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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

01Estimate round-trip cost
02Choose target and route
03Gather and monitor reserves
04Refill and depart again

Survival and environmentsOne rule

Oxygen and return planning

Collect one more resource or return while the route remains affordable?

Reference gamesSubnautica · Astroneer

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Core loop

01Read weather and insulation
02Plan exposure
03Spend warmth or fuel
04Recover in shelter

Survival and environmentsOne rule

Warmth, fuel and shelter

Fetch fuel in the cold or spend reserves until conditions improve?

Reference gamesThe Long Dark · Oxygen Not Included

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Core loop

01Trace the source
02Inspect contact and transport
03Place separation or cleaning
04Run and check recurrence

Survival and environmentsLinked states

Contamination and separation

Clean every affected item now or isolate the source before recontamination?

Reference gamesOxygen Not Included · RimWorld

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Core loop

01Identify a current limitation
02Choose a tradeoff upgrade
03Change actions and routes
04Test it in a new situation

Growth and inheritanceOne rule

Sidegrades that change play

Choose piercing attacks for lined-up enemies or keep rapid attacks for scattered targets?

Reference gamesHades · Hollow Knight

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Core loop

01Review run results
02Compare inheritance options
03Lock limited carryover
04Start from the new state

Growth and inheritanceOne rule

Limited inheritance

Carry a reliable tool for a stable start or a rare ability with a tighter opening?

Reference gamesRogue Legacy 2 · Into the Breach

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Core loop

01Choose a real task
02Perform relevant actions
03Receive specific proficiency
04Apply growth to new demands

Growth and inheritanceOne rule

Growth through use

Keep using a practiced tool or train another skill for a later challenge?

Reference gamesValheim · Melvor Idle

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Core loop

01Read separate information
02Establish shared references
03Exchange rules and observations
04Act and cross-check

Cooperation and rolesLinked states

Cooperation with split information

Describe the symbol immediately or first establish matching positions and orientation?

Reference gamesKeep Talking and Nobody Explodes · We Were Here

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Core loop

01Reach positions
02Signal readiness
03Execute to a shared cue
04Confirm or reset the window

Cooperation and rolesOne rule

Ready checks and synchronized action

Trigger now or wait for confirmation that the partner is in position?

Reference gamesPortal 2 · It Takes Two

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Core loop

01Identify task stages
02Assign by capability
03Complete and hand off
04Reassign at bottlenecks

Cooperation and rolesLinked states

Complementary roles

Keep assigned roles or switch temporarily to unblock the process?

Reference gamesTrine Enchanted Edition · Overcooked! 2

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Core loop

01Value the item and budgets
02Choose a hidden bid
03Reveal and break ties
04Pay and plan the next round

Competition and bargainingOne rule

Sealed simultaneous bids

Bid high for a key item or preserve budget for a better later target?

Reference gamesModern Art · QE

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Core loop

01Read the current pack
02Evaluate both sides' sets
03Pick one and pass
04Update expectations from circulation

Competition and bargainingOne rule

Drafting and passing

Complete your own combination or deny the final piece an opponent visibly needs?

Reference gamesSushi Go! · 7 Wonders

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Core loop

01Read shared needs
02Compare private and group value
03Contribute or retain
04Reveal results and update trust

Competition and bargainingLinked states

Shared contributions and private goals

Keep resources assuming others will fill the gap, or contribute now to reduce shared failure risk?

Reference gamesEco · Dead of Winter

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Core loop

01Read light and sightlines
02Choose cover
03Move or change lighting
04Check exposure

Stealth and scoutingOne rule

Light and concealment

Cross the short lit route or spend time darkening it first?

Reference gamesThief Gold (1999) · Mark of the Ninja

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Core loop

01Read patrol timing
02Neutralize or bypass
03Move to concealment
04Check the later route

Stealth and scoutingOne rule

Concealing action traces

Leave now or hide the evidence before the next patrol arrives?

Reference gamesHITMAN World of Assassination · Desperados III

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Core loop

01Choose a camera
02Read visible behavior
03Note blind-spot assumptions
04Switch or direct action

Stealth and scoutingOne rule

Remote surveillance views

Keep watching to confirm a pattern or inspect the exit before moving?

Reference gamesRepublique · Do Not Feed the Monkeys

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Core loop

01Read the landing
02Deform the launcher
03Release energy
04Adjust from the trajectory

Physics and contraptionsOne rule

Elastic deformation and launch

Pull farther for range or reduce energy to avoid overshooting?

Reference gamesAngry Birds Journey · Worms W.M.D Mobilize

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Core loop

01Identify the surface
02Predict stopping distance
03Time input changes
04Compare actual sliding

Physics and contraptionsOne rule

Surface friction differences

Brake on rough ground early or slide on ice and countersteer later?

Reference gamesSuperTux · Trackmania

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Core loop

01Read levels and paths
02Set valves
03Advance flow
04Check overflow and delivery

Physics and contraptionsLinked states

Valves and fluid levels

Fill the upper reservoir first or send limited water straight to the destination?

Reference gamesFactorio · Timberborn

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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.