One of the first big questions when we were making Order Automatica was simple: how big should the battlefield actually be?

The answer we landed on might surprise you: a tiny 3x3 grid. That’s it. Nine squares. But don’t let the size fool you - this little battlefield is where a lot of the game’s depth lives.

At first glance, a 3x3 grid seems limiting. But that’s exactly the point. Every decision about where to put a unit matters. There’s no “throw them anywhere and hope for the best” strategy here. You need to think ahead, consider adjacencies, and predict what the enemy might do.

Even though each unit is simple on its own - stats, abilities, maybe a special effect - how you arrange them makes all the difference. The grid isn’t just a place to drop units; it’s a puzzle you get to solve every battle.

• Adjacency bonuses: Some units get stronger next to allies.

• Cell effects: Positive and negative cells change the game subtly but meaningfully.

• Attack order: Who strikes first can completely swing a battle.

Combine all of this, and a 3x3 space suddenly feels like it has endless possibilities.

Early in the game, we ease players into placement. The first ranks are simple: no tricky cell effects, few units. This lets you experiment without feeling overwhelmed. As you progress, new units, indulgences, and effects gradually make the grid feel more like a living, breathing battlefield.

By the time you hit higher ranks, you’re thinking about protection, adjacency bonuses, enemy manipulation, and timing all at once. It’s a lot - but in a way that feels rewarding, not punishing.

A 3x3 grid might look tiny - but the space itself isn’t the challenge. The fun is in how you use it. Small battlefield, big brain energy.
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Hello there! In this update, we’re introducing two systems that will shape every run of Order Automatica: Indulgences and Curses. They’re both persistent modifiers, but one is a blessing… and the other is very much not. Together, they push you into new strategies, force constant adaptation, and make each grid feel a little different every time.

Indulgences - Blessings for the Faithful (That’s You)

Indulgences are powerful, persistent bonuses that affect your whole grid. You earn them at regular intervals as you progress, and they give your team an ongoing direction - sometimes subtly, sometimes dramatically.

An indulgence might:

• Buff your summons every time they appear

• Hand out random items to your units every round

• Boost unit stats whenever you gain an item

• Or simply make one specific strategy a lot more tempting

Indulgences are designed to give each run its own personality. Pick the one that boosts item synergy? Suddenly you’re hunting for every item you can find and building a team that can exploit them. Choose the one that empowers summons? Time to lean into quantity, chaos, and overwhelming the board.

Whatever you pick, Indulgences gently nudge your playstyle into a new shape.

Curses - Blessings for the Enemy (Unfortunately)

Every so often, you’ll have to choose a Curse - an upgrade for the enemy team that makes your life harder. This system takes inspiration from roguelikes like Shotgun King and Slice & Dice: the enemy gets stronger because you said so.

Curses are persistent and often painful. They might:

• Steal gold from you every round

• Lock one of your units in place

• Give the enemy a mobility advantage

• Force you to rethink your formation or strategy entirely

Each curse is meant to disrupt your “perfect plan” and force you to adapt. Some will change how you position your units. Others will impact your economy or completely shift how you approach certain encounters.

Picking a curse is never fun - but finding clever ways to overcome it absolutely is.

Why This Matters - A Different Run, Every Time

Indulgences and Curses work together to continuously shape the course of your run. Individually, each modifier adds flavor. Together, they rewrite the entire recipe.

Your Indulgences might push you toward:

• Item-heavy builds

• Summon-focused strategies

• Durable tank lines

• High-variability, high-reward chaos

Your Curses push back:

• Draining your resources

• Restricting your positioning

• Strengthening specific enemy behaviors

This dynamic tension means no two runs play the same. You’re always adjusting - sometimes improvising, sometimes doubling down, sometimes discovering a completely new synergy you wouldn’t have tried otherwise.

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Best,

Kuba from better. publishing