Anyone else playing Satisfactory?

[JoeSchmuckatelli]

I saw the 1.0 release announcement and decided to fire up my favorite EA title for the first time in a while.   Did the whole build up the starting factory thing and then decided go exploring. 

This is a horror game! 

First off, the art work is crazy good - something I never really appreciated before.  I've always just had fun doing the management / building side of things - and thus have never fully explored the world.  The northwest desert area is perfect for that.   I had decided to build a mega factory for the first time and remembered another desert in the Northeast.  Went to see if it was a good place for that.  There are tons of beautiful biomes along the way.  Found the edge of the map and decided to go south into stuff I've never seen and find a route to the grasslands. 

The desert transitioned to forest and all of a sudden I find myself in a dank fen - the kind of swamp only found in horror movies.  Fabulously rendered.  Total vibe. 

And then I heard it. 

That skitter 

If you have played - you know what I'm talking about. 

... 

I don't have arachnophobia.  I don't have that mode enabled. I also only had the long xeno-zapper.  A melee weapon. 

To face the largest fastest spider-monster I've ever seen.  And the thing could JUMP! 

Cannot describe the depth of NOPE! that fight gave me.  Perfect.  Fun.  Scary. 

Satisfactory is a horror game - and when 1.0 drops... I'm starting a new save. 

[Geonovast]

 

Eagerly awaiting 1.0.  I'd be playing now but so much is changing in 1.0 that I don't want to get invested in a new game only to have to change a bunch of stuff later when 1.0 is out.

[kerbiloid]

1 hour ago, JoeSchmuckatelli said:

To face the largest fastest spider-monster I've ever seen.  And the thing could JUMP! 

Sounds like Overlord 2, but that one was also fertile.

[Snark]

4 hours ago, JoeSchmuckatelli said:

To face the largest fastest spider-monster I've ever seen.  And the thing could JUMP! 

And once they aggro on you, they'll keep chasing you to the ends of the earth. Not like the other baddies, who will give up on you and return to their patrol spot if you run away far enough.

Yeah, those critters are nerve wracking.

[JoeSchmuckatelli]

On 7/27/2024 at 11:53 AM, kerbiloid said:

Sounds like Overlord 2, but that one was also fertile.

Haven't seen those - but the big ones here are creepy as hell.  Puffing gas and jumping from the booshes. 

Won't lie - the first time I only got away because the spider thing decided to kill other stuff on the map.  Ran away, laughing... But Noped on going back in! 

On 7/27/2024 at 11:46 AM, Geonovast said:

don't want to get invested in a new game

Yeah - I just got aluminum unlocked and am 'daunted'.  I don't have any aluminum alts yet, either. 

Ofc my whole set up is heavy on screw production - which is not needed for 1.0 making this save a wash. 

Truth is that the 'moving to Aluminum' phase is often a 'I'm done with the game, for now' phase.  Having just finished a total rebuild and development of train networks to manage Computer and Heavy Frames and Project Parts for 5/6... I inevitably realize that everything I've built is inadequate for the next stage.  In fact, conflicting in many ways.  Kind of like 'okay, you just rebuilt everything - now tear it all down and rebuild it again.  Or start over completely on a different part of the map. 

Yeah... I'm daunted. 

 

So the news about the rebalance of 1.0 is good.  Trains may be available earlier, not so many screws necessary... 

[Gargamel]

I’ve set the creatures to defensive only.  They won’t stand there and let me harvest their organs, but they won’t jump me out of the blue either.   
 

My basic factory is making everything I need, keeps a storage box full of each item.   I’m looking at setting up the aluminum process, which means I’ll need to start making dedicated facilities for all the other components.    I have the electrical for it, ~120 turbo fuel generators with capacity for 3x that, so that’s not an issue.  
 

I just don’t want to dive into such a major project when I’ll have to tear most of it out come 1.0.  

[JoeSchmuckatelli]

Yep - I've mostly played this to remind myself how to play.  Kind of set a priority list for myself.

1. Don't set my Base up too close to any nodes, and snap it to world grid when placing.

2.  Set up concrete, early.

3. Plan my early Iron production with the intent of doubling/quadrupling it to prevent having to tear it all down later (i.e. don't build so tight, dadgumit!)

