Some thoughts about Factorio’s pricing

[NARUNE]

I really enjoy Factorio and have spent a lot of time with it.

I bought the base game years ago when it was cheaper, and recently purchased the DLC at full price. While paying full price for the DLC felt a bit heavy at first, after playing it I genuinely felt it was worth it. The amount of content in the DLC feels equal to, or even greater than, the base game, and I had a great time with it.

Because of that, I want to recommend Factorio to my friends, especially since it supports multiplayer and is even more fun when played together. However, the current pricing makes that difficult. The base game costs $35 and the DLC also costs $35, which makes the total entry price feel quite high for new players.

I understand and respect the no-discount policy, and I don’t think the DLC is overpriced given its scope and quality. My only wish is that the base game were cheaper now, perhaps closer to $20. Factorio has been fully released for over five years, and at this point the DLC clearly contains much more content than the original game.

This isn’t meant as a complaint or a demand. It’s just feedback from someone who really likes the game and wants it to be easier to recommend to others.

[königplatzen]

Honestly, I can understand that. For people, who want to start with this game and are unsure, it seems steep. Esp. when you just want to play several hours with your friends.

Sure, you can try the demo, but it doesn't really represent the mulitplayer aspect and the freeplay aspect is also quite different.

The question is probably, if the friends want to play more than just one playthrough? Then I think, it would be worth nonetheless. But, when they drop it after, the price is not worth.

That's said, I don't think, that Wube will do it, The game was 30$ at release and it still was constantly supported since then and got more features and bugfixes, esp. the 2.0 update brought such vast amounts of new QoL stuff, which really up-ed the quality quite a bit. Therefore, I think it's fair to say, that even after 5 years, the base game is still at similar worth compared to 1.0 release. (The price increase due to inflation mainly accounts that, the price is didn't drop, because 30$ back then is about $37 now)
You can't really compare this game to some AAA titles from Ubi or WB, which you can buy for 90% after 3 years, because it doesn't get substantial support anymore and was not that great at the beginning either. And the publisher also beats down the prices intentionally, to get the last procrastinators on board.

[Ramstar]

I don’t disagree because I’m who you’re talking about.

For scope I’ve had it wishlisted for ages and love automation games. Dopamine hits are real in them.

I haven’t bought it because there’s a lot out there to play for cheaper that can hold your entertainment. It’s the initial ‘what? $30??’ that is the mind block for folks, including myself.

I look at this in terms of value I’m going to get. I see the reviews - even negative ones have 30+ hours and seems more to do with patience and requirement to think.

Probably going to buy this today.

[königplatzen]

Originally posted by Ramstar:

I don’t disagree because I’m who you’re talking about.

For scope I’ve had it wishlisted for ages and love automation games. Dopamine hits are real in them.

I haven’t bought it because there’s a lot out there to play for cheaper that can hold your entertainment. It’s the initial ‘what? $30??’ that is the mind block for folks, including myself.

I look at this in terms of value I’m going to get. I see the reviews - even negative ones have 30+ hours and seems more to do with patience and requirement to think.

Probably going to buy this today.

I mean, there's a chance you don't like it and stop playing after one playthrough. If you are unsure, there are so much let's plays, I'd recommend. This game is surely not for everyone, but if you like the style and want to dig more into automation games, this game is truly a gem. The mod support is insane.
I have a playtime of higher 4 digits if not more and I'm not done. including some burnouts in-between, where I stopped playing for a year and couldn't manage to play it at all.

[Ramstar]

Originally posted by königplatzen:

Originally posted by Ramstar:

I don’t disagree because I’m who you’re talking about.

For scope I’ve had it wishlisted for ages and love automation games. Dopamine hits are real in them.

I haven’t bought it because there’s a lot out there to play for cheaper that can hold your entertainment. It’s the initial ‘what? $30??’ that is the mind block for folks, including myself.

I look at this in terms of value I’m going to get. I see the reviews - even negative ones have 30+ hours and seems more to do with patience and requirement to think.

Probably going to buy this today.

I mean, there's a chance you don't like it and stop playing after one playthrough. If you are unsure, there are so much let's plays, I'd recommend. This game is surely not for everyone, but if you like the style and want to dig more into automation games, this game is truly a gem. The mod support is insane.
I have a playtime of higher 4 digits if not more and I'm not done. including some burnouts in-between, where I stopped playing for a year and couldn't manage to play it at all.

