Many people enjoy playing video games as a way to unwind after a stressful day. They also tend to enjoy the long-term progress that they make.
Although video games are typically a way to pass the time, some of them help you build real-world skills. More specifically, Factorio is a noteworthy game that has plenty of transferable benefits.
Let’s take a look at everything you should know about playing Factorio.
What Exactly Is Factorio?
For those who are unfamiliar with this game, the main purpose is to construct and maintain factories. The main objectives include resource collection, technology research, and establishing infrastructure.
In addition to managing the facilities you create, you’ll also need to protect them from hostile creatures who seek to destroy them.
As you might guess, all of these factors combined make for a highly involved gaming experience.
Players also have the opportunity to write their own mods, play with other people, and develop their own maps. For a game with such a simple concept, there is boundless potential in the way it can be played.
It’s also notable for its replayability. Many people start a new game shortly after completing one.
What Benefits Does It Have?
As previously mentioned, this game comes with a large number of benefits. Although everyone will experience the game differently, there are certain skills that most players will develop.
Let’s take a look at some of the most notable.
Problem-Solving
Virtually all of the game is problem-solving. You need to figure out where to get resources and then decide how to use them.
You also need to determine how to optimize your resource acquisition. Of course, it’s also essential for you to figure out how to prioritize certain forms of infrastructure.
For example, attempting to build too many structures too quickly could leave your resources spread too thin across your factories. This means that although you have a large number of factories at your disposal, they won’t perform as optimally as they could.
Other problems players face involve dealing with the threats to their infrastructure. For this reason, Factorio requires a balance of offensive (rapid construction) and defensive (protection against threats) gameplay.
As you progress through the game, the rate at which you are required to solve problems scales significantly. Toward the end, you will be managing a large number of issues concurrently.
The problem-solving skills that you develop could be used in multiple different areas of your life. This makes playing Factorio a productive way to spend your free time if you are a student or work in a science-related field.
Creativity
You have a large amount of potential when it comes to the way you play Factorio. This means that the way you progress isn’t limited to a handful of key strategies.
You can build however many factories you want to and arrange them any way you like. This creates a scenario where each playthrough is often drastically different than the last.
You could even get creative with self-imposed challenges.
For instance, you could attempt to complete the game as quickly as possible. Or, you could attempt to complete the game while using the minimum number of required resources to advance.
This opens up an entire realm of possibilities in terms of entertainment.
Creativity doesn’t only apply to artists and content creators. It is a necessary skill for those who wish to make advancements in their career.
Building your creativity will allow you to come up with different ways to progress in your own life. For instance, your creativity could allow you to cultivate useful secondary skills that can help you succeed in your primary career path.
Logical Thinking
To succeed at Factorio, you’ll need to choose the most logical option out of the decisions you are faced with. Otherwise, you may find that you quickly become overwhelmed or aren’t able to gain momentum.
The more you play the game, the more important critical thinking becomes. Over time, you will likely find that you begin to think more logically in real life.
It should come as no surprise that a situation like this can have plenty of benefits. For instance, you may begin planning your days far more logically than before, allowing you to accomplish more within a shorter period of time.
For those who have stressful jobs or academic schedules, this is a byproduct of playing Factorio that simply can’t be overlooked.
Looking to get started with your own server? You can check out this resource to learn more about how to find a Factorio server host.
Long-Term Planning
One of the core components of playing Factorio successfully is long-term planning. You’ll need to constantly have the endgame in mind when making decisions so that you have the necessary resources and capabilities when you get there.
Without long-term planning, you will be forced to be reactive to each situation you encounter. This may result in you becoming overwhelmed and unable to adapt.
As you might assume, this is a highly valuable skill that you can use in your own life. It can apply to finances, career paths, and even progressing with hobbies you enjoy.
Playing Factorio Is Different Than a Regular Video Game
You will likely find that it helps you build problem-solving skills that you can use in other areas. In some cases, playing Factorio may even help you understand concepts like mathematics and computer programming.
Looking for more tips that can help you out later on? Check out the rest of our blog for plenty of more useful information.
