data/claims/factorio-history.yamlFactorio (history and reception)
Game: Factorio.
On 31 March 2017 kovarex (Michal Kovařík) wrote that it was exactly five years since the initial Factorio commit, and that the first version was written in Java until he switched to C++ after 12 days. factorio-history/first-commit
first paragraphToday, it is exactly 5 years since the initial Factorio commit.Friday Facts #184 - Five years of Factorio · first paragraphthe first version was created in java, and it took me (kovarex) a whole 12 days to realize that it is not a good idea, and I switched to C++.Checked by claude, 2026-10-26 — found both sentences in the pinned capture of the post, dated 2017-03-31 by kovarex and RsedingCited by: Factorio
A post on Factorio's blog by Tomas on 24 October 2012 introduced the team as three friends from Prague. The game began with Michal's ideas; he quit his job to work on it full time and was joined by Petr and then Tomas, and Albert was working on the graphics. factorio-history/team-2012
first paragraphWe are three friends from Prague, Czech Republic working on a computer game called Factorio.Here we are · first paragraphThe game development started with couple of Michal's ideas for a "game that he would like to play but that is not available out there". Not late after that he found himself quitting his job and working on the game full time. Soon he was joined by Petr and eventually by Tomas.Here we are · third paragraphWhile our graphic Albert is feverishly working on the looksChecked by claude, 2026-10-26 — read the pinned 2013 capture of the postCited by: Factorio
The same post called Factorio a game about building a factory, in which the player mines resources, builds machines, automates production, and fights alien creatures, as a character alone on an alien planet who must clear it for a colonization fleet from Earth. factorio-history/pitch-2012
second paragraphFactorio is a game about building a factory. You will need to mine resources, build machines, automate production and fight alien creatures.Here we are · second paragraphThe main character finds himself alone on the alien planet. His task is to prepare the planet for colonization fleet coming from the Earth.Checked by claude, 2026-10-26 — read the pinned 2013 capture of the postCited by: Factorio, Production chain
Wube released the first version of Factorio's demo, a three-level campaign, on 31 December 2012, and made an alpha version available on request by email at the same time. factorio-history/demo-2012
post of 2012-12-31, first paragraphAfter a lot of work we have managed to release the first version of the demo.Demo is out · first paragraphThe demo consists of a 3-level demo campaignDemo is out · second paragraphTogether with the demo we made alpha version of the game available 'per-request'.Checked by claude, 2026-10-26 — read the pinned 2013 capture of the postCited by: Factorio
Version 0.2.0, announced on 13 January 2013, added technologies researched in labs with science packs, logistic robots, a day-night cycle, and a freeplay mode; signals that switch inserters on and off by the count of items in a chest were already in 0.1. factorio-history/release-0-2
post of 2013-01-13, feature listTechnologies Build labs, create science packs and discover new recipes and improvements.0.2.0 released · feature listLogistic Robots When your factory gets big use small flying robots to ease the transportation of material.0.2.0 released · feature listSignals This has already been in 0.1.x, but now it has been tested and verified.0.2.0 released · feature listDefine conditions to switch on / off certain inserters based on number of items in your chests.0.2.0 released · feature listDay night cycle0.2.0 released · feature listFreeplay There is a simple freeplay mode in the full version now.Checked by claude, 2026-10-26 — read the pinned 2013 capture of the postCited by: Factorio
Wube put Factorio on Indiegogo on 1 February 2013, for a campaign of 30 days. factorio-history/indiegogo-start
post of 2013-02-01we finished all the preparations and put the Factorio on Indiegogo. It is up and running.Indiegogo campaign just started · post of 2013-02-01The crowdfunding campaign will last for 30 days.Checked by claude, 2026-10-26 — read the pinned 2013 capture of the postCited by: Factorio
The campaign introduced its makers as two programmers from Prague, and its team list named Tomas Kozelek and "marwin kovarex" as co-founders. factorio-history/indiegogo-team
