Zachtronics is indie game studio founded in 2000 by Zach Barth. He studied systems engineering and computer science, and he has been creating video games since then. Through the years, he was polishing his idea, to incorporate programming, using fake assembly langue for a puzzle game.

His most notable titles are:

SpaceChem (2011)

In this game you create complex molecules, by using visual programming language, and designing automated assembly lines.

Opus Magnum (2017)

His most popular title. You take role of the alchemist, who create products, according to the complex alchemy rules. For that purpose, you need to program range of different manipulators.

Despite the title, the author does not consider it as his best work. He believes, that rules in the game put too much constrain on player creativity, and set of possible solutions is limited, compared to other titles. Indeed, putting an accent on variety set of different solutions is a common idea in Zachtronics games.

Another game idea, that was implemented in couple of his games, is fake assembly language.

TIS-100(2015)

In this game, your goal is to fix malfunctioning TIS-100 computer. It consist of 12 separate nodes. Each node has separate processor, and single register, for storing numerical values. Simplified assembly allows for basic operations, and transfering data to adjacent nodes. On later levels, your display is capable of displaying more colors (have not reached it yet :). As in other Zachtronincs games, after beating a level, you can see histogram comparing your solution to others, including CPU cycles, or total lines of code used. Another cool thing is a manual – opened for public:

https://www.zachtronics.com/images/TIS-100P%20Reference%20Manual.pdf

It mimics old-school documentation like cobol.

Anyway, it is a game that can teach programming, or discourage from learning it. Not entirely sure.

Next game from this sub-genre was:

Shenzhen I/O

For those who do not know, Shenzhen is special economic zone, sometimes called “China Silicon Valley”

In the game, we play as an engineer who works on tasks that involve placing different components and programming them. Again, we use a simplified assembly language, and our goal is to optimize either the cost or the CPU cycles. The game sometimes mocks the poor quality of Shenzhen products, or their attitude towards patents and licensing. But at the same time praise fast release cycle and lack of bureaucracy. As always, we have great puzzle game that require creativity, and adaptation when solving different problems. This time with perfect visual design. For the full immersion, game was supplied with a manual:
https://github.com/JonathanLemke/shenzhen-io-translate/blob/master/SHENZHEN%20IO%20Manual%20(English).pdf that should be printed and put into binder. I believe, that those little brush touches make their game unique. I really appreciate when a designer put that much attention into the details.

Exapunks(2018)

Barth once said, that inspiration for the game was Stuxnet worm. This is fascinating story of virus created by United States and Israel, that targets PLC controllers used for separating nuclear material, required for nuclear program of Iran. When specific hardware configuration was found, virus was speeding up centrifuge to the point, where it was completely destroyed. According to Symantec, the virus spread to over 60% of all computers in Iran. Exapunks explore the idea of unfolding over the network, and attacking specific targets in some of the levels. The game is heavily inspired by cyberpunk genre, and takes place in cyberspace. Obligatory, we have hackers fighting with evil corporations, omnipotent AI and malfunctioning implants. Documentation is provided in form of hack zines, and unlocked through the game. Mechanic is slightly similar to other Zachtronics productions. We are using simplified assembly language to control our bots. They can manipulate files, read/write special registers, move through through the network, spawn other bots or kill them. There is a mini-game with auto-battler mechanic, where you can fight with other people. Points are given for tasks similar to capturing the flag or controlling the territory. This game by Zach Barth is top choice for me. It’s meticulously designed, polished in every detail, and set in my favorite sci-fi subgenre.

Last Call BBS (2022)

Their last game, is rather a series of mini-games. I have not tried it yet, but I bet is as original and perfectly executed, as every other title by them. As always, reception is super positive. Unfortunately, after releasing the title, the team disbanded. They claim, that they already achieved their goals, and frankly, I can believe it. They wanted to finish their work before the burnout. Zach shares his pure enthusiasm and dedication though his games. If he would lost that spark, by doing it for too long, his games would not be the same. Let me quote another review:

“Aren’t computers cool?” his games ask. “And aren’t the programs they run cool? Isn’t hacking culture and cyberpunk stuff and science and engineering cool?”

Even after creating own genre, and polishing it to the perfection, Barth is still humble guy. I remember, when my PC crashed during the save, leaving it corrupt. The launcher send crash report. I did not expect much. But within an hour, he fixed that save and sent me over e-mail. It was encoded using base64 and somehow he was able to recover it. Sadly, he will not make new titles. But what he left is truly awesome.