iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

In the interest of preserving that impact, I'm not going to share both sprites here today. Or ever. Sorry! They can live on undead in the murky space beneath the slits in Autumn Rail's cutting-room floorboards.

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Fact #4: Two offscreen characters were meant to have sprites of their own. I got as far as inking the lineart of one character—and half the lineart of the other—before I realized that both characters' impact would be heftier the less of them you saw.

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The agitation has long since passed, though. Time heals all wounds etc. and the game ended up launching on Steam less than a month later! A year on, and I get to pick which anniversaries I can celebrate, so here we are. Just posted Fact #3 —check it out when you get the chance!

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Thank you! Will not lie, was *extremely* pissed off about it at the time, in no small part because the delay was far beyond my control AND extremely unnecessary, at that. The game was ready by the day of; it's just that the powers that be at Steam HQ didn't want to approve the build. (rage)

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Fact #3: Tera Venger's stupidly baggy denim legwarmers were inspired by these strappy bootcovers I once saw someone wear at a music festival. Wasn't able to get them out of my head; had to do something about that. Tera's are blue, but the pair I saw at the festival that day were black. #visualnovel

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After that, you can saunter on over to the thread below, where I'm rattling off all the fun facts about the game's history and development. I'll be periodically updating the thread throughout the day, so keep it tabbed and check in when you can, okay? #indiedev #visualnovel #survivalhorror

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Happy non-niversary to the indie survival horror VN Autumn Rail, which was supposed to release on this day one year ago! To celebrate, I'm discounting the game by 87%! (!!!) for ONE DAY ONLY. As in TODAY. As in sale ends tomorrow so go buy it NOW, people, what the hell are you waiting fooooooor!

A survival horror visual novel. When her train terminates at the strange and sinister Sylvan Station, Tera finds herself entangled in a neverending night of darkness.

Autumn Rail on Steam

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Fact #2: Not including SFX and atmospheric sounds, there are thirteen songs total in Autumn Rail's (as yet unreleased) OST. However, only twelve songs made it into the game itself. Heheh... Two of the songs—Desolate Interval & Desolate Interval, Reprise—were named after Autumn Rail's working title.

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If you're wondering why Quin looks different here, it's because I made this mockup with an earlier version of his sprite. Yes, he used to have freckles, and yes, his double labret jewelry used to be jet black... Quin's meant to be unkempt, sure, but these details just made him look messy, I think.

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Reece R. @reecerose.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Autumn Rail was meant to release one year ago today. In commemoration of the anniversary that wasn't, I thought it'd be fun to make a thread of random A.R. facts. #gamedev #horrorgame Fact #1: I mocked up the title screen twice. You've seen the first mockup; now, behold the version featuring Quin:

From the development vault: a mockup of Autumn Rail's title screen, featuring an earlier version of deuteragonist Quin.

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Hey, but on a related note: if you love horror games (especially PS2-era survival horror games) and if you love visual novels (especially NVL-style visual novels), you should... maybe, you know... consider playing Autumn Rail...

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Reece R. @reecerose.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Hey, so... If you can help it, plz do *not* buy a copy of Autumn Rail through the Steam Marketplace today. If for some reason you have to play the game as immediately as possible, either borrow a friend's copy, or suck it up and wait 'til tomorrow. Trust me on this. And thank me later.

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FlipWarlock: Let's Draw Bad Things Together™ @rocknrami.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

support your classic and local eroge folks, they need love as much as anyone else does

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Reece R. @reecerose.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Nice to meet ya and thank you for joining in! I'm a solo dev, too, also making visual novels. That said, right now I'm (posthumously) promoting my survival horror VN more than I'm developing anything fresh. If you had to recommend just one of your games to a newcomer, which game would it be and why?

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Casey S. Pumpkins 🎃 @caseyexplosion.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

"Indies will save us" No! YOU WILL SAVE INDIES! Go leave a review for that neat indie game you like, share the trailer for an upcoming game you're anticipating, tell your fave developer they did a good job, go tell people about such and such game that's just come out, you can make a difference!

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Reece R. @reecerose.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Sharing this here to hopefully get more eyes on it, and because it's relevant: If you, like me, develop eroge, 18+ games, and/or visual novels with mature themes (a.k.a. the kind of games that the arbiters at Steam don't seem to like), plz link to your projects/studio in the quoted!

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Reece R. @reecerose.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Apropos of an article that's been making the rounds: I've realized I want to support and be surrounded by more visual novel devs—especially VN devs who specialize in 18+/eroge. If that sounds like you, please drop a link to your game/s below. We're stronger together, so let's get a chain going!

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Reece R. @reecerose.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Someone should make Tera Venger as a fumo... That would be pretty sweet...

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ThePenSword @thepensword.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

GREAT NEWS VISUAL NOVEL FRIENDS After the nonsense with Steam incorrectly flagging my VN and ya’ll help, the absolute HEROES at JAST USA are bringing not just Second Wind, but Escape Velocity to their store front. It’s an honor to be here. <3 jaststore.com/games/pens00...

jaststore.com

Siren's Call: Second Wind – Coming Soon

A wedding where one of the guests arrives dead. A strange black hole eclipsing the Florida sun. And your best friend? Gone. Is all this a butterfly dream or is reality breaking? Is their story romance...

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Reece R. @reecerose.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Watched this interview over the weekend; I was hanging on every word. Propulsive questions, nuanced answers, and absolutely riveting discussion all around from @speedynoelle.bsky.social and AnyButton2Start. Would recommend!

