Pre-alpha codex — written from the build in internal testing. Systems, numbers and features can change before launch. · Found Your Empire

Research is per-empire

Unlike buildings, research is shared across your entire empire. Whatever you unlock applies everywhere at once — you don't research the same tech twice for different systems.

Costs and times

Each level costs more and takes longer than the last, and the deeper techs lean hard on aetherium. The exact cost and duration of the next level is always shown in the Research Lab before you commit.

Researching faster

• Research Lab — every level shortens the research started from its own system.
• Outer orbits — settled outer orbits (the cold band) boost research speed in their system. Where you launch a research order from matters.

Empire-wide tech passives

Beyond unlocking buildings and ships, many nodes grant always-on bonuses that apply across every system — and they stack with your per-system development. A taste of what the tree holds:

• Mining Technology and Aetherium Chemistry — your extractors dig deeper, empire-wide.
• Agrotechnology and Habitat Engineering — more food, faster-growing populations.
• Logistics and Hyperspace Tech — bigger cargo holds, thriftier fleets.
• Astrophysics — richer expeditions, and room for more colonies as it deepens.
• Several weapon-science lines quietly discount your building and research costs on the side.

Every node states precisely what it grants — and the exact numbers of the next level — right in the Research Lab before you commit.