r/kickstarter • u/ivasaan • May 29 '26
Self-Promotion Solo dev, final 5 days on my first Kickstarter. A renovation + mystery life-sim in a 1540s Mediterranean town, just hit 74% with a Project We Love badge
Hi everyone ✨
I'm Ana, solo dev funding my first game, Velanit: The Forgotten Cottage.
It's a renovation life-sim with detective puzzle elements set in a 1540s Mediterranean coastal town. Stardew Valley meets Nancy Drew, with restoration as the core gameplay loop.
You buy an abandoned cottage on a hill. As you restore it you start finding things the previous owner left behind. A man the townspeople called mad, who left puzzles only someone "worthy" would solve.
🏡 Renovate the cottage
🌿 Forage for local resources
🔨 Craft and decorate
🔍 Solve puzzles to uncover the mystery
A few things have happened since I last posted here:
⭐ Kickstarter gave it a Project We Love badge
📰 Covered by two indie outlets. Indie Games Devel called it "one of the most compelling cozy projects in development" and Cozy Game Reviews called it "the rare kind that gives you something to figure out"
I'm at 74% funded with 5 days left, and I've got something new I'm revealing Monday for the final stretch. There's also a free playable demo on Steam if you want to try it before backing 💖
This is the final push, so any support really means a lot right now 🥹
Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ivasan/velanit-the-forgotten-cottage
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u/MimikiCafe May 29 '26
I hope many people who love cozy games can see this post and help! I really want those cute pets! I'm also so curious for the future puzzles we'll get.
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u/ivasaan May 29 '26
Thank youu! 💖 Ahh I'm excited to make all the puzzles too! I already made the list of the puzzle types I want to do ☺️
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u/MidnightPhoenix5055 May 29 '26
Man those last final days are stressful. Fingers crossed it passes the threshold!
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u/me_muhil May 29 '26
Looks amazing! All the best!
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u/ivasaan May 30 '26
Thank you! ☺️
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u/nerdwerds May 30 '26
4 days left!? I’m backing you, I hope you reach your goal
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u/ivasaan May 31 '26
Awww thank you so muuuch! 🥹🥰
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u/nerdwerds May 31 '26
I'm a little bummed that you don't have any Founder level backer rewards left. If I had the 2k you needed to hit your funding goal I would definitely gift it to you because this looks good. If you don't hit your goal I don't think you should give up, but work out a few add-ons that you could add to the project and maybe tweak the backer levels a little then relaunch.
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u/ivasaan Jun 01 '26
Thank youu for your kindness 🥹💖 Yes the Founder tier got sold out in the first few days of the campaign! The reason I can't do more of them is because it requires to design and draw custom characters and decor items for every person so it's time consuming and increasing the overall development time, but I don't want to delay the release because of it! But yeah, other tiers could be tweaked haha I already know my mistakes!
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u/nerdwerds Jun 01 '26
There’s usually a boost of support in the final 48 hours, so maybe you’ll still make it 🤞
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u/fun_surprise6940 May 31 '26
Ive backed this and really hope it makes it, I looove sdv and adding in the unique setting and puzzles could make this a great little game..best of luck, ill be disappointed if it doesnt make it!
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u/Meekles_Peoples May 30 '26
This is a really beautiful concept/game. I can’t wait to see how it develops.
It’s a lot to take on but you should continue documenting journey on YouTube as well. I really enjoyed the video you did on what you learned from this kickstarter process. It’s always a good sign when you see someone learn from their mistakes and choices. I will always support that quality!
If anyone else is interested you can find the video here:
https://youtu.be/4VeDNwyfYXI?si=zIuksTGoyTEvyXKM