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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

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

01Read light and sightlines
02Choose cover
03Move or change lighting
04Check exposure

Stealth and scoutingOne rule

Light and concealment

Cross the short lit route or spend time darkening it first?

Reference gamesThief Gold (1999) · Mark of the Ninja

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Core loop

01Read patrol timing
02Neutralize or bypass
03Move to concealment
04Check the later route

Stealth and scoutingOne rule

Concealing action traces

Leave now or hide the evidence before the next patrol arrives?

Reference gamesHITMAN World of Assassination · Desperados III

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Core loop

01Choose a camera
02Read visible behavior
03Note blind-spot assumptions
04Switch or direct action

Stealth and scoutingOne rule

Remote surveillance views

Keep watching to confirm a pattern or inspect the exit before moving?

Reference gamesRepublique · Do Not Feed the Monkeys

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Core loop

01Read the landing
02Deform the launcher
03Release energy
04Adjust from the trajectory

Physics and contraptionsOne rule

Elastic deformation and launch

Pull farther for range or reduce energy to avoid overshooting?

Reference gamesAngry Birds Journey · Worms W.M.D Mobilize

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Core loop

01Identify the surface
02Predict stopping distance
03Time input changes
04Compare actual sliding

Physics and contraptionsOne rule

Surface friction differences

Brake on rough ground early or slide on ice and countersteer later?

Reference gamesSuperTux · Trackmania

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Core loop

01Read levels and paths
02Set valves
03Advance flow
04Check overflow and delivery

Physics and contraptionsLinked states

Valves and fluid levels

Fill the upper reservoir first or send limited water straight to the destination?

Reference gamesFactorio · Timberborn

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Core loop

01Locate the target tile
02Route the vacancy
03Slide a neighbor
04Recheck local order

Spatial and path puzzlesOne rule

Sliding tiles through a vacancy

Displace a correct tile temporarily to make room for the target's turn?

Reference gamesFifteen · Sixteen

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Core loop

01Read edge connections
02Select a tile
03Rotate and inspect
04Lock confirmed pieces

Spatial and path puzzlesOne rule

Rotating tile constraints

Lock edge orientations first or connect the center to reduce uncertainty?

Reference gamesNet · Twiddle

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Core loop

01Choose entry drop
02Orient the exit
03Traverse and inspect
04Adjust geometry

Spatial and path puzzlesLinked states

Portal exits and momentum

Change exit angle or increase the drop before entry to gain range?

Reference gamesPortal · Portal 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.