Cinder Automata is a playable prototype
A factory that fights back. Here is how a run works, what the factory has to make, and where the game is today.
Cinder Automata is a top-down factory and defence roguelite that runs in your browser. You mine ore, smelt it, craft ammunition, science packs and robots, wire up power, and hold the line against waves of rogue machines. Think Factorio and Mindustry, squeezed into short runs you can finish in one sitting.
The factory only runs when it matters
The factory runs during fights, and for a short cooldown after a win. The rest of the build phase is frozen, so you can place and rearrange things without the clock ticking. Belts, inserters, crossovers and splitters are always free, and pulling up anything else refunds 75% of its cost.
The core is a one-way store. It accepts iron plates, copper plates and science packs, and nothing can be taken back out. That means turret ammunition has to arrive by belt from a smelter, so every belt you lay ends at a gun.
From ore to artillery shells
Iron, copper, coal, tin, lead, sulfur and wood become plates, gunpowder, bullets, bronze, steel and artillery shells. Bullets need a casing and gunpowder, steel needs iron and charcoal, and a shell needs steel and bronze. Each step is a small puzzle about getting the right things to the right place.
Where it is today
The balance is a first guess, especially after level 8, and it needs more real playtesting. A few things are not built yet: capturable enemy nests, more research branches, flame, laser and rocket turrets, and a Codex. All the art the game needs exists now, and a few sounds are still to come.
If you try it, I would love to know where it felt too easy, too hard or just confusing. Use the contact page and tell me.