Factorio Forums

TL;DR

Allow the place_result of an item to vary based on its quality, enabling greater customization of entities through the modding API.

What?

adding functionality to the modding API that enables modders to specify the place_result of an item based on its quality.

Here’s an example of how this might look in the data structure:

item = {
name = "cargo-wagon",
type = "item",
place_result_by_quality_level = {
["0"] = "cargo-wagon", -- Default quality
["1"] = "uncommon-cargo-wagon", -- Uncommon quality
["2"] = "rare-cargo-wagon" -- Rare quality
}
}

Why?

This feature would allowing modders to customize entities in ways that better align with their creative visions. It would also open up new gameplay possibilities:

Create progression systems: Higher-quality entities could provide unique features.
Improve balance: Finer tuning of all performance-related properties across quality tiers would be possible.
Expand modding utility: Unlock more creative applications of item qualities, enriching the modding ecosystem.

Examples:

cargo wagons could correlate quality tiers with inventory size, air resistance, weight, or friction.
quality assembly machine could feature unique textures, animations, or sounds.