Ore Factory Squad Gameplay: Starter Guide & Automation Tips - Media

Ore Factory Squad Gameplay: Starter Guide & Automation Tips

Master Ore Factory Squad gameplay with our guide on mining, factory automation, and maximizing profits through contracts and robotics in 2026.

2026-07-18
ore factory squad Wiki Team
Quick Guide
  • Ore Factory Squad gameplay focuses on a hybrid loop of manual digging and complex factory automation.
  • Initial progression requires manual mining with shovels and pickaxes to fund your first stone crushers.
  • Automation is essential for scaling, as machines like forming presses and conveyors handle high-volume contracts.
  • Warehouse robots unlock at level 4, significantly reducing the manual labor of moving pallets.
  • Economic survival depends on negotiating property prices and fulfilling high-reward contracts rather than just selling raw stock.

Ore Factory Squad Gameplay Fundamentals

Mastering the early stages of ore factory squad gameplay requires a balance between exploration and industrial setup. Players begin in a basic garage environment where they must establish their corporate identity and purchase their first mining property. The core loop involves traveling to a dig site, extracting raw minerals, and returning them to your factory for processing. Unlike traditional mining simulators, this title emphasizes the physical layout of your dig site, requiring you to navigate around underground utility lines and manage vertical space effectively.

Video Highlights:

  • Initial Setup: How to activate your garage, customize your character, and negotiate your first property purchase.
  • Mining Mechanics: Effective use of the Ore Detector and shovel to locate valuable clay and limestone.
  • First Factory Line: Setting up a Stone Crusher and using pallets to organize output.
  • Logistics: A look at truck transport and basic forklift operation for pallet management.
FeatureDescriptionImportance
Ore DetectorHandheld device used to ping underground mineral depositsHigh
Property NegotiationThe ability to lower the purchase price of new dig sitesMedium
Pallet SystemUsed to stack and transport processed blocks to the delivery gateHigh
Truck TransportPrimary method for moving large quantities of ore between sitesHigh
ContractsSpecific orders from companies that offer higher rewards than stock salesHigh
Pro Tip

When using the Ore Detector, pay attention to the distance meter. If the distance remains static while you dig, you are likely digging parallel to the vein rather than toward it.

Mining Tools and Equipment Progression

In the beginning, your efficiency is limited by basic tools. Progression in ore factory squad gameplay is tied to your experience level, which unlocks superior equipment. The transition from a shovel to a pickaxe marks a significant increase in mining speed, allowing you to break harder mineral nodes that are impenetrable during the tutorial phase. Managing your stamina and inventory space is crucial, as a full backpack requires a trip back to the surface or the use of a lift system.

Shovel (Starter)

  • Low damage to hard nodes
  • Best for soft soil and clay
  • Free starter equipment

Pickaxe (Level 2)

  • High damage to minerals
  • Faster extraction speed
  • Costs $300 to unlock

Jackhammer (Level 7)

  • Maximum efficiency
  • Rapidly clears large areas
  • High stamina consumption
ToolUnlock LevelCostPrimary Use
Shovel1$0Basic soil removal
Pickaxe2$300Breaking ore nodes
Backpack Upgrade2$500Increases slots from 50 to 60
Dynamite4$600Large scale excavation
Ore Detector1$0Locating specific minerals
Hazard Warning

Be extremely careful when digging near gray pipes. These are underground power lines. Hitting them with a pickaxe will result in an electrical shock, causing health damage and temporary stun.

Factory Automation and Processing Lines

Automation is the heart of ore factory squad gameplay. Once raw materials like limestone, clay, or sandstone are brought back to the factory, they must be processed into value-added products. The Stone Crusher is your first industrial machine, turning raw ore into blocks. As you progress, you will integrate Forming Presses to create complex items like cement, gravestones, and bricks. Efficient factory design utilizes conveyors and splitters to route materials without manual intervention.

1

Sorting and Input

Place raw ore into the Sorting Output machine. This acts as your primary storage and feeds materials into the conveyor system.

2

Crushing and Processing

Route ore into a Stone Crusher. Set the recipe (e.g., Limestone Blocks) to begin the transformation process.

3

Secondary Forming

For advanced items like Cement, route the blocks from the Stone Crusher into a Forming Press.

4

Palletization

Place a pallet at the end of the line. The processed items will automatically stack until the pallet reaches its 150-unit limit.

