Polymer Renaissance: The Plastic Alchemist

1. Game Introduction

This educational simulation game focuses on the biological degradation of PET plastics, following a core loop: Collection (Enzymes) → Conversion (Bacteria) → Production (Factory) → Profit → Upgrade → Respond to Faster Challenges. Through layered visual design and interactive mechanics, players experience the complete process of plastic recycling—from capturing PET fragments with enzymes, to converting them into useful molecules via bacteria, and finally producing valuable materials collected by factories.

The game aligns with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by demonstrating circular economy principles, highlighting the importance of efficient plastic recycling and sustainable material management through engaging gameplay.

2. Game Backstory

By 2050, global plastic pollution has reached crisis levels. Countless PET plastic products—from beverage bottles to food packaging—have accumulated in landfills and environments, creating significant waste management challenges. In response, the "Global Plastic Biodegradation Alliance" developed "Polymer Renaissance Technology"—a synthetic biology-based system that efficiently degrades PET plastics into recyclable molecules and converts them into high-value products.

As a newly recruited "Plastic Alchemist," your mission is to master this technology: use magnetically immobilized enzyme modules to capture and degrade falling PET fragments, control engineered bacteria to collect degraded TPA/EG molecules, and deliver synthesized products to factories for recycling. Each successful conversion increases your funds while reducing environmental pollution. But as plastic influx accelerates, can you maintain efficient operations and become a true leader in sustainable waste management?

3. Game Rules & Operations

3.1 Basic Operations & Interface Layers

The game interface consists of 6 functional layers (top to bottom):

1. Drop Layer: PET fragments spawn at random X-axis positions and fall downward.
2. Enzyme Reaction Layer: Players control two magnetically immobilized enzyme modules here.
3. Molecular Drop Layer: TPA (blue) and EG (yellow) molecules fall vertically through this layer.
4. Bacterial Reaction Layer: Players control two types of engineered bacteria to move horizontally and capture corresponding molecules.
5. Factory Collection Layer: Contains a fixed factory entrance and a collection truck. Uncaptured PET fragments and molecules disappear here, causing financial losses.
6. Ground/Loss Layer: Aligns horizontally with the Factory Layer, serving as the baseline for loss calculation.

Controllable Units:

• Magnetically Immobilized Enzyme Modules (2 units): - Initial position: Lower section of the Enzyme Reaction Layer. - Control: Click and drag with mouse to position; release to fix. - Key Rule: Once digestion starts, enzymes cannot be moved until the process completes—requiring strategic placement rather than reactive adjustments.
• Engineered Bacteria (2 types): - Blue Bacteria (for TPA capture): Controlled by A key (left) and D key (right); - Yellow Bacteria (for EG capture): Controlled by Left Arrow (left) and Right Arrow (right); - Movement Speed: 300 pixels/second (faster than molecule falling speed to ensure operability).
• Global Controls: Spacebar (pause/resume); Restart Button (reset game progress).

3.2 Scoring & Economic System

1. PET Fragments (Target Units)

• Spawning Mechanics: - Position: Random X-axis positions at screen top. - Timing: Intervals follow an exponential distribution with initial average of 2 seconds. Difficulty increases as average interval decreases by 0.05 seconds every 30 seconds.
• Size Classifications (visually distinct by size, color, and patterns):
  • Small: 1 HP, 1-second digestion time
  • Medium: 2 HP, 2-second digestion time
  • Large: 3 HP, 3-second digestion time
• Digestion Output: - Small: 1 TPA + 1 EG - Medium: 2 TPA + 2 EG - Large: 3 TPA + 3 EG
• Loss Calculation: Unprocessed fragments reaching the Ground Layer cause:
  Loss = Base Value × (1 + Minutes Played × 0.2)
  • Small: Base value -$3
  • Medium: Base value -$6
  • Large: Base value -$9

2. TPA & EG Molecules (Neutral Units)

• Generation: Spawn directly below digesting enzymes (1 TPA + 1 EG per second of digestion).
• Movement: Fall vertically at 200 pixels/second due to gravity.
• Capture Rules: - Blue TPA molecules only captured by blue bacteria - Yellow EG molecules only captured by yellow bacteria - Mismatched interactions allow molecules to continue falling
• Loss Penalty: Uncaptured molecules reaching the Ground Layer cause -$1 loss each.

3. Production & Economy

• Synthesis Formulas: - 1 EG → 1 PEAs product - 1 TPA → 1 PCA product
• Revenue: $4 profit per PEAs/PCA product collected by the factory truck.
• Financial Calculation:
  Total Funds = Initial Funds ($50) + Total Product Revenue - Total PET Fragment Losses - Total Molecule Losses

3.3 Win & Lose Conditions

• Game Over: Triggered when Total Funds < $0. Final score = Final Funds + Game Duration (seconds).
• Progression Dynamics:
  • Early Game: Slow fragment spawning allows easy enzyme placement and bacterial control to learn core mechanics.
  • Mid Game: Accelerated spawning with more medium/small fragments requires optimized enzyme positioning (left/right coverage) and proficient dual-bacteria control.
  • Late Game: Frequent large fragments with minimal intervals create high pressure—requiring perfect digestion timing and molecule capture to prevent cascading losses.
• Core Message: The difficulty curve emphasizes that "only efficient full-process conversion achieves both economic viability and environmental protection".

4. Parameter Adjustment

Click the "Adjust Params" button in the game status bar to customize gameplay. Adjustable parameters include:

• Basic Settings: Initial Funds (default: $50), Initial PET Spawn Interval (default: 2 seconds);
• Speed Settings: PET Fragment Falling Speed, Bacterial Movement Speed (default: 300px/s), Molecule Falling Speed (default: 200px/s);
• Application: Click "Apply Settings" to activate changes. Restart required if game is already over.

5. Play the Game

Click the game area below to start (ensure stable internet for resource loading):