Hybridization Game (MVP)

Choose a mode

Game Settings

FORM:UNPAIR odds: shows the number of die faces assigned to each action. For example, 2:4 means FORM on 2 faces and UNPAIR on 4.

Modify difficulty

Red FORM:UNPAIR Yellow FORM:UNPAIR Purple FORM:UNPAIR Blue FORM:UNPAIR

Frustration events Trigger

1

Roll

Press Next Roll! to get actions for each color.

2

Fix

Click glowing bases to form pairs, or glowing bonds to unpair.

3

Win

Finish the perfectly aligned duplex with the lowest final energy in the fastest time.

Hybridize! was inspired by research in The U.S. National Science Foundation Center for the Creation of Abiotic Replicating Materials and Assemblies (NSF CARMA), supported by the Centers for Chemical Innovation (CCI) Program. Learn more

Developed by Dr. Michael A. Webb and Dr. Emily C. Davidson, Princeton University.

Rules

Objective

Build a perfectly aligned, fully paired duplex with the lowest possible final energy.

Setup

Two complementary strands are generated.
Some bases may begin incorrectly paired (misaligned).
Crossing bonds are not allowed (unless enabled in advanced mode).

Each Round

Roll one die for each color (class).
Each color either allows you to Form or Unpair.
You may perform the available actions in any order.

Form

Select two complementary, unpaired bases of that color.
Bonds may not cross existing bonds.
Correctly aligned bonds are straight.
Misaligned bonds are curved and may reduce stability.

Unpair

Select an existing bond of that color to break it.

Energy Model

Each valid bond contributes −1 energy.
Each adjacent correctly aligned pair adds an additional −1 stacking bonus.
The perfect duplex has energy: −(N + N−1).

Frustration Events

If certain dice conditions occur (e.g., doubles), a Frustration Event is triggered.
You must add one misaligned bond if possible.

Winning

A match ends when no more legal moves remain or the duplex is perfect.
Final energy determines the winner.
In Single Player mode, minimize final energy across the set.

Visual Examples

Correct alignment (straight bond)

Bonds connect matching complements at the same position.

Misalignment (curved bond)

Misaligned bonds are forced during Frustration Events.

Crossing bonds (not allowed)

If a new bond would cross an existing bond, it is blocked.

Stacking bonus (neighbor stabilization)

Adjacent correctly aligned bonds add extra stability (stacking bonus).

Press “Next Roll!” to roll dice.