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Welcome to the Factorio Access wiki! This wiki is being written by the mod developers to introduce the game in the context of the mod. Like the mod, the wiki is a work in progress but we aim to include pages for everything supported in the game.
This wiki home page offers an overview about the game, the mod, and the wiki. You can navigate between wiki entries by jumping between headings on the pages, and you can navigate between pages using the links on page or from the contents table on the right hand sidebar. The first twelve wiki chapters are written in the order of encountering their topics in the game, while later chapters are a little more mixed because the game progression becomes less linear and we have been adding new pages as we bring support to new features our of order.
The online version of this wiki has the latest information, but we also periodically make offline copies. Offline copies of this wiki can be downloaded here..
Factorio is a game where you build your own factory piece by piece. You assume the role of an engineer whose spaceship has crashlanded onto an alien planet called Nauvis. There are various natural resources like ores, trees, rocks, and lakes around you. In addition, sometimes there are dispersed communities of large alien ground insects collectively known as “biters”.
Your ultimate goal is to build yourself a new rocket so that you can leave the planet. However, your engineering database is missing the technology available for building a rocket. In fact, you have hardly any technologies available to you at all! Therefore, you will first have to set up some self-sufficient research labs and unlock all the technologies you need, while you gather and process the resources you need for that.
The good news is that you are a very skilled engineer who can craft a lot of things quickly by hand, and you also know enough basic crafting recipes to get your first few machines up and running. The first thing you will need to do is to mine some resources by hand and start smelting up some metals. You can have coal-burning machines that you can use to acquire more coal in a self-sufficient way. Later you can build your first electric power system, which will support your first research labs. As you do research, you will unlock new technologies that will help you branch out your production abilities and automate further research.
Factorio is played from a top-down perspective on a mostly flat two dimensional world. When enemies are in peaceful mode or are turned off, you can play the game at your own pace, and gradually you put together sprawling machine systems that do tons of cool things all by themselves. The game has very good sound design, but it also has a lot of features that rely on vision, which is where the Factorio Access mod comes in.
Factorio Access is a free and open source modification that reads the world and behavior inside Factorio so that it can be played without needing any sight at all. The mod is written in Lua, and using the official Factorio modding API, which allows us to access most of its features with ease. The mod follows a philosophy of keeping the original experience of the game as much as possible, and so the focus primarily is to give information that would usually be provided visually, while you do the building and planning as usual. The mod also has some unique features, but they are meant to be alternatives to the vanilla features that are dependent on vision. You can read more about these in the Unique Features page.
The mod is also steadily developing its support for multiplayer and it is being designed to be versatile so that players with different levels of vision can enjoy playing together seamlessly.
The mod was started by Crimso in the summer of 2022. The original repository has development on pause and the "beta" repository managed by SirFendi has ongoing development since the summer of 2023.
As of the Beta release of version 0.10.0, the mod is in pretty good shape for offering a streamlined singleplayer experience, especially after the revision of the tutorial. Every main system in the game is accessible at least at a surface level. That being said, there is still much room for improvement. Here are more details:
- All basic gameplay features are extensively supported. Examples: navigation, crafting, building, and research.
- Most features work the same way they do in Vanilla Factorio while the mod simply assists by providing contextual information.
- Some features are unique to the mod, as alternatives to vision-based interfaces. Examples: Scanner tool, transport belt analyzer. For more info about this, check the Unique Features page.
- Some features are now well-supported but there is room for improvement. Examples: Combat, driving, electricity management, item menus.
- Some features are technically playable or partially supported but they need more work: Multiplayer mode, warning messages, blueprint books.
- We still need to improve support for auxiliary features such as achievements, translation support, and gameplay settings.
- In terms of compatibility with other Factorio mods, most mods require additional work to make compatible and accessible, but we have started a list of compatible mods that were tested and working with little or no preparation (Find the list here).
Overall, updates are released a bit irregularly because the development team is a handful of volunteers contributing in our free time. We work in parallel on improving the existing features, adding support for new features, and fixing bugs. Work priority goes to player feedback in terms of issue reports and requested features. Otherwise we pick a topic from the planned features list.
