I like the cover graphic.

The last point seems like a premature optimization. I doubt that dynamically-allocated std::map is any faster than whatever partially-compile-time mechanism is being used by C++ compiler behind the scenes to handle virtual polymorphism. Besides, I think you've missed an important point of a factory, which is to encode some object configuration within the factory class. You can have a bullet factory for a game, which is configured to create either red or grey bullets. Then you insert the red bullet factory to a LaserGun and the other one to a BallisticGun . You kind of did this with the Point2D / Point3D example but I don't think you've made it explicit enough. Other than that, great introductory article. Keep going!