Wube, the studio behind Factorio, has spent years building a collection of physical models of the game’s factories, machines, and creatures — and now they are giving those models away for free. The result is a downloadable package of 3D-printable STL files, and the story behind how it came to exist is far stranger than anyone expected.
The Summer of 2024
The project started in the summer of 2024, while Wube was finishing the Space Age DLC. The team wanted player feedback, so they organized a playtesting event called FFF-427. Teams of players played the game from start to finish, giving in-person criticism to help polish the final product.
During that playtesting, Wube asked its friends at Prusa Research to join. Prusa helped create presentations and programmes for the attendees. The Wube team then decided to print some Factorio models right at the event. Fearghall quickly created a simple model of the Wriggler, the loader from the game’s Gleba factory.
From Prototypes to a Plan
After the event, everyone went back to work on Factorio. But the idea of physical models lingered. In the months following the release and bug-fixing period, the team started working on prototypes in their spare time. Several models were printed and painted, but they lacked a clear direction.
The team brainstormed what would work best. The answer was simple: transport belts. Belts are the core of every factory, from the early hours to the late game.
Jarosław started designing a grid system where every entity could be placed closely following the game. The first version of the inserter soon followed. Countless prototypes were printed, and it soon became clear the team needed two versions of almost every model.
One set is created with high precision, allowing push-fit assembly. The other is made with high clearance in mind for people who want to glue everything permanently or have clearance issues with their printers.
Enemies and Entities
While Jarosław worked on player-built entities, Fearghall started on the game’s enemies. The first iteration of the biter spawner soon followed. Then came chests, followed by the player character, then a stone furnace. The model set grew nicely, but the team knew they had to draw a line.
Trying to release every Factorio entity would take too much time. So they focused on the early game. The result is 15 model sets containing 65 individual models in 247 STL files.
The Biter Spawner’s Long Road
The biter spawner went through several iterations. The first test print was later resized and improved. The team painted the biter spawner to determine whether the fully finished model adequately represented the original vision for the game.
The final version of the spitter was also fine-tuned. One of the earlier tests involved walls and their integration into the grid system. Testing how far they could push the limits of model sizes in the opposite direction also needed joint modification.
The demolisher was painted and finished, but it was later scrapped because it wasn’t really reflecting in-game visuals. Most entities went through a series of iterations, with countless print runs associated with the process.
The late version of the electric mining drill was test-printed with a coat of silver primer. The biter spawner finally received a model update, but it still wasn’t finished. The team was getting much closer to the finish line.
A Gift for Fans
Wube is a software company, not a toy manufacturer. The team always thought about having something for fans and themselves as a reminder of the hours spent with the game. Physical releases of games are now almost a relic of the past.
Creating expensive, limited collector’s items didn’t sit right with the team. Instead, they decided to go with 3D models as a little “thank you for your support” gift. Anyone can download them and print them for themselves.
A second equally important reason is that Wube loves fan creativity. The team wants to give players a chance to iterate on things they created and give them their own spin. They can’t wait to see what people do with the files.
The Making of the Models
One Wube employee admits they slept on 3D printing for a while. They have a passion for miniature-based board games and a background as a 3D artist. When they finally took the risk and decided to look into it, neither of their 3D printers has seen much downtime since.
The employee’s “pile of shame” does not get any smaller from all the printing. Whether it’s miniatures, card organizers, inserts, or wall-high paint stands, there is always something new to print.
That is the kind of person who got excited about 3D printing in general. Little did they know they were soon to partake in one of the most fascinating endeavours they ever… well, partook in.
Why the Models Matter
In the modern digital world, there is a decrease in physical memorabilia. Wube wanted something for fans and themselves as a reminder of the hours spent with the game. The models are a way to hold a piece of the game in your hand.
The team also wanted to honour fan creativity. By releasing the STL files, anyone can download, print, and modify the models. That is a meaningful gift from a studio to its community.
What Comes Next
The models are finished. The team has released the 3D models for free download. Anyone with a 3D printer can now print their own Factorio factories, machines, and creatures.
The team has also released the files for anyone to download and print. The late version of the electric mining drill with its silver primer was test-printed, and the belt lane balancer was painted with model grass added, showing complete dioramas are possible.
The Models at a Glance
| Model | Purpose | Print Versions |
|---|---|---|
| Transport belts | Core factory components | Two version sets |
| Inserter | Player-built entity | Two version sets |
| Biter spawner | Early-game enemy | Two version sets |
| Chests | Storage | Two version sets |
| Player character | Character model | Two version sets |
| Stone furnace | Early-game machine | Two version sets |
| Demolisher | Scrapped prototype | Two version sets |
| Electric mining drill | Late-game machine | Two version sets |
The Final Count
- 15 model sets — each set covers a different part of the game.
- 65 individual models — a wide range of entities, machines, and creatures.
- 247 STL files — the files fans will use to print their own models.
- 3D-printable format — anyone with a printer can download and use the files.
- Free download — the team is giving the files away as a thank-you to fans.
This is a gift from a studio to its community, and it has been years in the making. The team at Wube has poured countless hours into prototypes, iterations, and fine-tuning — and now they have released the results for anyone to enjoy.
The models are a physical reminder of the time spent building, testing, and dreaming about the game. They are a bridge between the digital world of Factorio and the physical world of miniature models. And they are a genuine thank-you from a studio that cares about its players.
Anyone with a 3D printer can download the files and print their own models. The team at Wube has done the hard work. Now it is time for the fans to do what they do best: create, iterate, and show off their own versions of the game.
Source material: “Factorio that you can touch,” factorio.com.
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