Alternative Friday Factorio Fan Facts

Screenshot of two belt networks interweaving

Alt-F4 #15 - Investigating 1.1

Written by Conor_, Therenas, on 2020-11-27

This week, with 1.1 experimental just released, we take a look at two of the things it brings with it. First, Conor_ investigates what the new train stop limit allows him to do in his TSM-based factory. Then, Therenas explores what the multithreading update to belts means, both in theory...

Rocket-powered ship

Alt-F4 #14 - Exploring the Infinite

Written by ironic toblerone, on 2020-11-20

This week ironic toblerone takes us on a crazy adventure into space featuring the fantastic Space Exploration mod by Earendel. Suit up and strap in, this is a fun one! Mod Spotlight: Space Exploration ironic toblerone Space Exploration is an overhaul mod that takes you on an epic journey through...

Old screenshot of an assembler building the rocket defence item

Alt-F4 #13 - Megabase Archaeology

Written by stringweasel, on 2020-11-13

In this spookily coincidental issue 13 of Alt-F4 published on Friday 13th (it’s almost like we planned this), we focus on a single topic: building as many rocket defences as possible. What are rocket defences, you ask? Well, stringweasel is here to tell you, taking you back to a simpler...

Screenshot of spidertron nesting at the bottom of the webpage

Alt-F4 #12 - Reverse Engineering the Spider

Written by xthexder, TheKool, T-A-R, on 2020-11-06

In this very easily divisible issue number 12 of Alt-F4, xthexder goes into some of the technical behind-the-scenes regarding the bouncy spider at the bottom of the page. Then, TheKool gives some newcomer-friendly insight into production modules and their uses. Finally, T-A-R shares some info on an upcoming community event...

Image of the house from the movie 'Up!' being lifted by a bunch of Factorio locomotives

Alt-F4 #11 - Scientific Curiosities

Written by pocarski, stringweasel, on 2020-10-30

Welcome to the eleventh edition of Alt-F4, bringing you both mathematical analysis and a history lesson. So, listen up, student! Pocarski took it upon themself to see whether real-world mathematics works out on Nauvis. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t. Then, stringweasel returns once again to take a look at a bit...

A border wall using a natural choke point

Alt-F4 #10 - Protecting your Empire

Written by Recon419A, trupen, stringweasel, on 2020-10-23

Welcome to the tenth edition of Alt-F4, breaking into double digits! This week, Recon419A returns to present a compelling argument, this time about how you should go about setting up the borders of your empire. Next, trupen does some science and dives into some of the rare annoying aspects of...

A screenshot of a translated word not fitting into its button

Alt-F4 #9 - Translation Process

Written by TheEnemy42, stringweasel, on 2020-10-16

After our special love letter issue last week, we’re back to our regularly scheduled programming this week with issue nine! TheEnemy42 gives us some insight on how the crowdsourced process of translating Factorio into many different languages works, and stringweasel continues their Nauvis Archives series by digging into the origins...

Image of Compilatron being handed a love letter by an inserter

Alt-F4 #8 - A Love Letter to Factorio

Written by stringweasel, Zirr, Conor_, Therenas, Dexter of Rivia, Recon419A, trupen, ironic toblerone, TheKool, Frank_si_narra, Twisted_Code, Goose, on 2020-10-09

For this issue of Alt-F4 we decided to do something special: ask the community why exactly they love this game so much. Everyone was invited to submit a short piece detailing their absolute favourite thing about Factorio, which many promptly did. Here’s to one of the greatest games of all...

Screenshot of a mining outpost defended by artillery turrets

Alt-F4 #7 - Megabase Mentality

Written by ChurchOrganist, LoneWolf, T-A-R, on 2020-10-02

We’re back, providing you with your weekly dose of Factorio content! In today’s issue 7, ChurchOrganist brings us up to speed on what has been happening with Yuoki’s mods lately, LoneWolf gives us the rundown of why decentralised smelting is clearly the way to go, and T-A-R informs us about...

Dead biter nests that dropped alien artifacts

Alt-F4 #6 - Purple Goop

Written by arrow in my gluteus maximus, stringweasel, psihius, on 2020-09-25

Hello and welcome to the sixth issue of the community-driven weekly blog by the name Alt-F4! This week, you can read about the insanity that is arrow in my gluteus maximus’s raycasting engine constructed with vanilla Factorio, while stringweasel gives us a history lesson on how biters used to take...