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Frequently Asked Questions

About the Game​

What is Reticle Cold War?

A single-player strategic RPG where you're an operative in the Echo Collective—a neutral intelligence organization operating across faction boundaries during humanity's most critical juncture in millennia.

Is this a multiplayer game?

It's single-player, but your game doesn't exist in isolation. Your actions shape the shared universe:

  • Strategic advice you provide influences NPC decisions
  • Operations you complete become part of location histories
  • Combat victories shift faction territorial control for all players
  • The Cosmos evolves based on collective player actions

What's the gameplay style?

Text-based strategic RPG featuring ASCII art and retro aesthetics. This choice directs resources toward AI-driven narrative, deep economic systems, and extensive unique locations.

When does it release?

Early Q1 2026, web-based, playable on PC and mobile.

What Makes It Different​

How is this different from other AI-powered games?

Reticle Cold War constrains AI within established lore. A dedicated Lore Master system ensures all generated content respects universe rules, faction histories, and timeline constraints. AI enhances the experience within defined boundaries—it doesn't replace careful game design.

Key differences:

  • Lore-validated content — All AI generation checked for consistency
  • Structured creativity — AI creates within established rules
  • Persistent memory — AI agents remember your history with them

Why text-based instead of 3D graphics?

This was a deliberate investment choice. Resources went toward:

  • AI-driven narrative systems that remember and adapt
  • A self-regulating economy monitoring 18+ factors
  • Extensive unique locations with distinct briefings and histories
  • Deep personalization using data, analytics, and AI
  • Three complete strategic games (Confluence, TriDyak, Chronotrate)
  • Comprehensive player analytics and economic intelligence

The purpose is to create an engaging experience that remains entertaining and relevant for years.

Why do human operatives matter in a universe with superintelligent AI?

This question is central to both the fiction and the design. The Metric can monitor everything, but it cannot be everything. Your judgment, relationships, and decisions matter in ways automation cannot replace. The game explores why human agency persists—and matters—even when surrounded by vastly superior artificial intelligence.

Personalization & Analytics​

How does the game personalize to me?

Multiple systems adapt to your profile:

  • Procedural content generation creates unique scenarios for your situation
  • Skill-based difficulty calibrates challenges to your abilities
  • Economic intelligence shows opportunities relevant to YOUR skills
  • AI agents remember your history and adjust their behavior
  • Career-optimized recommendations align to your chosen path

What analytics do I have access to?

Rich analytics dashboards show:

  • Skill progression across all 22 skills
  • Career advancement tracking
  • Faction relationship graphs
  • Economic position vs. population averages
  • Cohort comparisons for competitive context
  • Manufacturing accessibility based on YOUR skills

How do Economic Reports work?

Tiered economic intelligence:

  • Free tier: Economic velocity, policy stance, ecosystem health
  • Basic tier: Category health, supply distribution, market trends
  • Premium tier: Personalized skill-gated analysis, bottleneck identification, career-optimized recommendations

Reports are generated automatically every economy cycle (~3 hours).

Gameplay Systems​

How does the economy work?

The Homeostatic Economy is modeled on natural regulatory systems—predator-prey dynamics, stellar equilibrium, physiological homeostasis. It self-regulates through 18+ autonomous mechanisms and 27+ behavioral nudges to prevent hyperinflation and resource extraction problems.

Your Forge Engine converts Data Shards into Forge Points through ecosystem mechanics. Learn more

How do skills work?

22 skills across 5 areas (Intelligence, Technology, Combat, Social, Diplomacy). Skills determine your operational capacity—what you can accomplish, not just bonuses to existing abilities.

Skill checks are vital for progression. An operative with Analytical Thinking at level 3 faces vastly different options than one at level 18.

Advancement requires both experience (doing things) and Forge Point investment (solidifying learning). Learn more

What are the factions?

Four major powers:

  • Scions of Ogo — Homo Technologicus warriors, anti-Centopoly
  • Prospectors — Ancient explorers with 10,000 years of accumulated wealth
  • Technomages — Functionally immortal scholars pursuing "The Prime"
  • Mercantile Alliance — Economic power, most Metric-integrated faction

You choose one faction at character creation—it affects your starting attributes, initial missions, and Memory Machine team. You can build relationships with other factions over time. Learn more

What is the Memory Machine?

A 96-hour competition where operatives contribute components to faction machines. Results affect Memory Fragment distribution and faction standing. The machines themselves are mysterious—no one fully understands what happens during their synchronized "Great Sync" events. Learn more

What is IDINA?

Your in-game AI assistant. IDINA answers questions about game mechanics, provides strategic advice during scenarios, and searches the game's knowledge base—all grounded in verified lore with safeguards against hallucination. Learn more

Combat & Missions​

How does combat work?

You accept missions from brokers and assume command of sub-faction forces in contested territories. Your decisions determine the outcome of territorial conflicts.

Six sub-factions battle for control of virtual territories across the Reticle. The Echo Collective's neutrality means you command different factions on different missions. Learn more

What types of missions exist?

Live Scenarios: AI-generated interactions with skill-based outcomes. Dynamic conversations with agents representing different factions and operational roles.

Pre-built Scenarios: Branching narratives responding to your abilities, faction standing, and previous choices. Embedded challenges (ciphers, logic challenges, pattern analysis) test specific skills.

How do player choices matter?

Every choice affects:

  • Immediate outcomes (resources, relationships, paths)
  • Delayed consequences (faction standing, story access, reputation)
  • Universe state (your actions become location history)

The most impactful decisions don't reveal full consequences immediately.

Mini-Games​

What mini-games are included?

Three complete strategic games:

Confluence Card Game

  • 6 distinct archetypes with unique playstyles
  • 4 influence domains (Temporal, Spatial, Cognitive, Social)
  • Multiple victory conditions
  • Competitive rankings

TriDyak Board Game

  • 750,000+ opening book positions
  • Custom neural network AI opponent
  • Adaptive difficulty
  • Deep spatial reasoning strategy

Chronotrate

  • Time-pressure strategic challenges
  • Rapid decision-making training
  • Progressive difficulty tiers
  • Complements other games' depth

Progression​

Is there a required path?

No. Specialize in combat, intelligence, diplomacy, crafting, or economic gameplay—or blend approaches. Non-linear progression lets you develop your career based on your choices and interests.

What should new players focus on?

  1. Keep your Forge Engine running (load Data Shards)
  2. Pick 2-3 skill areas to specialize in
  3. Complete missions to build experience and faction standing
  4. Try cognitive training games (TriDyak, Confluence, Chronotrate)
  5. Explore locations to build your intelligence database

Full getting started guide

Technical​

What platforms?

Web-based, playable on PC and mobile browsers.

Is it free to play?

Players purchase Opereative passes to access the game and economic systems and tools.

Learn More​