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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 separate information
02Establish shared references
03Exchange rules and observations
04Act and cross-check

Cooperation and rolesLinked states

Cooperation with split information

Describe the symbol immediately or first establish matching positions and orientation?

Reference gamesKeep Talking and Nobody Explodes · We Were Here

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Core loop

01Reach positions
02Signal readiness
03Execute to a shared cue
04Confirm or reset the window

Cooperation and rolesOne rule

Ready checks and synchronized action

Trigger now or wait for confirmation that the partner is in position?

Reference gamesPortal 2 · It Takes Two

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Core loop

01Identify task stages
02Assign by capability
03Complete and hand off
04Reassign at bottlenecks

Cooperation and rolesLinked states

Complementary roles

Keep assigned roles or switch temporarily to unblock the process?

Reference gamesTrine Enchanted Edition · Overcooked! 2

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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

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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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.