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
Growing and tendingOne rule
Finish a nearly mature crop or protect a seedling that needs consecutive watering?
Reference gamesStardew Valley · Timberborn
Growing and tendingOne rule
With five days left, plant a fast low-return crop or save land and funds for next season?
Reference gamesStardew Valley · Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town
Growing and tendingLinked states
Accept a lower harvest to restore the field now, or keep producing and face later soil or disease pressure?
Reference gamesFarthest Frontier · Farming Simulator
Characters and relationshipsOne rule
Take a lucrative job or keep a low-paying promise to a friend with limited time?
Reference gamesStardew Valley · My Time at Portia
Characters and relationshipsLinked states
Keep your principle, favor a companion or pay more for a compromise?
Reference gamesBaldur's Gate 3 · Griftlands
Characters and relationshipsOne rule
Make an offer now or spend time discovering the real need while risking the opportunity?
Reference gamesGriftlands · Disco Elysium
Ecology and populationsMultiple systems
Add predators to control herbivores or restore plants first to prevent a later food collapse?
Reference gamesEco · Rain World
Ecology and populationsLinked states
Create one mixed habitat or two smaller areas that better satisfy distinct needs?
Reference gamesTerra Nil · Planet Zoo
Ecology and populationsLinked states
Select one strong trait or preserve diversity for a changing environment?
Reference gamesNiche - a genetics survival game · Wobbledogs
Growth and inheritanceOne rule
Choose piercing attacks for lined-up enemies or keep rapid attacks for scattered targets?
Reference gamesHades · Hollow Knight
Growth and inheritanceOne rule
Carry a reliable tool for a stable start or a rare ability with a tighter opening?
Reference gamesRogue Legacy 2 · Into the Breach
Growth and inheritanceOne rule
Keep using a practiced tool or train another skill for a later challenge?
Reference gamesValheim · Melvor Idle
Idle and incrementalOne rule
Raise production rate or expand storage for a longer absence?
Reference gamesMelvor Idle · Kittens Game
Idle and incrementalOne rule
Reset now for a faster next run or wait to reach the next persistent-reward threshold?
Reference gamesCookie Clicker · Antimatter Dimensions
Idle and incrementalLinked states
Put everyone into research or retain food production to support the research period?
Reference gamesKittens Game · Melvor Idle
Growing and tendingOne rule
Keep current leaves or sacrifice a branch to reach sunlight?
Reference gamesPrune · Grow Home
Growing and tendingOne rule
Plant a directly sellable crop or a flower supporting nearby production?
Reference gamesAPICO · Stardew Valley
Growing and tendingOne rule
Take quick one-off yield or wait for repeated later harvests?
Reference gamesStardew Valley · Farm Together
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.
