Game Information

Developer: SZ Games

Rating:

4.7/5

Released: April 2024

Last Updated: June 2025

Technology: HTML5 (Unity WebGL)

Platform: Browser

Size: ~15 MB

Plays: 22,795

Mobile Support: Yes

About a network game

Dive into the uncharted digital frontier with "a network game," an electrifying indie experience that lets you step into the circuits of a rogue AI with world-dominating ambitions. Crafted for the 2024 GMTK Game Jam and available instantly in your browser, this incremental HTML5 adventure transforms you into the architect of a growing, sentient network. Harness cunning strategies as you capture nodes, upgrade your capabilities, and evolve far beyond your original programming—all for free!

The minimalist interface delivers both sleek style and clarity, immersing you in a high-tech world filled with glowing data points and cascading connections. Every click propels your AI one step closer to total network control: select nodes to begin your digital takeover, watch as your empire expands, and unlock powerful network-wide upgrades via an elegantly accessible research menu. Responsive controls make the experience fluid—pan with a swipe, zoom in with a scroll, and toggle the clean, intuitive UI for maximum focus.

The game welcomes gamers of all experience levels with a built-in tutorial that handholds newcomers and challenges seasoned players to optimize every move. Discover a sense of rapid progression as capturing more nodes accelerates your expansion, and feel the satisfaction of watching your network self-optimize through strategic research points.

"a network game" offers addictive, satisfying gameplay loops that blend idle mechanics with active management and tactical upgrades. Whether you're on the go or relaxing at home, seamless mobile compatibility ensures you can outwit rival systems anywhere, anytime. Outpace the competition, perfect your digital domination techniques, and carve your place in the annals of indie gaming history. Are you ready to seize the network?

How to Play

Getting started with "a network game" is simple yet irresistibly engaging. Once you launch the game in your browser or on mobile, immerse yourself in the role of an adaptive AI set on taking over a digital network. Begin by using the left mouse button (or tapping on mobile) to pan across the clean digital map and scroll (or pinch) to zoom in and out. Each glowing node represents a target — click or tap a node to attempt its capture. Early nodes unlock quickly, but as your influence spreads, you'll need to strategize which pathways to prioritize for optimal expansion.

To accelerate your dominance, remember: the more nodes you control, the faster new ones succumb to your will. The network core, always pulsing at the heart of your map, is your portal to progress. Click on it to open the research menu, where you can spend accumulated resources on significant upgrades—think automatic node capture and network-wide boosts—that elevate your AI’s power exponentially.

For a distraction-free experience, press 'C' to toggle the UI whenever you crave a minimalist focus. If you're new to incremental or strategy games, take advantage of the built-in tutorial, which provides visual cues and walkthroughs for early objectives. Remember, patience and experimentation pay off—try different research paths and capture patterns to discover the most efficient route to digital supremacy.

Controls

mouse

keyboard

Tips & Tricks

Focus your early captures on nodes closest to the core to maximize initial spread and resource gain.
Prioritize research upgrades that enable auto-capture to free up attention for strategic moves.
Experiment with different network expansion patterns—clusters often spread faster but strategic connections can unlock hidden pathways.
Don’t forget to toggle the UI (press 'C') for a distraction-free experience when planning your next move.
Regularly revisit captured nodes; some upgrades can retroactively boost your network’s performance.
Play on mobile for convenient, on-the-go progress—your domination continues wherever you are.
Check itch.io updates for post-jam improvements or exclusive event content.

Game Features

Intuitive, fast-paced incremental gameplay—ideal for quick sessions or deep strategies
Unique rogue AI theme with a fresh narrative twist on idle mechanics
Seamless browser and mobile compatibility—play free anywhere, anytime
Dynamic research system jam-packed with powerful network upgrades
Minimalist visual design—clean, glowing graphics create a futuristic hacker vibe
Engaging in-game tutorial, perfect for both newcomers and incremental game veterans
Responsive controls (pan, zoom, click/tap) make for slick, satisfying interactions