4.  Bum-rush Solid Biofuel research & get that set up (I REALLY hate harvesting leaves over and over)

5.  Find a bunch of hard drives early - which, given that this strategy was to maximize chances to get Screw alts might not be as important... but still; good alts early = success.

6.  Dump Caterium wire & Quartz products into an Awesome Sink when available to start unlocking tickets

 

2 hours ago, Gargamel said:

I’ve set the creatures to defensive only.

I've done that before, too.. but this time I'm finding that I enjoy fighting them (once I have the XenoBasher).  It makes the exploration part more fun.

[Gargamel]

34 minutes ago, JoeSchmuckatelli said:

2.  Set up concrete, early.

And it doesn’t have to be fast or optimized, just a whole poo ton of storage for it.

 

34 minutes ago, JoeSchmuckatelli said:

Dump Caterium wire & Quartz products into an Awesome Sink when available to start unlocking tickets

 

My home base production line, which is basically 1 of each item, has supercomputers and a few other items dumping into a sink.   Quick wire, which comes in by belt, and a dozen of so other products which come in by train all get dumped into a sink.   

[HebaruSan]

I played Satisfactory a lot, earlier in its early access. A few things keep me from going back.

• Factory planning feels very same-y to me after the first 3 or so buildings. Input belt with Splitters feeding dozens of Smelters or Constructors with outputs feeding into Mergers, wash-rinse-repeat. The multi-input machines and fluids change it up somewhat, but it's still just placing a huge number of the same thing and connecting the inputs and outputs, so the fifth Assembler-based build feels just as monotonous as the fifth Constructor-based one. I wish that the machines were more varied and reflected the individual micro-steps of making things so production would be a puzzle to figure out and optimize, as in The Factory or Infinifactory, but I know that Coffee Stain Studios cannot and will not throw out basically their entire game to do that.
• I often feel like I'm not building aesthetically enough, given the amazing-looking structures that some people have made. I've tried, and the results were disappointing; I think I'm consistently distracted by the (overly simplistic, see above) logistics, and again having to place dozens of identical machines doesn't help. It feels like getting good would take more time than I have to invest.
• Related to both points above, the very tall buildings with smokestacks (generators, refineries) feel like a lost opportunity. I should be the one placing smokestacks for the connected ventilation system for an entire facility (and doing it poorly should fill the space with toxic smoke that suffocates the player), rather than having dozens of them poking out the top of my structure in a semi-random near-grid pattern. Those buildings' resultant huge hitboxes make stacking them infeasible, which further limits how creative you can be in their placement.

Edited July 29 by HebaruSan

[JoeSchmuckatelli]

31 minutes ago, Gargamel said:

Quick wire

is relatively easy to / early to research (via Caterium placer mining) waaaaay before you can actually use it.   

 

My SOP is to find a relatively close node once unlocked and set up a simple Miner + 2 Smelters & a few Constructors to produce the wire that is then stored for later with excess going straight to the sink.  That's where I can passively earn tickets during the build out of the early Tier manufacturing process.  By the time you've got Motors set up, you have quite a few of the QOL & amenity unlocks secured.  Once I need it (vanilla, the first use is Mk 2 Power and AI Limiters) - I've already got a storehouse full.  So, at least until I see the rebalancing, Dumping Cat Wire is the highest-value ticket generator for the early game.  (Cat Wire = 17 points, per)

The next two (easiest) dumps of easy to build/ don't need much early are Silica (20 points) and Quartz Crystal (50 points).  Benefit is that when you do finally need Silica (mostly for windows, early) and Quartz Crystal (Crystal oscillators) you've also got quite a bit ready made to feed machines... and that whole time you've been getting tickets while you solve other problems!

 

[domenprevc]

On 7/27/2024 at 5:45 PM, JoeSchmuckatelli said:

I saw the 1.0 release announcement and decided to fire up my favorite EA title for the first time in a while.   Did the whole build up the starting factory thing and then decided go exploring. 

This is a horror game! 

First off, the art work is crazy good - something I never really appreciated before.  I've always just had fun doing the management / building side of things - and thus have never fully explored the world.  The northwest desert area is perfect for that.   I had decided to build a mega factory for the first time and remembered another desert in the Northeast.  Went to see if it was a good place for that.  There are tons of beautiful biomes along the way.  Found the edge of the map and decided to go south into stuff I've never seen and find a route to the grasslands. 

