Device Reference

In this chapter we'll go over the different devices you can use in your puzzle designs, and check out the properties they bring with them and how you can utilize them.

Feel free to use the sidebar to the left to navigate through the list of devices if you're looking for something specific.

Plasma Door

A classic among puzzle fans, and one of the first puzzle elements ever designed for The Talos Principle!

The Plasma Door acts as a normally-closed doorblock and can be opened either by the player using a Jammer or by using the Activator system.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Height	The height of this plasma door (in meters) (get's automatically set when using the drawing tool)	Number	`3.0`
Length	The length of this plasma door (in meters) (get's automatically set when using the drawing tool)	Number	`6.0`
Condition	Whether this actor requires any, or all activators to be active in order to activate	Condition	`Any`
Invert activation	Whether the activation state should be inverted	Boolean	`false`
Activators	List of actors that activate this actor	Activator list	`Empty`

Pressure Plate

The Pressure Plate is activated either by the player standing on it, or by placing devices (such as a Jammer, Connector, or a Cube) on it.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Targets	List of actors that should be activated by this actor	Target list	`Empty`

Jammer

Being one of the more simpler The Talos Principle devices, and an absolute classic, the Jammer only provides one property in the puzzle editor.

The Jammer is used by the player to jam certain devices, such as the Plasma Door, a Mine or any other device that supports it.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Jam Target	When set, the Jammer will jam this actor by default upon starting the level.	Actor Reference	`(none)`

Connector

Connectors are a tool used by the player to connect a number of Energy Generators and Energy Receivers together (limitations apply).

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Energy nodes	The connector will connect to these energy nodes (generators, receivers and other connectors) by default upon starting the level.	Energy node list	`Empty`

Energy Generator

The Energy Generator generates a energy source that can be connected to Energy Receivers by using the Connector device.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Color	Saves you from placing a new generator every time. Valid options are `Red`, `Green` and `Blue`	List	depends on which generator was placed
Energy nodes	The generator will connect to these energy nodes (connectors and receivers) by default upon starting the level	Energy node list	`Empty`

Energy Receiver

The Energy Receiver is the significant other of the Energy Generator. It can receive an energy beam of the same color, using Connectors.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Color	The receiver's color. Valid options are `Red`, `Green` and `Blue`	List	depends on which receiver was placed
Charge duration	Number of seconds it takes this receiver to fully charge up	Number	`1.5`
Targets	List of actors that should be activated when this receiver fully charged up	Target list	`Empty`
Energy nodes	The receiver will connect to these energy nodes (connectors and generators) by default upon starting the level	Energy node list	`Empty`

Energy Accumulator

The Energy Accumulator is a device introduced in The Talos Principle 2 and connects up to the energy grid. After it is connected with an energy beam of any color for a short amount of time, the Accumulator can be disconnected from the grid and placed elsewhere, essentially acting as a portable Energy Generator.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Initial Charge	The initial charged color. Valid options are `Red`, `Green`, `Blue` or no color.	List	`None`
Energy nodes	The accumulator will connect to these energy nodes by default upon starting the level	Energy node list	`Empty`

Energy Mixer

The Energy Mixer is a device introduced in The Talos Principle 2. It works like a Connector, but when multiple colors are connected to the same Energy Mixer, the colors are combined into a third, new color. For example, combining a red and a green source results in a blue output color.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Energy nodes	The mixer will connect to these energy nodes by default upon starting the level	Energy node list	`Empty`

Energy Inverter

The Energy Inverter is a device introduced in The Talos Principle 2. When connected to a blue energy source, it will invert it to a red color, and vice versa. Green energy sources are not handled.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Energy nodes	The inverter will connect to these energy nodes by default upon starting the level	Energy node list	`Empty`

Activator

The Activator is a device introduced in The Talos Principle 2. It can be configured to receive one of the three energy sources (red, green and blue). Once connected, every device in it's radius is automatically activated.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Color	The color required to activate this Activator. Valid options are `Red`, `Green` and `Blue`.	List	`Red`
Energy nodes	The activator will connect to these energy nodes by default upon starting the level	Energy node list	`Empty`

Driller

The Driller is a device introduced in The Talos Principle 2. It can be picked up by the player and is used to create hole openings in Drillable Walls.

Drillers have no properties.

Drillable Wall

The Drillable Wall is a device introduced in The Talos Principle 2. It can be placed freely in the world and is a target for the Driller.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Wall Size	The size of the wall.	List	`8x3`

Gravitron

The Gravitron is a device introduced in The Talos Principle 2. It can be picked up by the player and is used to create gravity tunnels on Gravity Walls.

They have no properties.

Gravity Wall

The Gravity Wall is a device introduced in The Talos Principle 2. It acts as a target for the Gravitron and can be scaled dynamically to suit level design needs.

They have no properties.

Checkpoint

The Checkpoint can be used as a safety net for players to save their position, i.e. before a dangerous part of the level. The Checkpoint needs an activation and, once activated, saves that it was reached.

