Find a mechanism, understand its tradeoffs and smallest useful scope, then build your game with a design card and sample project.
192 Mechanisms32 Mechanism domain48 Art styles12 Genre guides
Events and narrativesLinked states
Make a promise for immediate help or consider whether you can fulfil it later?
Reference gamesOXENFREE · The Walking Dead
Events and narrativesLinked states
Use this loop to investigate an unknown event or execute a known chain of actions?
Reference gamesOuter Wilds · Twelve Minutes
Events and narrativesOne rule
Which perspective resolves the current contradiction instead of repeating known information?
Reference gamesTacoma · 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim
Characters and relationshipsOne rule
Take a lucrative job or keep a low-paying promise to a friend with limited time?
Reference gamesStardew Valley · My Time at Portia
Characters and relationshipsLinked states
Keep your principle, favor a companion or pay more for a compromise?
Reference gamesBaldur's Gate 3 · Griftlands
Characters and relationshipsOne rule
Make an offer now or spend time discovering the real need while risking the opportunity?
Reference gamesGriftlands · Disco Elysium
Maps and explorationOne rule
Continue outward or revisit a remembered obstacle to test the new ability?
Reference gamesMetroid Dread · Hollow Knight
Maps and explorationOne rule
Take the nearby fork or climb higher to reorient against the tower and coastline?
Reference gamesSea of Thieves · A Short Hike
Maps and explorationOne rule
Keep looking for a key or apply a newly understood rule to an old barrier?
Reference gamesOuter Wilds · TUNIC
Collecting and expressionOne rule
Complete a nearly finished set or pursue a rare discovery in another category?
Reference gamesStardew Valley · New Pokémon Snap
Collecting and expressionOne rule
Take a clear ordinary shot now or wait for a rare behavior and risk losing the view?
Reference gamesNew Pokémon Snap · Alba: A Wildlife Adventure
Collecting and expressionOne rule
Order by size or group by purpose for easier use?
Reference gamesA Little to the Left · Unpacking
Maps and explorationOne rule
Take the shortest unknown route or spend a step scouting?
Reference gamesCivilization VI · The Battle for Wesnoth
Maps and explorationOne rule
Push into a new area or first open a return route to safety?
Reference gamesTeardown · Salt and Sanctuary
Maps and explorationOne rule
Take immediate rewards or a route with timely recovery after danger?
Reference gamesSlay the Spire · 80 Days
Events and narrativesOne rule
Interrupt now or listen and risk losing the reply window?
Reference gamesOXENFREE · The Walking Dead
Events and narrativesOne rule
Fit a new testimony into the current account or reorder the whole hypothesis?
Reference gamesHer Story · Tacoma
Events and narrativesLinked states
Acquire a clue that opens another event or resolve the current relationship event?
Reference gamesFallen London (Echo Bazaar) · 80 Days
Covers are original AI-generated style illustrations. Game names reference publicly visible design choices and remain the property of their owners. This atlas does not supply screenshots or assets from those games. Prompts and combinations are original drafts for new games.
