Native ARM64 Linux Support
The Factorio development team has ported the game to native ARM64 Linux, a move driven by the release of the Steam Frame. The update allows the game to run without relying on x86 emulation layers like FEX. Because the developers statically link their dependencies, they do not require the steamrt runtime for execution, but Steam platform policies mandate targeting specific runtime versions. Since steamrt 1.0 lacks ARM64 support and only steamrt 4.0 includes it, the game was upgraded to target steamrt 4.0 to enable this functionality.
Steam Frame Compatibility
The Steam Frame utilizes the same SteamOS Devkit Client software as the Steam Deck and Steam Machine, allowing developers to test on the hardware by enabling developer mode. The development team successfully booted Factorio on the Steam Frame for the first time in February 2026. The Steam Frame represents an opportunity for ARM64 Linux computing to become more mainstream.
Performance Metrics
On the Steam Frame, Factorio runs with graphics settings identical to those on the Steam Deck, rendering at a resolution of 720p. The game maintains 60 FPS in the majority of cases, though performance dips slightly during busy scenes. On the CPU side, the native ARM64 build demonstrates approximately 11% faster performance compared to the x86 build running via FEX.
Build Process Changes
The porting effort streamlined the Linux cross-compilation process for ARM64. The developers reduced the build steps to two commands: running 'create-sysroot arm64' to generate the sysroot using debootstrap, and then running 'arch=arm64 build' to compile the game.
SteamRT Version Upgrade Requirement
The native ARM64 port necessitated an upgrade from SteamRT 1.0 to SteamRT 4.0, as the older version lacks ARM64 support entirely. Although Factorio statically links its dependencies and does not technically require SteamRT to function, platform policies prevent developers from opting out of the runtime requirement. Consequently, the team had to target the newer SteamRT 4.0 standard to enable the game on this architecture. This technical shift aligns with the broader opportunity for ARM64 Linux computing to become more mainstream, driven by hardware like the Steam Frame. SteamRT 1.0 does not have an ARM64 version, but SteamRT 4.0 received an update to support ARM64; the performance of the native ARM64 build is about 11% faster than the x86 build running via FEX.
Biter Group Size and Spawn Adjustments
Group size increases with the evolution factor, and is modified dependent on the map generator biter base size. The map generator now determines base sizes, with initial bases starting smaller at 10 instead of 20, while still scaling to a maximum size of 80. When dispatching an expansion group, the game selects a random number between these minimum and maximum values. Additionally, a bug causing groups to settle too close to factory walls was fixed in version 2.1.13. A developer update states that there was a bug causing the groups to settle a little bit too close to the factory walls, which was fixed for 2.1.13.