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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 landing and ceiling
02Choose takeoff
03Hold or release early
04Observe and adjust

Movement and jumpingOne rule

Variable-height jumping

Release now to avoid the ceiling or keep rising to reach a farther landing?

Reference gamesSuper Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS · Celeste

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Core loop

01Read dash charges
02Plan refill order
03Spend a dash
04Refill and continue

Movement and jumpingOne rule

Dash refill routes

Dash sideways into a refill or upward to retain height for the final segment?

Reference gamesCeleste · Neon White

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Core loop

01Reach a usable wall
02Control contact height
03Jump away
04Choose the next wall

Movement and jumpingOne rule

Wall-jump routing

Jump immediately or slide lower to avoid the hazard band on the opposite wall?

Reference gamesSuper Meat Boy · Celeste

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Core loop

01Identify reflective surfaces
02Predict the first hit
03Shoot and observe bounces
04Adjust the angle

Aiming and projectilesOne rule

Ricochet aiming

Hit a nearby target directly or risk a bounce that can reach several targets?

Reference gamesPeggle Deluxe · Peglin

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Core loop

01Observe direction and speed
02Estimate travel time
03Aim ahead
04Correct from the miss

Aiming and projectilesOne rule

Leading a moving target

Shoot while motion is steady or wait until a turn ends to estimate velocity again?

Reference gamesWorld of Warships · War Thunder

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Core loop

01Read distance and timing
02Begin charging
03Trade power against exposure
04Release and inspect

Aiming and projectilesOne rule

Charge and release

Charge for a distant shot or fire now before the opening closes?

Reference gamesMonster Hunter Generations · Worms W.M.D Mobilize

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Core loop

01Read corner and speed
02Choose a braking point
03Control the turn
04Compare exit speed and time

Vehicles and racingOne rule

Braking and exit lines

Brake late for more straight-line speed or slow earlier for a better exit position?

Reference gamesGran Turismo 7 · art of rally

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Core loop

01Enter at a suitable speed
02Initiate a slide
03Countersteer
04Recover grip on exit

Vehicles and racingOne rule

Drift and grip recovery

Increase the slip angle for a longer drift or straighten early for a narrow exit?

Reference gamesAbsolute Drift · art of rally

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Core loop

01Place cargo
02Read balance and terrain
03Control speed through hazards
04Deliver and inspect losses

Vehicles and racingOne rule

Cargo and balance

Carry a full load slowly or make two faster trips with a more stable center of mass?

Reference gamesSnowRunner · Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

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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.