You said one play through, but how many hours is that? That’s what I mean by value if it will be at least double digits.

The let’s plays have never worked for me. I can see the game being played but it’s not the same as playing it of course. I love automation games and have most (most recently mine mogul- really good) and did play the demo and was pretty addictive. Only part I found annoying was I kept dying to the insect things and running out of bullets!

[königplatzen]

Originally posted by Ramstar:

Originally posted by königplatzen:

I mean, there's a chance you don't like it and stop playing after one playthrough. If you are unsure, there are so much let's plays, I'd recommend. This game is surely not for everyone, but if you like the style and want to dig more into automation games, this game is truly a gem. The mod support is insane.
I have a playtime of higher 4 digits if not more and I'm not done. including some burnouts in-between, where I stopped playing for a year and couldn't manage to play it at all.

You said one play through, but how many hours is that? That’s what I mean by value if it will be at least double digits.

The let’s plays have never worked for me. I can see the game being played but it’s not the same as playing it of course. I love automation games and have most (most recently mine mogul- really good) and did play the demo and was pretty addictive. Only part I found annoying was I kept dying to the insect things and running out of bullets!

I would say, you can expect 40 hours from one play through. If that is worth enough for you, fine. But there is a lot more potential and you likely scratched only surface, esp. if you take mods into account.
Biters are surely not the main reason to like this game. I would consider them as extrinsic "motivation" to don't loose focus and application for lots of military related stuff in the game. It's completely viable to disable biters or make them peaceful from map settings.

[Khaylain]

Originally posted by Ramstar:

I don’t disagree because I’m who you’re talking about.

For scope I’ve had it wishlisted for ages and love automation games. Dopamine hits are real in them.

I haven’t bought it because there’s a lot out there to play for cheaper that can hold your entertainment. It’s the initial ‘what? $30??’ that is the mind block for folks, including myself.

I look at this in terms of value I’m going to get. I see the reviews - even negative ones have 30+ hours and seems more to do with patience and requirement to think.

Probably going to buy this today.

I'd recommend you try the free demo first before buying. Might save you 35 USD or equivalent if it turns out it's not quite the game for you.

For OP; Understandable, have a nice day.

[Ramstar]

Originally posted by königplatzen:

Originally posted by Ramstar:

You said one play through, but how many hours is that? That’s what I mean by value if it will be at least double digits.

The let’s plays have never worked for me. I can see the game being played but it’s not the same as playing it of course. I love automation games and have most (most recently mine mogul- really good) and did play the demo and was pretty addictive. Only part I found annoying was I kept dying to the insect things and running out of bullets!

I would say, you can expect 40 hours from one play through. If that is worth enough for you, fine. But there is a lot more potential and you likely scratched only surface, esp. if you take mods into account.
Biters are surely not the main reason to like this game. I would consider them as extrinsic "motivation" to don't loose focus and application for lots of military related stuff in the game. It's completely viable to disable biters or make them peaceful from map settings.

thats enough for sure for the money imo. Some will disagree, although i have never understood folks with 1k hours and give a negative review, i think that's unfair.

Originally posted by Khaylain:

Originally posted by Ramstar:

I don’t disagree because I’m who you’re talking about.

For scope I’ve had it wishlisted for ages and love automation games. Dopamine hits are real in them.

I haven’t bought it because there’s a lot out there to play for cheaper that can hold your entertainment. It’s the initial ‘what? $30??’ that is the mind block for folks, including myself.

I look at this in terms of value I’m going to get. I see the reviews - even negative ones have 30+ hours and seems more to do with patience and requirement to think.

Probably going to buy this today.

I'd recommend you try the free demo first before buying. Might save you 35 USD or equivalent if it turns out it's not quite the game for you.

For OP; Understandable, have a nice day.

Have tried it, but i think i will refresh my memory today before buying good shout.