Upon the player's death, the player is not restarted at the beginning of the puzzle, but rather the last activated Checkpoint, if any.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Condition	Whether this actor requires any, or all activators to be active in order to activate	Condition	`Any`
Invert activation	Whether the activation state should be inverted	Boolean	`false`
Activators	List of actors that activate this actor	Activator list	`Empty`

Waypoint

The Waypoint is a fictive device with no real-world representation. Upon activation (or, if no activators have been configured - always), the Waypoint is displayed in the player's compass bar at the top border of the screen. It can be configured to suit level designs.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Condition	Whether this actor requires any, or all activators to be active in order to activate	Condition	`Any`
Invert activation	Whether the activation state should be inverted	Boolean	`false`
Activators	List of actors that activate this actor	Activator list	`Empty`
Icon	Which icon should be displayed in the compass bar	List	`Default`
Stick to Compass	When enabled, the Waypoint is always visible	Boolean	`false`
Blinking	When enabled, the Waypoint is blinking to draw attention by the player	Boolean	`false`
Blink Period	When `Blinking` is enabled, use this to control the blink frequency	Number	`1.0`
Hide when Far	When enabled, the Waypoint is hidden when it is too far away from the player	Boolean	`false`
Icon Padding	How much room around the icon is allocated	Number	`10.0`

End Game

The End Game device is a fictive device with no real-world representation. Upon activation, is simply ends the current level and brings the player back to the title screen.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Condition	Whether this actor requires any, or all activators to be active in order to activate	Condition	`Any`
Invert activation	Whether the activation state should be inverted	Boolean	`false`
Activators	List of actors that activate this actor	Activator list	`Empty`

Light

Lights are purely visual devices. Their function is simple. When they're not linked to any activators, Lights are always enabled and illuminate the environment in their specified color, intensity and radius.

If a light is linked to one or more activators, the light will be enabled or disabled based on the activator conditions.

Three lights placed next to each other — Three *lights* placed next to each other

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Cast shadows	When checked, this light can cast shadows. Note that this will increase the performance requirements a little bit.	Boolean	`false`
Intensity	The intensity of this light. Higher values result in brighter light.	Number	`7.0`
Radius	The radius in which the light affects it's environment. Higher numbers increase the performance requirements.	Number	`4.0`
Color	The color of the light	Color	`White`
Condition	Whether this actor requires any, or all activators to be active in order to activate	Condition	`Any`
Invert activation	Whether the activation state should be inverted	Boolean	`false`
Activators	List of actors that activate this actor	Activator list	`Empty`

Cube

Cubes aren't very complex. You can pick them up and place them elsewhere, use them as a stepping stone, place devices on them or or as a weight for Pressure Plates.

They have no properties.

Level Changer

The Level Changer is a fictive device with no real-world representation. Upon activation, it loads the specified level to a given checkpoint.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Condition	Whether this actor requires any, or all activators to be active in order to activate	Condition	`Any`
Invert activation	Whether the activation state should be inverted	Boolean	`false`
Activators	List of actors that activate this actor	Activator list	`Empty`
Level	The level to load. Has to be part of the same campaign.	Level list	`Empty`
Checkpoint	The checkpoint to place the player at, or the default player start	Checkpoint reference	`Player Start`

Fan

One could say, I'm a big fa-... okay, I'll let myself out.

Fans can, when activated, levitate the player or Cubes (including devices that might be stacked on top). They can either have a detachable Fan cover (which is what holds the actual fan blades), or a fixed one.

Additionally, fans can be set up in an angle, or on a flat surface. The editor features a fan stream visualizer which helps you estimating where a play would end up when being pushed by the Fan.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Stream angle	If >0, this will define the angle of the fan, also adding a platform under the fan.	Number	`0°`
Stream size	Defines the size of the air stream	3D Vector	`4.0, 1.5, 1.5`
Push speed	The force with which the player is pushed along the fan stream	Number	`9.0`
Cover type	Attached: the fan cover is detachable, but installed by default No cover: a fan cover needs to be attached Fixed: the fan has no detachable fan cover and can always function	List	`Attached`
Air control	A factor which defines how much the player can move while being in the air stream	Number	`0.4`
Vertical oscillation	Whether items or the player in thee fan's stream should be vertically oscillating. Can be turned off to increase stability of floating actors	Boolean	`true`
Condition	Whether this actor requires any, or all activators to be active in order to activate	Condition	`Any`
Invert activation	Whether the activation state should be inverted	Boolean	`false`
Activators	List of actors that activate this actor	Activator list	`Empty`

Fan Cover

This is the detachable Fan Cover. To be used with Fans that don't have one attached by default.

They have no properties.

Switch

The Switch is another device that can toggle the activation state of other devices, similar to the Pressure Plate. It is activated by the player interacting with it.

You might notice that the Switch has both an Activators property and a Targets property. This is due to the fact that the Switch can both activate devices, but also be disabled/enabled by other devices.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Initial state	The initial state of the Switch	Boolean	`false`
Condition	Whether this actor requires any, or all activators to be active in order to activate	Condition	`Any`
Invert activation	Whether the activation state should be inverted	Boolean	`false`
Activators	List of actors that activate this actor	Activator list	`Empty`
Targets	List of actors that should be activated by this actor	Target list	`Empty`

Time Recorder

The Time Recorder was probably one of the hardest mechanics to tackle in the original The Talos Principle. But we reworked it's mechanics a lot in The Talos Principle: Reawakened, so we're happy to celebrate a comeback of this complex mechanic!

The main idea of the Time Recorder is that player can activate it and the Recorder will record everything the player does, from simple movement to picking up items and activating components. Once the Time Recorder is stopped, a ghost will spawn, replicating the recorded player. As an addition to the original The Talos Principle, so-called Pause Points can be created while recording.

The Time Recorder however has no properties that can be adjusted. Place it, and have fun!

Platform

The Platform is a simple device that can be picked up by the player. The player can use a Platform to carry items ON the Platform. Platforms are often used in puzzle constellations with the Time Recorder.

