The 0.13 and 0.14 updates in 2016 were pivotal for the game's core systems:
A complete overhaul of the multiplayer code allowed for high-player-count games on a large scale, moving away from a lock-step architecture that had previously caused synchronization issues. Factorio (2016)
Wube began the long process of updating all original sprites to the detailed, high-resolution style seen in the modern game. Modern Features (2024–2026) Factorio (2016)
This year saw the expansion of the circuit system, allowing players to connect machines with wires to create complex logic, such as disabling a belt if a chest is full. Factorio (2016)
