The automation and factory-building genre, popularized by titans like Factorio, is about to get a new and deeply intriguing entry. Announced during the PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted 2025, Substructure is a multiplayer automation game that promises the familiar satisfaction of complex logistics with a chilling, Lovecraftian twist. Developed by UK-based Dubious Design and published by Hooded Horse, the game represents the evolution of a popular mod into a full-fledged, standalone experience.
Key Information Table
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Developer | Dubious Design |
| Publisher | Hooded Horse |
| Genre | Multiplayer Automation/Factory Building |
| Inspiration | Spiritual successor to the UltraCube Factorio mod |
| Key Mechanic | Dual-layer building (surface & subterranean worlds connected by elevators) |
| Player Mode | Single-player and cooperative multiplayer |
| Mod Support | Confirmed for launch |
| Announcement Date | December 4, 2025 (PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted) |
| Current Status | No release date announced; available to wishlist on Steam |
| Setting | A mysterious alien planetoid at the edge of the solar system |
From Mod to Mainstage: The Origins of Substructure
The journey to Substructure began not in a traditional studio, but within the vibrant modding community of Factorio. The developer behind Dubious Design is the creator of UltraCube, a highly-regarded Factorio mod known for its unique focus on optimizing a single, critical power source rather than endless expansion. This pedigree suggests a deep understanding of what makes automation games compelling. Now, with the backing of a publisher known for titles like Manor Lords, the studio is applying that expertise to create a spiritual successor that stands on its own. The transition from modder to developer highlights a growing trend where community passion and innovation are being recognized and elevated to commercial projects.
A Game of Two Worlds: Surface Automation and Subterranean Horror
Substructure's core premise immediately sets it apart. Players are part of an expedition to a mysterious interstellar body that has appeared at the edge of our solar system. The initial goal is one of scientific curiosity and potential threat assessment. On the surface, the game delivers the expected automation bliss: building sprawling networks of conveyors, processing resources, and managing production chains across sunny, scrubland biomes. However, the game's defining mechanic and narrative hook lie beneath the crust. Grandiose elevator shafts allow players to delve into a vast, dimly-lit subterranean world of eerie fungal forests and alien architecture. This creates a dynamic two-layer puzzle, where resources and challenges found in the depths must be integrated with the systems on the surface.
The Unknown Awaits: Co-op Exploration and Emergent Threats
While the game can be played solo, Substructure is built with cooperative multiplayer in mind. The reveal trailer hints that the subterranean world is not just a resource depot but home to unknown terrors and forgotten horrors. Disturbing this alien ecosystem through industrial expansion may awaken slumbering threats, adding a layer of tension and potential combat to the logistical puzzle. This blend of peaceful automation and lurking danger promises a unique rhythm, where moments of calm optimization can be shattered by emergent events from the abyss below. The studio has confirmed that modding support will be available from day one, ensuring the community can continue to shape and expand this dual-world experience.
A Promising Future with Details Still Subsurface
As of early December 2025, Substructure does not have a confirmed release date or window. The announcement serves as a first look and a call for wishlists on Steam. The involvement of Hooded Horse as publisher provides a mark of credibility, suggesting the project has the resources needed for a polished launch. For fans of Factorio, Satisfactory, and Dyson Sphere Program, Substructure represents a fascinating new direction, marrying deep logistical gameplay with atmospheric horror and cooperative exploration. It is a game to watch for anyone who finds beauty in a perfectly efficient factory, especially one built on the edge of a terrifying unknown.