Machinations
Diagramming software
Gaming tools
Game development software
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What is Machinations
Machinations is a browser-based tool for designing and analyzing game economies and systems using node-based diagrams and simulations. It targets game designers, product managers, and analysts who need to prototype progression, resource flows, and balancing scenarios before or during development. The product differentiates from general-purpose diagramming tools by supporting executable models, parameter tuning, and simulation outputs tied to game-design constructs.
Executable economy modeling
Machinations diagrams can be run as simulations rather than serving only as static documentation. This supports balancing work such as tuning sources/sinks, pacing, and progression curves using model parameters. Compared with general visual collaboration canvases, it is oriented around game-economy primitives and measurable outcomes.
Game-specific diagram primitives
The modeling language is designed for game systems, including resource flows, converters, gates, and feedback loops. This reduces the need to adapt generic flowchart shapes to represent economy mechanics. It also helps teams standardize how they communicate system behavior across design and production.
Scenario iteration and sharing
Designers can iterate on variables and test multiple scenarios to compare outcomes. The web-based approach supports sharing models with stakeholders for review and discussion. This is useful when aligning design intent with production constraints and live-ops targets.
Narrower than general diagramming
Machinations focuses on game-economy and system simulation rather than broad diagramming and whiteboarding use cases. Teams looking for a single workspace for brainstorming, workshops, and multi-domain diagrams may still need a separate general-purpose collaboration tool. This can increase tool sprawl for organizations outside game design.
Learning curve for modeling
Building correct, meaningful simulations requires familiarity with the Machinations modeling approach and with systems thinking. New users may need time to translate game mechanics into the tool’s primitives and to interpret simulation results appropriately. Mis-specified models can lead to misleading conclusions if not validated.
Not a full game engine
Machinations supports design-time modeling and analysis but does not replace game engines or production pipelines for building and shipping games. Integration into development workflows typically requires manual translation of model insights into implementation tasks. Teams may need additional tooling for telemetry, experimentation, and runtime balancing.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| Community (Public) | Free — Free-forever (public diagrams) | Public-by-default diagrams; intended for personal, academic, non-profit use or professionals/orgs with revenue or funding under $100,000; diagrams are visible, playable and forkable by others. |
| Starter | Contact sales / Not listed on site | Private diagrams and editing private diagrams; higher Monthly Events allocation; Starter users receive 20% discount on Top-up Event bundles. |
| Pro | Contact sales / Not listed on site | Team Folder & team management features; larger Monthly Events allocations; Pro users receive 50% discount on Top-up Event bundles; intended for teams and orgs. |
| Enterprise | Custom pricing (contact sales) | Dedicated/enterprise plans and agreements; custom seats, SLAs, security reviews, integrations — pricing and limits negotiated per agreement. |
Additional official pricing-related notes:
- Top-up Events are purchasable (volume discounts available) and are used after monthly Events are exhausted; exact top-up prices are not listed on the public site.
- Expert Services (diagram building / optimisation) list published starting fees on the official site: $5,000 per diagram and Economy & LiveOps services starting at $3,900/month (20h).
Seller details
Machinations B.V.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Private
https://machinations.io/
https://x.com/machinationsio
https://www.linkedin.com/company/machinations/
