Universe exploration

Universe exploration is a research upgrade that reveals resource information, making it much easier to locate deposits. At the start of a game, resource veins and other deposits can only be found by visual scouting, but after unlocking this upgrade, the map and star chart can show what kinds of veins and resources are present on each planet or in each star system, along with their amounts.

Its effect expands step by step as the level increases:

• Level 1: Reveals resources on the current planet. Cost: x10
• Level 2: Reveals resources on all planets in the current star system. Cost: x200
• Level 3: Reveals resources on planets in star systems within 6 light-years of the current location. Cost: x1000 x1000 x1000. Prerequisite: Drive engine Lv2
• Level 4: Reveals resources on planets in all star systems. Cost: x2000 x2000 x2000 x2000

This upgrade is especially useful when planning early factory expansion, because it lets you identify which planets are worth visiting before sending logistics out or committing to long-distance development. Higher levels are valuable for galaxy-wide planning, since they remove the need to scout star systems one by one and make it easier to compare nearby and distant resource availability at a glance.