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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

01Cast bait
02Observe probes
03Recognize the bite
04Respond and catch

Catching and trackingOne rule

Reading the bite signal

Is this a probe or a confirmed signal—and should I act now or keep waiting?

Reference gamesDinkum · Stardew Valley

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Core loop

01Read struggle and distance
02Reel or release
03Watch tension change
04Advance during calm periods

Catching and trackingOne rule

Managing line tension

Risk one high-tension pull to finish or release and wait for the next calm interval?

Reference gamesDinkum · Fishing Planet

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Core loop

01Collect environmental clues
02Form a habitat hypothesis
03Choose gear and travel
04Update the record

Catching and trackingOne rule

Tracking habitat conditions

Wait at the most likely location or investigate another habitat hypothesis that remains possible?

Reference gamesStardew Valley · DREDGE

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Core loop

01Estimate round-trip cost
02Choose target and route
03Gather and monitor reserves
04Refill and depart again

Survival and environmentsOne rule

Oxygen and return planning

Collect one more resource or return while the route remains affordable?

Reference gamesSubnautica · Astroneer

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Core loop

01Read weather and insulation
02Plan exposure
03Spend warmth or fuel
04Recover in shelter

Survival and environmentsOne rule

Warmth, fuel and shelter

Fetch fuel in the cold or spend reserves until conditions improve?

Reference gamesThe Long Dark · Oxygen Not Included

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Core loop

01Trace the source
02Inspect contact and transport
03Place separation or cleaning
04Run and check recurrence

Survival and environmentsLinked states

Contamination and separation

Clean every affected item now or isolate the source before recontamination?

Reference gamesOxygen Not Included · RimWorld

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Core loop

01Read local species
02Choose bait
03Resolve one catch
04Update stock/observations

Catching and trackingOne rule

Bait and target likelihood

Spend scarce targeted bait for an order or accept mixed catches with generic bait?

Reference gamesStardew Valley · Fishing Planet

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Core loop

01Place a trap
02Work elsewhere
03Return on schedule
04Rebait/repair/redeploy

Catching and trackingOne rule

Trap placement and collection routes

Choose a distant valuable site or a nearby low-maintenance route?

Reference gamesDREDGE · Stardew Valley

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Core loop

01Read target state
02Choose weakening action
03Check eligibility
04Use a tool and resolve

Catching and trackingOne rule

Weakening and capture windows

Attack again for better odds or attempt capture before knocking the target out?

Reference gamesMonster Hunter Generations · Pokémon Brilliant Diamond / Shining Pearl

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Core loop

01Read deficits
02Choose food combinations
03Spend actions/stock
04Check remaining needs

Survival and environmentsOne rule

Multiple nutrition needs

Gather easy fruit or detour for the missing food category?

Reference gamesEco · Green Hell

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Core loop

01Estimate the route
02Travel or rest
03Advance time/supplies
04Reassess a safe return

Survival and environmentsOne rule

Fatigue and rest scheduling

Travel while light remains or rest before an exhausting night return?

Reference gamesThe Long Dark · Don't Starve

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Core loop

01Read provisional loot
02Continue or extract
03Reach and hold an exit
04Settle secured/lost rewards

Survival and environmentsOne rule

Extracting to secure rewards

Return with current gains or push deeper for more?

Reference gamesHunt: Showdown 1896 · Deep Rock Galactic

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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.