- Primary Loop: Rent your first starter warehouse, purchase a property, mine procedural resources, and process them into sellable products.
- Demo Scope: The ore factory squad demo provides access to the suburban backyard property and early automation tools to test core mechanics.
- Key Equipment: Start with the basic Shovel and quickly upgrade to the Pickaxe to handle tougher underground layers.
- Automation Goal: Link your processing machines with conveyor belts to establish a continuous, hands-free production line.
What is the Ore Factory Squad Demo?
The ore factory squad demo offers players a hands-on introduction to the core gameplay mechanics of the full game, which officially launched on Steam on July 16, 2026. Developed by threeW and published by PlayWay S.A., this simulator blends manual excavation, industrial factory building, and deep logistics management. The demo serves as an excellent sandbox to learn the basic game loops, test hardware performance, and experiment with early-stage automation setups either solo or with up to four players in online co-op.
By downloading the free trial on the Ore Factory Squad Steam Page, you can experience the initial progression milestones without financial commitment. While the demo restricts access to late-game properties and high-tier machinery, the foundational skills you build here carry over directly to the full release.
The demo version remains a great testing ground for players to evaluate co-op connectivity and performance before upgrading to the full game.
Feature Comparison: Demo vs. Full Release
Understanding the boundaries of the demo helps you plan your factory layouts and progression goals. The table below outlines what is available in the trial version compared to the complete industrial experience.
| Feature | Demo Version | Full Version (July 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Max Co-op Players | 1-4 Players | 1-4 Players |
| Available Properties | Suburban Backyard | Backyard, Forest, Construction, Quarry |
| Ores & Resources | Stone, Basic Copper | Stone, Copper, Gold, Diamonds |
| Automation Tools | Basic Conveyor Belts | Conveyors, Palletizers, Robots, Drop Zones |
| Upgrades Available | Early Tier Tools | 40+ Upgrades (Peak Performance) |
| Economy & Contracts | Starter Orders | Negotiated Contracts, Loans, Employees |
Step-by-Step Beginner Walkthrough
Navigating your first hour in the industrial sandbox requires a methodical approach. The early game follows a strict business loop: secure a workspace, buy your first property, dig its procedurally generated underground, process the resources, sell products, and reinvest in stronger tools.
If playing in multiplayer, divide these steps among your squad. Have one player manage warehouse terminals while others focus on underground excavation.
Set Up Your Starter Warehouse
Begin by familiarizing yourself with the warehouse terminals, storage flow, and interaction controls. Finish the opening tutorial tasks before purchasing optional decorations. Keep one clear area designated for raw resources and another for finished products to prevent inventory congestion.
Lease the Suburban Backyard
Purchase your first property, the Suburban Backyard, via the real estate terminal. Treat this property as a unique exploration job; because underground layouts and ore pockets are procedurally generated, resource positions will differ for every player.
Excavate the Shallow Soil Layers
Equip your starter Shovel and head to the dig site. Focus on clearing the soft topsoil to establish a wide, safe descending path. Aim to collect a starting batch of at least 50 raw resources to secure your first wave of working capital.
Process and Sell Your First Batch
Transport your raw resources back to the warehouse. Feed them into your basic unlocked processing machinery to create finished products. Sell these items directly through the sales terminal to secure immediate cash, then reinvest the profits into tool upgrades.
Ores, Mining Tools, and Equipment Progression
Resource extraction is the backbone of your factory. Since ore placement is randomized, efficient mining depends on using the correct tool for each soil density. Deeper layers yield more valuable minerals but require powered equipment to extract.
Always dig tunnels wide enough to carry resources back to the surface. Narrow, twisting vertical shafts make manual hauling incredibly slow and inefficient.
