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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

01Collect checkable facts
02Build candidate explanations
03Eliminate contradictions
04Submit a claim and evidence

Observation and deductionOne rule

Evidence and elimination

Submit the most plausible answer or seek a clue distinguishing the remaining two explanations?

Reference gamesReturn of the Obra Dinn · The Case of the Golden Idol

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Core loop

01Reveal the first card
02Recall a matching location
03Reveal the second
04Match or remember and cover

Observation and deductionOne rule

Memory pairs and reuse

Explore an unknown card or complete a pair using remembered locations?

Reference gamesOriginal MEMORY Game · Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics

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Core loop

01Read clue regions
02Mark known states
03Combine remaining counts
04Reveal certainty and update

Observation and deductionOne rule

Constraint-based reveals

Reveal a plausible cell or combine two constraints for certainty?

Reference gamesTametsi · 14 Minesweeper Variants

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Core loop

01Read active statements
02Find editable terms
03Form a valid rule
04Observe and act

Language and rule manipulationLinked states

Rules as manipulable objects

Change the obstacle's property or change the goal condition?

Reference gamesBaba Is You · Scribblenauts Unlimited

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Core loop

01Observe symbols and actions
02Record candidate meanings
03Compare new contexts
04Confirm and apply

Language and rule manipulationOne rule

Decoding an unknown language

Label a symbol WATER now or retain DRINK as an alternative until another sentence clarifies it?

Reference gamesChants of Sennaar · Heaven's Vault

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Core loop

01Read inputs and goal
02Arrange instructions
03Step through state changes
04Locate errors and rerun

Language and rule manipulationOne rule

Programming and debugging

Patch the current example or find a loop or condition that handles every input?

Reference gamesHuman Resource Machine · Opus Magnum

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Core loop

01Inspect draws and gaps
02Choose a removal cost
03Remove and reshuffle
04Compare key-turn access

Cards and diceOne rule

Deck thinning and draw density

Remove a weak card for consistency or retain it as insurance against a specific threat?

Reference gamesSlay the Spire · Dominion

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Core loop

01Read rolled values
02Match slot requirements
03Assign and spend dice
04Resolve and replan

Cards and diceOne rule

Assigning dice results

Use the only even die for defense or spend it on a stronger attack?

Reference gamesDicey Dungeons · Astrea: Six-Sided Oracles

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Core loop

01Read current resources
02Choose the next effect
03Resolve and inspect change
04Schedule the final spend

Cards and diceOne rule

Effect order and combinations

Add resources before doubling or double the current stock first, and when should it be spent?

Reference gamesDominion · Slay the Spire

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Core loop

01Read committed attacks
02Compare threatened targets
03Choose limited counters
04End the turn and verify

Turns and tacticsOne rule

Visible enemy intent

Save the most threatened unit or use one move to invalidate two attacks?

Reference gamesInto the Breach · Phantom Brigade

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Core loop

01Read positions and terrain
02Predict displacement
03Push, pull or swap
04Resolve collisions and threats

Turns and tacticsOne rule

Displacement and terrain

Deal direct damage or move the enemy off its attack line or into a hazard?

Reference gamesInto the Breach · Fights in Tight Spaces

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Core loop

01Assess possible routes
02Lock visible or hidden orders
03Execute and resolve conflicts
04Update predictions

Turns and tacticsLinked states

Simultaneous orders

Rush the shortest route or detour around a likely contested crossing?

Reference gamesFrozen Synapse · Phantom Brigade

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Core loop

01Read enemy differences
02Set priority
03Observe selected targets
04Adjust from leaks

Defense and wavesOne rule

Target priorities

Stop the small enemy near the exit or focus on the tougher threat behind it?

Reference gamesBloons TD 6 · GemCraft Labyrinth

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Core loop

01Read entry and exit
02Place walls and towers
03Verify reachability
04Run a wave and inspect exposure

Defense and wavesLinked states

Maze-building defense

Spend on a longer route or more damage along a shorter one?

Reference gamesDefense Grid: The Awakening · Sanctum 2

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Core loop

01Read remaining threats
02Compare bonus and pressure
03Call early or wait
04Observe base health under overlap

Defense and wavesOne rule

Calling a wave early

Take the bonus now or clear part of the current wave before accepting overlap?

Reference gamesKingdom Rush: Vengeance · GemCraft: Frostborn Wrath

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Core loop

01Inspect footprints
02Rotate and arrange
03Consume or discard
04Confirm loadout and space

Inventory and loadoutsOne rule

Inventory shapes and tradeoffs

Discard a low-value item or rotate and consume supplies to create the needed shape?

Reference gamesSave Room - Organization Puzzle · Backpack Hero

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Core loop

01Read adjacency conditions
02Arrange a combination
03Inspect active links
04Adjust total output

Inventory and loadoutsLinked states

Equipment adjacency

Boost one strong weapon or place the amplifier between two weaker items?

Reference gamesBackpack Hero · Backpack Battles

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Core loop

01Read route and durability
02Choose a tool
03Spend and update reserves
04Repair, replace or return

Inventory and loadoutsOne rule

Durability and reserves

Spend the strong tool now or save it for a tougher obstacle and use a weaker tool first?

Reference gamesThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild · Valheim

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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.