Planetary Pacification

Planetary Pacification adds a hidden alien megastructure to Nauvis: the Conduit.

Somewhere far from the crash site, an ancient biological machine anchors the planet’s hostile hive network. The Conduit is heavily defended, difficult to locate, and protected by a large organic hive complex. Destroying it allows the player to pacify the planet, either by removing all enemies or by removing nests and worms only, depending on the selected setting.

This mod is designed as a late-game exploration, intelligence, and assault objective. It gives players a reason to push beyond the factory perimeter and mount a deliberate campaign against a powerful planetary target.

Features

• Adds one hidden Conduit objective to Nauvis.
• Generates the Conduit far from spawn.
• Surrounds the Conduit with a large organic hive complex.
• Adds maximum-threat Conduit-associated spawners.
• Uses custom animated Conduit graphics and emission layers.

• Adds configurable pacification behaviour:

• Remove all enemies.

• Remove nests and worms only.
• Adds configurable Conduit health scaling.
• Adds progressive orbital intelligence mechanics.
• Adds candidate search zones, false-positive anomaly zones, and primary signal isolation.
• Supports standalone discovery through exploration.
• Supports optional integration with Orbital Map Uplink.

Orbital Intelligence

Planetary Pacification includes a progressive scan system for locating the Conduit.

Rather than revealing the exact Conduit position immediately, orbital intelligence narrows the search over multiple scans. Early scans detect weak biological anomalies. Later scans identify the general region, reveal possible signal zones, eliminate false positives, and eventually isolate the primary Conduit signal.

This is intended to make the discovery process feel like intelligence gathering rather than a direct map marker.

Optional Orbital Map Uplink Integration

Planetary Pacification can be played on its own, but it is designed to work especially well with my companion mod:

Orbital Map Uplink

Orbital Map Uplink adds a satellite-based reconnaissance network built around Radar Centers and Radio Stations. When both mods are installed, valid satellite-based scans from Orbital Map Uplink can advance Planetary Pacification’s Conduit discovery system.

The integration is optional. Planetary Pacification does not require Orbital Map Uplink, and Orbital Map Uplink does not require Planetary Pacification.

If you want a fuller reconnaissance-based discovery loop, consider downloading Orbital Map Uplink alongside this mod.

Balance and Gameplay Intent

The Conduit is not intended to be an early-game objective.

It is placed far from the starting area and protected by a dangerous hive cluster. The player should need to expand, scout, prepare logistics, build military capability, and commit to a proper assault before attempting to destroy it.

The mod is aimed at players who want a clear planetary endgame objective beyond simply clearing nests manually.

Future Plans: The Resonator

A future update is planned around a new system currently referred to as the Resonator.

The Resonator is intended to expand the Conduit gameplay loop beyond simple discovery and destruction. The current design direction is to make it a late-game structure or system connected to Conduit signal interaction, orbital intelligence, or planetary pacification mechanics.

The exact gameplay implementation is still under development, but the broad intention is for the Resonator to become a meaningful next step in the Planetary Pacification system rather than a cosmetic addition.

The Resonator is not included in v0.3.0.

Inspiration

This mod was inspired by community discussion around the idea of a planet-scale alien hive network and the possibility of a central structure whose destruction could pacify a hostile world.

Special thanks to the Reddit discussion and comments that helped inspire the concept, including contributions from:

• lilSalty
• Fourkey
• JDGallagher

Original discussion:
https://www.reddit.com/r/factorio/comments/1u4hnz4/im_assuming_its_normal_to_get_20fps_on_a_base/

Compatibility

• Factorio 2.0 compatible.
• Space Age supported but not required.
• Orbital Map Uplink supported but not required.
• Designed to remain standalone.
• Existing pacification settings remain configurable.

Notes

Planetary Pacification is intended to create a stronger sense of planetary threat, discovery, and final assault. The Conduit is not just another nest. It is the heart of the planetary hive network.

Find it. Prepare properly. Destroy it. Pacify the planet.

Feedback welcome :)