Early Game Ore and Resource Values
The value of your cargo increases significantly as you move from raw dirt to refined metals. Use the table below to prioritize your excavation targets.
| Resource | Primary Depth | Extraction Tool | Processing Method | Market Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone | Shallow Layers | Shovel / Pickaxe | Direct Sale / Construction | Low |
| Copper | Mid Layers | Pickaxe / Jackhammer | Smelter Refining | Medium |
| Gold | Deep Layers | Jackhammer / Dynamite | Advanced Refinery | High |
| Diamond | Deepest Layers | Jackhammer / Dynamite | Direct High-Value Sale | Very High |
Mining Tools and Equipment Progression
Upgrading your gear is the fastest way to resolve bottlenecks. Transitioning from manual tools to heavy machinery dramatically reduces excavation times.
| Tool | Unlock Requirement | Best Use Case | Efficiency Rating | Strategy Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shovel | Starter Equipment | Soft topsoil clearing | ★☆☆☆☆ | Replace as soon as tough soil layers appear |
| Pickaxe | Early Progression | Hard soil and shaped tunnels | ★★☆☆☆ | Use to carve clean pathing routes |
| Jackhammer | Mid-Game Upgrade | Rapid clearing of dense stone | ★★★★☆ | Buy when processing machines sit idle |
| Dynamite | Advanced License | Clearing cave barriers | ★★★★★ | Ideal for opening hidden Forest caves |
| Mining Lift | Logistics Upgrade | Vertical resource transport | ★★★★★ | Place at central vertical shafts |
Factory Layout and Automation Strategies
A successful factory moves materials in a single direction: from raw storage, through processing machines, into finished-product handling, and finally to the delivery gate. Poorly planned layouts lead to blocked machine inputs and idle production lines.
Never crowd your machines. Leave clear walking lanes around inputs and outputs so that pallets and forklifts can move freely without halting production.
The Linear Starter Layout
- Best For: Early game and demo limits.
- Concept: Align machines in a straight line from raw input to output pallet.
- Advantage: Easy to monitor and requires minimal conveyor investments.
The Split Smelter Layout
- Best For: Multi-recipe processing.
- Concept: Split a single raw feed into two separate machine lanes.
- Advantage: Maximizes throughput when processing multiple ore types.
The Automated Loop
- Best For: Late-game scaling.
- Concept: Connect palletizers, drop zones, and warehouse robots.
- Advantage: Eliminates manual hauling, allowing players to focus entirely on mining.
Automation Pipeline and Bottleneck Prevention
To build an efficient automated factory, implement your upgrades in stages. The table below details the ideal setup sequence to keep materials moving.
| Stage | Automation Component | Primary Function | Common Bottleneck | Corrective Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Conveyor Belts | Moves items between machines | Tight 90-degree turns | Use straight runs and clear corners |
| 2 | Palletizer | Groups finished items onto pallets | Full output zones | Clear finished pallets regularly |
| 3 | Drop Zones | Designates pickup areas | Mixed inventory types | Dedicate zones to specific items |
| 4 | Warehouse Robots | Transports pallets automatically | Blocked travel lanes | Keep forklift paths clear of debris |
Progression Checklist and Achievements
Whether you are playing the trial or diving into the full game, tracking your milestones keeps your business on path. Focus on completing early achievements to optimize your workflow and prepare for larger contracts.
Prioritize upgrades that improve your slowest loop. Focus on mining speed first, factory capacity second, and logistics automation third.
Early Game Milestones:
- Purchase your first property to unlock the Landlord milestone.
- Mine 50 raw resources to secure early working capital.
- Place your first conveyor belt to initiate basic automation.
- Complete your first company contract to earn steady revenue.
- Repay your starter bank loan to achieve financial freedom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Review these common community questions regarding performance, co-op setups, and progression resets.
Q: Does progress from the Ore Factory Squad demo carry over to the full game?
Yes, early progression saves generally carry over to the full release, allowing you to continue building your industrial empire without restarting.
Q: How many players can play together in the demo?
The demo supports full online co-op for up to four players, using the same regional server browser and voice chat systems as the full game.
Q: What should I do if my warehouse robots stop moving pallets?
Ensure that your drop zones are not congested and that the path between the palletizer and the storage zone is completely clear of loose items, vehicles, or players.
Q: How do I unlock the Forest and Construction properties?
These advanced properties require purchasing licenses through the progression terminal in the full version of the game after earning sufficient capital from contracts.