---
key: mechanic/shared-family-29
type: mechanic
id: shared-family-29
lang: en
title: Construction and engineering design
summary: >-
  Players combine parts into a stable or functional structure and test it
  against the task’s rules.
updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
status: active
url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/shared-family-29/'
jsonUrl: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/shared-family-29.json'
markdownUrl: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/shared-family-29.md'
aliases:
  - Construction
tags:
  - Children’s games
  - 'Action, construction and control'
  - Educational games
sourceIds:
  - source-df9ed2d1b2e7ac06
sources:
  - id: source-df9ed2d1b2e7ac06
    title: Spiritfarer
    url: 'https://thunderlotusgames.com/press-kits/spiritfarer-press-kit/'
    verifiedAt: null
relations: []
placements:
  - catalogId: children
    id: family-29
    title: Children’s games
    url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/children/#family-29'
    categoryIds:
      - action
  - catalogId: education
    id: family-29
    title: Educational games
    url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/education/#family-29'
    categoryIds:
      - action
supersededBy: []
attributes:
  preview:
    updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
    title: Construction
    description: >-
      Players combine parts into a stable or functional structure and test it
      against the task’s rules.
    image:
      src: images/mechanics/spiritfarer-building.webp
      width: 1440
      height: 810
      game: Spiritfarer
      sourceUrl: 'https://thunderlotusgames.com/press-kits/spiritfarer-press-kit/'
      originalUrl: >-
        https://thunderlotusgames.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Spiritfarer-SCREENSHOTS-03.jpg
      credit: Thunder Lotus
      rights: © Thunder Lotus. All rights reserved.
      caption: Placing a garden aboard the ship
      alt: >-
        Spiritfarer: build mode shows a green garden preview on a grid among the
        ship’s other buildings.
      markers:
        - x: 48
          'y': 66
          label: Preview of the module being placed
        - x: 10
          'y': 73
          label: Required construction materials
    tips:
      - Preview valid connections and placement results before confirmation.
    examples:
      - title: Spiritfarer
        url: 'https://thunderlotusgames.com/press-kits/spiritfarer-press-kit/'
endsAt: null
provenance: >-
  Play-focused selection adapted from the original children-education taxonomy,
  with original editorial additions dated 2026-10-20. Developer sources support
  specific examples, not the entire classification.
license: CC-BY-4.0
codeLicense: MIT
attribution: gamemechanics.pro contributors
catalogKey: catalog/children
---
# Construction and engineering design

id: shared-family-29
type: mechanic
key: mechanic/shared-family-29
lang: en
status: active
url: https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/shared-family-29/

Players combine parts into a stable or functional structure and test it against the task’s rules.

## At a glance

![Spiritfarer: build mode shows a green garden preview on a grid among the ship’s other buildings.](https://gamemechanics.pro/images/mechanics/spiritfarer-building.webp)

[Spiritfarer](https://thunderlotusgames.com/press-kits/spiritfarer-press-kit/) · © Thunder Lotus. All rights reserved.

1. Preview of the module being placed
2. Required construction materials

- Preview valid connections and placement results before confirmation.

- [Spiritfarer](https://thunderlotusgames.com/press-kits/spiritfarer-press-kit/)

## How it works

Build from a model

## Variants

### Variants

<a id="family-29-branch-1"></a>

- Build from a model <a id="family-29-variant-1"></a>
- Build from a plan <a id="family-29-variant-2"></a>
- Build to functional requirements <a id="family-29-variant-3"></a>
- Choose materials <a id="family-29-variant-4"></a>
- Reinforce structures <a id="family-29-variant-5"></a>
- Connect modules <a id="family-29-variant-6"></a>
- Test under load <a id="family-29-variant-7"></a>
- Improve prototypes <a id="family-29-variant-8"></a>
- Build with limited parts <a id="family-29-variant-9"></a>
- Compare designs <a id="family-29-variant-10"></a>
- Disassemble and reuse parts <a id="family-29-variant-11"></a>
- Design for a specified user <a id="family-29-variant-12"></a>

## Design example

Build a bridge with limited parts and load-test it.

## Context and limits

An action map for children’s digital, board, active and mixed games. An instructional goal is optional: children can invent stories, explore toys, compete or enjoy play itself. Select age suitability, reading demands, controls and pace separately; different implementations can suit different ages. Learning tasks and instructional support have their own reference.

## Context: Educational games

A mechanic map for games with explicit learning goals, from first encounters with a topic to professional practice. It covers children, teenagers and adults; choose subject, difficulty, context and controls for the learner. Player actions, subject content, instructional support and assessment are distinct layers. Scores and game completion alone do not establish mastery or skill transfer.

## Connected materials


## Sources and provenance

Play-focused selection adapted from the original children-education taxonomy, with original editorial additions dated 2026-10-20. Developer sources support specific examples, not the entire classification.

- [Spiritfarer](https://thunderlotusgames.com/press-kits/spiritfarer-press-kit/) (id: source-df9ed2d1b2e7ac06)

CC-BY-4.0 · gamemechanics.pro contributors