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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

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

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

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.