Research (Apocalypse)

Description

On Apocalypse scientific research by X-COM falls into two specialized categories, Biochemistry and Quantum Physics. Essentially what this means is that it will be necessary to have 2 types of scientists and laboratories doing parallel research, with the resulting doubling of costs.

The original base will contain 5 Biochemistry and 5 Quantum Physics scientists, together with a Biochemistry Lab and a Quantum Physics Lab . Each scientist has a skill level that can vary from 60s to 100 and can be assigned to any lab of his scientific skill.

Each research facility can be assigned to any project available. It is possible to transfer research projects over laboratories on different bases but it is not possible for 2 laboratories to work in the same project at the same time. When a laboratory has a project assigned it the total value of the scientists skill assigned to it will contribute towards reaching its total 'research cost' every hours.

Research cost is the "skill hours" required to complete a project. If a laboratory has 5 scientists assigned, with a total of 400 skill hours per hour, that means that a research topic that takes 8000 will likely be complete in 20 hours when you put 5 scientists to work on it (20*5*80=8000).

The Technology Race

Research should initially be focused into developing the advanced Biochemistry Lab and Quantum Physics labs in order to increase its pace.

Biochemistry research will benefit X-COM in tactical fighting (due to Biological Warfare and later Alien Gas). But during the ground fight at the alien dimension it will allow to research the alien buildings. Quantum Physics will produce results both regarding new technologies, both X-COM and alien, which will benefit both Cityscape Fighting and Battlescape. It will also allow X-COM to cross into the alien dimension.

As X-COM captures alien artifacts it will be a key priority to research them in order to be able to upgrade its vehicles and agents weapons and equipment. This is due to the aliens levels of conflict escalation, through which they will increase their destructive abilities and threaten to outgun X-COM. It will also be necessary to deploy upgraded workshops to be able to produce the sufficient number of craft, weapons and equipment necessary to re-equip X-COM's forces as the technology race continues. X-COM will win the technology race by being able to keep pace with the increases on alien abilities in order to defeat them.