TeamWe are two programmers from Prague, Czech RepublicFactorio — Indiegogo campaign · team listTomas KozelekFactorio — Indiegogo campaign · team listmarwin kovarexChecked by claude, 2026-10-26 — read the pinned April 2013 capture of the campaign pageCited by: Factorio
On 13 February 2013 Wube wrote that the campaign had looked futile in its first week, and that it had then offered the alpha at once to backers, which it believed significantly improved its chances. It stopped giving the alpha away on request; backers could still have it. factorio-history/indiegogo-alpha
post of 2013-02-13, fourth paragraphOur campaign looked futile in the first week.Getting the alpha · fourth paragraphTherefore we decided to try out offering alpha immediately to the people who backed our project. We believe this step significantly improved our chance of success.Getting the alpha · first paragraphAlpha will still be provided to users who contributed to the Indiegogo campaign.Checked by claude, 2026-10-26 — read the pinned 2013 capture of the postCited by: Factorio
The fixed-funding campaign had a goal of €17,000 and took the funds contributed by Sunday 3 March 2013; a capture of the page from 25 April 2013 shows €21,646 raised. Wube's post of 4 March called the campaign a big success, one that let them finish the game instead of taking jobs. factorio-history/indiegogo-result
funding box21.646€ … Raised of 17.000€ GoalFactorio — Indiegogo campaign · funding boxThis campaign received all of the funds contributed by Sun 03 Mar.Indiegogo campaign is over · post of 2013-03-04, first paragraphour Indiegogo campaign has ended today. And we think it was a big success.Indiegogo campaign is over · first paragraphWe basically went from: "Lets get a job and forget Factorio" to "Lets finish Factorio and forget the job".Checked by claude, 2026-10-26 — read the funding box in the pinned 25 April 2013 capture and the 4 March postNo post by Wube giving a final total was found; the figure is the one this capture shows.
Cited by: Factorio
Wube scheduled Factorio's Steam release for Thursday 25 February 2016 at 11:00 a.m. PST, and its post of 26 February says the game launched on Steam that week, at version 0.12.24. Wube raised the price to €20 for the Steam release, and players who had bought the game on its website could claim a Steam key. factorio-history/steam-release
post of 2016-02-23The game will be released on Thursday 25th Feb 2016 at 11:00 a.m. PST.Friday Facts #124 - Steam Status I · The PriceThe referential game price will be set to 20€ / 20$ (well 19.95$ because that is how Steam rolls).Friday Facts #124 - Steam Status I · The KeysEvery user who has bought some version of our membership will have a possibility to get a Steam key for the game.Friday Facts #127 - Steam Status III: Thank You · The Launch WeekThe game launch at Steam has obviously been a highlight of the weekFriday Facts #127 - Steam Status III: Thank You · The Launch WeekPrior to the appearance of the Game on Steam, we came up with the 0.12.24 (imho a magical release number) which fixed a couple of last minute bugs. This is the version available at Steam.Checked by claude, 2026-10-26 — read the pinned captures of the three postsCited by: Factorio
Version 1.0 came out on 14 August 2020, and with it Factorio left early access, which Wube's post says took 8.5 years. The post says nearly all the content had been released in 0.18, leaving 1.0 the formality of calling the game complete. factorio-history/release-1-0
The 1.0.0It took us 8.5 years.Friday Facts #360 - 1.0 is here! · The 1.0.0Factorio is leaving early access.Friday Facts #360 - 1.0 is here! · The 1.0.0When we released pretty much all the content in 0.18, there was nothing left for 1.0 other than the formality of "it is complete".Checked by claude, 2026-10-26 — read the pinned capture of the post, dated 2020-08-14Cited by: Factorio
On 5 July 2024 Wube set 21 October 2024 as the release date of Factorio: Space Age, an expansion priced at $35, the same as the base game, and said version 2.0 would come out with it as a free upgrade for every player. factorio-history/space-age-announced
Factorio: Space Age - Release dateSpace Age expansion on October 21st 2024.Friday Facts #418 - Space Age release date · Factorio: Space Age - Release dateThe price of the Space age expansion will be $35.00, the same price as the current base game.Friday Facts #418 - Space Age release date · Factorio 2.0Space Age will also coincide with the release of Factorio version 2.0 which will be a free upgrade for all users.Checked by claude, 2026-10-26 — read the pinned capture of the post, dated 2024-07-05Cited by: Factorio
