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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 ropes and swing
02Predict release direction
03Choose and cut a rope
04Inspect landing and retry

Physics and contraptionsOne rule

Releasing a rope

Cut now or wait for a swing with a better launch direction?

Reference gamesCut the Rope Daily · Unravel

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Core loop

01Inspect pivot and load
02Position a counterweight
03Let the platform settle
04Test with player weight

Physics and contraptionsOne rule

Counterweights and pivots

Place the weight farther out for lift, or nearer so the route survives the player's added weight?

Reference gamesHuman Fall Flat · Trine Enchanted Edition

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Core loop

01Read levels and floats
02Plan valve order
03Transfer water
04Use the new height

Physics and contraptionsOne rule

Water-level routes

Raise the cargo platform first or open the far gate before its switch becomes inaccessible?

Reference gamesHydrophobia: Prophecy · Fluidity: Spin Cycle

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Core loop

01Read the landing
02Deform the launcher
03Release energy
04Adjust from the trajectory

Physics and contraptionsOne rule

Elastic deformation and launch

Pull farther for range or reduce energy to avoid overshooting?

Reference gamesAngry Birds Journey · Worms W.M.D Mobilize

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Core loop

01Identify the surface
02Predict stopping distance
03Time input changes
04Compare actual sliding

Physics and contraptionsOne rule

Surface friction differences

Brake on rough ground early or slide on ice and countersteer later?

Reference gamesSuperTux · Trackmania

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Core loop

01Read levels and paths
02Set valves
03Advance flow
04Check overflow and delivery

Physics and contraptionsLinked states

Valves and fluid levels

Fill the upper reservoir first or send limited water straight to the destination?

Reference gamesFactorio · Timberborn

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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.