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
Trade and managementOne rule
Wait for a high-price buyer or lower the price to free cash and shelf space?
Reference gamesMoonlighter · Recettear: An Item Shop's Tale
Trade and managementOne rule
Use the oldest stock first or fulfil a better-paying order that requires fresher ingredients?
Reference gamesRimWorld · Project Zomboid
Trade and managementOne rule
Finish a quick order to improve throughput, or rescue a long order near its deadline?
Reference gamesPlateUp! · Overcooked! 2
Trade and managementOne rule
Take a high-margin two-day job or preserve flexibility for existing deliveries?
Reference gamesMy Time at Portia · SimAirport
Trade and managementOne rule
Cover common needs or add specialized service for a smaller group?
Reference gamesSimAirport · Two Point Hospital
Trade and managementOne rule
Expand for future income or preserve cash through slow days?
Reference gamesTwo Point Hospital · Recettear: An Item Shop's Tale
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.
