Technology / Research System

Ludic Organisational Structure · V – Developmental Order production · Tipping potential: high

Technology/Research ties development to prerequisites: advanced technologies presuppose basic ones. The system rewards long-term planning and creates asymmetric play experiences through different research directions.

Design question – How do agents in your game acquire new abilities through targeted investment in knowledge?

Reference example – Civilization: no Iron Working without Bronze Working – the tech tree demands planning. Through the Ages: new ages bring better technologies, which are first researched and then built. StarCraft: only certain buildings unlock stronger units and upgrades.

Ordering domain

Orders the acquisition of abilities through prerequisite-bound development.

Emergent behaviour

technological paradigm shifts, specialization divergence and the tech race for key technologies.

Core Mechanisms

• Progression (MEC-15) – Unlock thresholds → new abilities.
• Selection (MEC-07) – Choose the research direction.
• Construction (MEC-05) – Build up the tech tree.

Dynamic Mechanisms

• Investment (MEC-21) – Invest resources in research.
• Conversion (MEC-03) – Research input → technology output.
• Production (MEC-01) – new technologies enable new production.
• Revelation (MEC-18) – unknown technologies become visible.

Feedback architecture

• positive – Research efficiency: research → technology → efficiency → more research resources. (Investment)
• negative – Opportunity cost: research costs resources that are then missing for production/combat. (Conversion)

Design parameters

• Tree structure – linear (one track) ↔ free (network)
• Exclusivity – all paths researchable ↔ only one (permanent decision)
• Research cost – constant ↔ escalating
• Visibility – whole tree known ↔ hidden
• Interactivity – isolated ↔ technology transfer

Risk profile

• Runaway leader – high
• Kingmaking – medium
• Stagnation – high
• Complexity ceiling – medium

Compatible with

• Production Chain (ST-03) – Compatible: technology improves production.
• Market (ST-01) – Compatible: technological goods are traded.
• Faction System (ST-07) – Compatible: faction-specific tech trees.

Tension with

• Survival System (ST-16) – Tension: research vs. survival resources.
• Combat System (ST-11) – Tension: research vs. armament.