Stickied by scio
It has come to my attention that a number of people involved in projects that pertain to the Society Stages are relatively in the dark about how Research works in gameplay. As such, i've decided to make this thread in order to educate y'all.
Q. Can you clear up the terminology that pertains to Research and the Tech Editor?
A. The following definitions should help in your understanding of the concepts surrounding Research and the Tech Editor.
Research - This is a major breakthrough by your people. Researches can be thought of as technologies in other games, however the word technology or tech is too similar to Tech Object, and could more easily lead to confusion.
Invention - This is a minor, more specific breakthrough by your people. Inventions spring off of Researches. For instance, the Research Athletics leads to the Inventions of Combat Sports, Field Sports, Team Sports and Water Sports. Not all civilisations will invent all of these types of sports, thus Inventions help to diversify nations.
Tech Object - Something used by the people to perform or help perform a task. Tech Objects can be anything from weapons to buildings to spaceships. Tech objects are created by the player in the Tech Editor or selected from premade Tech Objects and run through some manner of evolution algorithm that is yet to be determined. Tech Objects are granted abilities through their construction and Function Parts and are given tags by the player or AI in order to show what they should be used for. This will stop the AI trying to go to sea on a furnace.
Function Part - Something that adds function or abilities to a Tech Object. Think of a car. The Function Parts in a car would be the engine, wheels, axles, fuel container and control mechanisms. The rest of the car is simply structural or aesthetical, but do not add function or abilities to the car. Function Parts are included in the game to allow for objects that are too complex for players to create or for the Tech Editor engine to understand to be included in Tech Objects. There will need to be a variety of Function Parts, and they will need to be able to be textured with different materials and have shape and size changes applicable to them.
Levelling - Levelling up a Research or invention is where the player improves the technologies or discoveries they have made. The related Function Parts will become more efficient, powerful, durable or otherwise improved for their purpose. Related bonuses to SCs or nations will be increased.
Research Points - Research Points are used by the game to know when a Research or Invention will be discovered. Researches and Inventions will be discovered when the player reaches a certain quota of Research Points or by chance after a slightly lower quota.
Q. How does the player produce Research Points?
A. The player can produce Research Points towards Researches or Inventions associated with different Tech Objects by using said Tech Objects. More hardcore players may also wish to select what areas the Researcher Specialist of each Society Centre focuses on, thus producing Research Points to a specific area. If not told selected, the Researchers will focus on the Researches that the player uses the most. Research Points can also be acquired by encountering technology that uses a Research that is not yet discovered by your nation. Prior to the creation of Society Centres, the player can select individual people and order them to examine certain resources, Tech Objects or themselves, giving Research Points to the associated areas.
So these two questions should answer most of the basics. If you have any more question, please let us know. Also, Tenebrarum and CommanderKeen, if you've spotted any issues with the answers i've given please let me know below. I read through the related threads before i started this, but i may have had some ideas in my head that i haven't talked through with you guys.