Mode Aliases

Two Ways to Reference Modes

Abstract (MODE_1-5)

Use in code for flexibility:

gameModeManager.setMode(GameModeType.MODE_3);

Greek Aliases (NANO/MICRO/MESO/MACRO/MEGA)

Use for readability:

import { GameModeAlias } from "@/models/GameMode";

gameModeManager.setMode(GameModeAlias.MACRO);

Scale System

Greek Scale Prefixes:

NANO  (νανο)  →  10⁻⁹  →  Nano scale
MICRO (μικρο) →  10⁻⁶  →  Micro scale
MESO  (μεσο)  →  10⁰   →  Meso scale (human)
MACRO (μακρο) →  10³   →  Macro scale
MEGA  (μεγα)  →  10⁶   →  Mega scale

Mode Mapping

Code	Alias	Zoom	Description
MODE_1	NANO	2.5x	Most detailed view
MODE_2	MICRO	1.5x	Detailed view
MODE_3	MESO	0.8x	Medium view (human scale)
MODE_4	MACRO	0.4x	Wide view (map)
MODE_5	MEGA	0.3x	Maximum wide (satellite)

Usage Examples

Option 1: Abstract (flexible)

// Good for configurable systems
const currentMode = GameModeType.MODE_3;

if (currentMode === GameModeType.MODE_1) {
  // MODE_1 can be anything
}

Option 2: With Aliases (readable)

import { GameModeAlias } from "@/models/GameMode";

// Immediately clear it's macro scale!
gameModeManager.setMode(GameModeAlias.MACRO);

// Check
if (currentMode === GameModeAlias.MICRO) {
  console.log("Micro scale active");
}

Option 3: Combined

// Store as MODE_*, use as alias
const config = {
  defaultMode: GameModeType.MODE_3, // Flexible
};

// Show with alias in UI
const alias = getModeAlias(config.defaultMode);
console.log(alias); // "MESO"

API

GameModeAlias

Object with alias constants:

export const GameModeAlias = {
  NANO: GameModeType.MODE_1,
  MICRO: GameModeType.MODE_2,
  MESO: GameModeType.MODE_3,
  MACRO: GameModeType.MODE_4,
  MEGA: GameModeType.MODE_5,
} as const;

getModeAlias(mode)

Get text alias by type:

getModeAlias(GameModeType.MODE_3);
// → "MESO"

getModeAlias(GameModeType.MODE_1);
// → "NANO"

When to Use What?

Use MODE_1-5 when:

• Writing universal code
• Configuring systems
• Don't want to tie to specific terms
• Modes can mean anything

// Universal
function handleMode(mode: GameModeType) {
  const config = GAME_MODES[mode];
  // Works for any gameplay
}

Use Aliases when:

• Writing specific gameplay code
• Want readability
• Using scale mechanics (zoom-based)
• Communicating with team (clearer "MACRO" than "MODE_4")

// Readable and clear
if (mode === GameModeAlias.NANO) {
  // Obviously the closest scale
  showDetailedTextures();
}

In UI

Display Mode with Alias:

const config = gameModeManager.getConfig();
const alias = getModeAlias(gameModeManager.getCurrentMode());

// Show both variants
console.log(`${config.name} (${alias})`);
// → "Near View (MICRO)"

In Console:

Mode changed: MODE_2 (MICRO) → MODE_4 (MACRO)
Applied MACRO scale settings...
   Zoom: 0.4x
   Time: 5.0x

Examples for Different Genres

God Game (Populous-style)

// Modes make sense in scale context
NANO:  Individual person level (micro life)
MICRO: Village level (settlement)
MESO:  City level (management)
MACRO: Region level (kingdom)
MEGA:  World level (god view)

Strategy Game

NANO:  Control individual unit
MICRO: Control squad
MESO:  Control army
MACRO: Strategic map
MEGA:  Global strategy (diplomacy, trade)

Sandbox / Builder

NANO:  Detailed voxel/pixel editing
MICRO: Object editing
MESO:  Scene editing
MACRO: Level overview
MEGA:  Entire project overview

Code Examples

Basic Example:

import { GameModeType, GameModeAlias, getModeAlias } from "@/models/GameMode";

// Option 1: Abstract
gameModeManager.setMode(GameModeType.MODE_3);

// Option 2: With alias (same thing!)
gameModeManager.setMode(GameModeAlias.MESO);

// Both work identically!

Advanced Example:

class GameController {
  switchToMicroManagement() {
    // Use clear alias
    this.gameModeManager.setMode(GameModeAlias.MICRO);

    console.log("Switched to micro scale");
    console.log("Now controlling individual units");
  }

  switchToGodView() {
    // Clear it's maximum scale
    this.gameModeManager.setMode(GameModeAlias.MEGA);

    console.log("Switched to mega scale");
    console.log("God view enabled");
  }

  // Get current alias for logs
  logCurrentScale() {
    const mode = this.gameModeManager.getCurrentMode();
    const alias = getModeAlias(mode);

    console.log(`Current scale: ${alias}`);
    // → "Current scale: MESO"
  }
}

Recommendations

Best Practices:

1. In configs - use MODE_*

   const config = {
     defaultMode: GameModeType.MODE_3, // Abstract
   };

2. In gameplay - use aliases

   if (mode === GameModeAlias.MICRO) {
     this.enableMicroManagement(); // Clear!
   }

3. In UI - show both

   `Near View (MICRO)`;

4. In logs - use aliases

   console.log(`Switched to ${getModeAlias(mode)} scale`);

Terminology

Established Terms:

• Nano - very small (nanoparticles)
• Micro - small (microorganisms, micromanagement)
• Meso - medium (mesoscale in meteorology)
• Macro - large (macroeconomics, macro photography)
• Mega - very large (megacity, megaprojects)

In Games:

• Micromanagement - detailed unit control (StarCraft, WarCraft)
• Macro - strategic management (Civilization, Total War)
• Meso scale - medium scale between micro and macro

Quick Start

pnpm dev

# In game press TAB several times
# Top-right you'll see:

CLOSE VIEW (NANO)
   ↓ TAB
NEAR VIEW (MICRO)
   ↓ TAB
MID VIEW (MESO)
   ↓ TAB
FAR VIEW (MACRO)
   ↓ TAB
DISTANT VIEW (MEGA)

Summary

╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║                                                      ║
║  TWO WAYS - ONE SYSTEM:                             ║
║                                                      ║
║  Abstract:       MODE_1, MODE_2, MODE_3 ...         ║
║  Aliases:        NANO, MICRO, MESO, MACRO, MEGA     ║
║                                                      ║
║  USE WHATEVER IS MORE CONVENIENT!                   ║
║                                                      ║
║  In code:        GameModeType.MODE_3                ║
║  Or:             GameModeAlias.MESO                 ║
║                                                      ║
║  Result:         IDENTICAL                          ║
║                                                      ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝

See Also

• Game Modes - complete guide
• GameModeManager API
• GameMode model - see src/core/models/GameMode.ts
• Constants - see src/core/config/constants.ts