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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

01Predict a route
02Set an overwatch arc
03Advance enemies
04Resolve triggers and charges

Turns and tacticsOne rule

Reserved overwatch reactions

Shoot a weak target now or watch the next choke point?

Reference gamesXCOM 2 · Gears Tactics

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Core loop

01Read attack directions
02Preview lines from a move
03Choose a position
04Resolve protection on both sides

Turns and tacticsOne rule

Directional cover and flanking

Fire safely with poor odds or spend movement to flank and expose yourself?

Reference gamesXCOM 2 · Gears Tactics

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Core loop

01Read the budget
02Preview costs
03Execute one action
04Recompute legal options

Turns and tacticsOne rule

A shared action-point budget

Spend movement for a better position or save points for two actions?

Reference gamesGears Tactics · XCOM 2

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Core loop

01Read resistances
02Choose damage types
03Inspect effective damage
04Fill a matchup gap

Defense and wavesOne rule

Armor and damage counters

Upgrade raw damage or add a tower that counters the next wave?

Reference gamesKingdom Rush Battles · Dungeon Defenders

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Core loop

01Inspect damage
02Compare costs
03Allocate repair/building
04Observe next-wave attrition

Defense and wavesOne rule

Repair or expand the defense

Restore a weak barrier or trust a new turret to clear enemies before it breaks?

Reference gamesDungeon Defenders: Awakened · Mindustry

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Core loop

01Read spacing
02Choose impact or placement
03Resolve targets in radius
04Compare damage and leaks

Defense and wavesOne rule

Splash damage and crowd density

Hit the dangerous leader or center the blast on more targets?

Reference gamesMindustry · Dungeon Defenders

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Core loop

01Read weight and utility
02Choose cargo
03Preview travel cost
04Settle on arrival

Inventory and loadoutsOne rule

Weight budgets and cargo choices

Carry valuable ore or preserve tools and food needed to return?

Reference gamesThe Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim · Death Stranding

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Core loop

01Read route needs
02Assign slots
03Use tools in context
04Review missing preparation

Inventory and loadoutsOne rule

Quickslots and preparation

Equip a recovery item or reserve a slot for a special obstacle?

Reference gamesMinecraft · Elden Ring

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Core loop

01Read the base skill
02Preview compatible modules
03Install and try
04Compare behavior and cost

Inventory and loadoutsOne rule

Sockets and skill modifiers

Split a projectile for coverage or preserve single-target power?

Reference gamesPath of Exile · Diablo III

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Core loop

01Read known borders
02Scout
03Update memory/visibility
04Choose using new information

Maps and explorationOne rule

Map fog and scouting value

Take the shortest unknown route or spend a step scouting?

Reference gamesCivilization VI · The Battle for Wesnoth

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Core loop

01Find a one-way barrier
02Reach the far side
03Open the link
04Use the shorter return

Maps and explorationOne rule

Opening shortcuts and loops

Push into a new area or first open a return route to safety?

Reference gamesTeardown · Salt and Sanctuary

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Core loop

01Read branch previews
02Compare node sequences
03Commit to a stop
04Replan after its outcome

Maps and explorationOne rule

Branching route commitments

Take immediate rewards or a route with timely recovery after danger?

Reference gamesSlay the Spire · 80 Days

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Core loop

01Read duplicates/missing items
02Select surplus
03Confirm material yield
04Craft a chosen target

Collecting and expressionOne rule

Duplicates into targeted progress

Keep a spare copy or convert it toward a desired collectible?

Reference gamesHearthstone · GWENT

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Core loop

01Choose slots/items
02Preview layering
03Adjust colors/occlusion
04Save and display an outfit

Collecting and expressionOne rule

Cosmetic layers and outfits

Match a set or mix origins to express your character?

Reference gamesFinal Fantasy XIV · Minecraft

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Core loop

01Choose a theme
02Arrange exhibits/labels
03Invite viewing
04Revise from comprehension feedback

Collecting and expressionOne rule

Curating a collection

Display every rarity or use related ordinary items to tell a coherent story?

Reference gamesTwo Point Museum · Animal Crossing: New Horizons

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Core loop

01Read height/water
02Preview earthworks
03Apply terrain changes
04Check buildings and access

Building and layoutsOne rule

Cut-and-fill terrain

Flatten a hill to save a bridge or preserve it against floods?

Reference gamesTimberborn · Cities: Skylines II

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Core loop

01Plan floor use
02Connect vertical access
03Trace people/cargo
04Fix bottleneck floors

Building and layoutsOne rule

Vertical access in layered buildings

Move production upstairs or keep hauling short and avoid stair congestion?

Reference gamesTimberborn · SimAirport

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Core loop

01Define space
02Place doors/fixtures
03Validate requirements
04Have agents use the room

Building and layoutsOne rule

Room recognition and requirements

Share a hall to save space or partition it for specialized requirements?

Reference gamesRimWorld · Two Point Hospital

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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.