Belts of Iron Update 0.4

I'm excited to share that version 0.4 is out now! This release brings a major overhaul to many mid and late game recipes, opening up new ways to build and optimize your factories. There are changes to resource generation as well so it's the perfect time to start a new world! However, if you're continuing an existing save, expect to make some adjustments to existing production lines.

Cargo Drones

With cargo drones you have a new way transport items around your factory. They are great for low throughput items in hard to reach places. Or setup a request for commonly used items to keep a storage container stocked with things you often need.

Vertical Conveyor Lifts

Gone are they days of conveyor switchbacks. Go straight up with vertical conveyor lifts.

World Map

Lost? Looking for nearby ore? Where does that belt go? How big is my factory? All these questions and more can be answered with the new world map!

Machine Modules

Augment crafting machine performance with three types of modules. Speed, Efficiency, and Productivity. They come in multiple tiers you can unlock in the tech tree.

Rebalanced Tech Tree

The tech tree has been rebalanced to account for the new items and improve progression. Trains are unlocked earlier and research can have multiple dependencies so you won't unlock something that can't be crafted yet.

Full Release Notes v0.4.0

🤖 Drones & Logistics

• Cargo Drones added, flying robots that carry items between designated storage containers.

• Drone Depots added, where drones automatically pick up requests and recharge.

• Storage containers can be set to request or provide items to drones.

• When placing railway tracks there is now a blue line showing connected tracks. It should make finding broken segments easier if the line stops where you don't want it to.

• Increased speed of Mk3 and Mk4 conveyor belts.

🗺️ World Map

• Toggle with [M] to view the world map.

• Shows terrain and resource deposits nearby.

• Shows foundations, belts, pipes, and train tracks to help visualize the factory at a high level.

🏗️ New Buildings & Systems

• Vertical Conveyor Lifts, for moving items straight up and down.

• Vertical lifts attach directly to machines, splitters, and mergers.

• Each belt tier has a matching lift running at the same speed as its horizontal counterpart.

• New Steam Turbine model.

• Stone Brick added as an early game building material.

• Steel Frame added as a late game building material.

• Flood Light added to light up areas of your factory.

⚙️ Machine Modules

• Logic Circuits and Execution Units are no longer used as modules but ingredients in these new modules.

• Productivity Modules added, output a bonus item every so often.

• Efficiency Modules added, reduce the energy used by a machine.

• Speed Modules added, increase crafting speed at the cost of more energy.

• Modules can be mixed and matched, with slot counts varying by machine.

🚀 End Game

• More end game items added, making launching a rocket more rewarding.

• End game data pack added with new research.

🔬 Technology

• Tech tree areas reorganized to make room for the expanded end game and new items.

• Tech Tree visuals improved.

💾 Saved Games

• Autosave now writes to reserved "autosave" files and will not overwrite your manual save files.

• Saving the game will prompt you to choose which file to save as. Allowing you to more easily save copies of your world.

As always, thanks for reading and head over to discord to learn more https://discord.gg/xmmPeZHj4T