Wube's release-date announcement lists Space Age's content under the headings space platforms, Vulcanus, Fulgora, Gleba, elevated rails, and quality, followed by "And Beyond...". factorio-history/space-age-content
Factorio: Space Age - ContentSpace platforms - FFF-381Friday Facts #418 - Space Age release date · Factorio: Space Age - ContentVulcanus - FFF-386, FFF-387Friday Facts #418 - Space Age release date · Factorio: Space Age - ContentFulgora - FFF-398, FFF-399Friday Facts #418 - Space Age release date · Factorio: Space Age - ContentGleba - FFF-413, FFF-414Friday Facts #418 - Space Age release date · Factorio: Space Age - ContentElevated rails - FFF-378Friday Facts #418 - Space Age release date · Factorio: Space Age - ContentQuality - FFF-375Checked by claude, 2026-10-26 — read the content headings in the pinned capture of the postCited by: Factorio
Wube's post of 25 October 2024 says Space Age launched earlier that week, and that it had passed 400,000 copies sold, with almost 100,000 players at once. factorio-history/space-age-launch
first paragraphYou may have noticed we launched Space Age earlier this weekFriday Facts #434 - Galaxy of Fame · first paragraphWe had almost 100,000 concurrent players, and as of writing this post, we have passed 400,000 copies sold!Checked by claude, 2026-10-26 — read the pinned capture of the post, dated 2024-10-25 by Klonan and TwinsenCited by: Factorio
Version 2.1 went to experimental in the week of Wube's post of 26 June 2026, and the post of 23 October 2026 says it is now marked stable. Wube described it not as new planets, enemies, or research trees but as a collection of quality of life, small features, polish, and things they had wanted for 2.0. factorio-history/release-2-1
2.1 ExperimentalThis week we released the 2.1 experimental.Friday Facts #449 - 2.1 Stable · 2.1 StableAfter a long summer in experimental, 2.1 is now marked as stable.Friday Facts #449 - 2.1 Stable · 2.1 Stable2.1 isn't about new planets, enemies or research trees. Instead, it is a big collection of quality of life, small features, polish, and the things we wanted to do for 2.0 but didn't have time for.Checked by claude, 2026-10-26 — read the pinned captures of both posts, dated 2026-06-26 and 2026-10-23; the first says 'This week'Cited by: Factorio
Version 1.1 was marked stable by 29 January 2021, when kovarex wrote that it had no known issues and no active bug reports on the forums. factorio-history/release-1-1
1.1 stableHello, we have a stable version!Friday Facts #364 - 1.1 stable · 1.1 stablewhere we actually have 0 known issues and 0 active bug reports on the forums.Checked by claude, 2026-10-26 — read the pinned capture of the post, dated 2021-01-29Twinsen, who ported Factorio to the Nintendo Switch, wrote in September 2022 that he began the port around February 2021 and that it would be released on 28 October 2022. factorio-history/switch-release
The journey to Nintendo SwitchAt around February 2021, as we were discussing the future of the team and what project we should work on next, I decided I want to try and port Factorio to Nintendo Switch.Friday Facts #370 - The journey to Nintendo Switch · The journey to Nintendo SwitchBut we are releasing on 28th October 2022Checked by claude, 2026-10-26 — read the pinned capture of the post, dated 2022-09-23 by Twinsen and kovarexCited by: Factorio
In October 2025 Twinsen announced a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Factorio, an upgrade for owners of the Switch version, to be released together with Space Age for Switch 2, aiming for December. factorio-history/switch-2
Switch 2 and Factoriowe decided to release a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, an upgrade you can get if you own the game for the original Switch.Friday Facts #439 - Factorio and Space Age on Nintendo Switch 2™ · Release dateBoth the Factorio - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and the Space Age DLC for Switch 2 will release at the same time.Friday Facts #439 - Factorio and Space Age on Nintendo Switch 2™ · Release dateWe are aiming for a December releaseChecked by claude, 2026-10-26 — read the pinned capture of the post, dated 2025-10-24Cited by: Factorio
Wube's About page, as captured in October 2026, says the company began as "a garage company" of two programmers and one artist in Prague and had grown to a team of 31. It names Michal Kovařík (kovarex) founder and company director, who "started the project and is the creative heart of the team", Tomáš Kozelek co-founder, and Albert Bertolín Soler art director. factorio-history/wube-today
