Read the tech tree through production
Start with research you can supply from your local production, then work toward the drive that opens up the rest of your starting system. In Main Sequence, research uses items you produce. When a node stalls, check which material it needs and trace that item back to the mine, refinery, or production machine that feeds it.
Find the original demo milestone
The original demo's opening tiers culminated in the Slipstream Drive. Getting there means moving beyond what you can refine aboard the starter ship and building a station that can support further research. Think of the drive as a change in reach: once you can travel to more of the system, your material choices expand.
Match later branches to your build
| Build | Documented research milestone |
|---|---|
| Original demo | The Slipstream Drive opens more of the starting system. |
| October Next Fest demo | Electromagnetic Science extends the earlier demo path. |
| September playtest | Cobalt and graphite support later science. Defeating the Relic Destroyer opens Interstellar Warp Drive research. |
The developer's September progression outline also places Astronomic and Xenobiologic Science after travel beyond the starting system. Use the table to recognize milestones, then check the exact requirements in the build you're running.
FAQ
Do I need a bigger factory for every research unlock?
Identify the item that's holding up your objective first. A small production change can be enough if the rest of the chain already works.
Which research did the October demo add?
The developer announced Electromagnetic Science as the extension to the earlier demo content.
What unlocks the interstellar branch in the playtest?
Defeating the Relic Destroyer unlocks Interstellar Warp Drive research in the developer's September outline.