Browser Strategy Game with Research

Why research is central in OGame

In many browser strategy games, research is a side activity: a few passive bonuses, perhaps a new building. In OGame, research is the backbone of all progress. Ships cannot be built without the right drive research. The Death Star requires Graviton Research which needs 300,000 energy. More colonies are impossible without Astrophysics.

The research tree is also strategically relevant: every research investment is a decision about priorities. Investing in Weapons Technology makes fleets stronger. Investing in Astrophysics provides more colonies and more planetary production. Levelling up Computer Technology allows more fleet slots to be used in parallel. These decisions shape playstyle long-term.

The most important research categories

Basic Research

• Energy Technology: Prerequisite for Laser, Ion and Hyperspace Technology. Basic research that enables everything else.
• Laser Technology: Opens the path to Ion Technology and Hyperspace Technology.
• Ion Technology: Prerequisite for Hyperspace Technology and some ships.
• Hyperspace Technology: Enables Hyperspace Drive — essential for Battleships, Battlecruisers and the Death Star.

Drive Research

• Combustion Drive: Light Fighters, Bombers and Small Cargo Ships. Increase the speed of these ships with each level.
• Impulse Drive: Heavy Fighters, Cruisers, Large Cargo Ships, Recyclers. Speed bonus per level.
• Hyperspace Drive: Battleships, Destroyers, Death Star. Requires Hyperspace Technology Level 6.

Military Research

• Weapons Technology: Increases attack strength of all ships and defence systems by percentage. One of the most valuable investments for fleeters.
• Shielding Technology: Increases shield strength of all ships and defence systems by percentage.
• Armour Technology: Increases hull strength (hit points) of all ships by percentage.

Economic Research

• Plasma Technology: Increases resource production of all mines — the most important research for miners.
• Astrophysics: Enables additional colonies and expeditions. Every second level provides another colony slot.
• Computer Technology: More simultaneous fleet slots. Essential for players with large fleets and many missions.

Graviton Research: The End-Game Goal

Graviton Research is the prestige project in OGame. To research it, 300,000 energy must be generated simultaneously on one planet — no research time, no resource costs, just the energy requirement. When this is met, Graviton Research Level 1 unlocks the Death Star.

The Death Star is the strongest ship in OGame: extremely high hull and shield values, devastating firepower, and the only unit that can destroy moons. Building the first Death Star in a universe is a prestige achievement that is visible throughout the entire universe.

Intergalactic Research Network

The Intergalactic Research Network (IRN) is a meta-research: it combines the research laboratory levels of all your own planets and moons. A player with 10 planets and Level-10 labs each achieves through IRN Level 10 the research speed of a single Level-100 lab — theoretically. In practice, the IRN is the multiplier that accelerates late research phases.

Those who invest in IRN benefit from colonies not only through production, but also through combined research capacity. This makes IRN one of the most strategically important late-game investments.

Research Strategy by Playstyle