MachineInput MaterialOutput ProductCost
Stone CrusherRaw Ore (Limestone, Clay)Blocks (Limestone, Clay)$450
Forming PressBlocksBricks, Cement, Slabs$800
Sorting OutputRaw OreOrganized Storage$300
Conveyor BeltAny ProductAutomated Transport$10/segment
SplitterAny ProductMulti-route Distribution$25
Automation Success

By using a Splitter, you can feed one Sorting Output into two separate Stone Crushers, doubling your production speed for high-volume contracts.

Property Layers and Resource Management

Each property in Ore Factory Squad is divided into distinct layers: Surface, Mid, and Deep. As you dig deeper, the color of the soil changes from brown to gray, indicating you have entered the Mid or Deep layers. Resource distribution varies significantly between these layers. While clay is often found in the upper and middle sections, rare minerals like gold or diamonds require deep excavation. Navigating these depths requires the installation of ladders and lifts to transport both the player and the extracted ore back to the truck.

LayerSoil ColorCommon ResourcesRare Resources
SurfaceBrownSoil, Stone, Basic ClayNone
Mid LayerLight GrayLimestone, Sandstone, CoalCopper, Iron
Deep LayerDark Gray/BlackHard Stone, Scrap MetalGold, Diamonds, Titanium

Mining Site Milestones:

  • Locate the first Clay vein using the Ore Detector
  • Install a ladder system for vertical access
  • Reach the Mid Layer (Gray Soil)
  • Clear all utility line hazards
  • Extract 250 units to fill the truck capacity
Resource Tip

If you find Scrap Metal or Antiques while digging, these cannot be processed in your factory. Take Antiques to the Pawn Shop and Scrap Metal to the Recycling Center for quick cash.

Economy: Contracts, Sales, and Logistics

The economy in ore factory squad gameplay is more than just selling rocks. Players must manage cash flow to cover equipment costs, property taxes, and employee wages. There are two primary ways to make money: Stock Sales and Contracts. Stock Sales provide immediate liquidity but prices drop as you oversaturate the market. Contracts require specific quantities and types of processed goods but offer significantly higher payouts and speed bonuses.

Stock Sales

  • Pros: Instant money, no time limit.
  • Cons: Lower profit margins, price decreases with high supply.
  • Best for: Clearing out excess inventory.

Contracts

  • Pros: High payouts, negotiation bonuses, XP gains.
  • Cons: Strict time limits, requires specific processing.
  • Best for: Primary income and leveling up.
Logistics OptionCapacityUnlock LevelBest Use
Manual Carrying50-60 Units1Early game, small veins
Forklift1 Pallet1Moving finished goods to the truck
Warehouse Robot1 Pallet4Fully automated internal transport
Mining Lift1 Crate3Vertical ore transport from deep holes
Financial Risk

Negotiating contracts can increase your profit, but pushing too hard may cause the client to withdraw the offer. Always aim for a 10-15% increase over the base price.

Advanced Gameplay and FAQ

As your operation grows, ore factory squad gameplay shifts from manual labor to management. You will eventually hire miners to work offsite plots, providing a steady stream of iron and coal while you focus on high-tier manufacturing in your main warehouse. Multiplayer coordination is the ultimate way to play, with one player managing the deep-pit excavation while others handle the complex conveyor routing and logistics back at the base.

ActivityBenefitRecommendation
Multiplayer4x Mining SpeedHighly Recommended
Gambling (Slots)Potential Cash BoostAvoid unless excess funds
Pawn ShopSells AntiquesEssential for bonus cash
Employee HiringPassive Resource IncomeBest for late-game scaling
Final Advice

Always keep a spare pallet near your Stone Crusher. If a machine finishes a cycle and has no pallet to output to, the items will scatter on the floor, requiring tedious manual cleanup.

Q: How do I get out of a deep hole if I didn't build a staircase?

You can use the 'E' key to climb ladders if you have installed them, or use the jump physics to navigate small ledges. In extreme cases, you can dig a temporary spiral staircase into the walls of the pit.

Q: Can I automate the transport between the dig site and the factory?

No, the transport between the property and the factory must be done via the truck. However, once the ore is at the factory, robots and conveyors can handle everything else.

Q: What happens if I hit a power line in Ore Factory Squad?

Hitting a power line causes an electrical shock that damages your character and briefly interrupts your mining. It does not permanently break the town's power, but it is a significant hazard.

Q: Is there a limit to how many players can join a session?

Yes, Ore Factory Squad currently supports up to 4 players in a single cooperative session.