@Dioxine: You have probably explained this somewhere in this thread, maybe even multiple times, but it's hard to find stuff when everything is discussed in one huge thread. Can I please ask 2 questions:
1. What exactly is it with ths Hatchet resp. Dynamite? Why can you produce items without researching them first? And why do you need to research them afterwards? Please give me/us one specific example (not just generic explanation).
2. You mention that something is not possible in the current engine... what is it exactly? Maybe it can be easily added (even more so in OXCE) and we wouldn't have to go through the torture of "illogical/counter-intuitive game mechanics".
Well, a good example will be the Dynamite. You can get Dynamite (technology) from 4 sources:
1) Physically finding and researching it;
2) As a random tech gained from a Data Disc;
3) As a random tech gained through interrogation of certain enemies;
4) Developing Cooking by the Book, manufacturing Dynamite, then researching it.
And the proposition here is:
5) Developing Cooking by the Book gives Dynamite instantly (and vice versa, perhaps).
In OXCom, you can have either 1, 2, 3 & 4, or 2, 3 & 5, but you CANNOT have 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5.
You need both Dynamite and Cooking by the Book for Explosive Munitions tech, which lets you to manufacture a variety of HE and I ammo. Further complication: Cooking by the Book can be unlocked either by finding and researching (or getting through interrogation) either Old Earth Books or Dynamite.
Now, The problem/limitation is: If the Dynamite is to be possible to research as a physical object found on the field, you need to lock it as NeedItem: true (else it would be researchable from the start, as it has no other prerequisites). However, doing so makes it impossible to research dynamite WITHOUT the item (ex. said Cooking by the Book unlocking Dynamite topic for research, or researching it instantly), because NeedItem: true makes it impossible to do so (it has also another effect, but that later). It would be still possible to get it through interrogations/data disc random tech, since they use GetOneFree mechanic, which instantly gives a single random tech from a prepared list. However, this mechanic cannot be used with Cooking by the Book, because of 2 limitations: one is soft (GetOneFree can be forced to give a predetermined tech if the list is only 1 item long), one is hard: IF Cooking by the Book has a GetOneFree list, the engine makes it researchable from the start, ie. ignores any prerequisites for this tech (except NeedItem). There is a workaround - use LookUp function - but if the Cooking had Lookup: Dynamite, both techs would indeed be researched, but the Cooking research report wouldn't be displayed - instead of it, Dynamite entry would be displayed.
So in short: either the item is locked out by the need of a specific item in stores (NeedItem: true), or by normal tech tree prerequisites (but NeedItem: true makes them null and void). Those two mechanics cannot be mixed. Similarly, GetOneFree mechanic makes all normal tech tree prerequisites null and void (yes if a research topic A has a GetOneFree list, research topic's A own prerequisites are made null and void, however silly it might sound). So this mechanic cannot be mixed with normal tree-based research as well.
Yes it is convoluted but I hope I made myself clear enough?
As for the rationale, Arthanor summed it up pretty well. Because of schizotech, and generally not very sound approach to science, sometimes you have instructions/ideas HOW TO make stuff - or simply have a facility which enables you to manufacture it - sort of a machine with a red button and instructions. You have a general idea what the item is, but then you need field testing to get a detailed report (researching a manufactured item).
@Edric:
Supercomputer is planned but complex to introduce (many changes to the base balance & research tree needed), flare gun is planned, bear trap is plausible but both slated for later because of low importance.
@SIMON:
The "Alien Base" mission is quite rare in Piratez, that's all there's to it. Just your luck
Similarly "infiltration" (coutry betrayal) is rare. First one because how immensely profitable it is, second one because how uncool and damaging it is, especially in a long game.
