Machinations

Platform for designing and simulating game mechanics and systems

Platform for designing and simulating game mechanics and systems

Screenshot of the Machinations website showcasing game mechanics design tools

What is Machinations?

Machinations is a browser-based platform that allows game designers to model, simulate, and visualize game mechanics and systems. It provides a visual language and set of tools to create dynamic diagrams representing game economies, progression systems, and gameplay loops. This enables designers to test and refine mechanics before implementation, ensuring balanced and engaging gameplay experiences.

What is Machinations used for?

  • Game Mechanics Design: Visually design and prototype complex game mechanics, economies, and systems.

  • Simulation and Balancing: Simulate gameplay scenarios to balance resources, difficulty curves, and player progression.

  • Collaboration: Share diagrams and collaborate with team members in real-time to refine game systems.

  • Hypothesis Testing: Experiment with different design ideas and instantly see the outcomes through simulations.

  • Documentation: Create clear and interactive documentation of game systems for development and communication purposes.

  • Integration: Use Machinations models to guide implementation in game engines and development workflows.

By leveraging Machinations, game developers can effectively plan, test, and communicate complex game systems, reducing development time and improving game balance and player satisfaction.

Is Machinations free?

Machinations offers a Public Plan that is completely free forever. This plan provides access to basic features and allows users to create public profiles and diagrams, enabling them to showcase work, receive feedback, and collaborate with other professionals. Additionally, Machinations offers a 14-day trial of the Pro Plan, providing full platform access without requiring a credit card.

  • Public: Free

  • Starter: $49/month per team (billed annually)

  • Pro: $249/month per team (billed annually)

  • Enterprise: Custom pricing

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Have an alternative to Machinations? Submit it here and let others discover the tools you created.