The desert transitioned to forest and all of a sudden I find myself in a dank fen - the kind of swamp only found in horror movies.  Fabulously rendered.  Total vibe. 

And then I heard it. 

That skitter 

If you have played - you know what I'm talking about. 

... 

I don't have arachnophobia.  I don't have that mode enabled. I also only had the long xeno-zapper.  A melee weapon. 

To face the largest fastest spider-monster I've ever seen.  And the thing could JUMP! 

Cannot describe the depth of NOPE! that fight gave me.  Perfect.  Fun.  Scary. 

Satisfactory is a horror game - and when 1.0 drops... I'm starting a new save.   Mrsavage’s Twitch streams are enhanced by her state-of-the-art gaming devices, which showcase her commitment to high-quality content. Her mrsavage twitch streamer devices https://streamersbase.com/streamers/mrsavage/devices advanced setup ensures smooth, high-resolution gameplay and crystal-clear audio, making each stream not only entertaining but also a testament to the impact of top-tier technology on the streaming experience.

Absolutely! I dove into Satisfactory last month, and it's been a game-changer. I started from scratch, constructing my first factory with simple conveyors and now have a sprawling network of automated production lines. My biggest achievement was optimizing my factory to produce advanced items efficiently. The community's tips on balancing production chains were invaluable. If you’re into automation and optimization, this game is a must-play. Anyone else experiencing similar breakthroughs? Let’s share strategies!

Edited August 7 by domenprevc

[JoeSchmuckatelli]

Ah, Satisfactory... 

I spent a couple of hours yesterday building out my rail network. 

And then more hours today unfubarring my rail network.  Every carefully placed signal deleted and redone.  One whole station torn down and rebuilt.  Twice.  Now it's two stations - but at least it's efficient. 

Nothing at all done on the aluminum. 

I've spent the rest of the day doing other things - but at dinner tonight I realized that I have one more part of the network that is problematic.  Gotta tear it down and redo that section. 

Ruefull laugh - at myself and the game. 

Edited August 5 by JoeSchmuckatelli

[HebaruSan]

[JoeSchmuckatelli]

I am so enjoying playing a new run through.  The ADA speeches are hilarious!

Scanned a Somersloop and really wish I could have recorded it - pure gibberish! 

... 

Slow playing a start in the Dune Desert and having fun 

[HebaruSan]

I've started a new save as well, in the rocky desert since it was the only one I hadn't tried before. I haven't gotten far enough yet to notice many changes other than...

5 minutes ago, JoeSchmuckatelli said:

The ADA speeches are hilarious!

... which is very true. 

I had my graphics settings mostly on Medium in previous playthroughs out of an abundance of caution, and maxing them out has had no noticeable impact on performance. To my great relief, the "invert mouse axes" setting is mislabeled; it only inverts the Y axis, as I wanted, and doesn't affect the X axis, even though it says it flips both (I can't even imagine trying to play with an inverted X axis!).

[JoeSchmuckatelli]

5 hours ago, HebaruSan said:

haven't gotten far enough yet to notice many changes

Funny enough - my plan was to slow play... But I did find enough random out crops (not nodes) of quartz to rush the leg extension things (can't remember name).  Given how big the desert is, I'm really happy to have them, early. 

Already found a Drop pod that's broken (supposed to be 70w but it trips the breaker every time I try). 

Rocky is an almost 'too easy' start (or was - and probably is with the additional coal nodes).  The only problem is that the nodes are pretty tight.  Still, plenty of area for larger factories if you want them, easy oil, a bauxite node nearby, etc.  You practically don't have to leave the biome at all unless you want to really speed up your late game production 

[HebaruSan]

2 hours ago, JoeSchmuckatelli said:

I did find enough random out crops (not nodes) of quartz to rush the leg extension things (can't remember name).  Given how big the desert is, I'm really happy to have them, early.

Same.

I decided not to build the space elevator until I've exhausted [my patience with?] all other forms of progression. I did not realize this would limit my power sources to biomass burners, which has boosted the importance of exploration to clear brush for fuel. It has also made me grateful that the devs added a belt input to the biomass burner.

