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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

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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Core loop

01Enter the wake
02Maintain spacing
03Find an opening
04Leave and overtake

Vehicles and racingOne rule

Slipstream overtaking

Stay behind to build speed or change lanes before the corner closes the gap?

Reference gamesGran Turismo 7 · Slipstream

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Core loop

01Read reserve and refills
02Choose a segment
03Control boost duration
04Replan after refilling

Vehicles and racingOne rule

Managing boost reserves

Boost out of the bend or save it for the long straight before refilling?

Reference gamesF-ZERO 99 · Burnout 3: Takedown

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Core loop

01Read RPM and road
02Predict the next demand
03Shift up or down
04Observe acceleration and RPM

Vehicles and racingOne rule

Gear-shift timing

Shift up now or hold a lower gear because braking is imminent?

Reference gamesGran Turismo 7 · DiRT Rally

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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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Core loop

01Hear the count-in
02Plan the next tile
03Input on beat
04Adjust from the new position

Rhythm and timingOne rule

Movement on the beat

Move to a safe tile next beat or wait one beat for a crossing patrol?

Reference gamesCrypt of the NecroDancer · A Dance of Fire and Ice

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Core loop

01Read threats and beats
02Choose attack timing
03Resolve base and beat effects
04Maintain rhythm from feedback

Rhythm and timingOne rule

Beat-rewarded attacks

Attack immediately to interrupt danger or wait for the next beat's reward?

Reference gamesMetal: Hellsinger · Hi-Fi RUSH

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Core loop

01Establish the pulse
02Read the change cue
03Adjust input spacing
04Confirm the new pulse

Rhythm and timingOne rule

Tempo changes and resynchronization

Keep the old pulse or use the transition cue to prepare for denser beats?

Reference gamesHi-Fi RUSH · Rhythm Doctor

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Core loop

01Read local species
02Choose bait
03Resolve one catch
04Update stock/observations

Catching and trackingOne rule

Bait and target likelihood

Spend scarce targeted bait for an order or accept mixed catches with generic bait?

Reference gamesStardew Valley · Fishing Planet

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Core loop

01Place a trap
02Work elsewhere
03Return on schedule
04Rebait/repair/redeploy

Catching and trackingOne rule

Trap placement and collection routes

Choose a distant valuable site or a nearby low-maintenance route?

Reference gamesDREDGE · Stardew Valley

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Core loop

01Read target state
02Choose weakening action
03Check eligibility
04Use a tool and resolve

Catching and trackingOne rule

Weakening and capture windows

Attack again for better odds or attempt capture before knocking the target out?

Reference gamesMonster Hunter Generations · Pokémon Brilliant Diamond / Shining Pearl

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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.