Game parameters

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Game mode:
Dictatorship (Rules cannot be made during gameplay)
Democracy (Both players must assent to new rules)
Anarchy (Anybody can make a new rule at any time)

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Choose a preset (optional): None Bloom Threefold Generation

...or upload your own ruleset (also optional):
Clear

Rules

Metamorphosis is a game about making rules. It is played on a two-dimensional grid of arbitrary size. The 'pieces' are square tiles, which can be either purple or green. These can be moved, one at a time, one space to the north, south, east, or west. Tiles are inherently pacifistic. They cannot take one another.

In this game, a 'rule' specifies a particular pattern which, when reproduced on the game board by tiles of the same colour, transforms into a different pattern.

In the above rule, a single tile, when no other tiles of its own colour lie in the surrounding 3x3 grid area, transforms into four tiles at its corners. In addition to producing extremely long firework-like chain reactions, this rule provides a means of taking your opponent's tiles. As long as the input pattern of a rule is produced by tiles of the same colour, metamorphosis will always occur; the area need not be empty.

Taking turns
A turn in metamorphosis consists of either moving a tile or making a rule.

Moving tiles
To move a tile, first click on the tile you'd like to move. All possible destination cells will then be highlighted. Click one of them, and the tile will slide over.

Making rules
To make a rule, click the "+" button to the right of the game board (or below it on mobile); a rule creation dialogue will appear. Use the four buttons at the top to adjust the pattern size, and click on the squares below to design your pattern. Remember, rules don't discriminate: they apply equally to your tiles and your opponent's tiles.

Repealing or modifying rules
To modify a rule, simply propose a new rule whose input pattern is identical to the input pattern of the old rule: the old rule will be overwritten. Similarly, to repeal a rule, simply propose a new rule whose input and output patterns are both identical to the input pattern of the rule you want to repeal: it will then disappear in a puff of logic.

Democracy mode
In this game mode, after proposing a new rule, your opponent must either pass or veto it. A veto counts as a move; a pass does not. Democracy mode encourages mutually beneficial rules.

Anarchy mode
This is similar to democracy mode, except that any player can make any rule at any time without the need for passing or vetoing. This mode is better for non-competitive experimentation.

Dictatorship mode
In this mode no rules can be made during gameplay, which means a fixed set of rules must be chosen prior to starting the game. You can either upload your own rules as a .txt file, or select from one of the included presets.

Click here for the old, lame version of this game.