2.1|Oct 23, 2026
View on Steam↗Friday Facts #449 - 2.1 Stable
3/5 Moderate
Factorio 2.1 Stable introduces mixed rocket payloads, platform-to-platform transfers, and a major circuit network overhaul featuring Input/Output splitting.
Key Changes
- 1Mixed rocket launches allow multiple item types in a single payload
- 2Circuit network Input/Output split replaces the old self-subtraction mechanic
- 3Platforms can now transfer items directly to other platforms in orbit
- 4New Landing Pad Unloading Bay allows inserters to unload cargo directly
- 5Platform drag is now mass-based, allowing for non-linear ship designs
- 6Quality locomotives and wagons added with improved speed and capacity
- 7Fluid mixing prevention has been restored to pipelines
- 8Native ARM64 Linux support added for Raspberry Pi and Apple Silicon
- 9Biter expansion groups now scale with evolution for better late-game challenge
- 10Visual overhaul for Assembling Machines, Oil Refineries, and Rocket Silos
All Changes
🚀Space Logistics(6)
- newRockets: Rockets can now carry multiple different items in a single launch.
- newSpace Platforms: Leaving the 'Import from' slot blank now allows importing items from all locations.
- newSpace Platforms: Platforms can now request items directly from other platforms in orbit.
- newSpace Platforms: Platforms can now provide items directly to other platforms in orbit.
- newSpace Platform Hub: Space platform hub requests can now be controlled via the circuit network.
- newCircuit Network: New Radar Universe mode allows sending and receiving circuit signals between planets and platforms on a shared channel.
🛰️Space Platforms(3)
- changeAsteroids: Asteroid damage now scales based on the asteroid's remaining health rather than its speed.
- buffSpace Platforms: Damage taken by stationary platforms has been greatly reduced.
- changeSpace Platforms: Platform drag is now calculated based on mass instead of width, enabling more varied ship designs.
📦Logistics & Infrastructure(3)
- newLanding Pad Unloading Bay: Added the Landing Pad Unloading Bay, a special cargo bay that inserters can unload directly into trains, chests, or belts.
- changeLanding Pad Unloading Bay: Unloading bays are restricted to a limited placement area around the landing pad.
- newElevated Rails: Elevated rails can now be constructed over cargo bays.
🔌Circuit Network(8)
- changeCircuit Network: Introduced Input/Output split, allowing reads and writes to be directed to different wire colors.
- changeCircuit Network: Removed the 'magic' self-subtraction mechanic in favor of the new I/O split system.
- newLabs: Labs can now set the current research target based on circuit network conditions.
- newBoilers: Boilers can now be connected to the circuit network for power management.
- newHeat Exchangers: Heat exchangers can now be connected to the circuit network.
- newLand Mines: Land mines can now function as tripwires and enemy detectors via circuit connection.
- newPipes: Pipes can now be connected to the circuit network.
- newPipes: Added a new pipe GUI for managing fluid logistics.
💎Quality System(5)
- changeQuality: Space Age can now be played without the Quality system; the Recycler has been moved to its own mod.
- newLocomotives: Added Quality locomotives which feature increased movement speed.
- newCargo Wagons: Added Quality cargo wagons with increased storage capacity.
- newFluid Wagons: Added Quality fluid wagons with increased fluid capacity.
- removeQuality Modules: Quality modules can no longer be used in asteroid reprocessing.
⚙️Gameplay Mechanics(7)
- newPumpjacks: Pumpjacks can now be flipped.
- newBurner Miners: Burner miners can now be flipped.
- newBlueprints: Added a drop arrow to show which belt lane a machine will drop items onto in ambiguous layouts.
- changeBlueprints: Flipping blueprints no longer changes the drop behavior of machines.
- changeInserters: Inserters now always drop items to the input side of splitters.
- fixPipes: Restored fluid mixing prevention; pipelines with different fluids will no longer merge and will issue a warning.
- fixFluids: Fluid flow now scales properly with high throughput, particularly for Legendary machines.
🐜Enemies(3)
- changeBiters: Biter expansion groups now scale with evolution to remain a meaningful challenge.
- changeBiters: Early map exploration no longer reduces the frequency of expansions near the player's base.
- changeBiters: Biters now choose more natural locations when building new bases.
🎨Visual Updates(8)
- changeAssembling Machines: Updated graphics for Assembling Machines.
- changeOil Refinery: Updated graphics for the Oil Refinery.
- changeRocket Silo: Updated graphics for the Rocket Silo.
- changeHeat Exchanger: Updated graphics for the Heat Exchanger.
- changePumps: Implemented a new pump rendering system for more flexible connections to fluid wagons.
- newFlamethrower Turret: Added a diagonal variant for the Flamethrower Turret.
- changeSpace Platforms: Planets are now visible in the background of space platforms.
- changeFactorio: Updated the classic Factorio game trailer.
💻Technical(2)
- newLinux: Added native support for ARM64 Linux, including Steam Frame, Raspberry Pi, and Apple Silicon via Asahi Linux.
- changeMods: Most popular mods have been updated for compatibility with version 2.1.
⚠️Compatibility(2)
- changeSaves: 2.0 save games are compatible but may require factory redesigns due to circuit changes.
- changeSaves: Blueprints and save games cannot be downgraded to version 2.0 once updated to 2.1.
Summary
Factorio 2.1 has transitioned from experimental to stable, delivering a massive collection of quality-of-life improvements, technical refinements, and features originally intended for the 2.0 release. The update focuses heavily on space logistics, allowing rockets to carry multiple item types and enabling direct item transfers between platforms. A significant rework of the circuit network introduces Input/Output splitting, which replaces the previous 'magic' self-subtraction mechanic and may require players to update existing factory designs. Additionally, the update includes a visual overhaul for core buildings, native ARM64 Linux support, and the new Landing Pad Unloading Bay for streamlined logistics.