Gameplay Guide

Relevant source files

The following files were used as context for generating this wiki page:

• USER_GUIDE.md
• app/js/console.js
• app/js/tutorial.js
• index.html
• src/renderer/save-manager.js
• src/data-validator.js

Skid-Inc is a hacking-themed idle game where players interact with the game primarily through a terminal interface. The core objective is to progress by executing scripts, earning resources like money and experience, and purchasing upgrades to enhance efficiency. The gameplay revolves around a command-line system, where players type commands to perform actions, manage resources, and advance through levels.

The game begins with a tutorial that introduces basic commands and mechanics. As players progress, they unlock more complex features such as automated scripts, server upgrades for multiplier boosts, a battery micro-management system, and a prestige mechanic involving "botnets" for long-term gains. All player progress is stored in a structured game state object, which is periodically saved.

The Terminal Interface

The entire game is presented within a simulated terminal. This interface is divided into two main areas: the logs and the input.

• Logs (#logs): This is the main display area where all command outputs, game events, and tutorial text are printed.
• Input (#command-input): This is where the player types commands. It is prefixed with a session-style prompt (e.g., skidinc@skid:~$).

The terminal supports several keyboard shortcuts to improve the user experience, such as command history navigation and autocompletion.

Sources: index.html:70-71, 260-263, app/js/console.js:1-10

Keyboard Shortcuts

The following keyboard shortcuts are available for terminal interaction:

Controls	Effect
TAB	Autocomplete command and gain input focus.
UP/DOWN	Navigate through the command history.
CTRL+L	Clear the terminal logs.
CTRL+Q	Clear all text from the input.

Sources: index.html:286-301, [app/js/console.js:233-264, 266-297]

Tutorial

The game starts with a mandatory tutorial to familiarize the player with the basic mechanics. The tutorial guides the player through a series of steps, disabling input when necessary to deliver instructions.

Sources: [app/js/tutorial.js:1-17]

The tutorial flow is as follows:

This diagram shows the step-by-step progression of the initial game tutorial.
Sources: [app/js/tutorial.js:19-86]

Tutorial Steps

1. Step 0: Introduces the game and the terminal interface. It prompts the player to set a username using the username [yourUsername] command.
2. Step 1: After setting a username, the tutorial instructs the player to use the help command to see a list of available commands.
3. Step 2: The player is introduced to the script command, which is the primary way to earn money and experience.
4. Step 3: Upon successful execution of a script, the tutorial concludes, and the player is free to play the main game.

Sources: [app/js/tutorial.js:50-86]

Core Gameplay Loop

The central gameplay loop involves executing scripts to earn resources, which are then used to purchase upgrades that improve the rate of resource generation.

This diagram illustrates the primary cycle of executing scripts, earning resources, and purchasing upgrades.
Sources: app/js/console.js:50-55, 62-67, [index.html:105-132, 381-389]

Player Progression

Player progression is tracked through several key statistics.

Stat	Description	UI Element
Level	The player's current level, which increases by gaining experience.	#player #level
Experience	Gained from executing scripts. Fills an experience bar to level up.	#player #exp
Money	The primary currency, used to buy upgrades.	#player #money
Botnet	Prestige currency. Each botnet increases money and EXP multipliers by 2%.	#prestige #botnet

Sources: index.html:105-115, 172-175, [src/renderer/save-manager.js:338-347]

Game Mechanics

Scripts

Executing scripts is the main action in the game. The script command is used to start a script, which takes a certain amount of time to complete and rewards the player with money and experience. New scripts can be purchased.

Sources: app/js/console.js:50-55, [index.html:120-126]

Servers

Players can buy two types of servers to boost their earnings:

• Web Servers: Increase money and experience multipliers.
• Telnet Servers: Increase the time multiplier, which affects how quickly scripts execute.

Sources: [index.html:133-156]

Battery System

The battery is a micro-management feature.

• Charging: Hovering the mouse over the battery icon charges it.
• Effect: A charged battery provides a temporary boost to money, EXP, and time multipliers.
• Upgrading: The battery can be upgraded to increase its capacity, charge power, and the effect of its multipliers.

Sources: [index.html:202-231]

Prestige (Botnets)

Prestige is a system that allows players to reset their progress in exchange for permanent bonuses.

• Botnets: By prestiging, players earn "botnets."
• Bonus: Each botnet grants a permanent 2% increase to both money and experience multipliers.
• Requirement: Players must reach a certain point in the game to be able to earn botnets on reset.

Sources: [index.html:172-185, 233-238]

Commands

The game is controlled via a set of commands entered into the terminal.

Command	Description	Arguments
help	Shows a list of available commands.	None
clear	Removes all logs from the terminal.	None
username	Sets the player's username during the tutorial.	[username]
script	Executes a script.	[script_name], -l/-list
buy	Buys new scripts, auto-scripts, and servers.	[item], -q [amount/max]
option	Changes in-game options.	[option_name] [value]
achievements	Displays the player's achievements.	None

Sources: [app/js/console.js:28-92]

Game State Structure

The player's entire progress is encapsulated in a game state object. This object is what gets saved and loaded. The structure is defined and validated to ensure data integrity.

This diagram shows the main components of the game state.

The following table details the key properties within the game state.

Object	Property	Type	Description
player	money	number	Current amount of money.
player	exp	number	Current experience points.
player	level	number	Current player level.
player	botnet	number	Amount of prestige currency.
script	unlocked	array	List of scripts the player can execute.
script	current	object	The script currently being executed.
server	owned	array	List of servers owned by the player.
battery	level	number	The current level of the battery upgrade.
tutorial	finish	boolean	Whether the tutorial has been completed.

Sources: src/renderer/save-manager.js:333-393, [src/data-validator.js:9-85]

Conclusion

The gameplay of Skid-Inc is a blend of classic idle-game mechanics with a unique, text-based terminal interface. Players engage in a core loop of executing commands to run scripts, earning resources, and strategically investing in various upgrades to boost their multipliers and automate tasks. The addition of mechanics like the battery system and a prestige feature provides layers of strategy for both short-term and long-term progression. The entire experience is driven by a command-line interface, making it a distinctive entry in the idle-game genre.