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Research: Difference between revisions

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== Basics ==
{{Languages}}
* Research is performed in Laboratories.
[[File:Technology_Screen.png|400px|thumb|The technology screen]]
* Every technology has certain amount of units that are needed to be researched, the logistics 1 technology in the example requires 20 units.
'''Research''' is used to unlock [[technologies]], offering new recipes and bonuses. Research is performed by [[lab|labs]] consuming different types of [[science pack|science packs]].
* Every unit requires certain combination of science packs, these has to be created and transported into the lab before it can start with the research.
* When the laboratory has all the needed ingredients, it starts researching one unit, the time to research the unit varies from technology to technology.
* The more laboratories are researching at the same time, the shorter time it takes to get all the units required.
[[File:research-gui.png]]


== Research Technologies ==
== Mechanics ==


[[File:Advanced-chemistry.png|36px|Advanced Chemistry]] [[Advanced Chemistry]]
In singleplayer games, only one technology can be researched at a time, the same is true for every [[Multiplayer#PvP|force]] (team of players) in a multiplayer game. In multiplayer games with multiple forces, each force has its own technology tree and research status, so different forces can research independently in [[Multiplayer#PvP|PvP]] games.


[[File:Advanced-electronics-2.png|36px|Advanced Electronics 2]] [[:Advanced Electronics 2]]
The technology to be researched is selected from the technology screen, opened by pressing {{Keybinding|T}} ({{Keybinding|ZL|-}} on [[Nintendo Switch version|Nintendo Switch]]). The currently active research can be changed at any time from the technology screen; if another research is in progress, that progress will be saved. Multiple technologies can be partially researched like this at any one time.


== Technology tree ==
Research progress for a technology is divided into ''units''. Each unit has a time and a science pack cost. When research is in progress, labs with the required amount of science packs for one unit will consume the amount and contribute towards research progress.
<imagemap>
 
Image:technology-tree.png|
[[File:res.png|frame|The progress bar shown in the top right corner of the screen when research is in progress]]
rect 540 140 622 222 [[Technology/automation-1]]
 
rect 460 0 542 82 [[Technology/iron-working]]
The time ''T'' it will take to research a particular technology is given by:
rect 40 140 122 222 [[Technology/logistics-1]]
 
rect 400 140 482 222 [[Technology/armor-making-1]]
*<code>T = (T[0] × P) ÷ (L × S)</code> seconds,
rect 540 260 622 342 [[Technology/electronics]]
 
rect 660 400 742 482 [[Technology/automation-2]]
where:
rect 40 260 122 342 [[Technology/logistics-2]]
*'''''T[0]''''' is the time cost per unit (as shown in Research screen)
rect 40 400 122 482 [[Technology/logistics-3]]
*'''''P''''' is the price of the research, in units (as shown in Research screen)
rect 880 0 962 82 [[Technology/chemistry]]
*'''''L''''' is the number of labs used
rect 900 140 982 222 [[Technology/explosives]]
*'''''S''''' is lab speed, which is given by:
rect 780 140 862 222 [[Technology/flammables]]
**<code>(1 + B[r]) × (1 + M[r])</code>, where
rect 780 260 862 342 [[Technology/flame-thrower]]
**'''''B[r]''''' is the total research speed modifier from [[Lab research speed (research)|lab research speed]] research, expressed as a decimal (% value divided by 100); and
rect 860 400 942 482 [[Technology/rocketry]]
**'''''M[r]''''' is the sum of all module effects (Speed modules with <code>+</code> sign, Productivity modules with <code>-</code> sign), expressed as a decimal
rect 540 400 622 482 [[Technology/advanced-electronics-1]]
 
rect 540 540 622 622 [[Technology/advanced-electronics-2]]
''Note that ''P'' represents the research price '''in units''', not in individual science packs summed across all their types. For example, a research that costs 100 [[automation science pack]]s and 100 [[logistic science pack]]s, grouped into 100 units of 1 each of automation and logistic science packs, would have a ''P'' of 100, ''not'' 200.''
rect 540 660 622 742 [[Technology/robotics]]
 
rect 440 540 522 622 [[Technology/flying]]
Unlike most bonus effects, the lab research speed bonus gained from research is ''multiplicative'' with module speed effects, not additive. However, different module effects (Speed vs. Productivity, beacon vs. in-lab) are additive with each other.
rect 540 780 622 862 [[Technology/logistic-robotics]]
 
