uFactory News

Hi everyone! Progress continues on uFactory! The next update didn't quite make the hoped-for February launch date, but it is feature-complete and all that remains is content creation, bug fixes, and lots of testing. The current plan is to have 2.1 out in Steam Beta within the first two weeks of March.

What will be in this new update? Well, the first big feature is bringing back the pipes and vents from the old version of uFactory, as detailed in previous devlogs.


There will also be a bunch of new advanced conveyors to squeeze out as much efficiency as possible!


But in addition to that, there's a bunch of quality-of-life fixes going in, like copy/pasting machine settings, drawing belt corners automatically, UI scaling for high-res displays, and enhanced commodity and process informational displays, allowing you to make the most informed decisions possible.

In addition, work continues on the tooling used to create content, both for the core game and for modders. Two key updates are: (1) the windows editors have been combined into a single program (previously, there were separate editors for commodities, machines, and levels), and (2) there's a new editor built into the game to allow you to generate your own process diagrams for modded production processes.

As always, if you want to keep up with the development progress, check the Live Development Roadmap or join our Discord Server.

Thanks again for supporting uFactory! I'll have this update out as soon as possible.

Hi everyone! Progress continues on the new Godot version of uFactory! Coming up in the next version is one of the biggest features of the original, the liquid and gas systems!

In the new version, these systems are looking better than ever, with new UI to help you identify their contents and diagnose problems with your layout.





As you can see, the new version is much cleaner and easier to read than the old one. In the gas view, you can see the chimney connections to the machines below. (The liquid pipe system will also have a similar feature for easily identifying machines above, but it just wasn't ready at time of posting.)

A mouseover of any pipe or vent will reveal its contents. If there's a mixture, you'll get a pie chart to show what's mixed in:


Getting these systems running smoothly and efficiently and cleanly has taken up most of the month, but they're all about 90% done now, so I can wrap them up and start moving on to the other major tasks for this next version, namely Process Diagrams, new levels, and some quality of life improvements and bug fixes.

The hope is still to have the latest update out around the end of February. The extra day this year helps!

As always, thanks for supporting uFactory!

Hi everyone! Well, the first beta is out, and feedback is already starting to flow in. In addition to our Roadmap, I've also added an Issue Tracker. If you'd like to submit feedback or bug reports, you can do so in-game by pressing F9 during factory gameplay, on the Steam Discussions board, or in our Discord server.

Most of the latest news has been covered in launch announcement posts, so this devlog will be short and sweet.



Progress is already being made on the next major update, which will include more advanced belts, liquid and gas piping, new levels, and a bunch of usability improvements.

I've also started updating some of the store and library assets. But the Godot version will remain an opt-in beta until it hits v2.4 feature parity.

If any major game-breaking issues are discovered, I'll put out a patch, but otherwise, expect fixes to come with the next major update. The goal is to release every month or two, and this one is big, so expect a drop sometime in February.

As always, thanks for your support of uFactory!

uFactory Godot Beta has been updated to v2.0.2.0. This updated is intended to improve the readability of conveyor belts and the items on them, as well as making the belt graphics more reactive to dark mode option and simulation speed.

To play this version, right-click the game in your Steam Library and choose Properties. From the Betas tab, choose the Godot Public Beta option. Steam will then start downloading the beta version. If you've already opted in, Steam will update it automatically.

Update notes:

• Added outlines to commodity tokens
  
• Enhanced belt appearance
  
• Added belt blur at high sim speeds
  
• Improved anti-aliasing
  
• Fixed window positioning bug
  

Ready to try out the new Godot build of uFactory? Well, you finally can!

The first version of the new uFactory (v2.0.1.1) is now available via an opt-in Steam Beta. To play the new version, right-click the game in your Steam Library and choose Properties. From the Betas tab, choose the Godot Public Beta option. Steam will then start downloading the beta version.



First, the new stuff:

• Streamlined tools. No more toggling of area modes or obtuse UIs. The tools should just work as you expect them to. Want to rotate something? Press the rotate key while hovering your mouse over it. Want to delete, copy, or move an area? Just drag & drop.
  
• Multi-stage factories: A single level can have multiple stages now, starting simple and expanding as it grows in complexity. This is particularly used in the new tutorial level.
  
• Inline tutorial. While it's still underdeveloped at the moment, the game is designed to introduce you to concepts gradually, instead of forcing you to read walls of text in dedicated tutorial levels. When you don't use a feature by the time the game expects you to, it'll pop up a hint to do so.
  
• Proper container handling. Containers can contain fluids/gasses and be emptied by machines that need those fluids/gasses. Just remember to deal with the empties!
  
• Mod support. uFactory now supports custom mods! It's in dire need of documentation, but the base game ships with mod tools so you can start building your own content today!
  
• Dark mode, for those who shun the light
  
• Status lights on every machine, alerting you to possible problems early.
  

What transferred over from before:

• Three levels, two old and revamped (Child's Play and Woodworking) and one new (Toothpicks; a tutorial level)
  
• Straight, corner, and splitter belts, as well as configurable mechanical arms.
  
• Conversion and assembly processes. Don't forget to run the assembly steps before inserting that product into a more complex one!
  
• Serialization for maximum efficiency
  
• Custom factory colors
  
• Copy, Move, Destroy, and Empty Belt tools, to help you manage your factory space efficiently
  

First, I'll be fixing bugs as they're reported (visit our Discord community!) with some rapid-fire patches, and then will ultimately continue down the path laid out by the Roadmap.