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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 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

01Estimate time away
02Configure rate and capacity
03Settle elapsed time
04Inspect limits and reallocate

Idle and incrementalOne rule

Offline yield and capacity

Raise production rate or expand storage for a longer absence?

Reference gamesMelvor Idle · Kittens Game

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Core loop

01Read persistent gains
02Compare waiting and rebuilding
03Confirm reset scope
04Test the new capability

Idle and incrementalOne rule

Resetting for a new growth layer

Reset now for a faster next run or wait to reach the next persistent-reward threshold?

Reference gamesCookie Clicker · Antimatter Dimensions

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Core loop

01Inspect concurrent needs
02Allocate workers
03Advance and observe gaps
04Reassign after milestones

Idle and incrementalLinked states

Parallel projects and allocation

Put everyone into research or retain food production to support the research period?

Reference gamesKittens Game · 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

01Inspect prerequisites
02Allocate points
03Try the combination
04Revise the route

Growth and inheritanceOne rule

Skill prerequisites and routes

Buy an immediately useful skill or invest in a route toward a later combination?

Reference gamesPath of Exile · Grim Dawn

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Core loop

01Choose a condition
02Play the familiar rules
03Check evidence
04Attempt another skill

Growth and inheritanceOne rule

Mastery challenges

Secure a consistent clear or attempt a timed/low-resource mastery condition?

Reference gamesHades · Neon White

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Core loop

01Assess current abilities
02Preview refund/fee
03Confirm reassignment
04Compare on the same challenge

Growth and inheritanceOne rule

Respecialization and experimentation cost

Repair the current combination or pay to rebuild for a new challenge?

Reference gamesGrim Dawn · Hades

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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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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.