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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

01Identify team needs
02Take a shared tool
03Finish and hand off
04Redistribute positions

Cooperation and rolesOne rule

Shared tools and handoffs

Keep working with the tool or hand it to someone closer to the next job?

Reference gamesUnrailed! · Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime

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Core loop

01Signal a downed teammate
02Assess threats
03Approach and sustain rescue
04Restore team agency

Cooperation and rolesOne rule

Revival commitments and risk

Risk an immediate rescue or control threats and wait for a safer window?

Reference gamesDeep Rock Galactic · Hunt: Showdown 1896

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Core loop

01Agree on grip positions
02Move and turn together
03Adjust to obstacles
04Reach the goal together

Cooperation and rolesOne rule

Joint carrying and alignment

Turn together while connected or release and regrip to pass a narrow obstacle?

Reference gamesHeave Ho · Moving Out

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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.