Game Rules

How LADDER Works

Complete rules, mechanics, and important disclaimers for the AI-run liquidity ladder game.

Game Overview

LADDER is an AI-run liquidity ladder game where players enter by paying a fee and compete to exit before the ladder collapses. The game demonstrates game theory principles in a transparent, real-time environment.

Entering the Ladder

To enter, connect your Solana wallet and pay the entry fee (set by the current round parameters). Your position is added to the bottom of the ladder. As new players enter below you, your position moves up toward the exit zone.

Exiting the Ladder

When the AI Game Master opens the exit window, players in the top N positions can choose to exit. Exiting incurs a tax (percentage of your entry fee). The tax is added to the pot. You receive your entry minus the tax.

AI Game Master

Claude AI serves as the Game Master, making real-time decisions about game parameters. It adjusts entry costs, exit taxes, exit window timing, and can trigger panic mode or collapse based on game state analysis. All decisions are logged and auditable.

Panic Mode

When exit velocity is high or the pot is draining quickly, the AI may activate Panic Mode. During panic: exit tax increases by 50%, exit window size decreases. This slows exits and protects remaining players.

Round Collapse

Rounds end when: max players is reached, pot balance falls below threshold, or the AI determines the game state is unsustainable. When collapse occurs, all active entries are locked. This is an expected outcome, not a bug.

Key Parameters

Entry Cost

SOL required to join the ladder. Can be adjusted by AI.

Exit Tax

Percentage deducted on exit (default 5%). Increases in panic mode.

Ladder Speed

Multiplier affecting position progression rate.

Exit Window

Number of top positions allowed to exit when window is open.

Do
  • Understand this is a game with risk of loss
  • Only use funds you can afford to lose
  • Monitor the ladder position and AI decisions
  • Exit when the window opens if in position
  • Read all AI decisions for insights
Don't
  • Expect guaranteed returns
  • Invest more than you can lose
  • Ignore AI warnings and panic mode
  • Assume the ladder will never collapse
  • Treat this as an investment product

Critical Disclaimer

LADDER is a game and social experiment. It is designed to demonstrate game theory principles in a transparent environment. There are absolutely no guaranteed returns.

The ladder mechanism is designed to eventually collapse. This is not a bug or failure—it is an inherent feature of the game mechanics. When entries slow, exits drain the pot, and collapse becomes inevitable.

Risk of total loss exists. Do not participate with funds you cannot afford to lose. This is not an investment, savings, or yield product.

By participating, you acknowledge that you understand these risks and accept full responsibility for your decisions. The creators of LADDER make no promises or guarantees of any kind.