The Platform has no properties.

Ladder

The Ladder is a simple actor that allows the player to climb to higher places.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Num segments	Defines the length of a ladder (in segments)	Number	`3`

Detector Area

The Detector Area is an interesting device, because it's not visible and therefore doesn't exist as a known device like the rest of the devices.

It serves as an invisible volume which can activate a target once the player enters, and deactivate a target once the player leaves.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Targets	List of actors that should be activated by this actor	Target list	`Empty`

Tetromino

Tetrominos were the main collectible objective in the original The Talos Principle. They exist in the colors green, gold, red, white and blue, as well as the shapes I, J, L, O, S, T, Z.

Info

The sigil names of a Tetromino (e.g. I, J or Z) are related to the shape of the Tetromino piece. Look at them and see the resemblance!

Tetrominos can be displayed on Signs, and be used for Tetromino Doors to unlock specific parts of a level only if enough sigils have been collected.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Color	The color of the Tetromino. Can be `Green`, `Gold`, `Red`, `White` and `Blue`.	List	`Green`
Shape	The shape of the Tetromino. Can be `I`, `J`, `L`, `O`, `S`, `T`, `Z`.	List	`L`
Targets	List of actors that should be activated when this Tetromino is picked up	Target list	`Empty`

Star

The Star serves as another collectible objective in a puzzle, next to Tetrominos. Stars can be used for Star Doors and also Tetromino Doors, where players need to solve a puzzle using the otherwise unobtainable star sigils.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
On screen message	This message is displayed to the player when the star is picked up	String	`Empty`
End game	If true, the game will automatically end upon the pickup of this star	Boolean	`false`
Targets	List of actors that should be activated when this Star is picked up	Target list	`Empty`

Sign

The Sign can be used as a level design tool to point players to objectives, such as Tetrominos or Stars.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Collectibles	List of stars which should be visible on the sign	List	`Empty`
Sign direction	Can either be `Left`, `Right` or `Simple` (which does not have any direction)	List	`Left`

Red/Blue Generator

The Energy Generator generates a energy source that can be connected to Energy Receivers by using the Connector device.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Color	Saves you from placing a new generator every time. Valid options are `Red` and `Blue`	List	depends on which generator was placed
Energy nodes	The generator will connect to these energy nodes (connectors and receivers) by default upon starting the level	Energy node list	`Empty`

Red/Blue Receiver

The Energy Receiver is the significant other of the Energy Generator. It can receive an energy beam of the same color, using Connectors.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Color	The receiver's color. Valid options are `Red` and `Blue`	List	depends on which receiver was placed
Charge duration	Number of seconds it takes this receiver to fully charge up	Number	`1.5`
Targets	List of actors that should be activated when this receiver fully charged up	Target list	`Empty`
Energy nodes	The receiver will connect to these energy nodes (connectors and generators) by default upon starting the level	Energy node list	`Empty`

Plasma Barrier

The Plasma Barrier is usually placed at a puzzle entrance to ensure players are not taking any devices with them into a puzzle, but it can also be used inside puzzles to ensure the same thing.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Puzzle name	When placed at a puzzle entrance, a puzzle name to be displayed can be entered here	String	`Empty`
Show frame	When enabled, the barrier has a frame mesh around it	Boolean	`true`
Height	The height of the Plasma Barrier (automatically set when placed by a drawing tool)	Number	`2.0`
Length	The length of the Plasma Barrier (automatically set when placed by a drawing tool)	Number	`4.0`

Mine

Mines and Turrets form the guardians of the land you're crafting. When the player is getting up close, mines will attempt to kill the player. Mines can also take Cubes, meaning that they can carry items around.

When placed, a mine will just act stationary and does not move - but that behavior can be changed using Path Markers.

If no Path Marker setup is present yet, a first Path Marker can be created by clicking the Place marker button in the properties. The newly created Path Marker is placed at the mine's position and automatically assigned as the first marker.

If a Path Marker is setup, the mine will follow the path endlessly.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Wait time	If set to something greater than `0.0`, the Mine will wait this time (in seconds) before starting to patrol	Number	`0.0`
First marker	The first path marker of the route this Mine should follow (if any)	Path Marker Reference	`None`
Turret kill range	The range (in meters) in which the Mine can kill a Turret	Number	`5.0`

Passive Mine

The Passive Mine is not as dangerous as the classic Mine, since it will not kill the player in a specific range, but just hit the player and "buzz" it away. Similar to the Mine, it can be set up to follow a route, and carry items around.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Wait time	If set to something greater than `0.0`, the Passive Mine will wait this time (in seconds) before starting to patrol	Number	`0.0`
First marker	The first path marker of the route this Passive Mine should follow (if any)	Path Marker Reference	`None`

Path Marker

Path Markers can be used for Mines to indicate a path which the Mine should travel along.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Next marker	If set, then the Mine will travel to the next marker after reaching this one. If not set, the Mine will switch directions and go back the route	Path Marker Reference	`None`

Auto Turret

Another rather dangerous guardian. Auto turrets are usually placed on a wall, guarding objectives or devices. Their angle and range can be freely set up.

