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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

01Help and create a promise
02Record who owes whom
03Request an eligible action
04Fulfill and clear the debt

Characters and relationshipsOne rule

Favors and obligations

Call in a favor now or save it for a more important request?

Reference gamesBohna Nostra · Crusader Kings III

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Core loop

01Read faction needs
02Choose an action
03Update reputations separately
04Inspect changed services

Characters and relationshipsOne rule

Faction reputation conflicts

Will helping dockworkers cost access to a merchant route?

Reference gamesTyranny · Fallout: New Vegas

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Core loop

01Receive private information
02Make public claims
03Challenge and compare
04Vote and reveal

Characters and relationshipsLinked states

Hidden roles and credibility

Reveal your evidence now or hold it to test others' claims?

Reference gamesAmong Us · One Night Ultimate Werewolf

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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 remaining steps
02Build or refine
03Update progress/quality
04Deliver or scrap

Gathering and craftingOne rule

Completion versus quality

Secure completion or spend another step on quality?

Reference gamesFinal Fantasy XIV · Atelier Sophie

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Core loop

01Inspect joints/hazards
02Choose a cut
03Separate and sort
04Audit recovered/lost value

Gathering and craftingOne rule

Disassembly and salvage value

Safely isolate the core or take a quick destructive shortcut?

Reference gamesHardspace: Shipbreaker · TerraTech

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Core loop

01Read ingredient geometry
02Preview placement/path
03Adjust the combination
04Resolve coverage effects

Gathering and craftingOne rule

Ingredient geometry

Use a powerful large ingredient or small pieces that fit key regions?

Reference gamesAtelier Sophie · Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator

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Core loop

01Sample stock
02Compare thresholds
03Switch production
04Consume and sample again

Logistics and automationLinked states

Stock feedback control

Start early to avoid shortage or reduce switching and overproduction?

Reference gamesFactorio · Timberborn

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Core loop

01Read supply/demand
02Allocate power
03Advance systems
04Inspect shortage effects

Logistics and automationOne rule

Shared power allocation

Power essential protection or briefly redirect it to production?

Reference gamesFTL: Faster Than Light · Mindustry

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Core loop

01Read occupancy
02Reserve a route
03Enter and leave
04Release and recheck

Logistics and automationLinked states

Rail blocks and reservations

Enter an empty junction now or wait until its exit is available?

Reference gamesFactorio · OpenTTD

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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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Core loop

01Inspect commitments
02Estimate new capacity use
03Accept or decline
04Deliver and settle penalties

Trade and managementOne rule

Contracts and capacity commitments

Take a high-margin two-day job or preserve flexibility for existing deliveries?

Reference gamesMy Time at Portia · SimAirport

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Core loop

01Read customer mix
02Choose facilities
03Track fulfilled needs
04Address unmet service

Trade and managementOne rule

Customer needs and service mix

Cover common needs or add specialized service for a smaller group?

Reference gamesSimAirport · Two Point Hospital

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Core loop

01Preview cash calendar
02Choose borrowing
03Pay build/operating costs
04Repay and review

Trade and managementOne rule

Borrowing and operating cash

Expand for future income or preserve cash through slow days?

Reference gamesTwo Point Hospital · Recettear: An Item Shop's Tale

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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.