Who are we?Our office is located in Prague, Czech Republic. Originally "a garage company" of 2 programmers and 1 graphician, with an interesting idea grew to a team of 31 in-house professionals and contributors around the world.Factorio — About us · The FoundersMichal Kovařík kovarex Founder & Company directorFactorio — About us · The FoundersHe started the project and is the creative heart of the team.Factorio — About us · The FoundersTomáš Kozelek slpwnd Co-FounderFactorio — About us · The FoundersAlbert Bertolín Soler glex Art directorChecked by claude, 2026-10-26 — read the pinned October 2026 capture of the pageCited by: Factorio
In May 2017 kovarex wrote that Factorio had sold one million copies. factorio-history/sales-1m
One million copies soldWe are in the club of games that have sold out 1 million copies.Checked by claude, 2026-10-26 — read the pinned capture of the post, dated 2017-05-26 by kovarexCited by: Factorio
Factorio passed 2,000,000 sales at Christmas 2019, about two and a half years after the first million, by Klonan's count in Friday Facts #327. factorio-history/sales-2m
Two million salesthe Christmas gift giving has given us that last push, for us to reach 2,000,000 sales.Friday Facts #327 - 2020 Vision · Two million salesso its been about two and a half years to sell another 1,000,000 copies.Checked by claude, 2026-10-26 — read the pinned capture of the post, dated 2019-12-27Cited by: Factorio
Factorio passed 3.5 million sales at Christmas 2022, Wube wrote, with steady sales of about 500,000 a year. factorio-history/sales-3-5m
Sales updateThis year we have reached another sales milestone, with 3.5 million sales being passed this Christmas.Friday Facts #372 - 2022 recap · Sales updateWe are still having steady and consistent sales of about 500,000 each yearChecked by claude, 2026-10-26 — read the pinned capture of the post, dated 2022-12-30Cited by: Factorio
In December 2022 Twinsen wrote that the Nintendo Switch version had sold over 40,000 copies since its launch, close to 40% of them in Japan. factorio-history/switch-sales
Switch salesThe Nintendo Switch launch went well, so far we sold over 40,000 copiesFriday Facts #372 - 2022 recap · Switch salesIt looks to be extremely popular in Japan, with close to 40% of Switch sales from there.Checked by claude, 2026-10-26 — read the pinned capture of the post, section by TwinsenRick Lane scored the 1.0 release 91 in PC Gamer on 24 August 2020, calling it "the best management game I've played for ages, a manufacturing masterpiece". factorio-history/pcgamer-review
Value
{
"review": "PC Gamer",
"of": 100,
"score": 91
}verdictIt's the best management game I've played for ages, a manufacturing masterpiece. The Verdict 91Factorio review — PC Gamer · bylineBy Rick Lane 24 August 2020Checked by claude, 2026-10-26 — read the byline and verdict in the pinned capture of the reviewCited by: Factorio
Lane's review sums up the premise: the player's spaceship crashes on a remote alien planet, and the only way off is to build a new rocket. factorio-history/pcgamer-goal
third paragraphThat would be your spaceship crashing onto a remote alien planet, and the only way off that far-flung rock is to build yourself a whole new rocket.Checked by claude, 2026-10-26 — read the paragraph in the pinned capture of the reviewCited by: Factorio
Leana Hafer reviewed Factorio for IGN on 13 January 2021 and scored it 8 out of 10 ("great"). She called the amount to do breathtaking and "a bit frightening", and the game one that "can become a second job if you let it", with "a very high buy-in to learn". factorio-history/ign-review
Value
{
"review": "IGN",
"of": 10,
"score": 8
}bylineFactorio Review A well-oiled machine.Factorio review — IGN · bylinePosted: 13 Jan 2021Factorio review — IGN · score box under the byline8 great Factorio is dauntingly complexFactorio review — IGN · verdictThe sheer amount of stuff there is to do in Factorio is breathtaking and a bit frightening.Factorio review — IGN · verdictit’s the kind of game that can become a second job if you let it.Factorio review — IGN · verdictIt's got a very high buy-in to learnChecked by claude, 2026-10-26 — read the byline, score box, and verdict in the pinned captureThe byline reads "By Leana Hafer". The score box reads "8" and "great" above the review's summary line.
