What is interesting about Factorio • Hacker News Board

Re: What is interesting about Factorio

#21

Post by jfim » Tue, Apr 21, 2020, 4:40 AM UTC

whatanattitude wrote: post #7

Look up Satisfactory

I actually purchased Satisfactory on their release date and it was rather underwhelming.

The core gameplay loop is very different between both; the one in Satisfactory seems to be more about building some automated set up, then exploring while things are building, as the factory production seems rather slow. In contrast, the core gameplay loop in Factorio (increase the production of whatever input is currently starved, build new more complex set ups) is clearly more polished and engaging, IMHO.

Of course, that could change, Satisfactory is still in early access and it seems that they've been more focused on adding new environments and gameplay mechanics than touching the core gameplay loop. Satisfactory is also a lot better IMO with regards to exploring stuff, just like Subnautica.

Re: What is interesting about Factorio

#22

Post by TaylorAlexander » Tue, Apr 21, 2020, 4:42 AM UTC

jfim wrote: post #14

TaylorAlexander wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Interesting. I used to play video games but now I mostly 3D print stuff and design robots for fun. I don’t think video games are a bad use of time generally, but I feel so good about doing actual engineering for fun that I’m always a little surprised with games that are supposed to be fun for engineer types. I kind of wonder why actually doing engineering for fun isn’t more popular?

Certain game types basically are puzzles that are similar to the kinds of puzzles one would encounter during engineering things. Factorio is one of them, but other puzzle games such as topological ones (Spacechem, Opus Magnum, Infinifactory, Molek-syntez), programming (Shenzhen IO, TIS-500, Human Resource Machine, Silicon Zeroes) or logic ones (Baba is you) kind of scratch similar itches. As for doing engineering for…

Well I guess the idea behind engineering at home for fun is that it doesn’t have to be boring tasks. And I tend to work on completely unnecessary things such that there’s no time pressure. That makes it a lot more fun and rewarding than working at the office. Like I recently designed a pair of headphones from scratch. They sound better than any of my other headphones which are all a bit cheap. It totally didn’t need to be done so I could put it away whenever. But it was lots of fun to dig in to. That feels more rewarding to me than a task where all of my progress is virtual. I should say I’m not trying to criticize others who play games, I’m just curious about it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Re: What is interesting about Factorio

#23

Post by js8 » Tue, Apr 21, 2020, 4:44 AM UTC

TaylorAlexander wrote: post #5

jfim wrote: post #2

> It's also extremely addictive to engineers. Quite the understatement. Pretty much every engineer that I've introduced to the game has played for at least 40 hours.

Interesting. I used to play video games but now I mostly 3D print stuff and design robots for fun. I don’t think video games are a bad use of time generally, but I feel so good about doing actual engineering for fun that I’m always a little surprised with games that are supposed to be fun for engineer types. I kind of wonder why actually doing engineering for fun isn’t more popular?

I think there is just too many options how to build things in real life so it can be overwhelming. In video game, the selection of tools is intentionally limited so it isn't so daunting.

Perhaps there should be a wiki or something just about all the different skills a human can have. And each skill would have some description how to get started ("first couple levels") and links to other skills. The links would describe that if you enjoy skill A, here's why you might also enjoy learning related skill B for this and that reason. So you could choose in what direction you want to continue the learning.

Re: What is interesting about Factorio

#24

Post by TaylorAlexander » Tue, Apr 21, 2020, 4:44 AM UTC

robocat wrote: post #19

TaylorAlexander wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Interesting. I used to play video games but now I mostly 3D print stuff and design robots for fun. I don’t think video games are a bad use of time generally, but I feel so good about doing actual engineering for fun that I’m always a little surprised with games that are supposed to be fun for engineer types. I kind of wonder why actually doing engineering for fun isn’t more popular?

Engineering as a job often requires a lot of grinding to get an outcome, even the “easy” engineering (?) disciplines like embedded software work in my experience. Your “engineering for fun” is perhaps not what most engineers do day to day. And certainly our jobs and workplaces generally are not explicitly designed to be enjoyable with satisfying outcomes.

Well yes a lot of workplace engineering is drudgery. That’s why I love the freedom I have with projects at home. There’s usually no time pressure, and I can work on what I enjoy. I learn constantly and develop new skills. It’s super fun!

Re: What is interesting about Factorio

#25

Post by sdegutis » Tue, Apr 21, 2020, 4:45 AM UTC

fouc wrote: post #6

As someone that stopped playing games in university, I've found it weirdly hard to get back into games many years later. Factorio seems like the type of game I would've liked as a teenager, but now it just feels like work to me. As do most interesting games. It seems like there's a learning curve to games that I don't want to spend the time dealing with anymore.

That's because these kinds of games always were a form of work. When you have a higher purpose in life, these types of games drain you and leave you unfulfilled and unsatisfied and like we should have spent our time in a less tedious and wearisome recreation. I can no longer play Minecraft, and haven't even been able to get into Factorio.

