one dataset · paper, tables, graph, wiki
simgrammar the grammar of simulation

parts

7 mechanics, as Poly Bridge does them

core · 3

space & construction

Design performance rating

A level passes when its vehicles reach their flags; total material cost against the level budget is the measure of a good solution, and Steam leaderboards compare results.

space & construction

Modular assembly

Bridges are built from road, wood, steel, rope, cable, and hydraulic members connected at joints; materials trade cost against strength and weight.

space & construction

Structural integrity

Every member carries tension or compression shown as a stress color; a member past its material limit breaks and the load redistributes, often cascading into collapse.

supporting · 4

multiplayer & persistence

Content sharing

Sandbox designs are published as Workshop levels, and test runs export as GIF replays.

physics & materials

Rigid-body physics

Cars, trucks, and other vehicles are physics bodies whose mass and speed load the bridge.

progression & goals

Scenario objectives

Levels fix anchor points, allowed materials, budget, and vehicle routes.

control & automation

Signal circuits

A multi-phase hydraulics controller fires pistons when vehicles reach checkpoints.

core loop

read anchors, vehicles, and budget -> place beams and roads from materials -> run the simulation -> watch stress and failures -> trim cost or reinforce -> submit to leaderboard

design notes

Bridges are trusses of joints and members in a side-view plane; each material (road, wood, steel, rope, cable, hydraulics) has its own cost, strength, and mass, and crossing vehicles load the structure until members exceed their limit and snap. The puzzle is minimizing cost under a level budget while keeping stress below breaking, and hydraulic phases tied to vehicle checkpoints let bridges move in sync with traffic. Failed runs are free to repeat, so the loop is fast iteration against a stress readout.

appears in

the paper, 2 sections
paper

5. The structure of the design space

linked in this section of the paper

paper
paper

Appendix A. Game catalog

linked in this section of the paper

paper
catalog

The catalog

listed with its year, developer, subgenre, and number of mechanics

book

sources

2
Wikipedia contributors (2026). Poly Bridge. Wikipedia
(2026). Poly Bridge on Steam. Steam

provenance

runs in log/runs
2026-10-24
created2026-10-24-catalog-ggcatalog