The latest update, V14, is now live for the PC version of the game. This patch introduces significant changes to progression mechanics, machine reliability, and user interface clarity, alongside a new sandbox-style play mode.
Key Gameplay Adjustments
The developers have removed several progression bottlenecks, specifically regarding order requirements. Many upgrades, such as Scan Batch Size and Scan Cycle Speed (levels 1-3), no longer require active orders to be purchased. Similarly, extending the shed now only requires money and straw panels rather than waiting for specific orders or hay rods.
Other notable changes include:
- Depot Costs: Depots now cost only money, with the first unit free and subsequent units starting at $750.
- Crane Efficiency: Operating the Skyline Crane manually now yields up to twice the digging speed of the auto-dig feature.
- Order Restrictions: On large-scale maps like MOUNT HAYVEREST, orders no longer require needles to proceed.
- Bay Door Countdown: The wait time for the bay door has been reduced from 24 hours to 2.5 hours.
Machine and Quality-of-Life Fixes
A primary focus of V14 is the elimination of item loss. The update addresses two specific bugs—misaligned belts and rapid intake speeds—that previously caused machines to discard items. Additionally, machines now display item counts on their panels, and switched-off machines are clearly marked in red.
Visual and operational improvements include:
- Brighter night cycles to allow for continuous work.
- A new slider in the Depot to manage item limits.
- The ability for detectors to hear needles through tall piles.
- Improved UI for the order sheet, which now counts items individually for multi-requirement orders.
New Sandbox Mode
V14 adds a new way to play modeled after the original demo. In this mode, players are free to dig and build their factory without the pressure of chasing orders, focusing entirely on money generation and infrastructure expansion.