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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 resistances
02Choose damage types
03Inspect effective damage
04Fill a matchup gap

Defense and wavesOne rule

Armor and damage counters

Upgrade raw damage or add a tower that counters the next wave?

Reference gamesKingdom Rush Battles · Dungeon Defenders

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Core loop

01Inspect damage
02Compare costs
03Allocate repair/building
04Observe next-wave attrition

Defense and wavesOne rule

Repair or expand the defense

Restore a weak barrier or trust a new turret to clear enemies before it breaks?

Reference gamesDungeon Defenders: Awakened · Mindustry

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Core loop

01Read spacing
02Choose impact or placement
03Resolve targets in radius
04Compare damage and leaks

Defense and wavesOne rule

Splash damage and crowd density

Hit the dangerous leader or center the blast on more targets?

Reference gamesMindustry · Dungeon Defenders

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Core loop

01Read weight and utility
02Choose cargo
03Preview travel cost
04Settle on arrival

Inventory and loadoutsOne rule

Weight budgets and cargo choices

Carry valuable ore or preserve tools and food needed to return?

Reference gamesThe Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim · Death Stranding

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Core loop

01Read route needs
02Assign slots
03Use tools in context
04Review missing preparation

Inventory and loadoutsOne rule

Quickslots and preparation

Equip a recovery item or reserve a slot for a special obstacle?

Reference gamesMinecraft · Elden Ring

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Core loop

01Read the base skill
02Preview compatible modules
03Install and try
04Compare behavior and cost

Inventory and loadoutsOne rule

Sockets and skill modifiers

Split a projectile for coverage or preserve single-target power?

Reference gamesPath of Exile · Diablo III

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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.