rect 240 400 322 482 [[Technology/optics]]
=== Automation ===
rect 340 540 422 622 [[Technology/solar-energy]]
[[File:5_5_Labs_R_G_packs.png|400px|thumb|right|A simple lab setup using [[automation science pack]]s and [[logistic science pack]]s, [[belt transport system|belts]], and [[inserters]]]]
rect 240 540 322 622 [[Technology/laser]]
 
rect 280 140 362 222 [[Technology/steel-processing]]
Crafting science packs by hand is not feasible, mainly because of the amount of resources and time needed to craft them. Some science packs also require ingredients that cannot be handcrafted, such as [[oil processing|oil products]]. Science pack production automation is the primary incentive for factory development throughout the game.
rect 400 260 482 342 [[Technology/armor-making-2]]
 
rect 660 140 742 222 [[Technology/military-1]]
The insertion of science packs into labs may be automated using [[inserters]] and [[transport belt]]s, as shown to the right, or using [[robots]] and the [[logistic network]].
rect 660 260 742 342 [[Technology/military-2]]
 
rect 160 140 242 222 [[Technology/turrets]]
Note that inserters can take science packs from labs and hand them to other labs, making a lab chain a feasible solution. Other options include using 3 belts (before space science packs are needed), or a [[Glossary#S|sushi belt]].
rect 180 680 262 762 [[Technology/laser-turrets]]
 
rect 940 520 1022 602 [[Technology/alien-technology]]
=== Research queue ===
rect 600 900 682 982 [[Technology/logistic-robots-storage-1]]
[[File:Research_Screen_Queue.png|400px|thumb|right|The technology screen with some technologies queued.]]
rect 480 900 562 982 [[Technology/logistic-robots-speed]]
The research queue allows players to automatically research more technologies after research finishes. The research queue is by default unlocked when the first rocket is launched. Alternatively it can be unlocked in the map generation settings in the 'advanced' category, or via `/enable-research-queue` console command.
rect 760 820 842 902 [[Technology/rocket-shooting-speed]]
 
rect 900 820 982 902 [[Technology/rocket-damage]]
Once the research queue is enabled, a technology can be added to the queue by pressing the "Start Research" button when it is selected. Double-clicking (Double-pressing {{Keybinding|Y}} or {{Keybinding|A}} on [[Nintendo Switch version|Nintendo Switch]]) or using {{Keybinding|shift|lmb}} ({{Keybinding|ZR|A}} on [[Nintendo Switch version|Nintendo Switch]]) on any research in the tree or the list on the left will also add it to the queue. This is particularly useful to queue prerequisites without focusing them in the technology tree.
rect 360 400 442 482 [[Technology/research-effectivity]]
 
rect 0 540 82 622 [[Technology/automobilism]]
Technologies in the queue are displayed in the upper left corner of the interface. If a technology is added to the queue, the technologies that depend on it may become available to be added to the queue as well and those technologies are displayed in orange. For example adding the [[Logistics_(research)|logistics]] and [[Logistic_science_pack_(research)|logistic science pack]] technologies to the queue allows the technology [[Logistics_2_(research)|logistics 2]] to be queued. The player can reorder the queue at any time.
rect 100 540 182 622 [[Technology/railway]]
 
rect 980 260 1062 342 [[Technology/advanced-chemistry]]  
To remove a technology from the queue, the technology's image must be hovered in the queue display in the upper left corner and the red button that appears must be pressed.
desc none
 
</imagemap>
== Achievements ==
 
{{Achievement|Tech-maniac}}
* Completing infinite technologies of any level is not required for '''Tech maniac'''. All non-infinite levels of technologies that have infinite continuations are still required.
 
== History ==
{{History|1.1.92|
* Added a notification when a technology is researched.
* Added /enable-research-queue console command to enable the research queue without disabling achievements.}}
 
{{History|0.17.0|
* Research UI overhauled.
* Research Queue added.}}
 
{{History|0.15.0|
* Research system overhauled
** There are now 7 science pack types instead of 4, research prices have been changed to compensate.
** Top-tier science pack is no longer obtained by destroying alien nests, but by launching rockets with satellites.
**"Infinite research" mechanic introduced.}}
 
{{History|0.2.0|
* Introduced}}
 
== See also ==
* [[Technologies]]
* [[Science pack]]
 
{{TechNav}}

Latest revision as of 21:22, 21 October 2024

The technology screen

Research is used to unlock technologies, offering new recipes and bonuses. Research is performed by labs consuming different types of science packs.