The Beta branch is currently the leading branch for ongoing development. The beta state is because we are releasing the mod without all key developers reviewing it due to time constraints, but this branch has now matured enough to function as the new main branch.
In the mod development process, player feedback is highly appreciated so that we can steer the development accordingly. You can discuss the game with us on the Factorio Access Discord server.
In game, you can get description information about most items and entities by selecting them with the cursor and pressing "Y" (by default). In addition, the default save games list includes demo maps that show various systems in action.
For information about how to install the mod and a summary of the keyboard controls, check out the readme page. To learn about updates and changes, read the changelog.
For information about the game itself and mod features, this wiki is a source written specifically for players without sight. As an alternate information source, you can use the official Factorio wiki. For live help and discussion, you can join us on the Factorio Access Discord server to ask questions or join discussions. Furthermore, Factorio's official forums, official discord server, and official subreddit are all good places for discussing the game.
The online version of this wiki has the latest information, but we also periodically make offline copies. Offline copies of this wiki can be downloaded here..
Chapters 1 and 2 introduce the basics of the game such as how inventories work, controls, how progress in the game is measured, what resources exist, and how to gather them. Chapters 3 to 6 cover the machines and systems of the very early game known as the "burner era". Chapter 7 introduces electric power and Chapter 8 explains research and technology, which is the main form of progression in the game. Chapters 9 to 12 cover the tools and concepts of automation, which lie at the heart of the game. Chapters 13 and onward cover later systems and concepts that get unlocked as technology progresses. Note that these later chapters are in the order of when features get introduced to the mod rather than order of technology progression. Therefore you might want to check out the later chapters out of order.
In addition, we have some non-chapter pages that cover other information about the mod, such as our recommended map called Conpass Valley, or pages that discuss early game milestones, example maps, and unique features of the mod.
Factorio is a long and deep game that involves a lot of problem solving while you develop various systems like assembly lines, rail networks, and so on. It is also a sandbox game in the sense that you get your components and do whatever you want with them, while there is general progression path by going through the technology tree. It has a decent learning curve and is very highly acclaimed, but still it might not appeal to everyone.
An old version of the mod has been showcased on YouTube by Sightless Kombat, linked here. We hope to have more showcases in the coming weeks or months.
The mod is and always will be free. The game itself costs $35 on Factorio.com. The game is also sold on Steam and you are able to use your Steam account to login at Factorio.com and download the regular windows version or the zip file version of the game. The game is sold also on GOG and on Humble Bundle. Note that the game never goes on sale on Steam.
No, in fact no Factorio mods work with the demo. On the other hand, Steam has a refund policy where you can get a refund for the game for any reason, with the conditions that you play for less than two hours in total and apply within two weeks of purchasing the game. Less than two hours will reveal very little about the game, although you do get a grasp about the kind of game it is. Read more about the refund policy on Steam's info page.
The mod works for the Windows versions of Factorio, which could be the Windows zip version (recommended), or the regular Windows version, or the Steam version. Linux versions have mixed results.
The mod supports Factorio update 1.1, which is currently the latest version. We recommend installing the Windows zip version, and at least game version 1.1.100.
We recommend playing on the Windows zip version first because it is easier to set up, but we have added support for the Steam version recently, and it is better for multiplayer. For instructions, check this page here.
The minimum system requirements is a 64-bit system with 4GB of RAM, DirectX 10.1 capable GPU with 512MB VRAM, dual core 3GHz processor, and at least 3GB of disk space. Generally speaking, Factorio is a very optimized game and it runs very decently on a medium grade PC, especially with the lowered graphics settings.
Find the instructions on the readme page, here.
To run the mod after you install it, launch it using the launcher exe file. This will open the launcher menu, which opens by saying "Hello Factorio". The launcher will ask for your input with setting up the game configuration. You can navigate the launcher menu by entering the line number you want to go to for each menu page or entering "yes" or "no" when asked. Depending on your choices in the launcher menu, the game will begin to run. Usually the first thing you need to do to begin playing a game session is to press "TAB" once.
