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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

01Hear the call
02Keep the pulse
03Respond on your turn
04Compare early and late feedback

Rhythm and timingOne rule

Rhythmic call and response

Reproduce the demonstrated intervals or mistakenly flatten them into equal beats?

Reference gamesRhythm Heaven Groove · Rhythm Doctor

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Core loop

01Read start and endpoint
02Press on time
03Maintain input
04Release and review

Rhythm and timingOne rule

Timed holds and releases

Sustain to the endpoint or release too early while preparing the next input?

Reference gamesSpin Rhythm XD · Rhythm Heaven

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Core loop

01Establish a pulse
02Fade selected cues
03Maintain internal count
04Restore cues and measure drift

Rhythm and timingOne rule

Keeping time as cues fade

Maintain the established pulse or let distracting visuals shift the timing?

Reference gamesRhythm Heaven · Rhythm Doctor

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Core loop

01Hear the count-in
02Plan the next tile
03Input on beat
04Adjust from the new position

Rhythm and timingOne rule

Movement on the beat

Move to a safe tile next beat or wait one beat for a crossing patrol?

Reference gamesCrypt of the NecroDancer · A Dance of Fire and Ice

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Core loop

01Read threats and beats
02Choose attack timing
03Resolve base and beat effects
04Maintain rhythm from feedback

Rhythm and timingOne rule

Beat-rewarded attacks

Attack immediately to interrupt danger or wait for the next beat's reward?

Reference gamesMetal: Hellsinger · Hi-Fi RUSH

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Core loop

01Establish the pulse
02Read the change cue
03Adjust input spacing
04Confirm the new pulse

Rhythm and timingOne rule

Tempo changes and resynchronization

Keep the old pulse or use the transition cue to prepare for denser beats?

Reference gamesHi-Fi RUSH · Rhythm Doctor

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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.