The editor features a visualizer that helps estimating where a player would be affected by the turret. The Auto turret can be activated and deactivated by Activators.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Min yaw	The minimum yaw angle of the turret's range	Number	`-45°`
Max yaw	The maximum yaw angle of the turret's range	Number	`45°`
Fire range		Number	`10.0`
Min range		Number	`1.0`
Force kill range		Number	`0.0`
Floor offset		Number	`2.0`
Condition	Whether this actor requires any, or all activators to be active in order to activate	Condition	`Any`
Invert activation	Whether the activation state should be inverted	Boolean	`false`
Activators	List of actors that activate this actor	Activator list	`Empty`

Invisible Wall

The Invisible Wall is a very simple device which only has one purpose: block players from reaching certain areas. Common use cases include the placement on walls or around puzzles to prevent cheesing them and letting players escape the boundaries.

The size of the Invisible Wall can be adjusted using the width, height and length scaling property.

The Invisible Wall has no properties.

Death Area

The Death Area is another simple device that simply kills the player upon entering the area. Similar to the Invisible Wall, the area can be resized using the width, height and length scaling property.

The Death Area has no properties.

Guided Jump

In the base game, the puzzle creators often designed a specific path for the player to follow. Those paths often include walls or cliffs that the player should jump to. While the game often automatically detects situations like these, it sometimes might not be clear if a path is "jumpable" or not. To combat this, we're using Guided Jump areas.

The idea is simple: once the player enters the area of a Guided Jump, the game offers the player to jump to one of the next Guided Jump areas, defined in the Targets property.

Note

Only the closest Guided Jump to the player's crosshair is displayed.

The below image is a classic example of a Guided Jump device placed on top of a wall.

Guided Jump on a wall — *Guided Jump* on a wall

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Targets	List of "next" Guided Jump devices, which will be offered to the player upon reaching this Guided Jump	List of Guided Jump devices	`Empty`

Water

The Water device serves no gameplay purpose and it's sole purpose is to aid the level setdressing. The Water device acts as a simple plane which can be resized using the width, height and length scaling property.

The Water has no additional properties.

Water device enclosed in a pool mesh — *Water* device enclosed in a pool mesh

Fog

The Fog device is a cosmetical device that can be placed in the level to generate fog. When configured with an activating condition, the fog can be enabled or disabled dynamically. The fog is not cast globally, but rendered volumetrically in the given shape.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Condition	Whether this actor requires any, or all activators to be active in order to activate	Condition	`Any`
Invert activation	Whether the activation state should be inverted	Boolean	`false`
Activators	List of actors that activate this actor	Activator list	`Empty`
Shape	The shape of the fog volume in which the fog is rendered. Options are `Box`, `Sphere`, `Cylinder` and `Cone`	Shape list	`Box`
Color	The color of the fog	Color	`#CDCDCD`
Density	The density of the fog inside the volume	Number	`0.05`

Portal

Similar to the behavior of Portals in the base game, they're able to teleport the player, once they enter the portal, to another level within the same episode.

Additionally, Portals can be set up so they require a number of unlocked Stars for the teleportation to work.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Stars to unlock	The amount of Stars needed for this Portal to initiate the teleporting process	Number	`0`
End game	When checked, the game will be ended upon traveling with this portal. The player will be brought back to the main menu	Boolean	`false`
Next level	The level to load when the player enters the Portal. Has to be within the same episode	Level	`(none)`

Stationary Connector

Stationary Connectors are, instead of the regular Connectors, not movable by the player and therefore are a fixed part of the puzzle's design.

Players can connect to the Stationary Connector with other Connectors.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Energy nodes	The Stationary Connector will connect to these energy nodes (other connectors, generators and receivers) by default upon starting the level	Energy node list	`Empty`

Wire Marker

Wire Markers are used to place wires in the level. Wires don't have a gameplay purpose, but can act as visual links to symbolize the connection between devices.

To create a wire, at least two Wire Markers are needed. With the Next marker property (or the auto-link hotkey L), Wire Markers are connected to each other, and a wire is formed.

When one of the Wire Markers in a chain is hooked up to an Activator, the whole wire will emit a glow if the Activation conditions are met.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Next marker	The next Wire Marker to connect to	Wire Marker reference	`None`
Tangent size	The size of the tangent. Increasing this number makes any edges rounder	Number	`1.0`
Intensity	The strength of the glow emitted by the wire if the activation conditions are met	Number	`20.0`
Color	The color this wire will emit when the activation conditions are met	Color	`Light blue`
Condition	Whether this actor requires any, or all activators to be active in order to activate	Condition	`Any`
Invert activation	Whether the activation state should be inverted	Boolean	`false`
Activators	List of actors that activate this actor	Activator list	`Empty`

Mover

The Mover is a fictional device that is introduced with The Talos Principle 2. The Mover can be used to move actors along a path defined by Move Markers.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Condition	Whether this actor requires any, or all activators to be active in order to activate	Condition	`Any`
Invert activation	Whether the activation state should be inverted	Boolean	`false`
Activators	List of actors that activate this actor	Activator list	`Empty`
Path Start Marker	The first Move Marker of the path that the movable actor should follow	Move Marker reference	`None`
Movables	List of actors that should be moved along the path	Actor list	`Empty`

Move Marker

The Move Marker is the marker device for Movers. Move Markers are connected up together and can form an arbitrary long chain.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Next Marker	Next marker on the chain of markers that form a path. Set to `None` to make it the end of the chain	Move Marker Reference	`None`
Move Time	The time it takes (in seconds) to move from this marker to the next one	Number	`1.0`
Wait Time	The time to wait (in seconds) until the movables continue to move	Number	`0.0`
Smoothness	Whether an easing curve is applied to the move	Number	`0.0`
Scale	Additionally, this scale can be applied to the movable entity	Vector	`1.0, 1.0, 1.0`

