While high-budget sims like Satisfactory or Factorio often take over the automation conversation, smaller indie titles can also offer a more casual, “zen” approach to production lines. Smart Factory Tycoon is a 2022 release from Turquoise Revival Games, and currently, the publisher GrabTheGames is running a limited-time “free-to-keep” promotion – so anyone can add the full game to their library permanently for $0.00 – thus saving $14.99. The deal is part of a bigger publisher sale and will expire on January 20, 2026, at 10:00 AM PT / 1:00 PM ET.

The game is inspired by the mechanical charm of Little Big Workshop, and it tasks you with designing and running a toy factory operated entirely by robots. You start in a warehouse shell, building dedicated rooms for production and robot maintenance – specifically charging and lubrication stations. The gameplay involves choosing market contracts (from plastic ducks to toy drum sets), purchasing raw materials, and mapping out every technical step of the assembly line. Unlike many factory games, this is an “indoor” tycoon that rewards floor efficiency, robot skill upgrades, and managing fluctuating market prices to avoid a $5,000-debt bankruptcy.

The feedback for the title is currently “Mixed” (68% positive) on Steam. Those who like it, praise the “addictive” nature of watching the robots whizz between machines and the straightforward path to earning all 54 Steam achievements in roughly 11 hours. Conversely, critical reviews say that there’s a “click-heavy” interface and a slow pace that can feel tedious even at 10x speed. However, given the zero-dollar entry price right now, Smart Factory Tycoon is more of a low-risk addition to any library, especially since the developer has a history of regular updates and hotfixes.

Plus, the game is exceptionally lightweight, requiring only 500 MB of disk space and hardware that most modern laptops can easily handle. It’s an ideal candidate for Steam Deck users who want a lower-intensity strategy game, though it does currently lack trading card drops for those who claim it during the free promotion. As of writing, you have roughly 48 hours left to claim Smart Factory Tycoon before the price reverts to $14.99.

Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.

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Anubhav Sharma – Tech Writer – 1335 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2024

Most of my time goes into writing – and somehow it hasn’t stopped being fun yet.
My work mainly revolves around everyday tech, gaming, watches, DIY modding, and the occasional piece on tech-policy chaos when companies and governments clash. I try to keep things simple and honest, without sounding like a product brochure.
I have a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science Engineering and an Associate Degree in English Studies from the College of New Caledonia in British Columbia, Canada.
Away from articles and deadlines, life usually shifts to making music, taking photos, or trying to finish games that should have been completed months ago.