PPG Game Of The Year 2024 - 32 - Workflow Automation

Building out production lines and factories that produce things to build more production lines and factories to produce more things is a never ending loop that is as compelling as it is satisfying. Given the fact that Factorio had its first expansion this year after well over a decade of development, and it had such a huge response, it’s safe to say the genre has certainly found its fan base.

The Magical Mixture Mill
Potion Production Automation
A more cozy Factorio style automation engine game all about building a production line for efficient brewing of potions to sell. Capitalism babeeeee

Oddsparks: An Automation Adventure (EA)
Strategic Automation Creator
Build out increasingly complex production lines in a fantasy realm, with the hook being your little Spark helper buddies are the ones doing the heavy lifting (literally).

Mini Settlers (EA)
Minimalistic Flat City Logistics
Kind of a cross between a typical city builder and something like Factorio. 2D top down, but with a focus on building cities rather than just systems.

And The Best Automation Focused Game Of 2024 Is…

Go-Go Town! (EA)
Town Mayor Simulator
Make all the decisions to bring a struggling town back from the brink and become a thriving city / tourist destination. A bit Animal Crossing crossed with Factorio. I think the vibes pulled from the former really give this one an edge, as the addition of side activities help stop the game from falling into the trap of optimization for optimizations sake. A gem that I’m keen to see expanded out more throughout its early access period.