Move Path Changer

The Move Path Changer is a device to be used in combination with Movers and Move Markers. Upon activation, this device will set a Mover to change to a new path, specified by the first Move Marker of the new path.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Condition	Whether this actor requires any, or all activators to be active in order to activate	Condition	`Any`
Invert activation	Whether the activation state should be inverted	Boolean	`false`
Activators	List of actors that activate this actor	Activator list	`Empty`
Custom Mover	The Mover to change the path for	Mover Reference	`None`
Custom Move Marker	The Move Marker of the new path	Move Marker Reference	`None`

Attach Actors

The Attach Actors device is a fictional device and is used to create physical links between two devices actors. For example, a simple mesh can be attached to a another mesh controlled by a Mover, or any entity can be attached to the player. This behavior can be configured to happen upon activation.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Condition	Whether this actor requires any, or all activators to be active in order to activate	Condition	`Any`
Invert activation	Whether the activation state should be inverted	Boolean	`false`
Activators	List of actors that activate this actor	Activator list	`Empty`
Attach to Player	Whether to attach the linked actors to the player or to another actor	Boolean	`false`
PlayerJoint	When attaching to the player, this defines the attachment point	List	`Default`
Attach To	When not attaching to a player, reference to an actor which is the attachment target	Actor reference	`None`
Attached Actors	List of actors that should be attached to either the player or another actor	Actor list	`Empty`

NPCs

NPC

NPCs were introduced in The Talos Principle 2 and are used as a story vessel, in contrary to Terminals used in the original The Talos Principle. NPCs can be set up to walk a specified path, interact with objects, their appearance can be customized freely and they can engage in conversations with the player.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Condition	Whether this actor requires any, or all activators to be active in order to activate	Condition	`Any`
Invert activation	Whether the activation state should be inverted	Boolean	`false`
Activators	List of actors that activate this actor	Activator list	`Empty`
Path Start Marker	Reference to a first NPC Marker of a path	NPC Marker Reference	`None`
Title	Name of the NPC	Text	`Empty`
Rank	"Rank" of the NPC, displayed below the name	Text	`Empty`
Head Material	Use this to customize the robots appearance	List	`Robot Head`
Arm Material	Use this to customize the robots appearance	List	`Robot Arm`
Torso Material	Use this to customize the robots appearance	List	`Robot Torso`
Leg Material	Use this to customize the robots appearance	List	`Robot Leg`
Animation	Animation to play by default	List	`Default`
Look At Target	When specified, the NPC will look at the selected actor	Actor Reference	`None`
Glow Intensity	Intensity of the glowing center piece of the robot's torso	Number	`1.0`
Eye Glow Intensity	Intensity of the eye glow effect	Number	`1.0`
Title Color	Color of the NPC's name tag	Color	`Black`
Rank Color	Color of the NPC's rank tag	Color	`White`
Color Slot 0	Use this to customize the robots appearance	Color	`White`
Color Slot 1	Use this to customize the robots appearance	Color	`White`
Color Slot 2	Use this to customize the robots appearance	Color	`White`
Color Slot 3	Use this to customize the robots appearance	Color	`White`
Glow Color	Color of the glowing eyes and the robot's torso center piece	Color	`White`

NPC Editor

The fictive NPC Editor device can be used to alter any trait of an NPC dynamically, based on Activations. Use the Trait Kind property to select which trait should be modified, and give it a new value. This is useful to dynamically change NPC appearances based on conditions in the level.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Condition	Whether this actor requires any, or all activators to be active in order to activate	Condition	`Any`
Invert activation	Whether the activation state should be inverted	Boolean	`false`
Activators	List of actors that activate this actor	Activator list	`Empty`
Target NPCs	List of NPCs that should be modified	NPC list	`Empty`
Trait Kind	Specifies the trait that should be modified	List	`Rank Text`

NPC Dialog

The NPC Dialog device is used to define a dialog that can be played back by any NPC and are similar to Terminal Page Texts. The dialogue content is organized into "pages", which essentially depict on "line" being said by the NPC, followed by an interaction by the player. Players can then specify a number of answers which can exit the dialog, trigger different dialogue pages and interact with objects from the level. With these tools, NPCs can be used to create complex story-driven gameplay elements.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Activators	List of actors that activate this actor	Activator list	`Empty`
Path Start Marker	The first Move Marker of the path that the movable actor should follow	Move Marker reference	`None`
Movables	List of actors that should be moved along the path	Actor list	`Empty`
Targets	List of actors that the dialogue should be able to interact with	Actor list	`Empty`
NPCs	List of NPCs that should be given this dialogue	NPC list	`Empty`
Allow Talk Animation	When enabled, NPCs that engage in this dialogue will play a generic talking animation	Boolean	`true`
Force Begin	When enabled, this conversation is automatically started at level start, no matter whether the player is actually located near the NPC	Boolean	`false`

NPC Path Changer

The NPC Path Changer, similar to the Move Path Changer, is used to dynamically modify the path a NPC is taking.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Condition	Whether this actor requires any, or all activators to be active in order to activate	Condition	`Any`
Invert activation	Whether the activation state should be inverted	Boolean	`false`
Activators	List of actors that activate this actor	Activator list	`Empty`
NPC	The NPC that should be targeted by this path change	NPC Reference	`None`
New Path Marker	The NPC Marker of the new, changed path	NPC Marker Reference	`None`