Mechanics

In singleplayer games, only one technology can be researched at a time, the same is true for every force (team of players) in a multiplayer game. In multiplayer games with multiple forces, each force has its own technology tree and research status, so different forces can research independently in PvP games.

The technology to be researched is selected from the technology screen, opened by pressing T (ZL + - on Nintendo Switch). The currently active research can be changed at any time from the technology screen; if another research is in progress, that progress will be saved. Multiple technologies can be partially researched like this at any one time.

Research progress for a technology is divided into units. Each unit has a time and a science pack cost. When research is in progress, labs with the required amount of science packs for one unit will consume the amount and contribute towards research progress.

The progress bar shown in the top right corner of the screen when research is in progress

The time T it will take to research a particular technology is given by:

  • T = (T[0] × P) ÷ (L × S) seconds,

where:

  • T[0] is the time cost per unit (as shown in Research screen)
  • P is the price of the research, in units (as shown in Research screen)
  • L is the number of labs used
  • S is lab speed, which is given by:
    • (1 + B[r]) × (1 + M[r]), where
    • B[r] is the total research speed modifier from lab research speed research, expressed as a decimal (% value divided by 100); and
    • M[r] is the sum of all module effects (Speed modules with + sign, Productivity modules with - sign), expressed as a decimal

Note that P represents the research price in units, not in individual science packs summed across all their types. For example, a research that costs 100 automation science packs and 100 logistic science packs, grouped into 100 units of 1 each of automation and logistic science packs, would have a P of 100, not 200.

Unlike most bonus effects, the lab research speed bonus gained from research is multiplicative with module speed effects, not additive. However, different module effects (Speed vs. Productivity, beacon vs. in-lab) are additive with each other.

Automation

Crafting science packs by hand is not feasible, mainly because of the amount of resources and time needed to craft them. Some science packs also require ingredients that cannot be handcrafted, such as oil products. Science pack production automation is the primary incentive for factory development throughout the game.

The insertion of science packs into labs may be automated using inserters and transport belts, as shown to the right, or using robots and the logistic network.

Note that inserters can take science packs from labs and hand them to other labs, making a lab chain a feasible solution. Other options include using 3 belts (before space science packs are needed), or a sushi belt.

Research queue

The technology screen with some technologies queued.

The research queue allows players to automatically research more technologies after research finishes. The research queue is by default unlocked when the first rocket is launched. Alternatively it can be unlocked in the map generation settings in the 'advanced' category, or via `/enable-research-queue` console command.

Once the research queue is enabled, a technology can be added to the queue by pressing the "Start Research" button when it is selected. Double-clicking (Double-pressing Y or A on Nintendo Switch) or using SHIFT + Left mouse button (ZR + A on Nintendo Switch) on any research in the tree or the list on the left will also add it to the queue. This is particularly useful to queue prerequisites without focusing them in the technology tree.

Technologies in the queue are displayed in the upper left corner of the interface. If a technology is added to the queue, the technologies that depend on it may become available to be added to the queue as well and those technologies are displayed in orange. For example adding the logistics and logistic science pack technologies to the queue allows the technology logistics 2 to be queued. The player can reorder the queue at any time.

To remove a technology from the queue, the technology's image must be hovered in the queue display in the upper left corner and the red button that appears must be pressed.

Achievements

Tech-maniac-achievement.png Tech maniac

Research all technologies.

  • Completing infinite technologies of any level is not required for Tech maniac. All non-infinite levels of technologies that have infinite continuations are still required.

History

  • 1.1.92:
    • Added a notification when a technology is researched.
    • Added /enable-research-queue console command to enable the research queue without disabling achievements.
  • 0.17.0:
    • Research UI overhauled.
    • Research Queue added.
  • 0.15.0:
    • Research system overhauled
      • There are now 7 science pack types instead of 4, research prices have been changed to compensate.
      • Top-tier science pack is no longer obtained by destroying alien nests, but by launching rockets with satellites.
      • "Infinite research" mechanic introduced.

See also