As Satisfactory's stay in early access continues, developer Coffee Stain Studios has shared the first details about update 8, its significant engine upgrade, and when we can expect its release date.
Satisfactory's update 8 sees the title migrating to Unreal Engine 5, taking advantage of the new technology included in Epic's latest engine.
Satisfactory Update 8 Release Date
Satisfactory's update 8 has locked down its experimental branch release date to June 13, 2023. There is no release date yet on when we might expect to see it arriving on the early access branch, although Coffee Stain Studios did say that we should expect it within a couple of weeks as they're currently working on several bug fixes.
"There are more bug fixes coming but we can't give any specific timeframe for each issue at the moment. Hopefully we can have most of the issues resolved to be able to release Update 8 in a couple of weeks." the publisher said on Twitter.
Today (14th November, 2023) marks the surprise launch of the eagerly awaited Update 8 for Satisfactory from Coffee Stain Studios. After extensive testing and iterative improvements on the Experimental branch, this significant update is now available in Early Access, featuring a comprehensive upgrade to Unreal Engine 5.
- Satisfactory update 8 experimental branch release date: June 13, 2023 (experimental branch)
- Satisfactory update 8 early access release date: 14th November 2023
Here's all the details, provided by Coffee Stain Studios:
Unreal Engine 5 and Performance Tuning
Satisfactory Update 8 launches with a significant upgrade to Unreal Engine 5, providing comprehensive reworks and system improvements for a more stable platform for future developments. Post-release on the Experimental branch, Coffee Stain Studios has been diligently optimizing to guarantee stable and high-performance gameplay. With the new era of Satisfactory upon us, players can experience enhanced vehicles and audio, more detailed keybind customization, a breathtaking new lighting system with Global Illumination, and much more.
Power to the People
Pioneers and their factories crave power, and Satisfactory Update 8 delivers just that! The update introduces the innovative Priority Power Switch, a configurable circuit breaker that helps prevent factory shutdowns by cutting off power grids when consumption exceeds production. This tool allows players to manage the power priority of each grid and toggle them on or off as needed.
The Power Tower, also introduced in the Experimental branch, extends the reach of power lines and increases the speed of ziplining along them. Available in two designs, one with a ladder and platform and another with a sleeker appearance, these towers are ready to elevate your power distribution needs.
The Advanced Game Settings Experience
For those who want to push the boundaries of Satisfactory, Advanced Game Settings provide the customization needed for a personalized factory-building journey. These settings can significantly change the gameplay, allowing for Flight Mode, No Build Cost, Starting Tier selection, No Stinger Mode, among other features, offering a tailored experience for all player preferences.
Building in a Sprint with a Blueprint
Blueprints have been updated since their debut with user-friendly improvements, such as directional indicators for holograms and the ability to dismantle blueprints en masse in Dismantle Mode. The new Nudge Mode, applicable to all buildables, gives players the ability to lock holograms in place and move around to confirm positioning. These enhancements, refined with player input from the Experimental branch, promise to streamline factory operations and enhance gameplay.
The transition to Unreal Engine 5 brings with it a new system for world streaming, overhauled vehicle physics and sound, alongside various other visual improvements.
Blueprint improvements, two new hog variants, alongside a set of advanced game settings that allow for greater customization are also now available.
Power management also now comes with more options, thanks to the introduction of the Priority Power Switch and Power Tower.
Gas Pillars can now be destroyed with proper use of the Nobelisk, while the jetpack can use several fuels that have different burn rates and acceleration, making traversal more interesting.
You can learn more about update 8 and its experimental patch notes by reading its dedicated Steam post.
We'll keep an eye out and update this article as soon as we learn more about Satisfactory's update 8 release date as soon as we know more.
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