Science Lab
The Science Lab is where you do all your research. To be able to control the world of Terra-Xi, you need knowledge. Knowledge is one of the keys to success, and without it you might as well just go home. Whenever your technicians complete some research, new technologies, abilities, and skills are unleashed to you as the commander.
You should always try to keep up with the latest of the latest, as too much technology is better than too little technology. Please keep in mind though, that almost every research you undertake will give you new abilities in some form or another.
Researching requires Intelligence Points (IP) on Terra-Xi. These are required by your technicians, and without them you cannot undertake any research. For more details about IP, and how you obtain it, please refer to Levels and Experience.
To actually undertake a research, you need to go to the Science Lab. It is found in the Ward game menu. You will then be presented with a list of all the technologies that your technicians are asking you to fund, and which will most likely gain in some way or another. It is important to make the right decision at the right time, and all players are highly encouraged to analyze the tech tree and make a plan for what they achieve.
All technologies are classified into a certain level of a branch. There are 6 special branches, and one general branch. Of the 6 special branches, you can only reach the top level of 3 of them. This means that you have to choose carefully what to research, and in some cases, even when to research them. Making a complete research plan can only do you good.
To actually undertake a research, you need to click on the “Research Technology” link by the technology you want to research. Next to this link you will see some simple stats like how much it costs in terms of IP, and how long it will take to complete it. Remember: choose wisely.
If you, after having initiated a research, decide that you should really research another technology instead, this can be done by cancelling the current technology. Bear in mind, though, that when you choose to do so, you lose precious IP. You will only be refunded with 75% of the IP that your technicians have not already spent on researching. This means that if a research takes 10 hours, and you have already used 2 hours on researching it, you will only get 80% of 75% of the full IP you spent.
When your technicians have completed a research, you will be notified about that in the military messages system. It will also be shown at the bottom of the Science Lab screen.