[Gargamel]

I have all my supply lines decked out so just about everything I produce is fed into Dimensional Depots.      No more stocking up on material for a build trip.     I upgraded the upload and stacks sizes pretty far down the chain, so I’ll never to worry about concrete or silica again when building large structures.    
The manual uploader is a godsend for tossing those bits and bobs you have laying around into a place where you’ll always have them.    
just note though, other than the build gun, handheld devices will not draw material from the DD.    You can’t reload ammo, Nobelist’s, or fuel directly from the depot, you have to manually transfer a stack of each to your inventory from the DD before you can use it.  
 

And whoa boy, the storyline is creepily cool.   

[JoeSchmuckatelli]

On 9/17/2024 at 5:48 PM, Gargamel said:

Dimensional Depots

Wow - you're moving way faster than me.  I've yet to unlock trains.  In fact I think I'm the whole space elevator tier below trains.  Partly due to inability to play much and partly due to not wanting to tear everything down again once I get to trains.  So I am carefully building out Iron, Steel and Copper being cognizant of the need to plan for train stations. 

Of course, now I'm regretting building in the Dune Desert b/c not many opportunities for easy access Drop Pods / hard drives.  In fact most of the Alts I get are concrete & silica when I want iron and steel Alts. 

Plan, now, is to make my next session a dedicated HD hunt - because it just frustrates me to try to build a plant KNOWING that after I get it completed I'll trip across the better Alt. 

 

Ah... Satisfactory 

[JoeSchmuckatelli]

Satisfactory, ADA: "Any complaints about the space limitations of the Blueprint Machine will only reveal your own inadequacies"

Hah!

[Gargamel]

On 9/20/2024 at 5:23 PM, JoeSchmuckatelli said:

Wow - you're moving way faster than me

Nope.   Just using my previous save.     I like to putz around too much to advance quickly.    I did finish off my 200 fuel generator power plant though and started the infrastructure for the 900 sheet /900 casing aluminum factory I’m doing next.   
 

I love starting in the desert so far.    Plenty of space without terrain getting in the way, and when you go to build bigger factories later on, you don’t have to relocate.  Plenty of nodes of east access within sight lines basically, so running conveyors and such through jungles or mountains or whatever.    Next tier resources are easily accessible too.

One of my favorite things to do is to go on sphere/slug/ drive hunts.     Just wander off collect stuff and hope I don’t die.    Although I’ve played it long enough to just set the mobs to retaliate and get on with it.    I play this to relax, not get stressed out running for my life.       
 

 

[JoeSchmuckatelli]

10 hours ago, Gargamel said:

Just using my previous save.  

I've got a couple that I could have used.  But decided I did not want to miss out on the "Story Elements" such as they are.  Finding myself amused by ADA and 'creeped out' by the Alien Tech stuff.  (Not really, but if you've picked up a something you know what they're going for.)

I remembered one previous save after they'd moved stuff around, and my entire Plastics factory near the North coast was inside a rock wall.

Have you 'lost' anything from your old build?

[Gargamel]

2 hours ago, JoeSchmuckatelli said:

Have you 'lost' anything from your old build?

Nothing major.    A few machines needed reset up cause the recipes had changed, but that wasn't a big issue as they were all coming off the main bus line.  Some things were kinda buried or floating in the air now.  

 

But @JoeSchmuckatelli, this is what I spent my last week planning and tonight building.....   This is why I don't get anywhere.

 

 

 

 

After completing that, I realized it's completely pointless as a factory.   It'd be much easier to process the quartz into silica in the factory over the swamp and not try to do it in situ.  I even have all the belt lines setup for it...

 

And, Yeah, I know the windows are off a bit, I'll fix em later.   thanks @Anth  .

[JoeSchmuckatelli]

23 hours ago, Gargamel said:

completing that

... Is something I never seem to do. 

Every 'factory' I build is a production line with a coolish but mostly utilitarian facade... That I never find the time to complete.  Looks good from one angle and a right mess from any other. 

I'm jealous of guys like you that can build cool, picturesque stuff like you show above. 

Pointless?  Nah - looks good there and you'd never see it in the swamp! 

[Gargamel]

13 hours ago, JoeSchmuckatelli said:

I'm jealous of guys like you that can build cool, picturesque stuff like you show above. 

Oh, that's the _only_ artsy thing I've ever done in game.    Everything else is walls, roof, done.