MycoLibrium

Introduction
I started this game with a specific experience in mind that I wanted to convey: one where your goal is not to destroy, but to find harmony in chaos.

Methodology
To achieve this, I chose mushroom mycelium colonies in a petri dish as the theme, as they embody raw nature and pure force—a system where harmony might seem impossible.

Inspiration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKNQOupZ4Vw

To bring harmony into the system, I decided that giving the player the power to nurture them was the best way to ensure meaningful interaction at all times. The moment-to-moment gameplay consists of choosing which colony to feed. To further diversify the playing field, the player eventually chooses which colony receives a "rock-paper-scissors" style upgrade. This makes certain colonies weaker against some and stronger against others.

Reflection
This combination of mechanics leads to interesting dynamics. First, it is not always best to nurture the smallest colony. The decision lies between battling the largest colony and helping the smallest one survive. With the upgrade system, colonies can emerge into complex patterns where they maintain an equilibrium by creating a spiral of forces.