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
Ecology and populationsOne rule
Rescue a threatened cell or build a barrier protecting a larger region?
Reference gamesTerraria · Creeper World 4
Ecology and populationsOne rule
Expand the largest region or bridge two existing patches?
Reference gamesCascadia: Rolling Rivers · Dorfromantik
Ecology and populationsLinked states
Expand greenery now or reserve space for later wetlands and cleanup access?
Reference gamesTerra Nil · Reus 2
Characters and relationshipsOne rule
Call in a favor now or save it for a more important request?
Reference gamesBohna Nostra · Crusader Kings III
Characters and relationshipsOne rule
Will helping dockworkers cost access to a merchant route?
Reference gamesTyranny · Fallout: New Vegas
Characters and relationshipsLinked states
Reveal your evidence now or hold it to test others' claims?
Reference gamesAmong Us · One Night Ultimate Werewolf
Growth and inheritanceOne rule
Buy an immediately useful skill or invest in a route toward a later combination?
Reference gamesPath of Exile · Grim Dawn
Growth and inheritanceOne rule
Secure a consistent clear or attempt a timed/low-resource mastery condition?
Reference gamesHades · Neon White
Growth and inheritanceOne rule
Repair the current combination or pay to rebuild for a new challenge?
Reference gamesGrim Dawn · Hades
Idle and incrementalOne rule
Buy immediate output or save for equipment that removes repeated input?
Reference gamesUniversal Paperclips · A Dark Room
Idle and incrementalOne rule
Buy a few now for income or save for a batch that crosses a quantity milestone?
Reference gamesAdVenture Capitalist · Universal Paperclips
Idle and incrementalLinked states
Convert all output toward upgrades or reserve enough inputs for the next cycle?
Reference gamesUniversal Paperclips · Kittens Game
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.
