Star Factory

Star Factory is an idle space game where you run a sun like an engine. Collectors in orbit gather stars on their own, but the real output comes from pushing the sun harder than it wants to go. The hotter it runs, the more it makes, right up to the moment everything shuts down. Good play is about riding that edge and choosing the right second to let go. Stars are in-game only. They cannot be bought, cashed out or exchanged for anything.

How to play

• Press and hold the sun to push it. Heat climbs, and output rises to three times normal at full heat.
• Let go and heat stays put for a moment, then cools.
• If heat reaches 100%, the collectors overheat. They stop for seven seconds and half your supernova charge is lost.
• Running hot charges the supernova. When it is ready, tap the Supernova button.
• A supernova clears all heat and pays out based on how hot you are. Fire at 90% heat or more for double.
• Spend stars on five tiers of collectors. They keep working while you are away, for up to two hours.

Tips

Do not hold all the time. Short pushes keep heat in the top half of the gauge, which is where the supernova charges quickly. Once the button lights up, climb into the gold band on the gauge and fire. The heat pauses briefly after you let go, so you have time to reach the button. On a keyboard, hold the space bar to push, press N for a supernova and keys 1 to 5 to buy.