Re: What is interesting about Factorio

#26

Post by TaylorAlexander » Tue, Apr 21, 2020, 4:47 AM UTC

frenchie14 wrote: post #13

TaylorAlexander wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Interesting. I used to play video games but now I mostly 3D print stuff and design robots for fun. I don’t think video games are a bad use of time generally, but I feel so good about doing actual engineering for fun that I’m always a little surprised with games that are supposed to be fun for engineer types. I kind of wonder why actually doing engineering for fun isn’t more popular?

I would claim that playing Factorio constitutes as doing engineering for fun

Well when I do engineering for fun I’m learning skills that directly apply to my jobs. So I gain experience with PCB design, CAD and 3D printing, or software. Perhaps Factorio flexes general cognitive skills like problem solving and algorithmic thinking, but it’s not going to help you get better at learning KiCAD for example.

Re: What is interesting about Factorio

#27

Post by jfim » Tue, Apr 21, 2020, 4:48 AM UTC

TaylorAlexander wrote: post #22

jfim wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Certain game types basically are puzzles that are similar to the kinds of puzzles one would encounter during engineering things. Factorio is one of them, but other puzzle games such as topological ones (Spacechem, Opus Magnum, Infinifactory, Molek-syntez), programming (Shenzhen IO, TIS-500, Human Resource Machine, Silicon Zeroes) or logic ones (Baba is you) kind of scratch similar itches. As for doing engineering for…

Well I guess the idea behind engineering at home for fun is that it doesn’t have to be boring tasks. And I tend to work on completely unnecessary things such that there’s no time pressure. That makes it a lot more fun and rewarding than working at the office. Like I recently designed a pair of headphones from scratch. They sound better than any of my other headphones which are all a bit cheap. It totally didn’t need…

That's pretty cool with regards to the headphones. Do you have a link to your project?

I agree that it's really enjoyable to build physical things. I have one 3D part that I've been meaning to print for a while, but without a 3D printer at home it's a bit trickier to get it done. I wish I had a home workshop, but Silicon Valley prices make that a rather expensive proposition. There's no more TechShop either. :-(

Re: What is interesting about Factorio

#28

Post by TaylorAlexander » Tue, Apr 21, 2020, 4:51 AM UTC

js8 wrote: post #23

TaylorAlexander wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Interesting. I used to play video games but now I mostly 3D print stuff and design robots for fun. I don’t think video games are a bad use of time generally, but I feel so good about doing actual engineering for fun that I’m always a little surprised with games that are supposed to be fun for engineer types. I kind of wonder why actually doing engineering for fun isn’t more popular?

I think there is just too many options how to build things in real life so it can be overwhelming. In video game, the selection of tools is intentionally limited so it isn't so daunting. Perhaps there should be a wiki or something just about all the different skills a human can have. And each skill would have some description how to get started ("first couple levels") and links to other skills. The links would descri…

Yes, the game is a tailored experience you can pick up and quickly become engaged in. I suppose engineering for fun takes more self direction. Your idea for a wiki sounds interesting, though there’s enthusiast communities on reddit and elsewhere that may already have answered “how to get started” questions. So in a way, the resource you mention exists as data on the internet. For much of what you want to learn, you’ll find out how to get started with some time at the search terminal.

Re: What is interesting about Factorio

#29

Post by TylerE » Tue, Apr 21, 2020, 4:51 AM UTC

kennu wrote: post #11

fouc wrote: post #6

As someone that stopped playing games in university, I've found it weirdly hard to get back into games many years later. Factorio seems like the type of game I would've liked as a teenager, but now it just feels like work to me. As do most interesting games. It seems like there's a learning curve to games that I don't want to spend the time dealing with anymore.

You have to give the game some time. If it's good (like Factorio is) it might just pull you in. You also need to be in the right mood for that particular game. Sometimes you have to try a game many times until get pulled in.

I’ve tried several times but it just repels me.

It has the worst tutorial I’ve ever seen and all the inventory management is just super awkward with weird UI.

That’s coming from someone with hundreds of hours in OpenTTD and the like

Re: What is interesting about Factorio

#30

Post by mcphage » Tue, Apr 21, 2020, 4:55 AM UTC

sdegutis wrote: post #25

fouc wrote: post #6

As someone that stopped playing games in university, I've found it weirdly hard to get back into games many years later. Factorio seems like the type of game I would've liked as a teenager, but now it just feels like work to me. As do most interesting games. It seems like there's a learning curve to games that I don't want to spend the time dealing with anymore.

That's because these kinds of games always were a form of work. When you have a higher purpose in life, these types of games drain you and leave you unfulfilled and unsatisfied and like we should have spent our time in a less tedious and wearisome recreation. I can no longer play Minecraft, and haven't even been able to get into Factorio.

> these types of games drain you and leave you unfulfilled and unsatisfied and like we should have spent our time in a less tedious and wearisome recreation.

I, too, have given up eating, and sleeping, and joy.