You can exit the game by pressing "ALT + F4". The launcher will remain open and ask you to rename your save file. The launcher can then be exited separately.
The base game is mostly accessible now. See the relevant section near the top of this page for details.
The mod follows a philosophy of preserving the vanilla experience as much as possible. Therefore in general its role is to simply provide information about the world the same way visual cues and menus do. The mod also offers some unique features of its own. For more about this see the unique features page..
Because the game is focused on building machines across the world according to specific rules, players have noted that the game requires keeping mental notes or using other techniques to remember what you have built where, although there are helpful tools like fast travel points. In addition, some patience is needed with bugs or underdeveloped features, but we have been steadily improving things thanks to feedback and continuous efforts. Another aspect of the game, a universal one, is that it is pretty deep and in some ways open-ended. This makes it a little overwhelming at times, but also highly enjoyable and potentially addictive.
For sighted players who prefer the vanilla experience, we have added Vanilla Mode (toggled using CONTROL + ALT + V by default). This mode is almost the same as the vanilla experience. The main difference is that many keyboard shortcuts do not work because they are still reserved for the mod functions. If you open an unknown menu by accident, close it by pressing E. The other big difference is that you are restricted to rotating items in hand using SHIFT + R, because the regular R key remains reserved for the mod's own cursor.
The mod launcher is able to call the native Windows vocalizer, but a screen reader is necessary for some of the menus. We have tested and we recommend NVDA by NV Access, which is free to download.
After installing and setting up, you first need to select the game options you want from the launcher menus. Later the game session starts loading, including a musical riff. The gameplay cut scene begins with the sound of explosions (how glorious!) from your newly crashed space ship. When you here the sound cue, press "TAB" to exit the cut scene and start the game.
You can press "H" to jump straight into the new tutorial system. This will guide you through most of the early game.
Generally you can follow the tech tree to unlock new systems, and then use them to produce new research equipment.
You can check out demo map scenarios that can be opened from the launcher's new game menu. They include examples of factories already built. We also have members sharing their own save files over the Discord server.
This wiki is a source written by the mod team specifically for the mod players. For other options, check this page's section above called "Information sources overview".
Unless you are in peaceful mode, like by starting in Compass Valley, enemies will attack you if you go near them or if you anger them by creating too much pollution. Many players choose to first try the game in peaceful mode or without any enemies, but others like the challenge. The tutorial includes some combat info but it may not necessarily be timed correctly, and reading the wiki is important for understanding the details.
No, but the mod offers its own tutorial content.
In general, working alongside other mods requires the other mods to be both compatible with our mod's code and accessible for the players. For most mods, we prefer to work on supporting them after we have finished adding support for the main game. However, some mods are found to be compatible and accessible with little or no effort required. We are adding such mods to our page for compatible other mods
Yes but it needs more testing. Multiplayer gameplay is supported if all players install the same mods including this one. Matchmaking is a bit difficult to set up unless you use the Steam version of the game. Also, multiplayer might be buggy because we cannot test it very often.
Connecting via LAN is well supported for players within the same LAN, such as the same building. Connecting via the internet is possible but difficult to setup due to matchmaking server limitations, unless everyone uses Steam. Everyone joining a multiplayer game needs to launch the game from the mod's launcher and use the relevant launcher menu options, although it might be possible for a sighted player with the correct mods installed to launch the game the usual way and join a match from the graphical game menus. To find and join friends for multiplayer games, you can use the friends list system inside the mod launcher. Afterwards, Steam's matchmaking can be used by the mod's launcher with variable success. Otherwise, you either have to use the original graphical game menus when the mod launcher fails, or set up port forwarding.
The Vanilla Mode setting allows for players with different levels of vision to play together with more ease.
Factorio itself supports several languages but the mod's language is mostly hardcoded in English. We are adding early-stage basic support for localization. Later on we will make localization more extensive and ask for help from volunteer translators.
We have not yet added support for achievements, although a few of them will still work by themselves. Also note that Factorio Access being installed will inevitably make your sessions count as modded sessions. Therefore in the game, the modded achievements set will be used, which is identical to the non-modded achievements set except for the modded status. Meanwhile, Steam achievements reference only the non-modded achievements set, and so unfortunately they cannot be unlocked by mod users.
