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ATLAS / IDEAS

Game design atlas

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

Art styles My research shelf Rain Canopy Workshop · Try the complete prototype Pixel toolkit

Core loop

01Recognize an obstacle
02Find and learn an ability
03Recall an old route
04Open a new connection

Maps and explorationOne rule

Ability gates and revisits

Continue outward or revisit a remembered obstacle to test the new ability?

Reference gamesMetroid Dread · Hollow Knight

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Core loop

01Observe landmarks
02Form a location hypothesis
03Test it along a route
04Reorient from a new view

Maps and explorationOne rule

Navigating by landmarks

Take the nearby fork or climb higher to reorient against the tower and coastline?

Reference gamesSea of Thieves · A Short Hike

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Core loop

01Meet an unexplained barrier
02Collect rule clues
03Test a hypothesis
04Enter through understanding

Maps and explorationOne rule

Knowledge as access

Keep looking for a key or apply a newly understood rule to an old barrier?

Reference gamesOuter Wilds · TUNIC

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Core loop

01Inspect collected and missing items
02Choose a discovery
03Confirm a new entry
04Display the set and next goal

Collecting and expressionOne rule

Collections and missing pieces

Complete a nearly finished set or pursue a rare discovery in another category?

Reference gamesStardew Valley · New Pokémon Snap

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Core loop

01Find subject and behavior
02Adjust distance and framing
03Wait and photograph
04Review conditions and reshoot

Collecting and expressionOne rule

Photographing behavior

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

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Core loop

01Inspect shared features
02Choose an organizing rule
03Arrange and test relationships
04Confirm and preserve the display

Collecting and expressionOne rule

Tidying rules and expression

Order by size or group by purpose for easier use?

Reference gamesA Little to the Left · Unpacking

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Core loop

01Read known borders
02Scout
03Update memory/visibility
04Choose using new information

Maps and explorationOne rule

Map fog and scouting value

Take the shortest unknown route or spend a step scouting?

Reference gamesCivilization VI · The Battle for Wesnoth

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Core loop

01Find a one-way barrier
02Reach the far side
03Open the link
04Use the shorter return

Maps and explorationOne rule

Opening shortcuts and loops

Push into a new area or first open a return route to safety?

Reference gamesTeardown · Salt and Sanctuary

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Core loop

01Read branch previews
02Compare node sequences
03Commit to a stop
04Replan after its outcome

Maps and explorationOne rule

Branching route commitments

Take immediate rewards or a route with timely recovery after danger?

Reference gamesSlay the Spire · 80 Days

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Core loop

01Read duplicates/missing items
02Select surplus
03Confirm material yield
04Craft a chosen target

Collecting and expressionOne rule

Duplicates into targeted progress

Keep a spare copy or convert it toward a desired collectible?

Reference gamesHearthstone · GWENT

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Core loop

01Choose slots/items
02Preview layering
03Adjust colors/occlusion
04Save and display an outfit

Collecting and expressionOne rule

Cosmetic layers and outfits

Match a set or mix origins to express your character?

Reference gamesFinal Fantasy XIV · Minecraft

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Core loop

01Choose a theme
02Arrange exhibits/labels
03Invite viewing
04Revise from comprehension feedback

Collecting and expressionOne rule

Curating a collection

Display every rarity or use related ordinary items to tell a coherent story?

Reference gamesTwo Point Museum · Animal Crossing: New Horizons

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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.