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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

01Choose a commitment
02Record who knows
03Pass intervening events
04See the later response

Events and narrativesLinked states

Delayed consequences

Make a promise for immediate help or consider whether you can fulfil it later?

Reference gamesOXENFREE · The Walking Dead

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Core loop

01Observe event times
02Record knowledge
03Reset the world
04Execute a revised plan

Events and narrativesLinked states

Planning within a time loop

Use this loop to investigate an unknown event or execute a known chain of actions?

Reference gamesOuter Wilds · Twelve Minutes

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Core loop

01Watch one event thread
02Note a gap or contradiction
03Switch perspective
04Revise the explanation

Events and narrativesOne rule

Combining perspectives

Which perspective resolves the current contradiction instead of repeating known information?

Reference gamesTacoma · 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim

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Core loop

01Learn a need
02Commit and act
03Receive a specific response
04Open a new cooperation opportunity

Characters and relationshipsOne rule

Trust through actions

Take a lucrative job or keep a low-paying promise to a friend with limited time?

Reference gamesStardew Valley · My Time at Portia

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Core loop

01Learn individual values
02Face a shared conflict
03Make a public decision
04Respond to disagreement

Characters and relationshipsLinked states

Companion values

Keep your principle, favor a companion or pay more for a compromise?

Reference gamesBaldur's Gate 3 · Griftlands

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Core loop

01Hear the stated demand
02Find relevant evidence
03Choose a negotiating move
04Observe changed acceptance

Characters and relationshipsOne rule

Information in negotiation

Make an offer now or spend time discovering the real need while risking the opportunity?

Reference gamesGriftlands · Disco Elysium

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Core loop

01Read landing and ceiling
02Choose takeoff
03Hold or release early
04Observe and adjust

Movement and jumpingOne rule

Variable-height jumping

Release now to avoid the ceiling or keep rising to reach a farther landing?

Reference gamesSuper Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS · Celeste

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Core loop

01Read dash charges
02Plan refill order
03Spend a dash
04Refill and continue

Movement and jumpingOne rule

Dash refill routes

Dash sideways into a refill or upward to retain height for the final segment?

Reference gamesCeleste · Neon White

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Core loop

01Reach a usable wall
02Control contact height
03Jump away
04Choose the next wall

Movement and jumpingOne rule

Wall-jump routing

Jump immediately or slide lower to avoid the hazard band on the opposite wall?

Reference gamesSuper Meat Boy · Celeste

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Core loop

01Identify reflective surfaces
02Predict the first hit
03Shoot and observe bounces
04Adjust the angle

Aiming and projectilesOne rule

Ricochet aiming

Hit a nearby target directly or risk a bounce that can reach several targets?

Reference gamesPeggle Deluxe · Peglin

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Core loop

01Observe direction and speed
02Estimate travel time
03Aim ahead
04Correct from the miss

Aiming and projectilesOne rule

Leading a moving target

Shoot while motion is steady or wait until a turn ends to estimate velocity again?

Reference gamesWorld of Warships · War Thunder

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Core loop

01Read distance and timing
02Begin charging
03Trade power against exposure
04Release and inspect

Aiming and projectilesOne rule

Charge and release

Charge for a distant shot or fire now before the opening closes?

Reference gamesMonster Hunter Generations · Worms W.M.D Mobilize

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Core loop

01Read an opening
02Pay the attack cost
03Reserve escape capacity
04Disengage and recover

Close combatOne rule

Keeping a defensive reserve

One more hit may finish the fight, but will enough resource remain for a retreat?

Reference gamesElden Ring · Monster Hunter Generations

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Core loop

01Read the wind-up
02Wait for the window
03Parry
04Use the opening

Close combatOne rule

Timed parries

Take a small loss with a safer guard or risk a missed parry for a larger opening?

Reference gamesSekiro: Shadows Die Twice · Dead Cells

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Core loop

01Read the guard
02Choose angle or position
03Check the block result
04Switch before the response

Close combatOne rule

Directional defense

Change attack direction to draw a guard or spend time moving behind the defender?

Reference gamesFor Honor · Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord

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Core loop

01Read corner and speed
02Choose a braking point
03Control the turn
04Compare exit speed and time

Vehicles and racingOne rule

Braking and exit lines

Brake late for more straight-line speed or slow earlier for a better exit position?

Reference gamesGran Turismo 7 · art of rally

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Core loop

01Enter at a suitable speed
02Initiate a slide
03Countersteer
04Recover grip on exit

Vehicles and racingOne rule

Drift and grip recovery

Increase the slip angle for a longer drift or straighten early for a narrow exit?

Reference gamesAbsolute Drift · art of rally

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Core loop

01Place cargo
02Read balance and terrain
03Control speed through hazards
04Deliver and inspect losses

Vehicles and racingOne rule

Cargo and balance

Carry a full load slowly or make two faster trips with a more stable center of mass?

Reference gamesSnowRunner · Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

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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.