Tech Trees Suck

[Lord]

Don't they? Almost every game has them. Does this one really need it?

What does it add for us here? Certainly not a progressive advancement tree. We've already got a natural "equipment tech tree" in that you need to build one thing in order to build another (which is better and *far* more realistic than a boring "research" based tech tree anyway).

Certainly it doesn't give us realism either - it's hard to think of a more unrealistic way to do "research".

Anyone else feel that addition should probably be scrapped? Or at least kept permanently as an optional feature?

[zamolxis]

I personally like tech trees; it helps me set goals for myself and also doing the research itself gives you a bit of a grind, something extra to do. Otherwise I have a hard time to just build stuff for the sake of building, having a final goal and some intermediate steps to guide you (like the tech tree) really helps my gaming experience.

Keeping the tech tree optional I think it's best of both worlds and a lot of other popular games do it (like Kerbal Space Program)

[Lord]

I just can't see the value - if others do that's fine, but hopefully then it'll at least be optional.

[Rocket]

I often look through the "refund reasons" and a big one is a lack of purpose and direction. I agree in principle, a tech tree is a fairly artificial construct put on top of existing game content. However for some people, who maybe will want to spend about 50-100 hours on the game max, want some direction and structure applied for them. For this "mid range" user the tech tree helps out.

It provides a broader meta objective during a play session. I'd argue factorio is a good example of the tech tree padding out the experience in a positive way.

I know we had discussed having it as an optional feature before; I can't remember the end outcome though. It will be pretty easy for us to provide the option to unlock everything and not use the tech tree, same as KSP provides this option.

[Lord]

If it works for people and grows the community, so be it. Different play styles I guess. For me, it's engineering & building challenges that get me into the game. You see a screencap (or even some of those loading screens in the game), and it can inspire you to try a new base design idea.

I do see the need for more direction and long term goals in the game, but I hope it doesn't end with yet another tech tree as the primary focus. Ship construction and travel would be a big one, but I know travel poses some tough technical challenges in a game like this and that won't be solved easily.

I disable the KSP tech tree too. :)

[GodsFavoriteAnt]

I think what I dislike about the tech tree is it is much like Factorio's, which is just a resource sync that gates other content. What if we instead would research an item we make, with a resource and with that potentially unlock upgrades to that item or new items in that item's branch? That still gives it a cost, but gives that sense of progression in a more believable manner. Also, it makes the research bench valuable beyond the tech tree in that you can keep trying to make your recipes more efficient (obviously there needs to be caps).

[Orici Vintarion]

on the good side i would mention that finally we can use up ores instead of hoarding them like some squirrel hides nuts

[Tux]

Originally posted by rocket2guns:

I often look through the "refund reasons" and a big one is a lack of purpose and direction. I agree in principle, a tech tree is a fairly artificial construct put on top of existing game content. However for some people, who maybe will want to spend about 50-100 hours on the game max, want some direction and structure applied for them. For this "mid range" user the tech tree helps out.

It provides a broader meta objective during a play session. I'd argue factorio is a good example of the tech tree padding out the experience in a positive way.

I know we had discussed having it as an optional feature before; I can't remember the end outcome though. It will be pretty easy for us to provide the option to unlock everything and not use the tech tree, same as KSP provides this option.

The only reason my favorite tech tree in a game is Space Engineers is because I can turn it off. I hope such an option could work in the game context

[Tasolth]

So far the options have been highly malleable. I don't see why the research system would be any different in practice.

[Norseman]

I understand those who want it, but it is all about fiddling with systems and make it work for me personally. So please make it an optional thing if implemented ;)