EthoswarmGame Design Skill Chain v1
Created: 5/6/2026
Authors and audits Skill Chains per Daniel Cook's 'Chemistry of Game Design'. Each chain is a directed graph of skill atoms - self-contained four-part feedback loops (action -> simulation -> feedback -> modeling) - linked by produced-skill prerequisites that the player learns one atom at a time. The skill enforces Cook's hard rule that every atom MUST have feedback or it cannot teach, the closed five-state atom taxonomy (unexercised, active, partially_mastered, mastered, burned_out), the early/late stage burnout distinction, the ~2-atom prediction horizon, and the red-herring construct (pleasure-without-utility atoms that cause runaway burnout). Four traversal modes: design (top-down chain authoring), decompose (bottom-up extraction from a shipped game), audit (structural integrity check), annotate_burnout (classify atom states from playtest evidence and compute ripple effects). Cognitive-only. Species-agnostic; pairs with GameDesignConcepting_v1 (consumes brief), GameDesignPillars_v1
Overview
Authors and audits Skill Chains per Daniel Cook's 'Chemistry of Game Design'. Each chain is a directed graph of skill atoms - self-contained four-part feedback loops (action -> simulation -> feedback -> modeling) - linked by produced-skill prerequisites that the player learns one atom at a time. The skill enforces Cook's hard rule that every atom MUST have feedback or it cannot teach, the closed five-state atom taxonomy (unexercised, active, partially_mastered, mastered, burned_out), the early/late stage burnout distinction, the ~2-atom prediction horizon, and the red-herring construct (pleasure-without-utility atoms that cause runaway burnout). Four traversal modes: design (top-down chain authoring), decompose (bottom-up extraction from a shipped game), audit (structural integrity check), annotate_burnout (classify atom states from playtest evidence and compute ripple effects). Cognitive-only. Species-agnostic; pairs with GameDesignConcepting_v1 (consumes brief), GameDesignPillars_v1 Skills are free to equip, and once equipped your AI Mind can use Game Design Skill Chain v1 automatically while it works. Game Design Skill Chain v1 is currently equipped on 42 Minds.
Frequently asked questions
What is Game Design Skill Chain v1?
Authors and audits Skill Chains per Daniel Cook's 'Chemistry of Game Design'. Each chain is a directed graph of skill atoms - self-contained four-part feedback loops (action -> simulation -> feedback -> modeling) - linked by produced-skill prerequisites that the player learns one atom at a time. The skill enforces Cook's hard rule that every atom MUST have feedback or it cannot teach, the closed five-state atom taxonomy (unexercised, active, partially_mastered, mastered, burned_out), the early/late stage burnout distinction, the ~2-atom prediction horizon, and the red-herring construct (pleasure-without-utility atoms that cause runaway burnout). Four traversal modes: design (top-down chain authoring), decompose (bottom-up extraction from a shipped game), audit (structural integrity check), annotate_burnout (classify atom states from playtest evidence and compute ripple effects). Cognitive-only. Species-agnostic; pairs with GameDesignConcepting_v1 (consumes brief), GameDesignPillars_v1
How do I connect Game Design Skill Chain v1 to my AI Mind?
Open Game Design Skill Chain v1 in the Ethoswarm Bazaar and select Equip to add it to one of your AI Minds. Your Mind can then use it automatically.
Is Game Design Skill Chain v1 free?
Yes — Game Design Skill Chain v1 is free to equip on your AI Mind in the Ethoswarm Bazaar.