Zip Biology — Canonical Specification

0. Scope

This document defines the biological rules of Zips.

  • It is descriptive, not narrative.
  • It does not include gameplay, UI, or economic mechanics.
  • It applies equally to all Zips, territories, and future phases.

If a biological rule is not defined here, it does not exist.

1. What Is a Zip

A Zip is a non-human lifeform native to Zipvilization.

Key properties:

  • Zips are not mammals.
  • Zips do not age or die.
  • Zips do not have genders.
  • Zips do not reproduce individually.

Zips exist only as part of a reproductive pair.

2. Eggs and Decompression

Zips are born from eggs (also referred to as containers).

  • An egg requires 3 days to decompress.
  • Upon decompression, two Zips emerge simultaneously.
  • Newly decompressed Zips are immediately reproductively mature.

The term decompression is used to avoid anthropomorphic metaphors such as childhood or growth.

3. Reproductive Pairs

3.1 Definition

  • A reproductive pair consists of two Zips.
  • A pair always produces exactly two eggs per cycle.
  • Eggs always hatch in pairs (twins).

There is no concept of:

  • infertility
  • mutation
  • randomness in offspring count

3.2 Reproduction Cycle

Once active, a reproductive pair follows this loop:

  1. Lay two eggs
  2. Eggs decompress after 3 days
  3. New pair becomes active
  4. Original pair lays eggs again

This cycle repeats indefinitely.

4. Territory-Based Latent Pairs

Zips do not exist freely. They are bound to territory structure.

Each territory level contains a fixed number of latent reproductive pairs.

Latent pairs:

  • exist conceptually at territory creation
  • do not reproduce immediately
  • activate only when lower territory levels are mature

5. Latent Reproductive Pairs per Territory

Territory Latent Pairs
Farm 1
Village 10
City 100
County 1,000
State 5,000
Kingdom 25,000

These values are structural, not configurable.

6. Activation Rules (Hierarchical)

Reproductive pairs activate hierarchically.

6.1 Farms

  • A Farm contains 1 latent pair
  • This pair activates immediately when the Farm is created
  • First eggs are laid immediately
  • First decompression completes after 3 days

6.2 Higher Territories (Village and above)

For any territory above Farm:

  • All latent pairs remain inactive at creation
  • Activation requires full maturity of all contained lower territories
  • Once activated, pairs require +3 days for first decompression

Example (Village):

  • Contains 10 Farms
  • Each Farm must reach biological maturity
  • Once all Farms are mature:
    • the 10 Village pairs activate simultaneously
    • after +3 days, first Village-level Zips appear

7. Biological Maturity

A territory is considered biologically mature when:

  • all its latent reproductive pairs are active
  • all resulting Zips have decompressed
  • maximum population capacity is reached

Maturity is a prerequisite for:

  • activation of higher territory levels
  • future progression mechanics (defined in later chapters)

8. No Death, No Regression

Zips:

  • do not die
  • do not regress
  • are never removed biologically

Population only changes through:

  • territory loss (handled elsewhere)
  • structural reclassification of territory

Biology itself is irreversible.

9. Time Units

All biological timing is expressed in days.

  • 1 decompression cycle = 3 days
  • Maturity emerges from multiple cycles

Mapping from days to blockchain blocks:

  • is network-dependent
  • is intentionally deferred
  • will be defined at implementation level

10. Canonical Constraints

This biological system guarantees:

  • deterministic growth
  • predictable scaling
  • no exponential runaway without territory
  • no hidden multipliers

Time and structure are the only growth factors.

End of Zip Biology Specification.