I can't research 3D graphics beyond V1 for some reason!

[Larry the Cacodemon]

Its almost the PS3 era and I still have only V1 3D graphics!

I heard that you have to make some 3D games before you can research higher level 3D graphics, is this true?

Also, in TH's wtf is of the game I could research things like joypads at the start of the game but I had no such option. A bug?

[Sol]

Tech Level.

You may notice when you release a game, each area of skill has a tech level, and each Graphic has its own as well. There is one for "Graphics" in general, and a second one for 3D Version Whatever.

Each Version is its own "Tech", so if you release enough games to get 3D Graphics Version 1 to Tech Level 5 and you unlock 3D Graphics V2, you will have Version 1 at Tech Level 5, and Version 2 at Tech Level 1. This "reset" will cause you to take a score hit because less beakers are going to your game.

The best way to prepare is to create a high graphics game, and trash it instead of releasing it.

[Larry the Cacodemon]

This is completely stupid. Why would you have to order your deve teams to spend lots of extremely valuable time and money creating entire games with old graphics just to get access to new ones? It doesn't make any sense. It should be possible to just research new tech the moment it is unlocked. I hope this can be modded.

[One Old Soldier]

Originally posted by hakkarin:

This is completely stupid. Why would you have to order your deve teams to spend lots of extremely valuable time and money creating entire games with old graphics just to get access to new ones? It doesn't make any sense. It should be possible to just research new tech the moment it is unlocked. I hope this can be modded.

The reasoning behind this is simple, leveling the tech of certain features (Graphics/sound and others) implies your company is learning how to improve on these features; much in the same way a person learns new ways to improve their physical excercises or learns more efficient patterns of working.

Let me give another example to help clarify this a bit more (i'm not saying your simpleminded, this is just to explain for others out there), i'll use a hobby I enjoy just as much as gaming, shooting. lets say you've joined the military or have taken up competition shooting. When you first begin you will have an instructor in the former or likely hire an instructor in the latter. As time goes on, after countless hours and rounds of ammunition you find newer; more efficient ways of reloading, or hitting your target using methods or technologies your instructor didn't tell you about. As you get more comfortable over time you may use those new means to improve your skill, or simply hone the ones you already have, signified in this game by the tech level for each feature.

[Sol]

I am not sure if you are understanding me.

Making games increases "Tech Level" for different attributes based on how sliders were allocated during design and other factors. There is one Tech Level for Graphics.

There is also one for 3D Graphics V1, one for 3D Graphics V2, etc.

You normally unlock the "next one" by getting the current one to Tech Level 3 or 5 and even higher.

So, you have a choice. Do you immediately jump over and start at a lower tech level? You eventually have to and when you do, it will lower your score because of a lower tech level. Or, do you keep getting Tech Level up from 3D Graphics V3 until it hits Tech level 9?

I suggest that you release some games at the higher level, a "you earned it!" reward. This is where you get good score games. This can also get you some points for your other Tech Levels.

When you are ready for the next Graphics Tech, prepare to trash a few small or maybe even a medium game to get your Tech Level 1-2 times before actually releasing one.