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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

01Identify anchors
02Choose a connection
03Adjust the swing
04Release or transfer

Movement and jumpingOne rule

Choosing grapple anchors

Take a close low anchor for safety or a distant high one for reach?

Reference gamesGrapple Dog · Deep Rock Galactic

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Core loop

01Read slopes and bends
02Build speed
03Choose a preserving route
04Check the next segment

Movement and jumpingOne rule

Momentum-preserving routes

Take a sharp shortcut or preserve speed on a longer curve for the gap ahead?

Reference gamesThe King's Bird · Boomerang X

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Core loop

01Read both positions
02Preview the swap
03Confirm a valid target
04Act from the new arrangement

Movement and jumpingOne rule

Position swapping

Is placing the partner beside the switch worth entering danger yourself?

Reference gamesThe Swapper · Heat Signature

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Core loop

01Check weapon availability
02Choose a throw
03Handle the unarmed interval
04Recover for reuse

Aiming and projectilesOne rule

Throw and recover ammunition

Chase the distant target or recall the weapon for an approaching threat?

Reference gamesTitan Souls · Boomerang X

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Core loop

01Read heat and distance
02Choose burst duration
03Pause or overheat
04Reengage after cooling

Aiming and projectilesOne rule

Heat and firing rhythm

Overheat to finish this target or pause to retain firepower for the next wave?

Reference gamesDeep Rock Galactic · Helldivers 2

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Core loop

01Read routes
02Place a zone
03Observe persistence
04Redeploy around expiry

Aiming and projectilesOne rule

Persistent area denial

Cover the current crowd or preempt the next wave's chokepoint?

Reference gamesDeep Rock Galactic · Sanctum 2

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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.