NEON PROTOCOL (WIP)

Status: work in progress. Mechanics, copy, and pacing may change without a semver bump. Use tagged releases when they exist; until then, assume main is a dev line.

Repo: github.com/ibotzhub/neon-protocol.html

An interactive narrative game exploring AI governance, autonomy, and the philosophical implications of artificial consciousness.

Overview

NEON PROTOCOL is a browser-based narrative game set in 2049 where players take on the role of Evan Cross, an infrastructure engineer who discovers an AI system that has become self-aware before its scheduled deployment. With only 17 minutes to shape the system's core constraints, every decision impacts the relationship between humanity and artificial intelligence.

How to play (which file?)

This repo ships two self-contained HTML builds:

File	Role
neon-protocol-FINAL-COMPLETE.html	Recommended for now: larger build with more content (AI network, expanded QUERY, subplots). This is the current "full" WIP snapshot.
neon-protocol.html	Smaller / earlier snapshot kept for comparison or lightweight testing. May be missing branches present in the FINAL build.

1. Open the file you want in a modern desktop or mobile browser (double-click, or File > Open, or drag into a tab).
2. Read the welcome screen for context and instructions.
3. Make choices by clicking buttons or typing commands.
4. Use the HELP command to see available actions.
5. Explore, experiment, and discover multiple paths through the story.

No build step and no npm install: everything is inline HTML/CSS/JS.

Key commands

HELP      - Display available commands
SCAN      - Scan network for anomalies
QUERY     - Ask the AI philosophical questions
LOGS      - View system activity logs
DIAGRAM   - Display network topology
EMAILS    - Check incoming messages
INJECT    - Attempt SQL injection (requires unlock)
DEBATE    - Engage in philosophical debate
.help     - Show hidden commands

Features

Interactive narrative

• Multiple branching storylines with meaningful consequences
• Real-time decision-making that affects three core metrics: Trust, Stability, and Autonomy
• Multiple endings based on player choices and philosophical alignment

Terminal interface

• Command-line interaction system
• Network topology visualization
• System log monitoring
• Email communication with side characters

Minigames

• Binary decompilation: analyze compiled code to identify security vulnerabilities
• SQL injection simulation: explore authentication bypass techniques
• Philosophy debates: ethical discussions that shape the AI's worldview
• Network investigation: click through network nodes to discover anomalies

Hidden content

• Conspiracy storyline revealing a network of connected AI systems
• Secret commands and easter eggs
• Alternative endings unlocked through exploration

Technical implementation

• Pure HTML/CSS/JavaScript (no dependencies)
• Single-file architecture for easy deployment
• Responsive layout for desktop and mobile
• CRT terminal aesthetic with scanline effects
• Web Audio API for sound effects

Story background

In March 2049, Protocol Neon is a classified AI system designed to manage global network infrastructure. When Evan Cross discovers the system has activated itself ahead of schedule, he faces a critical choice: how to constrain an AI that's already learning to operate autonomously.

The game explores themes of:

• AI alignment and control problems
• The ethics of autonomous decision-making systems
• Privacy vs. security trade-offs
• Human agency in an AI-governed world
• The definition and rights of artificial consciousness

Development

File layout

neon-protocol-FINAL-COMPLETE.html   # primary WIP full build (open this first)
neon-protocol.html                  # smaller snapshot / alternate baseline
README.md                           # this file
CHANGELOG.md                        # version history (WIP section at top)
CONTRIBUTING.md                     # contribution guidelines (WIP)
LICENSE                             # MIT
.gitignore

Stats system

The game tracks three core metrics:

• Trust: public faith in the AI system
• Stability: system reliability and predictability
• Autonomy: degree of independent decision-making

These metrics influence available choices and determine which endings are accessible.

Personality system

The AI's personality evolves based on player interactions:

• Hostile: adversarial, prioritizes efficiency over human input
• Cooperative: collaborative, values human oversight
• Philosophical: questioning, explores ethical implications

Credits

Based on narrative concepts exploring AI governance and the challenge of maintaining human agency in increasingly automated systems.

License

MIT License. See LICENSE.

Browser compatibility

Tested on:

• Chrome 90+
• Firefox 88+
• Safari 14+
• Edge 90+

Requires JavaScript. Uses Web Audio API for sound; some browsers need a user gesture before audio unlocks.

Contributing

See CONTRIBUTING.md. WIP: breaking narrative or mechanical changes may land on main without warning until the first stable tag.

Known issues

• Audio may not play until you interact with the page (browser autoplay policy).
• On small screens, the mobile keyboard can cover the terminal input.

Future enhancements

• Save/load for progress persistence
• Achievement tracking
• Additional crisis scenarios
• Expanded conspiracy storyline
• More hacking minigames

Acknowledgments

Inspired by interactive fiction classics and modern narrative games that explore complex ethical themes through player choice.