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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 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

01Confirm the opener
02Read range and threats
03Choose a branch
04Inspect the recovery position

Close combatOne rule

Combo branching

Commit to a long combo or use a short branch to escape a second enemy?

Reference gamesSifu · Street Fighter V

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Core loop

01Read both meters
02Choose offense or defense
03Maintain or release pressure
04Use the break window

Close combatOne rule

Posture buildup and break

Maintain pressure to prevent recovery or retreat to restore your own posture?

Reference gamesSekiro: Shadows Die Twice · Sifu

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Core loop

01Start an action
02Confirm the hit state
03Input during the window
04Check transition and cost

Close combatOne rule

Action-cancel windows

Commit after confirming a hit or stop to avoid punishment on block?

Reference gamesStreet Fighter V · Street Fighter IV

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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.