AAI Industries: Factory Optimized

Remove recursive crafting while preserving the progression and engineering philosophy of AAI Industries.

What This Mod Does

Factory Optimized replaces recursive crafting recipes in AAI Industries with representative components that reflect the machine or structure being built.

Rather than requiring the previous tier simply to craft the next one, recipes are redesigned while preserving progression, resource investment, and the engineering feel of the original experience.

This is not an easy-mode or balance overhaul.

Keep the engineering. Remove the busywork.

Features
Removes unnecessary recursive crafting from AAI Industries.
Preserves progression and overall resource investment.
Uses a consistent recipe philosophy across production, logistics, containers, and structures.
Includes optional compatibility for supported mods when they are installed.
Optional Compatibility
AAI Loaders
AAI Containers & Warehouses
Warehousing
Advanced Furnaces 2 SpaceAgeFix
Advanced Chemical Plant
Design Philosophy

Recipes are redesigned according to a consistent set of principles:

Machines use representative technology instead of previous machines.
Logistics equipment uses the transport belt of the same tier where appropriate.
Containers use structural materials instead of previous containers.
Structures retain meaningful physical construction.

The objective is cleaner progression without removing meaningful complexity.

Why I Made This

This began as a personal modification for my own playthrough.

I love AAI Industries, but I found myself frustrated by repeatedly crafting the previous machine simply to build the next one. I wanted to remove that busywork without removing the progression and engineering that made me enjoy AAI Industries in the first place.

After refining and playtesting the project, I decided to share it with anyone who feels the same way.

About This Project

This is my first Factorio mod, and AI was used extensively as a development tool throughout the project.

AI assisted with brainstorming, Lua implementation, code review, project organization, and documentation. Every gameplay change was ultimately reviewed, tested, and approved by me.

Credits
Earendel — Creator of AAI Industries. Published with Earendel's permission.
Thanks to the authors of the optional compatibility mods supported by this project.
AI-assisted development using ChatGPT.
Final design, testing, and approval by FrodoSwaggins.
Feedback

If you find a bug, compatibility issue, or recipe that doesn't feel consistent with the design philosophy, please let me know.

Constructive feedback is always welcome.