Auto-Research Mk2

[Stratadrake]

About half of the skirmish tech tree consists of Mk2/Mk3 upgrades that can be researched in a simple sequence.

I think we should have an option that enables research facilities to research the entire line in one action, so that when a lab completes one topic it automatically starts the next. And it's not all that complicated to figure out how on a technical level:

When a "research completed" event occurs, the lab automatically scans the tech tree for any non-major research topic which only has one prerequisite, and said prerequisite is the topic just completed. (If multiple such topics are found, the lab will prefer whichever one belongs to the same research categories as the completed topic.) Then, if the player currently has more than X power on hand, the lab will automatically begin researching it.

Note that the given lab will NOT auto-research:
- Any major topics. E.g. if a lab finishes researching Dedicated Synaptic Link Analysis Mk3 (non-major research), it will not automatically progress to Neural Synapse Research Brain (major research).
- An unrelated topic
- If the player doesn't have enough power to afford the next topic

From the end-user perspective it would be like combining all the Mk2/Mk3 upgrade topics with their base topic and providing incremental upgrades as the overall subject is researched. (It would not impose any actual changes to the existing tech tree.)

[JJjopando]

Why not just click on it

[Stratadrake]

Completely. Missing. The. Point.

[Iluvalar]

But you are also, because the dedicated synaptic link research IS the last target I'm aiming. Not DSL Mk2 or Mk3. Actually, if I start DSL Mk2, it will be for the Neural Synapse Research Brain not to stop at Mk3. Since it's the one that unlock that nice power upgrades.

I will research PDSB MG Bullets Mk2 for the ROF upgrades, and might stop there.
I will stop at the Turbo-Charged Engine to unlock the mantis body.
etc..

Most of the time, i'm not research Mk2 and Mk3 automatically. The tech tree is simply not shaped like that.

[Stratadrake]

Hmm. Anyway, an alternate idea hit me: Research queues, just like we already have with factory queues.

[Emdek]

Stratadrake, here are some ideas and relevant discussion, also answer why it shouldn't be automated too much by default.

viewtopic.php?f=30&t=8892