Factory-building fans just got a pretty sweet deal. Modulus, a new automation game, just launched on Steam with something you don’t see every day — bundle deals that actually make sense and reward players who already own similar games.
Instead of the usual “here’s our game, take it or leave it” approach, the developers at Kwalee went all-in on three themed bundles that group Modulus with some of the best games in the automation genre. And here’s the clever part: if you already own one of the bundled games, you’re not left out in the cold.
“MODULUS IS HERE! And we are starting off strong with 3 bundles with some amazing factory, automation and logistic games! We are releasing with a launch discount and if you own one of theese games you can get a double discount on top!” — Jake Kwalee on Steam
The three bundles each target different flavors of automation gaming. The Cut, Paint & Assemble Bundle pairs Modulus with shapez 2, which is all about building massive space factories without worrying about enemies breathing down your neck. It’s pure factory-building bliss for anyone who loves watching conveyor belts work their magic.
Then there’s the Foundation Modulus Bundle, which throws in Foundation — a chill medieval city-builder that ditches the grid system for more organic development. It’s a nice change of pace from the usual factory games, focusing on monument construction and resource management without the typical time pressure.
The third option is the Farmer Was Replaced X Modulus Bundle, featuring The Farmer Was Replaced. This one’s interesting because it mixes automation with coding elements. You’re programming drones to handle farm work, which scratches that same optimization itch as factory games but with a completely different theme.
What makes this launch strategy actually smart is how the discounts work. You get the standard launch discount on Modulus, but if you already own one of the bundled games, you can still “complete the set” and grab a 10% bundle discount on the remaining games. That discount stacks with the launch pricing, which means existing players aren’t getting punished for supporting similar games.
This is refreshingly different from how most game bundles work. Usually, if you own half the games in a bundle, you’re stuck paying full price for everything or missing out entirely. Here, the developers actually thought about their core audience — people who probably already own at least one automation game.
The timing makes sense too. The factory-building and automation genre has been having a moment lately. Games like Satisfactory and Factorio have shown there’s real hunger for games that let you build, optimize, and watch complex systems work. Players in this space tend to collect multiple games in the genre, so bundling them together is pretty logical.
From a business perspective, this approach is smart for a new game trying to break into an established genre. Instead of competing directly with shapez 2 or Foundation, Modulus is positioning itself as part of the same ecosystem. It’s saying “if you like these games, you’ll probably like us too.”
The bundle strategy also helps with discoverability. When someone’s browsing Steam for factory games, they might stumble across Modulus through one of these bundles even if they weren’t specifically looking for it. That’s valuable exposure for an indie title.
For players, this feels like a win-win situation. You get to try a new automation game at a discount, and you might discover (or rediscover) other games in your favorite genre. The fact that the discounts stack means you’re not getting ripped off for being a loyal fan of automation games.
It’ll be interesting to see how well this launch strategy works out. If Modulus does well with this approach, we might see more indie developers trying similar bundle tactics at launch. The automation and factory-building community seems pretty receptive to this kind of cross-promotion.
For now, if you’re into automation games and don’t own all three of the bundled titles, this looks like a solid opportunity to expand your collection while supporting a new entry in the genre. The launch discounts won’t last forever, and this kind of thoughtful bundling strategy deserves some recognition from the community.
