This is repeated for every branch in all the Technology Categories listed below. The game then moves on to next branch where, if that branch has a link back into a previous branch, it may result in a previously null tech being introduced to your tree with subsequent techs on that branch now rolled randomly until that fails and nulls any remaining techs on that branch again. This effectively sets the remaining techs on that branch to null chance. The game “rolls” for each link on the tech tree until it comes to a dead-end (a “failed” roll) and it stops rolling for that branch. The technology tree is set at the start of the game initialization. And there will be NO indication in the tree which techs are random and which are not. Randomized technologies that you do not have access to in the game do NOT appear in the Tech Tree at all. For example, you won’t know if VRF Technology leads to Point Defense Tracking until you’ve finished VRF, and you won’t know if Mass Drivers leads to Bursters until you’ve got a ship that can hold large turrets. You only learn what a tech leads to once it’s finished and any mandatory prerequisites for the subsequent tech are met. “ It’s possible like winning the lottery is possible…random chance does allow it…BUT that is MUCH different than saying you are likely ever to see it.“ While it is possible to only have core technologies or to have all techs that are available for your race, it is very, very unlikely. These “ core technologies” comprise about 30% of the technology tree. There will always be a central core of vital technologies all players will have in every game. Not all branches have random weights though. This prevents the development of an optimal technology progression and adds strategic challenge to your game – what do you do if you rush to get, say, Bursters, only to find that they do not appear in your technology tree?Īll players of the same race will share the same statistical weights on each branch of the technology tree, but whether the “dice” give that branch or not is determined independently for each player. “Players will have their own uniquely generated technology tree regardless of race.

I’d do my best to explain the uniqueness to this mechanic, but the Sword of the Stars Wiki does a fantastic job already: However, it’s the game’s technology tree that stood out to me as a gameplay mechanic I’d like to see others emulate.

There are quite a few ways in which Kerberos tried to break the 4X-genre mold and I wish more developers were trying something similar. Sword of the Stars was an-under-the-radar 4X for many, which is a true shame.

Sword of the stars gameplay