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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

01Estimate time away
02Configure rate and capacity
03Settle elapsed time
04Inspect limits and reallocate

Idle and incrementalOne rule

Offline yield and capacity

Raise production rate or expand storage for a longer absence?

Reference gamesMelvor Idle · Kittens Game

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Core loop

01Read persistent gains
02Compare waiting and rebuilding
03Confirm reset scope
04Test the new capability

Idle and incrementalOne rule

Resetting for a new growth layer

Reset now for a faster next run or wait to reach the next persistent-reward threshold?

Reference gamesCookie Clicker · Antimatter Dimensions

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Core loop

01Inspect concurrent needs
02Allocate workers
03Advance and observe gaps
04Reassign after milestones

Idle and incrementalLinked states

Parallel projects and allocation

Put everyone into research or retain food production to support the research period?

Reference gamesKittens Game · Melvor Idle

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Core loop

01Learn by producing manually
02Save unlock resources
03Enable automation
04Manage the next decision

Idle and incrementalOne rule

Automation unlocks

Buy immediate output or save for equipment that removes repeated input?

Reference gamesUniversal Paperclips · A Dark Room

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Core loop

01Read the cost curve
02Compare batches/payback
03Buy producers
04Recompute marginal returns

Idle and incrementalOne rule

Rising costs and bulk purchases

Buy a few now for income or save for a batch that crosses a quantity milestone?

Reference gamesAdVenture Capitalist · Universal Paperclips

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Core loop

01Produce intermediates
02Convert under rules
03Replenish inputs
04Reinvest the surplus

Idle and incrementalLinked states

Conversion and reinvestment

Convert all output toward upgrades or reserve enough inputs for the next cycle?

Reference gamesUniversal Paperclips · Kittens Game

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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.