NPC Marker

NPC Markers are used to design paths and interactions for NPCs. Similar to Path Markers and Move Markers, they can be configured to form a chain, but in addition, markers can be given actions which the NPC performs when reaching a marker.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Targets		Actor List	`Empty`
Next Marker	The next marker in the chain	NPC Marker Reference	`None`
Action	What to perform when reaching this marker	List	`None`
Wait Time	Number in seconds to wait until the NPC walks up to the next marker	Number	`0.0`
Reach Distance	Distance the NPC needs to be away from the marker to count it as reached	Number	`1.0`
Speed	Walk speed which the NPC uses to reach this marker	Number	`1.0`
Carriable Actor	When "Pick up Carriable" is the selected Action, specifies the device which should be picked up by the NPC	Carriable Reference	`None`
Drop Location	When "Drop Carriable" is the selected Action, specifies on which device (e.g. a Pressure Plate) the current carriable should be dropped	Actor List	`None`

Bank

The Bank is a new puzzle mechanic introduced into the The Talos Principle 2. Players can drop items into the Bank and exchange them with another item that can be stored on the Bank.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Carriable Class	The device that should be placed on the Bank by default	Carriable Reference	`None`

Clone

The Clone is a passive puzzle mechanic introduced in The Talos Principle 2. It has no properties and can be placed anywhere in a level. When a player has a direct line of sight to the Clone, they are offered to take control of the Clone.

Teleporter

The Teleporter is a passive puzzle mechanic introduced in The Talos Principle 2. It has no properties and can be placed anywhere in a level. When a player has a direct line of sight to the Teleporter, they can teleport to the Teleporter.

Rail Drone

The Rail Drone is a puzzle mechanic introduced in The Talos Principle 2. It can be set up to move along Path Markers upon activation. Players need to connect an Energy Source of the matching color to make the Rail Drone move along the path. Additionally, items can be placed on a Rail Drone, and the player can stand on it.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Condition	Whether this actor requires any, or all activators to be active in order to activate	Condition	`Any`
Invert activation	Whether the activation state should be inverted	Boolean	`false`
Activators	List of actors that activate this actor	Activator list	`Empty`
Color	The color of the energy source required to start this Rail Drone	Color	`Red`
First Marker	The first Path Marker of the path that this Rail Drone take	Path Marker Reference	`None`
Charge Duration	Number of seconds this Rail Drone takes to fully charge up and start moving	Number	`1.5`
Connections	The connector will connect to these energy nodes by default upon starting the level	Energy node list	`Empty`

Sound

The Sound device is a fictive device that can be used to play back any sound of The Talos Principle upon activation, e.g. for gameplay or ambience purposes.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Condition	Whether this actor requires any, or all activators to be active in order to activate	Condition	`Any`
Invert activation	Whether the activation state should be inverted	Boolean	`false`
Activators	List of actors that activate this actor	Activator list	`Empty`
Custom Sound	The sound to be played back	Sound list	`None`
Play Until End	Whether to play the sound until it fully finished	Boolean	`true`
Looping	Whether to keep looping the sound until activation is removed	Boolean	`false`
Attenuation	The attenuation radius of this sound source in the world	Number	`1.0`
Fade Duration	Length in seconds of a fade in/out when the sound is started or stopped	Number	`0.0`

Music Changer

The Music Changer device is a fictive device that can be used to change the level's music and ambience upon activation.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Condition	Whether this actor requires any, or all activators to be active in order to activate	Condition	`Any`
Invert activation	Whether the activation state should be inverted	Boolean	`false`
Activators	List of actors that activate this actor	Activator list	`Empty`
Music	The music to play	Music list	`East 1`
Ambience	The ambience to play	Ambience list	`Desert`

Lowering Fence

The Lowering Fence is a rather simple device. Similar to a Plasma Door, the Lowering Fence acts as a toggleable door to block the player's way - with the exception that the Lowering Fence cannot be jammed.

In the original The Talos Principle, Lowering Fences were often used to enable shortcuts for the player after picking up the main objective.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Condition	Whether this actor requires any, or all activators to be active in order to activate	Condition	`Any`
Invert activation	Whether the activation state should be inverted	Boolean	`false`
Activators	List of actors that activate this actor	Activator list	`Empty`

Tetromino Door

Tetromino Doors were used in original levels to require a certain set of collected tetrominos before the player could continue.

To design your own tetromino puzzle, select a Sigil type in the actor's properties and click the Setup puzzle button in the properties panel.

Protip

Tetromino doors can also be used to set up arranger puzzles for Stars.

On the bottom right corner, you can select the size of the puzzle board, ranging from 1x1 to 8x8. Then, you can freely design a tetromino puzzle by dragging the available shapes in the puzzle. When you're finished, click the red Checkmark button at the top.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Sigil	The type of sigil this Tetromino Door should use. Can be Green, Gold, Red, Star, White, Blue and Purple.	List	`Gold`

Star Door

In contrary to the Tetromino Door, the Star Door does not require a tetromino puzzle to be solved, but just needs an amount of Stars collected to be able to be opened.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Stars count	Number of stars required to open this door	Number	`1`

Locked Gate

Locked Gates are doors that require a Key to unlock. A level can have multiple Gates and Keys, therefore linking a specific Key to a Gate is required.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Gate key	The Key that opens this door	Key Reference	`(none)`

Key

This Key is used to unlock Locked Gates.

It does not have any properties.

Terminal

Terminals were the main story vessel in the original The Talos Principle.