[kaki_gamet]

^ why more than 1k hours and a negative review? Generically speaking it is a sandbox, it will ruin your life, stay away from it. And on top of that, constant updates and changes are going to piss off some eventually. I have few games I spent more than 1k hours, and I would not suggest any of them. If you choose this kind of drug, at least it won't be my fault : P

[Khaylain]

Originally posted by kaki_gamet:

^ why more than 1k hours and a negative review? Generically speaking it is a sandbox, it will ruin your life, stay away from it. And on top of that, constant updates and changes are going to piss off some eventually. I have few games I spent more than 1k hours, and I would not suggest any of them. If you choose this kind of drug, at least it won't be my fault : P

Good thing that the Factorio developers allow people to choose where to stop getting any new changes. You could've known that if you had the game.

[kaki_gamet]

^ not all changes are "bad", do you know?

[Ramstar]

i did buy it yesterday.

I put peaceful mode on as i previously found the random attacks annoying. It’s a shame I can’t change that now it seems in this play through.

What id say also is - purpose.

I have about 1k iron and copper plates and now have electric miners but it’s not really clear what im supposed to be doing. I get it Send a rocket into space but it’s a bit of a free for all. I guess that’s why it’s called free play altgough for the money however you’d expect some tasks to move you forward.

Not the case for me as I’m enjoying it but I can see how the impatient and folks who don’t want to think would become deterred.

[königplatzen]

Originally posted by Ramstar:

i did buy it yesterday.

I put peaceful mode on as i previously found the random attacks annoying. It’s a shame I can’t change that now it seems in this play through.

What id say also is - purpose.

I have about 1k iron and copper plates and now have electric miners but it’s not really clear what im supposed to be doing. I get it Send a rocket into space but it’s a bit of a free for all. I guess that’s why it’s called free play altgough for the money however you’d expect some tasks to move you forward.

Not the case for me as I’m enjoying it but I can see how the impatient and folks who don’t want to think would become deterred.

The main progression is illustrated in the tech tree. Select next goal, research and then set it up.

You could theoretically change the map settings. There is a mod:
https://mods.factorio.com/mod/EditMapSettings
However that would disable achievements.
But, I'm not sure, if it still works, you can install the mod, change the map settings and save that in a new savefile. Then you remove the mod and then achievements should be active again.
But, honestly, while you are learning this game, it might be best to stick with peaceful for now. Biters get considerably more annoying

EDIT: And btw. Congratulations, you sold your soul :D ...eh I mean. good choice, I hope you enjoy!

[Estelyen]

My own opinion on the matter (need to write that first so no one thinks I'm stating facts, it's just an opinion piece people!):

The thing that irks me is that many people claim that the price is so steep at 35 for the base game plus 35 for the expansion. But they only say that because the modern game industry has made everyone believe that we NEED to buy all DLC immediately with a new game, or we won't be able to get maximum enjoyment out of it. I blame Paradox in particular for that.

But this game is different: You can first try the free demo of course, but if you like that, it's totally fine to then buy the base game ONLY and have a great experience with that. The expansion is not necessary for a new player. Once the first playthrough is done (meaning the no longer "new" player has gotten to the point where they launched a rocket, THEN is the correct moment to consider whether or not to buy the Space Age expansion. Which is like buying another new game for 35 some time later.

[Megabiv]

Just to chime in with my 2k+ hours. You don't need Space age at all to enjoy or "get value" from this game for its entry price. I've completed a space age run but i spend most of my time now with that disabled and playing the Krastorio 2 mod. Its a vanilla + experience but way more forgiving than Bobs, Angels or Pyanadons mods.

I get its a big draw to buy the base game and DLC but i highly recommend just the base game, get a feel for the play style in Factorio and then try some mods, hell you can play Space Exploration which is what Space Age was based on, all for free. There's thousands of hours there without ever needed to buy Space Age.

[Khaylain]

Originally posted by TheLightningYu | Mike:

-snip-

Those people who want to wait for it to be at an accessible price for them can probably just keep waiting until it's open sourced, as Kovarex hinted at being somewhat plausible in an interview. If they haven't already acquired it somewhere else.

I also find it very unlikely that there'll be another compensation for extreme inflation rates (unless we get something wild like that again), and as such inflation literally makes the game require less value (can be approximated by hours worked for a given good) to buy it over time.

If the game price had kept up with inflation after 2023 then the price now would've been 37 USD, according to usinflationcalculator.com
Or to look at it from the other side; the price of 35 USD today is the same value as ~33 USD in 2023. And to go a little further back again; 35 USD today is the same value as ~28 USD in 2020.