Cited by: Factorio
Trent Cannon scored the Switch version 8 out of 10 ("Great") in Nintendo Life in October 2022, calling it "an otherwise stellar game" despite how the port presents itself and handles, and listing its joystick controls, too imprecise for busy factory layouts, among its faults. factorio-history/nintendo-life-review
Value
{
"review": "Nintendo Life",
"of": 10,
"score": 8
}bylineFactorio Review (Switch eShop) A factory sim that never seems to end Version Reviewed: North American review by Trent CannonFactorio Review (Switch eShop) — Nintendo Life · conclusionDespite some issues with the way the Switch port is presented and controls, these are minor issues in an otherwise stellar gameFactorio Review (Switch eShop) — Nintendo Life · conclusion, faults and scoreJoystick controls aren't quite precise enough for our chaotic factory layouts Great 8/10Checked by claude, 2026-10-26 — read the byline and conclusion in the pinned capture of the reviewThe capture, of 28 October 2022, dates the review "4 hours ago".
Cited by: Factorio
Rick Lane scored Space Age 92 in PC Gamer on 24 October 2024 (a typo first showed 90), calling it "an astounding creation", but warned that it adds far more complexity than it removes, and that players new to Factorio shouldn't buy it before trying the base game. factorio-history/pcgamer-space-age-review
Value
{
"review": "PC Gamer (Space Age)",
"of": 100,
"score": 92
}closing updateUpdate: When first posted, this review contained a typo that incorrectly set its score as 90%. Our actual score is 92%, as is now shown correctly on the page.Factorio: Space Age review — PC Gamer · bylineBy Rick Lane published 24 October 2024Factorio: Space Age review — PC Gamer · conclusionit ultimately adds far more complexity than it removes.Factorio: Space Age review — PC Gamer · conclusionAnd if you haven’t played Factorio before, don’t buy the expansion before trying the base version. All that said, Space Age is an astounding creationChecked by claude, 2026-10-26 — read the byline, conclusion, and closing update in the pinned December 2025 capture of the reviewCited by: Factorio
Factorio was nominated for Debut Game at the 2021 BAFTA Games Awards, which Carrion won. factorio-history/bafta-2021
2021 results, "Debut Game"Winner: CARRIONBAFTA Games Awards 2021 — results · 2021 results, "Debut Game"Debut Game Nominee Factorio Development TeamChecked by claude, 2026-10-26 — read the Debut Game list in the pinned capture of BAFTA's 2021 resultsCited by: Factorio
The standfirst of PC Gamer's Space Age review calls Factorio "the greatest game in the genre it spawned", and Rick Lane's conclusion names Satisfactory and Dyson Sphere Program as the factory-building genre's excellent challengers. factorio-history/genre-spawned
standfirstSpace Age reaffirms Factorio’s position as the greatest game in the genre it spawned.Factorio: Space Age review — PC Gamer · conclusionThe factory building genre is hotly competitive right now, with excellent challengers in the likes of Satisfactory and Dyson Sphere Program.Checked by claude, 2026-10-26 — read the standfirst and conclusion in the pinned capture of the reviewCited by: Factorio
In a GameWatcher interview published on 26 July 2026, Coffee Stain Studios' Hannah Beuger said that when Satisfactory launched in early access everyone compared it to Factorio, which made sense because "it was heavily inspired by it", and that new games are now compared to Satisfactory instead: "the beginning of a genre", she thought. factorio-history/satisfactory
the passage on genres and clones, speaker HWhen we launched the game in early access, everyone compared it to Factorio. It makes sense; it was heavily inspired by it.Satisfactory Developers Hannah Beuger and Rosario Baarh on Giving Form to a Sandbox While Supporting Player Expression · the same answerNew games come in and people compare them to Satisfactory.Satisfactory Developers Hannah Beuger and Rosario Baarh on Giving Form to a Sandbox While Supporting Player Expression · the same answerThat’s the beginning of a genre here, I think.Checked by claude, 2026-10-26 — read the answer and the introduction naming both speakers in the pinned captureThe interview marks the speakers by initial; H is Hannah Beuger (world design and narrative), the other being Rosario Baarh (level design).
Cited by: Factorio
The README of shapez's source code describes it as "an open source base building game inspired by Factorio". factorio-history/shapez
README.md#L25This is the source code for shapez, an open source base building game inspired by Factorio.Checked by claude, 2026-10-26 — read the README line at the pinned commitCited by: Factorio