Players can interact with a Terminal by selecting different dialogue options - so they can be used for storytelling or for activating other devices.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Targets	List of actors that can be manipulated through the Terminal's program	Target list	`Empty`

To edit a Terminal's "program", click on the Edit text button in the Terminal's properties.

Terminals act upon pages. A Terminal can have multiple pages, where every page can contain some text, together with options (answers) the player can select. Additionally, a page can be marked to be displayed as a document.

Info

The first page in the list of pages will always be the page that's called at Terminal startup. You can reorder the pages if you wish to change this.

Page Text

Terminal page texts can be fully custom, you can write whole paragraphs, or just small prompts. Texts can contain special markers to customize the behavior when the Terminal prints the text:

Name	Marker Code	Description	Example
Wait	`%w<x>`	When the Terminal reads this marker, it waits the length of `x` until continuing to print. The wait length is a factor of the Terminal's typing speed, and not in seconds.	`Loading%w1.%w1.%w1.Done!`
Sound	`%s<x>`	When this marker is read, the Terminal plays a sound. `x` indicates the type of sound to play. `0`: beep	`Beep! %s0`
Glitch	`%g<x>`	Plays a "glitch" effect on the player. `x` indicates the strength, ranging from `0` (very soft) to `5` (very strong)	`Error! %g5`
Typing Speed	`%x<x>`	Adjusts the Terminals typing speed, where `x` indicates the speed in characters per second. Use `0` to return to the default speed.	`%x10 Slow text! %x100 Fast text! %x0 Standard!`
Clear	`%c`	Clears the screen immediately	`You've seen enough.%w10%c`

Additionally, you can use the <text></> formatting directive to further customize your text. The following attributes are supported:

Attribute	Description	Example
`color`	Alters the text color. Color value must be in HEX format (`#RRGGBB` or `#RRGGBBAA`)	`<text color="#ff0000">Red Text</>`
`size`	Alters the text size, in pt. The default text size is depending on the Terminal text size option. The default is `20`.	`<text size="12">Very small text!</>`
`case`	Alters text casing. Valid values are `upper` and `lower`	`<text case="upper">This text is transformed to uppercase!</>`

Of course, all of those markers and formatting directives can be combined. The following text produces the output as seen in the GIF:

<text color="#ff0000" size="32" case="upper">Warning!</>
<text color="#fff700" size="28" case="upper">%x5Dangerous Area%w1.%w1.%w1.%w1.%w1.%x0</>

Are you sure you want to proceed?

Advanced Terminal text formatting — Advanced *Terminal* text formatting

Protip

To preview how the page would behave on the Terminal, you can click the Preview page button in the top right corner of the program editor.

Answer options

Every Terminal page that's not displayed as a document needs to have answer options which the player can choose from. You can find them below the page text input.

An answer option consists out of a name (that's displayed on the button), a primary action and a secondary action.

A primary action can either be to exit the dialog, or switch to another page.

A secondary action can be used to manipulate the state of the external Targets that can be configured in the Terminal's properties.

See this example setup:

Example Terminal program — Example *Terminal* program

This program has three pages, a "Start page" which introduces the player, a page which tells a joke, and a page which prints "Opening the door...". You can see that the answer option to open the door does switch to the "Open Door" page, but also activate the linked Lowering Fence as a secondary action. When the player selects that option, the Lowering Fence in the background is opened.

When a Terminal page is marked as a document, it's Page text is displayed in a document popup, like so:

Terminal page displayed as a document — Terminal *page* displayed as a document

Terminal Swapper

The Terminal Swapper is a meta-device that can swap the contents of two Terminals upon activation. This can become handy if you want Terminals to present very different texts based on certain situations in your level.

A common situation would be to keep multiple Terminals somewhere invisible, and swap contents using the Terminal Swapper as you go.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Terminal A	Reference to the first terminal	Terminal reference	`(none)`
Terminal B	Reference to the second terminal	Terminal reference	`(none)`
Condition	Whether this actor requires any, or all activators to be active in order to activate	Condition	`Any`
Invert activation	Whether the activation state should be inverted	Boolean	`false`
Activators	List of actors that activate this actor	Activator list	`Empty`

PDA

PDA Log

PDAs were introduced in The Talos Principle 2 and are used to communicate story elements, such as log entries or conversations between characters to the player. To add a Log entry to the player's PDA upon activation, the PDA Log device is used. The title and message can be customized, and optionally, a Camera can be linked, whose perspective will be included in the log entry.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Condition	Whether this actor requires any, or all activators to be active in order to activate	Condition	`Any`
Invert activation	Whether the activation state should be inverted	Boolean	`false`
Activators	List of actors that activate this actor	Activator list	`Empty`
Label	Title of the PDA log entry	Text	`Empty`
Message	Message body of the PDA log entry	Text	`Empty`
Camera	Optionally, reference to a Camera that takes a photo to include it in the log entry	Camera Reference	`None`

PDA Research Log

Essentially the same as the PDA Log, but the entry appears under the "Research" tab rather than the "Log" tab.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Condition	Whether this actor requires any, or all activators to be active in order to activate	Condition	`Any`
Invert activation	Whether the activation state should be inverted	Boolean	`false`
Activators	List of actors that activate this actor	Activator list	`Empty`
Label	Title of the PDA research entry	Text	`Empty`
Message	Message body of the PDA research entry	Text	`Empty`
Camera	Optionally, reference to a Camera that takes a photo to include it in the research entry	Camera Reference	`None`

