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The Factorio Mindset

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Re: The Factorio Mindset

#31

Post by Twirrim »

martincmartin wrote: post #22
julianeon wrote: post #20

I often encounter this issue when it comes to programming-like games. I’m wondering if I should adjust my thinking here. 1) Hmm, this game is a lot like programming. A lot like it. 2) Maybe I should just program? That is real work & I can get done more work done, be more productive. 3) [stopped game, started programming]

What other games are like programming?

Mindustry, Dyson Sphere Program, most games by Zachtronics (Spacechem, tis-100, opus magnum), etc.

Re: The Factorio Mindset

#32

Post by KaoruAoiShiho »

julianeon wrote: post #20

I often encounter this issue when it comes to programming-like games. I’m wondering if I should adjust my thinking here. 1) Hmm, this game is a lot like programming. A lot like it. 2) Maybe I should just program? That is real work & I can get done more work done, be more productive. 3) [stopped game, started programming]

Exactly, I only played Factorio and Dyson Sphere Program when I was depressed. Every other time if I feel bored or burned out enough to try to play a session I think about my list of backlogged greenfield great ideas and immediately end up doing one of those. They are honestly just as creatively rewarding and fun in the greenfield stage at least.

Re: The Factorio Mindset

#33

Post by tomlor »

julianeon wrote: post #20

I often encounter this issue when it comes to programming-like games. I’m wondering if I should adjust my thinking here. 1) Hmm, this game is a lot like programming. A lot like it. 2) Maybe I should just program? That is real work & I can get done more work done, be more productive. 3) [stopped game, started programming]

I don't think you're alone there. This was EXACTLY my mindset as well.

I have the same problem with the various Japanese logic puzzles (Soduku, Nurikabe, Hashi, etc): 1) This is fun! 2) Hmm, I'm using the same algorithms to solve every puzzle 3) I could probably write a solver 4) Don't write solver. Move on to something else.

Re: The Factorio Mindset

#34

Post by sjmulder »

martincmartin wrote: post #22
julianeon wrote: post #20

I often encounter this issue when it comes to programming-like games. I’m wondering if I should adjust my thinking here. 1) Hmm, this game is a lot like programming. A lot like it. 2) Maybe I should just program? That is real work & I can get done more work done, be more productive. 3) [stopped game, started programming]

What other games are like programming?

Zachtronics games. They’re all about processes and optimisation but in quite different ways.

Re: The Factorio Mindset

#35

Post by zethus »

julianeon wrote: post #20

I often encounter this issue when it comes to programming-like games. I’m wondering if I should adjust my thinking here. 1) Hmm, this game is a lot like programming. A lot like it. 2) Maybe I should just program? That is real work & I can get done more work done, be more productive. 3) [stopped game, started programming]

If your life goal is to optimize for "productivity", then you will of course encounter your issue. I imagine the vast majority of people seek out leisure activities. What I've found that Factorio does for many programmers is that it hits the same dopamine receptors that productive programming does, just in a non-work context. A professional football player should be able to enjoy playing basketball in their off-time because it's another athletic activity and not feel the guilt of improving their football skills.

Re: The Factorio Mindset

#36

Post by electroly »

julianeon wrote: post #20

I often encounter this issue when it comes to programming-like games. I’m wondering if I should adjust my thinking here. 1) Hmm, this game is a lot like programming. A lot like it. 2) Maybe I should just program? That is real work & I can get done more work done, be more productive. 3) [stopped game, started programming]

Factorio is right on the cusp for me. SpaceChem, too. TIS-100 was a bomb for me; if I'm literally writing code, it better end up in a GitHub repo.

With Factorio for me, I always reach a point where I know how I'm going to scale up, and then I lose interest in actually doing so. Just knowing that I could do it is satisfying enough.

Re: The Factorio Mindset

#37

Post by zethus »

organsnyder wrote: post #27
julianeon wrote: post #20

I often encounter this issue when it comes to programming-like games. I’m wondering if I should adjust my thinking here. 1) Hmm, this game is a lot like programming. A lot like it. 2) Maybe I should just program? That is real work & I can get done more work done, be more productive. 3) [stopped game, started programming]

I've found myself following a similar thought progression. For me, the difference is that in Factorio I can decide to completely refactor my base and not have to deal with any angry stakeholders or teammates that disagree with my direction.

inb4 someone makes an angry stakeholder mod that spawns biters unless you hit some arbitrary metric in a set amount of time :)

Re: The Factorio Mindset

#38

Post by cwkoss »

toomuchtodo wrote: post #17
DiabloD3 wrote: post #10

I have over 5000 hours in Factorio. I am part of a group where several of us are over 5000 hours. Some of us have Autism. Some of us have ADHD. Some of us have both. The majority of us are in the tech industry. The companies we work at have been made to understand that the factory must grow.

Factorio should be the interview test ;) Tech’s Ender’s Game. (factorio fan, but with little time to enjoy it)

I would love to see ~ "Factorio - 524 RPM base, trains only no drones" on a resume

Or heck, even completing either Angels or SpaceEx mods show a serious amount of dedication, "self-starter-ness" and competence in reading documentation. I've put 5000+ hours in and fell off spaceex in the green space science - so much depth.

Re: The Factorio Mindset

#40

Post by organsnyder »

zethus wrote: post #37
organsnyder wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've found myself following a similar thought progression. For me, the difference is that in Factorio I can decide to completely refactor my base and not have to deal with any angry stakeholders or teammates that disagree with my direction.

inb4 someone makes an angry stakeholder mod that spawns biters unless you hit some arbitrary metric in a set amount of time :)

The biters do make refactoring a bit more tricky. Got to at least keep base defenses up and running. That could be seen as the equivalent of keeping existing users happy.
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