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Research
ZEPHON’s research continues the tradition of a tiered progression system. It will feature over 150 technologies across 10 tiers. To advance from one tier to the next, 3 technologies are required.
That may sound like a lot compared to Gladius, but we’re reducing research costs by 33% to compensate. Instead of a baseline of 6 turns to unlock a new technology, it will now only take 4 turns.
If that’s not to your taste for any reason, research cost and unlocks per tier will be customizable per game as a world setting.
Players begin by attempting to recover from a primitive and scrappy level of technology in the first third of the game (post-apocalyptic, think Mad Max), followed by a more advanced second third (Blade Runner or Ghost in the Shell paired with magic), to a highly advanced last third (Alastair Reynolds’ Revelation Space universe or Dan Simmons’ Hyperion).
Each leader will also have 5 special technologies to enhance their unique properties—spread evenly through the research tiers.
We are pushing the boundaries of modifiers to new degrees. It’s very exciting to see conditional building bonuses in action—scaling building output depending on terrain features or even synergizing with other buildings to create combat effects in a radius.
To make all of this clear, we’re adding an often-requested Gladius feature: showing exact modifier numbers in technology hints. No need to search through the compendium for the information anymore.
Specimen Containment
Many of our early learnings were rediscovering what went before. In time, though, we realised how much the familiar had shifted—how far man had killed off Earth’s species before the Acrin even arrived and how much new life the aliens had brought with them across the stars, life that filled out the world’s emptied niches. Capturing and studying that new life proved to be inspirational for our eventual victory…
Tier 1 : Human : Player Upgrade
Gain research from killing unaligned neutral units.
In Death, Life
An old flame once told me how the Aztecs or the Mayans—one of those dead empires—how their gods drew power from bloody sacrifice in their city centers. I didn’t understand what she meant until I saw troops mown down on the doorstep of a Voice-corrupted city and heard the unearthly ullulation from within. Whether it was true magic or just motivation, that city grew strong on death.
Tier 3 : Voice : Building Upgrade
Regain production from biological units that die in 6 tile radius from the headquarters in each Canticle of Dusk in the city.
The Mind's Eye
When I was a young fool, gossip went around; of a scientist, a genius, who died attempting to fulfil that old billionaire dream of living forever by uploading herself. It didn’t work, of course-the giant machine was inert, unmotivated, left operating as a curiosity. Until ZEPHON found it and brought that mind to life, focussing its will as a weapon against the invading Acrin. In time, its—I should say, ‘her’—her will could stretch for miles, a thought could snuff out an enemy half a world away. A good reason not to gossip anymore…
Tier 5 : Cyber : Unit Upgrade : Emulated Mind Leader Special
Doubles Oblivion weapon range on headquarters.
What do you think of the new research mechanics? Discuss it below and let us know!
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1481170/ZEPHON/
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