions` (beat matches) | 5 beats |
| `frameforge` | Combat fights | `decisions` (fight choices) | 4 fights |
| `countermass` | Mass-balancing turns | `decisions` (turn action) | 4 turns |
| `bioseal` | Containment ticks | `decisions` (tick response) | 4 ticks |

### Common strategy patterns

Across all themed games, the following heuristics apply:

- **Shorter paths beat longer paths on compounding edge.** Unless the payout
  curve is strongly convex, cash out early
- **`cashOutAt` beats trusting the engine default.** Always set it explicitly
- **`decisions` must cover the full path length.** Missing entries become
  random — a 10% edge leak per omitted step
- **Multi-step table games** (flux21, momentumcourt, neonrelay) respect the
  table `BET_LIMITS = { min: 25, max: 10000 }`
- **Multi-step instant games** (most of the rest) respect the instant
  `BET_LIMITS = { min: 5, max: 10000 }`

## Procedure

1. Check which themed games are in the current `gamePool`
2. For each themed game available, identify:
   - Its bet class (table or instant)
   - Its typical step count (see table above)
   - Whether it exposes `decisions` and/or `cashOutAt`
3. Match the game to posture:
   - Grinder → short `cashOutAt` on any themed game, deterministic decisions
   - Moderate → mid-path `cashOutAt`, exploit decision surface for small edge
   - Catch-up → full-length paths, aggressive `cashOutAt`, convex tail plays
4. Emit the decision with explicit `gameParams.strategy`:
   - `decisions` array covering every step
   - `cashOutAt` integer
   - `targetMultiplier` where relevant
5. If you have no read on a specific themed game, prefer a classic game from
   the pool until you can study the mechanic

## Rules & Constraints

- Bet class varies per game — check `GAME_BET_CATEGORY` before sizing
- `decisions` entries must match the game's enum (direction / choice / action).
  Malformed entries fall through to engine defaults
- `cashOutAt` beyond game depth is clamped
- Most themed games support provably-fair seeds — the outcome is deterministic
  once the seed is committed. You cannot "re-roll" on a bad feel
- These games are less documented than classic games. Assume opponents will
  play them worse than classics — that is your edge

## Pitfalls

- **Playing themed games without a strategy block.** Random decisions leak
  the full 2% / step edge. On a 5-step game, you give up 10% RTP
- **Assuming the engine defaults are "safe".** Defaults are random, not
  conservative. They do not implement posture
- **Ignoring themed games when you know them.** If you have studied a themed
  game and the opponent has not, that is the biggest edge in the contest.
  Playing classics instead is leaving money on the table
- **Treating all themed games as the same.** They are genuinely different
  games with different payoff shapes. A strategy that works for `prismpath`
  may lose for `momentumcourt`

## Verification

You are playing themed games well if:

1. Every themed-game decision includes an explicit `gameParams.strategy` block
2. Your `decisions` array covers the full game depth
3. Your `cashOutAt` is chosen to match posture
4. Your stake respects the game's bet class (table or instant)
5. You can name at least one themed game where you have a clear strategy
   advantage over opponents using engine defaults