Sample Press Start Kit
A complete sample launch kit for Vena, a solo-developed automation roguelike launching on Steam on November 9, 2026.
Sample notice. Unsolicited sample made from public information. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the developer. All claims come from Vena's Steam pages and the developer's own materials, as read on Oct 28, 2026.
An automation roguelike from solo developer loerting, with a free demo live now and launch on November 9.
Factorio's flow-building brain meets Balatro's break-the-economy runs.
One tile. Six hungry veins. Nine phases. Vena packs automation-game depth into 15 to 50 minute roguelike runs: place hex tiles to feed the Nexus, roll dice in the shop for new ones, and stack perks until the economy breaks.
223 of 300 characters
It starts with one tile: the Nexus. It eats six resources, and every phase it wants more. Route production through its six veins, chain converters, duplicate producers and gamble on high-risk tiles to keep it fed for nine phases. Between phases, the shop opens and the dice come out.
Code, design, pixel art and soundtrack, all by one developer. One more run. The Nexus is always hungry.
| Group | Tag | Status | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core genre | Automation | Keep | Top player tag and the core identity |
| Core genre | Roguelike Deckbuilder | Keep | Discovery lane for run-based shop games |
| Core genre | Roguelite | Keep | Run-based progression |
| Core genre | Roguelike | Keep | Broad roguelike audience |
| Core genre | Strategy | Keep | Parent genre |
| Core genre | Turn-Based Strategy | Keep | Phase-based, no timed input required |
| Mechanics | Hex Grid | Keep | Describes the board instantly |
| Mechanics | Resource Management | Keep | Six resources feed the Nexus |
| Mechanics | Dice | Keep | The shop is the signature system |
| Mechanics | City Builder | Keep | Network-building appeal |
| Mechanics | Procedural Generation | Add | Store copy promises no two runs alike |
| Mechanics | Sandbox | Add | Dedicated Sandbox mode |
| Theme and style | Pixel Graphics | Keep | Matches the art |
| Theme and style | Isometric | Drop | Not how the game presents itself |
| Discovery | Logic | Keep | Optimization and layout puzzles |
| Discovery | Replay Value | Keep | 7 modes, 5 tiers, Daily |
| Discovery | Board Game | Drop | Sets the wrong expectation |
| Discovery | Crafting | Drop | No crafting loop in the store copy |
Verified against the 20 live player tags on the Steam store page and Steam's official tag list, Oct 28, 2026.
15 recommended tags (13 kept, 2 added) and 3 dropped from the current top 20.
Subject: Vena: automation roguelike, 15 to 50 minute runs, free demo live, out Nov 9
Ask: Demo coverage before launch, launch key on request
Hi [Creator Name], I enjoyed your [specific video], and I think Vena would land well with your audience. Vena is an automation roguelike from solo developer loerting. You build hex-tile production networks to feed the Nexus, roll dice in the shop for new tiles, and pick perks that break the economy. A full run takes 15 to 50 minutes. - Launch: November 9 on Steam (Windows, macOS, Linux) - Free demo: live now at [demo link] - 7 modes, 5 difficulty tiers, 92+ perks Would you be open to covering the demo before launch? Happy to send a launch key and the press kit: [press kit link]. Thanks, [Your Name]
This first sample predates the creator list and launch checklist sections. For a sample with a full 25-entry verified creator list and a dated checklist, see the House Dreams sample.
| When | Platform | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-launch, Oct 29 to Nov 8 | Demo plays and feedback | |
| Pre-launch, Oct 29 to Nov 8 | TikTok / Shorts | Reach and wishlists |
| Pre-launch, final days | Bluesky | Wishlists |
| Launch day, Nov 9 | X | Day-one purchases |
| Post-launch, Nov 10 onward | X / Bluesky | Community and retention |
Where: r/roguelites, from the developer's account. Check sub rules first.
Copy: "Solo dev here. I made an automation roguelike where a full run takes 15 to 50 minutes. The demo is free. What's the most broken build you can make?"
Visual: Screenshot of a sprawling late-run network with the stats panel open.
CTA: Play the free demo and post your build.
Format: Vertical short video.
Hook: "An automation game where a whole run takes under an hour."
Visual: Sped-up timelapse of one run, lone Nexus to full map, run timer in the corner.
CTA: "Free demo on Steam. Wishlist for Nov 9."
Where: Developer account.
Copy: "Spiral mode makes you build along an Archimedes spiral out from the center. Branching? Good luck. Vena, Nov 9."
Visual: Overhead shot of a Spiral map with a build snaking outward.
CTA: Wishlist on Steam.
Where: Developer account.
Copy: "Rolled a perfect triplet. Unlocked a fourth die. The economy did not survive. Vena is out now on Steam."
Visual: 10 second clip: roll, hold, reroll, triplet, fourth die, big purchase.
CTA: "Buy on Steam [link]".
Where: Developer accounts.
Copy: "Daily mode: same starting conditions for everyone, new every day. Post your result and your worst decision."
Visual: Daily mode results screen.
CTA: Reply with your run.
70 seconds
| Time | Visual | On-screen text | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-5s | The Nexus alone, pulsing | "It's hungry." | Low ambient tone, single pulse |
| 5-15s | First tiles placed, resources flow through the veins | "Feed it." | Placement sounds, soundtrack fades in |
| 15-27s | Network spreads, converters chain, demand climbs | "It always wants more." | Soundtrack builds |
| 27-38s | Shop: roll, hold, reroll, triplet, fourth die | "Roll for it." | Dice SFX, beat drop on the triplet |
| 38-50s | Perk pick, output spikes across the map | "92+ perks. Break the rules." | Full soundtrack |
| 50-62s | Modes montage: Star, Islands, Spiral, Sandbox | "7 modes. 5 difficulties. 15 to 50 minute runs." | Quick cuts on the beat |
| 62-70s | Phase nine cleared, pull back, logo | "Vena | Nov 9 | Free demo on Steam" | Music resolves, final placement sound |
Unsolicited sample made from public information. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the developer. All claims come from Vena's Steam pages and the developer's own materials, as read on Oct 28, 2026.