Another (simpler) idea to this inspired by NEO Scavenger.
You find these "Data Slabs" (the ones you right-click to get blueprints).
But, they all have 1-5 "D-mods" (e.g. encryption, information being unstructured and needing clean up), and until you remove them they are just useless junk more or less. Maybe the data slabs are domain era tech, so they still have some value but what you find on them is a bit of a mystery.
So, you don't get blueprints out right, but need to "decrypt" them first to see what is on them. Further, having an additional skill in the blue tech row dedicated to "hacking" (the game seem a bit cyberpunk anyway) could help unlock 1-3 levels of D-mods for free (and make data from derelict ships a thing or more common), maybe even do SIGINT from orbit of planets (like mining in NEX). That way, you could buy Data Slabs with D-mods, fix them up and watch the cat videos before selling them back for a loss, or profit in case of something useful being found.
If I remember correctly, in NEO Scavenger you had three types of information on the memory sticks:
- Financial data (a person's bank account details, company financials etc.), which gave you a bit of cash.
- Software, which gave you new abilities to add on your laptop or other device
- Location data from old GPS logs
- Random nonsense - e.g. cat videos, someone's diary (possible lore), movies and series and things that just have no real value to the player otherwise. Might be entertaining for someone on the market though.
This way, it's not so much R&D as just figuring out what is in front of you, albeit behind several layers of quantum encryption and scattered across enormous disjoined file structures.
In summary
Resource: Data Slab
Domain-era data storage device containing information ranging from personal notes and lore, to blueprints or financial information.
Sold individually if content is unique or unknown. Sold in stacks if empty or known to only contain nonsense or entertainment media.
Data Slab Encryption (d-mods, e-mods?)
Hides the information on the Data Slab and makes it not readily available. Can be
Removed by Hacker skill
Removed by selling to markets
- Black Market (Unlocks Data Slabs with 1 d-mod)
- Open Market (Unlocks Data Slabs with 2 d-mods, but redlists any Data Slab with financial or personal data)
- Military Market (Unlocks Data Slabs with 3 d-mods, but redlists any Data Slab with blueprints, mods, personal or financial data)
Removed by paying a hacker to do it for you (1-3 d-mods) which then places the Data Slab on the Black Market (similar interface to when handing in AI). Perhaps requires you to find one in a bar first, or be approached when arriving at a location. If you have a good enough relationship with the hacker, perhaps they are able to sell you things as well (at a premium of course)?
N.B. Perhaps make so that hackers do not spawn in Luddite locations and be more common in and/or higher level in the larger or TT colonies.
Tech Skill: Hacker
Level 1
Automatically unlocks Data Slabs with 1 d-mod
30% chance of finding Rare Data Slabs (e.g. blueprints or things of value) from abandoned stations and other derelicts (fleet)*
Ability: Signal Intelligence (success rate 15/30/50 per level, requires empty Data Slabs for storage)
Level 2
Automatically unlocks Data Slabs with 2 d-mod
50% chance of finding Rare Data Slabs (e.g. blueprints or things of value) from abandoned stations and other derelicts (fleet)*
Level 3
Automatically unlocks Data Slabs with 3 d-mod
75% chance of finding Rare Data Slabs (e.g. blueprints or things of value) from abandoned stations and other derelicts (fleet)*
*Assuming they are present
Industry: Technologistry
Maintenance: 8,000 * (pop size - 2), multiplied by market upkeep modifier (hazard rating)
Produces: Unlocks locked Data Slabs
Demand
- Luxury Goods; Equal to Colony size - 2 (High-end marvels of technology, like the latest TT workstations or supercomputer; also kinda makes this a no no for the Ludds)
- Supplies; Equal to: Colony size - 3 (spare parts, microfab feedstock, and prefab components)
- Crew; Equal to: Colony size - 3 (technical staff that lets the experts focus on more important things)
- Recreational Drugs; Equal to: ((Colony Size/2)-3) (to keep focused and awake)
Place your Data Slabs in a dedicated Storage Tab, and they will work on cracking them open and reveal the data, or making it useful.
Automatically unlocks Data Slabs with 3 d-mod* (similar to a level 3 Hackers) and removes 1 d-mods per month (one Data Slab at a time)
i.e. a 5 d-mod Data Slab is reduced to 3 d-mods*, then unlocked.
* or 1-3 depending on level of Technologistry (levels 1-3: Hacker Collective/Technologistry/Academy or Research Institute)
Gamma
Same as default (resource reduction)
Beta
Same as default (resource and cost reduction)
+1 d-mods removed per month
Alpha
Same as default (resource and cost reduction)
+2 d-mods removed per month
Nanoforge
Enables production of a few empty Data Slabs per month?