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Reece R. @reecerose.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Hey! If you're a visual novel critic who's interested in covering my survival horror VN Autumn Rail, drop a comment or something below so I can reach out to ya! I've got a buncha Steam Keys for Autumn Rail just laying around untapped and would love to get them out to as many reviewers as I can!

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Reece R. @reecerose.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Survival horror. Visual novel.PlayStation2-era horror meets NScripter. Indie. Mystery. Danger. Romance? 18+! Kinetic VN gameplay. Vivid characters. Industrial OST. Cerebral plot. Haunting themes. Proceed with caution. >2 hours in length; >$10USD. NO AI. In other words? Play AUTUMN RAIL! #indiegame

A survival horror visual novel. When her train terminates at the strange and sinister Sylvan Station, Tera finds herself entangled in a neverending night of darkness.

Autumn Rail on Steam

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Reece R. @reecerose.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

...and Autumn Rail is in the usual place, if you wanna read/play that, too. xD #indiedev #gamedev #indievn #vn #horror

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Reece R. @reecerose.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

The biggest, hugest congrats to @gleamyguts.bsky.social on the ROTTING TO LIVE update, which you can read now! On the official site! Linked below! I had to draw something to celebrate. So here's a very unofficial crossover: RTL's Manako-chan, in a costume swap with AUTUMN RAIL's Tera! #webcomic #vn

Tera Venger (from Autumn Rail) and Manako-chan (from Rotting To Live) engage in the timeless art of the costume swap! Art by Reece R.

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Gleamy Guts🪱 @ Pain @gleamyguts.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

After a long wait I finally have a new update out for my webcomic!! Please read it if you like!! I wish I could work more on it!!!💜 Read here > rottingtolive.neocities.org

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Reece R. @reecerose.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Get on board Steam's Train Fest if you haven't already! What're you waiting for?! The survival horror visual novel AUTUMN RAIL is expressly on sale and this festival's leaving the station in <48 hours! #indiegames #horrorgames #indiedev #vn #visualnovel #trainfest

Autumn Rail - 13% Off Through Train Fest 2026! - Steam News

We'll share a brand new piece of key art, that's what. w00t w00t!

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Oh, right, visibility. Some tags, to help this post find its audience: #indiegame #horrorgame #horrorvisualnovel #vn #visualnovel #indiedev #steamtrainfest #survivalhorror ... did I miss any?

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Strange, sinister train stations? Check! Danger? Mystery? Check! The ticking of wheels on steel, turning like the hands of a clock, turning, turning...? ...check! This Steam Train Fest, get aboard the survival horror visual novel AUTUMN RAIL. On sale now! store.steampowered.com/app/4007780/...

Save 13% on Autumn Rail on Steam

A survival horror visual novel. When her train terminates at the strange and sinister Sylvan Station, Tera finds herself entangled in a neverending night of darkness.

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Wario64 @wario64.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Steam Train Fest sale on Steam buff.ly/1ZDzPnN

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Throughout the festival, we'll be sharing the caboose with the likes of Denshattack, Maitetsu, and many more; if any of that sounds like your alley, be sure to check out the fest in full! store.steampowered.com/category/tra...

Trains

Steam Train Fest 2026

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Steam @steampowered.com · 20/07/2026

Key art time! The Steam Train Fest is here at last, and here to get you in the locomotive mood is Tera Venger herself, pressed up against an upturned train cart. w00t w00t! From now until the festival's end (July 27 10AM PT), AUTUMN RAIL will be thematically discounted by 13%! Be there or don't!

Tera Venger and an upturned train cart. Art by Reece R.
© Calamity Maid, 2026. All rights reserved.

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🚂Steam Train Fest has pulled into the station!🚂 Live now until July 27, check out all sorts of train games including everything from steam locomotives to bullet trains. Mysteries on a train? Check. Murderous trains? Check. Rail network simulators? Also check! store.steampowered.com/category/tra...

Reece R. @reecerose.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Trains

Steam Train Fest 2026

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Done and done. Thanks again!

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Visual Novel Updates @visual-novels.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Go support indie VN game developers on bluesky! Who else should be on this list? go.bsky.app/BYywqmT #gamedev #indiegames #narrative #gameengine #indiegames #vn #vndev

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Reece R. @reecerose.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Hey there! If possible, and if it's not too late by now, I'd love to be added to the list, as well. Thank you in advance! And on behalf of indie devs anywhere, thank you for the awesome work you're doing!

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Reece R. @reecerose.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Tomodachi Life put Tera behind the till as if it'd suit her or something. Me, I'll take any excuse to draw Tera's massive eyes—this one was as good as any. #indiegame #autumnrail #art #vn #visualnovel

Tera Venger is the grocer. Art by Reece R.
© Calamity Maid, 2026. All rights reserved.

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Reece R. @reecerose.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Calamity Maid is committed to supporting the dick size of all our characters. We will not be nerfing our characters' dicks at this time, or ever, regardless of any clipping issues that may arise. Thank you for your understanding.

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Reece R. @reecerose.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

Autumn Rail by indie developer Calamity Maid (that's my studio!) is a survival horror visual novel in the kinetic/NScripter style. When returning home from the grocer's one quiet evening, Tera is taken to Sylvan Station, a place you won’t find on any route or map. Curious? Click the link below...