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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

01Identify a current limitation
02Choose a tradeoff upgrade
03Change actions and routes
04Test it in a new situation

Growth and inheritanceOne rule

Sidegrades that change play

Choose piercing attacks for lined-up enemies or keep rapid attacks for scattered targets?

Reference gamesHades · Hollow Knight

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Core loop

01Review run results
02Compare inheritance options
03Lock limited carryover
04Start from the new state

Growth and inheritanceOne rule

Limited inheritance

Carry a reliable tool for a stable start or a rare ability with a tighter opening?

Reference gamesRogue Legacy 2 · Into the Breach

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Core loop

01Choose a real task
02Perform relevant actions
03Receive specific proficiency
04Apply growth to new demands

Growth and inheritanceOne rule

Growth through use

Keep using a practiced tool or train another skill for a later challenge?

Reference gamesValheim · Melvor Idle

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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

01Inspect prerequisites
02Allocate points
03Try the combination
04Revise the route

Growth and inheritanceOne rule

Skill prerequisites and routes

Buy an immediately useful skill or invest in a route toward a later combination?

Reference gamesPath of Exile · Grim Dawn

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Core loop

01Choose a condition
02Play the familiar rules
03Check evidence
04Attempt another skill

Growth and inheritanceOne rule

Mastery challenges

Secure a consistent clear or attempt a timed/low-resource mastery condition?

Reference gamesHades · Neon White

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Core loop

01Assess current abilities
02Preview refund/fee
03Confirm reassignment
04Compare on the same challenge

Growth and inheritanceOne rule

Respecialization and experimentation cost

Repair the current combination or pay to rebuild for a new challenge?

Reference gamesGrim Dawn · Hades

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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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Core loop

01Read value and presence
02Commit limited pieces
03Observe responses
04Score majorities on schedule

Competition and bargainingOne rule

Area majority and spreading investment

Defend a valuable lead or spread into neglected smaller areas?

Reference gamesEl Grande · Carcassonne: Inns & Cathedrals

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Core loop

01Read private information
02Claim an action/count
03Accept or challenge
04Reveal evidence and resolve

Competition and bargainingOne rule

Bluffing and challenges

Accept the claim or challenge based on known information and behavior?

Reference gamesCoup · Perudo

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Core loop

01Value the lot
02Bid or withdraw
03Confirm the winner
04Pay and advance

Competition and bargainingOne rule

Open bidding and withdrawal

Raise to win this item or withdraw to save for a better-fitting later lot?

Reference gamesModern Art · For Sale!

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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.