After more than four years in early access, the base-building, resource management sim Satisfactory has finally announced a surprise release date: September 10th. Alongside the announcement, the developers unveiled a crucial update: flushable toilets! A short trailer showcases a character frantically searching for a bathroom, jumping over obstacles before diving into a toilet while another character stares at the camera. This seemingly simple addition is a huge win for players who appreciate interactable elements in their games.
But the 1.0 release is much more than just flushable toilets. The PC game is receiving a massive update, including numerous new resource nodes scattered across the map. The developers have also implemented balance tweaks for resource distribution, focusing on elements like caterium, sulfur, quartz, iron, copper, limestone, coal, and water geysers.
Dedicated servers are getting a boost with added support, including advanced settings like automatic saving. The update also includes a slew of balance updates, primarily aimed at easing the early and mid-game experience for players. For instance, some recipe costs have been adjusted to make it easier to reach higher tiers, such as those needed for heavy modular frames and computer-related screws. Transitioning between tiers has also been streamlined, creating a more gradual progression within the research tree.
Of course, the 1.0 release is also bringing performance optimizations to combat the game’s inherent resource drain. As players build out their factories, they gather a significant amount of assets and moving parts, which can put a strain on their PCs. This is a common issue with city and base-building games like Cities: Skylines, and the developers at Coffee Stain have worked diligently to address these performance concerns.
The developers have indicated that more changes are on the horizon, so players should keep an eye out for further updates. Satisfactory has enjoyed significant success since its early access launch in June 2020, coinciding with the onset of COVID-19 lockdowns. The game sold over a million copies in its first month, and as of February 2024, the figure has climbed to 5.5 million. The four-year-long early access period was partly attributed to the transition to Unreal Engine 5, which resulted in a bump in minimum system requirements. The extended development time also allowed the developers to integrate features like the priority power switch, designed to address power issues, as highlighted in an interview with PCGamesN. With the 1.0 release finally on the horizon, fans are undoubtedly eager to dive into the world of Satisfactory and experience all that this major update has to offer.
