neural-nexus-claude-project/knowledge-base/game-design/scoring-system.md

Scoring System - Neural Nexus

Overview

The Neural Nexus scoring system is designed to reward both speed and accuracy while providing clear progression feedback to players. The system balances immediate gratification with long-term engagement.

Core Scoring Components

1. Base Level Score

Formula: 100 points × level number

Rationale:

• Provides increasing rewards for higher levels
• Simple calculation that players can understand
• Scales with difficulty progression
• Encourages continued play to reach higher levels

Examples:

• Level 1 completion: 100 points
• Level 5 completion: 500 points
• Level 10 completion: 1,000 points
• Level 25 completion: 2,500 points

2. Time Bonus

Formula: 10 points × seconds remaining

Rationale:

• Rewards efficient play without penalizing thoughtful players
• Creates tension between speed and accuracy
• Provides variable reward based on performance
• Encourages replay to improve times

Implementation:

function calculateTimeBonus(timeLeft) {
  return timeLeft * 10;
}

// Example: Complete level with 15 seconds remaining = 150 bonus points

Time Allocation by Level:

• Levels 1-3: 60 seconds (generous learning time)
• Levels 4-6: 58 seconds (slight pressure)
• Levels 7-9: 56 seconds (building urgency)
• Levels 10+: Decreasing by 2 seconds every 3 levels (minimum 45 seconds)

3. Accuracy Multiplier (Future Feature)

Planned Formula: 1.0x - 2.0x based on mistakes

Design Concept:

• Perfect completion (no invalid connections): 2.0x multiplier
• 1-2 mistakes: 1.5x multiplier
• 3-4 mistakes: 1.2x multiplier
• 5+ mistakes: 1.0x multiplier (base score)

Scoring Psychology

Immediate Feedback

Visual Score Updates:

• Points appear immediately upon level completion
• Animated number counting creates satisfaction
• Color coding indicates performance level
• Sound effects reinforce positive achievements

Score Breakdown Display:

Level Complete!
Base Score: 500 points (Level 5)
Time Bonus: 180 points (18 seconds)
Total: 680 points

Progress Indicators

Cumulative Score Tracking:

• Total score displayed prominently during gameplay
• Score history maintained in local storage (future)
• Personal best tracking for each level (future)
• Global leaderboards consideration (far future)

Technical Implementation

Score Calculation Function

function calculateLevelScore(level, timeLeft, mistakes = 0) {
  const baseScore = 100 * level;
  const timeBonus = timeLeft * 10;
  const accuracyMultiplier = calculateAccuracyMultiplier(mistakes);
  
  const totalScore = Math.floor((baseScore + timeBonus) * accuracyMultiplier);
  
  return {
    baseScore,
    timeBonus,
    accuracyMultiplier,
    totalScore
  };
}

Score Update Animation

function animateScoreUpdate(newScore, oldScore) {
  const scoreDifference = newScore - oldScore;
  const duration = 1000; // 1 second
  const startTime = Date.now();
  
  function updateDisplay() {
    const elapsed = Date.now() - startTime;
    const progress = Math.min(elapsed / duration, 1);
    
    // Ease-out animation curve
    const easedProgress = 1 - Math.pow(1 - progress, 3);
    const currentScore = Math.floor(oldScore + (scoreDifference * easedProgress));
    
    document.getElementById('score').textContent = currentScore;
    
    if (progress < 1) {
      requestAnimationFrame(updateDisplay);
    }
  }
  
  updateDisplay();
}

Balancing Considerations

Preventing Score Inflation

Design Safeguards:

• Time limits prevent excessive farming
• Increasing difficulty maintains challenge
• Score scaling ensures later levels are more rewarding
• No score for incomplete levels

Encouraging Healthy Play Patterns

Positive Behaviors Rewarded:

• Completing levels efficiently (time bonus)
• Progressing to harder content (base score scaling)
• Maintaining accuracy (future multiplier system)

Avoiding Negative Patterns:

• No penalty for taking time to think
• No score reduction for failed attempts
• Restart without penalty encourages experimentation

Future Enhancements

Achievement Integration

Score-Based Achievements:

• "High Scorer": Reach 10,000 total points
• "Speed Demon": Earn 500+ time bonus in single level
• "Perfectionist": Complete 10 levels with perfect accuracy
• "Marathon Runner": Reach level 50

Daily Challenges

Special Scoring Modes:

• Speed run mode: Maximum time bonus
• Accuracy mode: Perfect connections required
• Endurance mode: Consecutive level completion
• Efficiency mode: Minimum connection path scoring

Leaderboards

Competition Features:

• Daily high scores
• Weekly challenges
• Global rankings
• Friend comparisons

Last Updated: June 2025 Next Review: Monthly with user feedback analysis