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
Growth and inheritanceOne rule
Buy an immediately useful skill or invest in a route toward a later combination?
Reference gamesPath of Exile · Grim Dawn
Growth and inheritanceOne rule
Secure a consistent clear or attempt a timed/low-resource mastery condition?
Reference gamesHades · Neon White
Growth and inheritanceOne rule
Repair the current combination or pay to rebuild for a new challenge?
Reference gamesGrim Dawn · Hades
Idle and incrementalOne rule
Buy immediate output or save for equipment that removes repeated input?
Reference gamesUniversal Paperclips · A Dark Room
Idle and incrementalOne rule
Buy a few now for income or save for a batch that crosses a quantity milestone?
Reference gamesAdVenture Capitalist · Universal Paperclips
Idle and incrementalLinked states
Convert all output toward upgrades or reserve enough inputs for the next cycle?
Reference gamesUniversal Paperclips · Kittens Game
Cooperation and rolesOne rule
Keep working with the tool or hand it to someone closer to the next job?
Reference gamesUnrailed! · Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime
Cooperation and rolesOne rule
Risk an immediate rescue or control threats and wait for a safer window?
Reference gamesDeep Rock Galactic · Hunt: Showdown 1896
Cooperation and rolesOne rule
Turn together while connected or release and regrip to pass a narrow obstacle?
Reference gamesHeave Ho · Moving Out
Competition and bargainingOne rule
Defend a valuable lead or spread into neglected smaller areas?
Reference gamesEl Grande · Carcassonne: Inns & Cathedrals
Competition and bargainingOne rule
Accept the claim or challenge based on known information and behavior?
Reference gamesCoup · Perudo
Competition and bargainingOne rule
Raise to win this item or withdraw to save for a better-fitting later lot?
Reference gamesModern Art · For Sale!
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.
