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Factorio 2.1 has officially left experimental and is now available as a stable release. The update brings a range of smaller improvements to the game, from better space logistics to changes in enemy expansion. It's also the final major update planned by developer Wube Software.
Instead of adding new planets, enemies or research trees, version 2.1 focuses on refining existing features. Many of the changes affect Factorio: Space Age, especially the way players move resources between planets and space platforms.
What's new in Factorio 2.1?
One of the biggest changes is to space logistics. Rockets can now carry different types of items in a single launch, while space platforms can request resources from and supply them to other platforms in orbit. Players can also request items from any available location instead of choosing a specific source.
Enemy expansion has also been adjusted. Biter groups become more challenging as evolution increases, and new enemy bases appear in more natural locations. Exploring the map early will no longer reduce the number of enemy expansions near your starting area.
Other improvements include updated graphics for several factory buildings, changes to the Quality system and better fluid handling. Factorio also adds native ARM64 Linux support, allowing it to run on compatible hardware without emulation.
Factorio's final major update
Wube Software announced earlier this year that 2.1 would be the last major update. The developers explained that they were happy with the game's overall design and progression, and didn't feel that any major gameplay features were missing.
Future work will focus on maintaining the game rather than adding more major gameplay features. The end of major updates doesn't necessarily mean that bug fixes and other maintenance will stop.
Planning to update from version 2.0? Back up your important saves and blueprints first. Existing saves will load in 2.1, but some changes may affect established factory designs. Saves and blueprints saved in 2.1 cannot be used again in version 2.0, and some mods may need updating.
For the full details, check Wube Software's official Factorio 2.1 release notes.
Looking for a Factorio-style game on Android?
If you enjoy building production lines and automating everything, Mindustry is worth checking out. It combines factory building with tower defense and is available on Android. I also covered it in a Short on the Mastahhh Gaming YouTube channel.
Factorio 2.1: Update Highlights
Want a closer look at the changes? Expand the sections below for a breakdown of the main additions and improvements.
Show the Factorio 2.1 update highlights
Space logistics
- Rockets can carry multiple item types in a single launch.
- Platforms can request items from any available location when no specific import source is selected.
- Space platforms can exchange resources with other platforms in orbit.
- Platform hub requests can be controlled through the circuit network.
- Radar signals can be shared between planets and platforms using Universe mode.
Space platform changes
- Asteroid damage now depends on remaining health, making it more predictable.
- Space platform hubs have more health and improved resistances.
- Platform drag now depends on mass rather than width, allowing more flexibility in ship design.
Landing pads and cargo handling
- A new unloading bay lets inserters move cargo from landing pads to belts, trains, chests and other compatible targets.
- Elevated rails can be built over cargo bays.
Circuit network
- Inputs and outputs can use separate wire colours.
- Labs can select research based on circuit conditions.
- Boilers and heat exchangers can connect to the circuit network for backup power setups.
- Land mines can act as tripwires and enemy detectors.
- Pipes can connect to the circuit network, with an updated interface for managing them.
Quality system
- Space Age can now be played without the Quality mod enabled.
- Quality variants of locomotives and wagons offer additional transport options.
- Quality modules can no longer be used during asteroid reprocessing.
Fluids and factory controls
- Pumpjacks and burner mining drills can be flipped.
- Output indicators make it easier to see which belt lane a machine will use.
- Flipping blueprints no longer changes their behaviour in certain belt setups.
- Inserters consistently place items on the input side of splitters.
- Pipelines containing different fluids will no longer merge silently; the game displays a warning instead.
- Fluid flow has been improved for high-throughput setups.
Enemy expansion
- Biter expansion groups scale with evolution.
- Exploring the map early no longer reduces the number of expansions near your starting area.
- New enemy bases appear in more natural locations.
Updated graphics
- Assembling machines, the oil refinery, rocket silo and heat exchanger have updated graphics.
- A new pump rendering system supports connections to fluid wagons in more layouts.
- Flamethrower turrets have new diagonal graphics.
- Planets are visible in the background when viewing space platforms.
Native ARM64 Linux support
Factorio now runs natively on ARM64 Linux, opening up support for compatible devices and systems, including Raspberry Pi setups used for headless servers.
Before updating
- Version 2.0 saves will load in 2.1, but some changes may affect existing factory designs.
- Saves and blueprints saved in 2.1 cannot be downgraded to version 2.0.
- Back up important saves and blueprints before updating.
- Check whether your essential mods support version 2.1.
For the complete changelog and additional details, read the official release notes from Wube Software.
Webmastahhh is the creator of Mastanet, a gaming and technology website where he shares news, reviews, guides and personal insights about games, hardware, software and the future of digital entertainment.