Upon activation, the PDA Social Media device creates a new conversation in the "Social Media" tab. These threads can be commented or replied using the PDA Comment or PDA Reply devices.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Condition	Whether this actor requires any, or all activators to be active in order to activate	Condition	`Any`
Invert activation	Whether the activation state should be inverted	Boolean	`false`
Activators	List of actors that activate this actor	Activator list	`Empty`
Author	Author name of this conversation	Text	`Empty`
Label	Title of the conversation	Text	`Empty`
Message	Message body of the conversation	Text	`Empty`
Camera	Optionally, reference to a Camera that takes a photo to include it in the message	Camera Reference	`None`

PDA Comment

Upon activation, the PDA Comment device adds a new message to an existing conversation created by the PDA Social Media device. This can be used to mimic whole conversations.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Condition	Whether this actor requires any, or all activators to be active in order to activate	Condition	`Any`
Invert activation	Whether the activation state should be inverted	Boolean	`false`
Activators	List of actors that activate this actor	Activator list	`Empty`
Author	Author name of this comment	Text	`Empty`
Comment	Message body of the comment	Text	`Empty`
Original Post	The PDA Social Media conversation this comment should be added to	PDA Social Media Referemce	`Empty`
Camera	Optionally, reference to a Camera that takes a photo to include it in the message	Camera Reference	`None`
Portrait Camera	Optionally, reference to a Camera that takes a photo of the message sender	Camera Reference	`None`

PDA Reply

Similar to the PDA Comment, but adds a message that appears to be from the player.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Condition	Whether this actor requires any, or all activators to be active in order to activate	Condition	`Any`
Invert activation	Whether the activation state should be inverted	Boolean	`false`
Activators	List of actors that activate this actor	Activator list	`Empty`
Targets	List of activatable targets that can be activated once this message is sent	Activatable List	`Empty`
Author	Author name of this comment	Text	`Empty`
Comment	Message body of the comment	Text	`Empty`
Original Post	The PDA Social Media conversation this comment should be added to	PDA Social Media Referemce	`Empty`
Camera	Optionally, reference to a Camera that takes a photo to include it in the message	Camera Reference	`None`
Portrait Camera	Optionally, reference to a Camera that takes a photo of the message sender	Camera Reference	`None`

Camera

The Camera is a new device that can be used to alter the perspective of the player based on activations, e.g. to play "cutscenes" or give another view on some part of a level. Cameras are also used for PDA contents.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Condition	Whether this actor requires any, or all activators to be active in order to activate	Condition	`Any`
Invert activation	Whether the activation state should be inverted	Boolean	`false`
Activators	List of actors that activate this actor	Activator list	`Empty`
Fade in Duration	Length of the fade in (in seconds)	Number	`0.0`
Fade out Duration	Length of the fade out (in seconds)	Number	`0.0`
Block Player Movement	Whether to block the player's movement while the camera is active	Boolean	`true`

Particles

The Particles device is a purely cosmetical device that can spawn particle effects upon activation.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Condition	Whether this actor requires any, or all activators to be active in order to activate	Condition	`Any`
Invert activation	Whether the activation state should be inverted	Boolean	`false`
Activators	List of actors that activate this actor	Activator list	`Empty`
Particle System	The particle effect to play	List	`No Particles`

Prometheus Token

Prometheus Tokens were introduced in The Talos Principle 2 and function as a help system to aid players with a puzzle. Prometheus Tokens are picked up and then used in Prometheus Terminals, which can then execute actions to help the player solve a puzzle. Prometheus Tokens can also activate any activatable device when it is picked up.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Targets	List of targets that should be activated when the token is picked up	Activatable List	`Empty`

Prometheus Terminal

Prometheus Terminals are the other part of Prometheus Tokens. Once the player has gained a Prometheus Token, they can interact with the Prometheus Terminal. Once done, the Prometheus Terminal will activate all targets, so e.g. a door could open to simplify the puzzle.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Targets	List of targets that should be activated when the terminal is used	Activatable List	`Empty`

Progress Wheel

The Progress Wheel was introduced in The Talos Principle 2 as a level-wide collector of reachable goals, either Stars or Tetrominos. Once the Progress Wheel is filled up with eight collectibles, it activates all targets so the level can react accordingly.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Targets	List of targets that should be activated when the Progress Wheel is completed	Activatable List	`Empty`
Collectibles	List of collectibles that are required by this Progress Wheel	Collectible List	`Empty`

QR Code

QR Codes are decals that are automatically generated by the game based on the to-be-encoded text. In order to appear correctly, they should be placed facing a flat surface.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Message Text	The text to encode in the QR code	String	`Empty`

Trigger

The Trigger is, similar to the Detector Area, an invisible device that can be used to control behavior on levels.

A good use for a Trigger is to delay activations, display messages to the user, or end the game. They can also be used to relay activations to other devices.

Property	Description	Type	Default Value
Only once	When enabled, this Trigger can only trigger once	Boolean	`false`
Wait time	If >= `0`, the Trigger waits this time (in seconds) before activating	Number	`0`
On screen message	If set, this message is displayed to the user when the Trigger activates	String	`Empty`
End game	If true, activating this Trigger will end the game, bringing the player back to the main menu	Boolean	`false`
Condition	Whether this actor requires any, or all activators to be active in order to activate	Condition	`Any`
Invert activation	Whether the activation state should be inverted	Boolean	`false`
Activators	List of actors that activate this actor	Activator list	`Empty`
Targets	List of actors that should be activated by this actor	Target list	`Empty`