- R&D: research, buying technologies and licenses
- Research
- Purchasing of a license
- Purchasing of a technology
R&D: research, buying technologies and licenses
The technology level of an enterprise (just like the qualification of the employees, equipment, and raw materials) has a huge influence on the production quality and staff efficiency. The technology level can be improved by conducting research in laboratories and buying licenses and technologies.
Every method has its specific nuances. For example, the process of conducting your research will take time, but eventually, you will be able to implement a new technology or sell it to other participants. Although the purchasing of a license or technology is the fastest way to improve the technology level, you will need to pay for it right away. The licenses normally cost less than technology. However, licenses are implemented only in one enterprise, whereas technologies can be implemented in all enterprises of the same type.
A sample of technology implementation prices of 1, 2, and 3 levels at a pet food factory:
Example of license purchase application:
Select the required level of technology and the maximum amount you are willing to pay for a license.
The competitive application is when the price that you offer does not exceed the given price, not competitive – average market price. In this case, it can be any price, but the purchase opportunity increases.
The applications are processed during the game update.
Research
If you want to conduct your research, first, you need to open a laboratory, hire adequately qualified scientists, and purchase equipment of appropriate quality. The larger the laboratory is, the higher the level of technology that can be developed.
There are three stages of research:
- Initial hypothesis.
- Hypothesis processing — select the hypothesis, which will be tested.
- Technical testing.
Each stage can take several game turns. The invented technologies can be implemented in your enterprises or sold in the form of usage licenses to other participants.
Purchasing of a license
To buy a license click on the «Technologies» tab in the enterprise, the technology level of which has to increase. The licenses can be purchased at auctions.
Purchasing of a technology
Click on the «Technologies» tab in the enterprise of your interest. The buying of technologies is not complicated — just select the needed technology and pay the technology and its implementation price.
- Laboratories: R&D
- General Information
- Research
- Preliminary research, hypothesis is formed
- Research, hypothesis processing
- Industrial testing
- Buying licenses and technologies
Laboratories: R&D
General Information
You need laboratories for technological research, which can bring you new technologies of a higher level.
Building Laboratory you need the following:
- Choose its size.
- Hire scientists.
- Buy equipment (devices).
The maximum possible number of scientists and equipment depends on the size of your laboratory. The available technology level also depends on the size.
The technology level will require equipment of a certain quality. Moreover, equipment quality defines minimum qualification requirements for the staff of the laboratory.
In case if you want to work with technologies and inventions of level 5 and higher, a laboratory must be attached to a working factory (80% of its efficiency or more). Factory profile and technology level must correspond to the current research.
The minimum size of the required factory depends on the level of explored technology:
Level | Maximum number of scientists | Available technology level | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 10 | Up to 4 | – |
2 | 30 | Up to 8 | Starting from technology level 6, a factory (farm, mine, etc) of minimum size is required |
3 | 100 | Up to 13 | From technology level 9, a factory size 2 is required |
4 | 300 | Up to 19 | From technology level 15, a factory size 3 is required |
5 | 700 | Up to 25 | From technology level 20, a factory size 4 is required |
6 | 1000 | All levels | From technology level 26, a factory size 5 is required |
Research
There are three research stages:
Preliminary research, the hypothesis is formed
The basic duration of the preliminary research stage depends on the current technology level (up to level 8 it is 3 weeks, then longer). Even if you increase the number of scientists it won`t speed up the research, usually, it slows down because of the low efficiency of the laboratory. The number of hypotheses depends on the skill “Science research” level of the Top manager. Moreover, each hypothesis has a probability of success and a duration modifier.
In case you’ve bought one or several technologies of the last 5 levels, the first stage will be longer (for ½ of the duration of the first stages of missed technologies). In case you have not investigated previous levels of technology the duration of the first stage will be longer — in proportion to the duration of missed investigations.
Research, hypothesis processing
During the second stage, you`ll have to choose one of the hypotheses then scientists will perform research with a possibility of success which you already know.
In case of failure, you can repeat this research. The possibility of success will be higher by 1%. In other words, each hypothesis can become successful in the end.
The basic duration of the hypothesis working out depends on the technology level and possibility of success (you`ll need more time if you want to work out a more reliable hypothesis).
An additional number of scientists will speed up the work. Low efficiency of the laboratory will slow down the work.
Industrial testing
The final third stage of research: is testing and industrial trial of invented technology.
The duration of this stage depends on the technology level. An additional number of scientists will speed up the research.
Technologies of level 5 (and higher) will require a factory attached to the laboratory. The profile and technology level of this factory must correspond to the research.
The duration of this research depends on laboratory efficiency, as well as factory efficiency.
Buying licenses and technologies
For purchasing licenses and technologies click on the «Technologies» tab.
Research in laboratories In order for laboratories to work, you need to hire qualified staff, buy appropriate equipment and, of course, invest a lot of time.
Just like in other subdivisions, the staff has to be accordingly qualified and earn a specific salary. The equipment has to be of an appropriate quality. In order to know what the optimal settings for laboratories are, pay attention to the hints in the simulation. The functionality is the same as in the other subdivisions.
Just like offices, laboratories do not generate any profit. However, your R&D results will be able to help other subdivisions generate substantial profit.