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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

01Read the frontier
02Contain or clear
03Advance spread
04Inspect protected/newly threatened cells

Ecology and populationsOne rule

Spreading terrain and containment

Rescue a threatened cell or build a barrier protecting a larger region?

Reference gamesTerraria · Creeper World 4

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Core loop

01Read connected regions
02Place a linking tile
03Recompute shapes
04Check species patterns

Ecology and populationsOne rule

Connected habitats and corridors

Expand the largest region or bridge two existing patches?

Reference gamesCascadia: Rolling Rivers · Dorfromantik

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Core loop

01Identify the phase
02Restore conditions
03Introduce the next layer
04Remove infrastructure and verify stability

Ecology and populationsLinked states

Staged ecosystem restoration

Expand greenery now or reserve space for later wetlands and cleanup access?

Reference gamesTerra Nil · Reus 2

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Core loop

01Read remaining steps
02Build or refine
03Update progress/quality
04Deliver or scrap

Gathering and craftingOne rule

Completion versus quality

Secure completion or spend another step on quality?

Reference gamesFinal Fantasy XIV · Atelier Sophie

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Core loop

01Inspect joints/hazards
02Choose a cut
03Separate and sort
04Audit recovered/lost value

Gathering and craftingOne rule

Disassembly and salvage value

Safely isolate the core or take a quick destructive shortcut?

Reference gamesHardspace: Shipbreaker · TerraTech

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Core loop

01Read ingredient geometry
02Preview placement/path
03Adjust the combination
04Resolve coverage effects

Gathering and craftingOne rule

Ingredient geometry

Use a powerful large ingredient or small pieces that fit key regions?

Reference gamesAtelier Sophie · Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator

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Core loop

01Sample stock
02Compare thresholds
03Switch production
04Consume and sample again

Logistics and automationLinked states

Stock feedback control

Start early to avoid shortage or reduce switching and overproduction?

Reference gamesFactorio · Timberborn

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Core loop

01Read supply/demand
02Allocate power
03Advance systems
04Inspect shortage effects

Logistics and automationOne rule

Shared power allocation

Power essential protection or briefly redirect it to production?

Reference gamesFTL: Faster Than Light · Mindustry

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Core loop

01Read occupancy
02Reserve a route
03Enter and leave
04Release and recheck

Logistics and automationLinked states

Rail blocks and reservations

Enter an empty junction now or wait until its exit is available?

Reference gamesFactorio · OpenTTD

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Core loop

01Inspect commitments
02Estimate new capacity use
03Accept or decline
04Deliver and settle penalties

Trade and managementOne rule

Contracts and capacity commitments

Take a high-margin two-day job or preserve flexibility for existing deliveries?

Reference gamesMy Time at Portia · SimAirport

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Core loop

01Read customer mix
02Choose facilities
03Track fulfilled needs
04Address unmet service

Trade and managementOne rule

Customer needs and service mix

Cover common needs or add specialized service for a smaller group?

Reference gamesSimAirport · Two Point Hospital

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Core loop

01Preview cash calendar
02Choose borrowing
03Pay build/operating costs
04Repay and review

Trade and managementOne rule

Borrowing and operating cash

Expand for future income or preserve cash through slow days?

Reference gamesTwo Point Hospital · Recettear: An Item Shop's Tale

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Core loop

01Learn by producing manually
02Save unlock resources
03Enable automation
04Manage the next decision

Idle and incrementalOne rule

Automation unlocks

Buy immediate output or save for equipment that removes repeated input?

Reference gamesUniversal Paperclips · A Dark Room

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Core loop

01Read the cost curve
02Compare batches/payback
03Buy producers
04Recompute marginal returns

Idle and incrementalOne rule

Rising costs and bulk purchases

Buy a few now for income or save for a batch that crosses a quantity milestone?

Reference gamesAdVenture Capitalist · Universal Paperclips

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Core loop

01Produce intermediates
02Convert under rules
03Replenish inputs
04Reinvest the surplus

Idle and incrementalLinked states

Conversion and reinvestment

Convert all output toward upgrades or reserve enough inputs for the next cycle?

Reference gamesUniversal Paperclips · Kittens Game

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Core loop

01Read value and presence
02Commit limited pieces
03Observe responses
04Score majorities on schedule

Competition and bargainingOne rule

Area majority and spreading investment

Defend a valuable lead or spread into neglected smaller areas?

Reference gamesEl Grande · Carcassonne: Inns & Cathedrals

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Core loop

01Read private information
02Claim an action/count
03Accept or challenge
04Reveal evidence and resolve

Competition and bargainingOne rule

Bluffing and challenges

Accept the claim or challenge based on known information and behavior?

Reference gamesCoup · Perudo

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Core loop

01Value the lot
02Bid or withdraw
03Confirm the winner
04Pay and advance

Competition and bargainingOne rule

Open bidding and withdrawal

Raise to win this item or withdraw to save for a better-fitting later lot?

Reference gamesModern Art · For Sale!

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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.