the-reclamation-cycle

The Reclamation Cycle: Tech Tree V0.1

Purpose: Define the starting tier buildings and resource trade-offs for the two core development paths: Restoration (Old World) vs. Adaptation (New World).

Comparison between an Old World structure and a New World structure

Strategic Choice: Restoration vs. Adaptation

Upon securing the initial settlement (Phase I), the player must commit to specializing in one of these two long-term philosophies. While some cross-pollination is possible, significant investment in one path locks out advanced research in the other.

1. The Restoration Path (Old World)

Goal: High population density, production efficiency, and automation. Trade-off: High initial investment in salvaged Core Components and high ongoing maintenance costs.

Building / Tech Unlock Requirement Primary Resource Cost Functional Benefit Maintenance Burden
Concrete Aggregate Plant Secured Electrical Generator 200 Scrap Metal, 50 Motors Processes rubble/sand into high-grade Concrete Aggregate. High (Power, Water)
Automated Recycling Center Advanced Scanners (Salvaged) 150 Steel Rebar, 25 Electronic Kits High-volume processing of junk into specialized Polymers/Wires. Extreme (Specialized Kits)
Restored Water Pumping Station Pumping Schematic 300 Steel Rebar, 10 High-Pressure Pipes Centralized, high-volume clean water supply. High (Pipe Repair, Power)
Pre-Fab Housing Unit Concrete Aggregate Plant 50 Concrete Aggregate, 10 Steel Rebar High-density housing for 50 people. Medium (Water pressure dependent)
Narrow-Gauge Railbus Restored Engine Blueprint 5 Motors, 150 Scrap Metal Fast, high-volume transport link between settlements. High (Fuel, Track Repair)

2. The Adaptation Path (New World)

Goal: Sustainability, resource resilience, and low maintenance. Trade-off: Lower production efficiency and lower population density per building.

Building / Tech Unlock Requirement Primary Resource Cost Functional Benefit Maintenance Burden
Stone Masonry Workshop Accessible Stone Quarry 30 Wood Logs, 10 Tools Processes raw stone into building blocks and mortar. Low (Tools)
Biological Composting System Waste Management Manual 15 Wood Logs, 5 Fabric Rolls Converts waste into Fertilizer and Biofuel (low volume). Very Low (Manual Labor)
Decentralized Cistern & Well Basic Water Filter 50 Stone Blocks, 20 Wood Logs Reliable, low-volume, local water supply. Low (Filter replacement)
Tension-Fabric Shelters Fabric Weaving Tech 10 Wood Logs, 5 Fabric Rolls Low-density housing for 20 people. Medium (Fabric replacement)
Bicycle-Powered Hauler Metalworking Tools 2 Old Bicycle Frames, 10 Scrap Metal Low-volume, zero-fuel transport route. Very Low (Common parts)

3. Core Component Dependencies (Examples)

Certain high-value salvaged items are critical and often non-renewable.

Component Found In (Salvage) Used By (Examples) Strategic Impact
Motor Wrecked Cars, Generators Concrete Plant, Railbus, Restoration Tools Essential for high-tier automation.
Electronic Kit Server Rooms, Factories Automated Recycling Center, Research Labs Required for high-level Restoration research.
High-Pressure Pipe Centralized Utility Tunnels Restored Water Pumping Station Required for large-scale water/sewage distribution.
Fabric Roll Old Clothing Stores, Warehouses Tension-Fabric Shelters, Composting Systems Essential for all Adaptation path structures.

4. Next Steps