Algae Gobbler

Recover a large summer pool by balancing algae treatment, filtration, nutrients, and regrowth. You have a limited budget, a limited number of actions, and eight simulated days.

What you do

Choose from seven interventions. Brush to expose algae, use treatment to reduce it, filter the resulting debris, and protect the conditions that keep the bloom from returning. Pause to plan, then advance time to watch the system respond.

What the game explores

A move can improve one measure while making another worse. Killing algae leaves debris. Brushing increases treatment reach but clouds the water. Dilution lowers nutrients and also dilutes sanitizer. Recovery depends on combinations and timing.

Build story

Mike created the original game using VS Code and Codex in the GitHub Pages Gameroom. On September 8, 2026, he asked Codex to take over development in a permanent independent repository and prepare the game for the new RS Game Room.

The first cleanup focuses on responsive layout and intervention visibility. After comparing two playable HTML/CSS layouts, Mike selected a vertical pool beside two columns of interventions. The live pool update occupies the eighth grid position beside the seven intervention buttons. Time controls, restart, and directions are grouped above the pool.

The original simulation rules and regression tests were preserved. The new interface starts paused, keeps the clock paused when a move is chosen, exposes the remaining action allowance, and pauses when directions are opened or the tab is hidden. Some interventions still spend simulated hours as part of their original rules.

Mike confirmed that “Globber” was a typo; the correct name is Algae Gobbler.

Review state

Mike approved the game and brief for RS Game Room and authorized staging deployment on September 9, 2026. After checking the host catalog, he approved a new Simulations room and Algae Gobbler's membership there. Production publication and retirement of the original GitHub Pages game remain separate decisions.