Version 0.3.5

Photonic Chip Pipeline (PH5000)

• New endgame chip tier: PH5000 Photonic Chips worth $100,000 each

• New machine: Photonic Chamber (4×4): Accepts 150L lithographic wafers + optical gel, requires 3 frequency-tuned lasers

• Waveform matching mechanic: Match laser frequencies and amplitudes to a target waveform using sine wave composition

• Target changes every 10 processes: Must retune lasers periodically to keep production flowing

• Chemical Bath synthesis mode: Toggle to consume 2 chemicals → 1 optical gel for the photonic pipeline

• Waveform Analysis research (Tier 9): Reveals 2 of 3 target amplitudes to help with calibration

• Laser waveform overlay: Lasers linked to photonic chambers display sine waveform on their bodies

• Violet beam rendering: Lasers fire violet-colored beams to photonic chambers with impact flash effects

• Quality-tiered rendering: 4 detail levels from flat fill (low) to lens lattice, energy rings and orbiting particles (ultra)

• Circular lens item design: Photonic items use circular/octagonal shapes distinct from rectangular chips

Advanced Chip Designer Puzzles

• 4 new puzzle categories: Pictionary, Analog, Metamorphic, and Roulette challenges

• Pictionary: Build circuits that paint pixel patterns on a grid (15 puzzles)

• Analog: Continuous 0.0-1.0 signal processing with gates like THRESHOLD and AVERAGE (10 puzzles)

• Metamorphic: Self-referential circuits whose output must equal their own complexity (8 puzzles)

• Roulette: Random constraints per attempt with stacking speed bonus per win (12 targets, 9 constraints)

• Unlock gating: Each category requires a specific research, prestige, or void unlock

• Advanced tab hidden until unlocked: No more confusing empty tab for new players

• Help dialogs: In-game explanations for each puzzle category with visual examples

Circuit Constellation System

• Synergy bonuses: Completing connected challenges activates synergy bonuses (2-6%)

• Constellation completion: Finish all challenges in a category for mega-bonuses (+8-15%)

• Interactive star chart: Full-screen SVG constellation overlay with twinkling stars, flowing connections, and orbital particles

• Strategic progression: Target specific connection paths for desired bonuses

Void NAND Challenges

• 6 new challenges: Void Whisper, Phase Collapse, Entropy Count, Dimensional Rift, Void Resonance, Singularity Gate

• New bonus types: Defect Resistance (reduces defect chance) and Research Speed (faster research cycles)

• Void tier tab: Teal-themed tab appears in chip designer after purchasing expert firmware challenges

Research Cost Scaling

• Late-game research rebalanced: Tier 6-9 costs scaled 3-15x to remain meaningful against late-game income

• Tier 9 input changed: Now requires Lithographic Wafers instead of packaged photonic chips

• Cost display updated: Skill tree shows millions ($1.2M) for expensive research

Laser Power Toggle

• Manual power control: Power down individual lasers to save energy (0W vs 50W idle / 1000W firing)

• Powered-off lasers: Don't count as active for lithography processing speed

Terminal Range Unlimited

• No range limit: Terminals can now connect to any compatible machine on the same floor

Floor Navigation Keys Rebindable

• Customizable floor keys: Floor up/down (default [ and ]) can now be rebound in settings

Bug Fixes

• Firmware bonuses fixed: Missing research categories, chip multipliers not counting properly, production count bonus not applied

• Merger priority reworked: Adjacent-tile-only detection eliminates false positives and permanent blocking in etching loops

• Music overlap fixed: Tracks no longer play over each other when auto-advancing

• Difficulty modal display: Fixed race condition causing modal to sometimes not appear

• Lithography panel error: Fixed undefined variable references in compact wing status

• Pipe-Lithography connection: Chemical input detection now checks correct adjacent positions

• ALU truth table: Subtract mode now uses straightforward borrow semantics

• Screenshot capture: Handles large/high-DPI screens without errors

• Metamorphic dual display: Shows "G:X W:Y" instead of "[object Object]"

• Photonic tooltip: Packaged photonic chips now show sell value breakdown

• Exit game fixed: In-game exit button now properly quits the Electron process

Other Changes

• Drone station priority: Power priority raised to critical (90) to prevent jam cascades during brownouts

• Constellation visuals: SVG star chart with gradients, glow filters, twinkling stars, pulse animations, and orbital particles

• Puzzle panel upgrades: Enhanced visuals for all 4 advanced puzzle categories (larger displays, color coding, progress indicators)