For any Q-type keyboard, it is likely that the game software has a design such that the two keys on the right of your "P" key will function as LEFT BRACKET and RIGHT BRACKET. You can also consider editing keybindings.
Note that many keybindings are changed by the mod when setting up so that it works properly, but many of the keybinds can be changed safely.
Option 1 is to edit the "config.ini" file located in the config folder under the main Factorio folder, or possibly the AppData folder, depending on your installation type. In the config file, you need to find the internal name of the control that you want to rename and choose the new key group. A valid keybinding can contain CONTROL, SHIFT, ALT, and/or a single other key. After editing the line for an item, make sure to remove the semicolon at the start of the line for the change to take effect. Changes will be applied when you restart the game.
Option 2 is to use the graphical game settings menu of Factorio if you have the assistance for it.
Option 3 is to ask for help on Discord.
In any case note that most keys already have a function because of Factorio having so many things to do.
We appreciate bug reports from players, especially if you can reproduce the bug. Please get in contact on the Discord server, ideally on the channel for issues.
Some bugs will make the game crash, which can be identified by all sound cutting out. When this happens, your screen gives a stack traceback data that we recommend copying either with the screen reader or with a screenshot and then sharing it with us on the Discord server channel for issues. You can then load the main menu by pressing "E", and then you can load back your last autosave by pressing E again.
We are doing our best to keep these to a minimum by testing before releases. Autosave should generally prevent you from losing too much progress. We also appreciate receiving a screenshot of the crash screen to help us with locating the error.
The wiki content follows the Beta version, which has all the new content. SirFendi is working hard to keep the wiki updated along with the new additions and changes to the mod, but there may be gaps. Feel free to make suggestions or share contributions about this, and note that the change log is usually the most reliable source for up-to-date information despite being not as convenient to read as the wiki.
Please see the planned features page, here and follow the Discord announcements.
We are not sure about the scope and timeline for this because the 2.0 version and the expansion are both several months away and we need their API content to be released along with them to even start working on making them accessible.
You can get in touch on our Discord server about helping. There are several ways that you can help out:
- Playtesting and feedback from players is always welcome, especially in terms of feature discussions and bug reports.
- We also appreciate experienced players helping new players with questions they ask on our Discord server.
- We also welcome suggestions and contributions for our wiki pages.
- Later we will also be looking for volunteer translators as we add localization support for the mod.
- You can also contribute to the coding, especially if you are experienced with coding. Feel free to get in touch about the current development situation.
A1 - Factorio Access Unique Features
A2 - Optional preset map - Compass Valley
A8 - Launcher Features and Game Setup
Beta Mod Main Page, including controls
Alpha Mod Main Page, now outdated
Chapter 2 - Resources and mining
Chapter 3 - Furnaces, mining drills, and chests
Chapter 4 - Inserters part 1: Inserter logic and burner inserters
Chapter 5 - Transport belts part 1: Segments, lanes, and other basics
Chapter 6 - Fluid handling part 1: Fluid behavior and pipes
Chapter 7 - Electricity part 1: Basics, power distribution, and steam power
Chapter 8 - Technology tree, labs, and science packs
Chapter 9 - Inserters part 2: Electric inserters
Chapter 10 - Transport belts part 2: Underground belts and splitters
Chapter 11 - Assembling machines and automated production
Chapter 12 - Factory building guidance
Chapter 13 - Fluid handling part 2: Flow rates, storage tanks, fluid wagons, pumps, and barrels
Chapter 14 - Oil processing part 1: Transporting oil, basic oil processing, and early oil products
Chapter 15 - Electricity part 2: Larger electric poles, solar power, and accumulators
Chapter 18 - Oil processing part 2: Advanced oil processing and products
Chapter 19 - Landscaping and paving tiles
Chapter 20 - Worker robots part 1 - Roboports and basic services
Chapter 21 - Electricity part 3: Nuclear power
Chapter 22 - Armor equipment and guns
Chapter 23 - Death and enemies
Chapter 25 - Worker robots part 2 - Logistics networks