Revision 1

Overview

The technology tree is Outbound's primary progression system. By investing resources into research at a Research Station, players unlock new crafting recipes, building modules, energy upgrades, and automation capabilities. The tree is described by the developers as "deep," with multiple branching paths that allow players to specialize or generalize depending on their playstyle.

Research Process

Researching a new technology requires spending specific resources at a Research Station installed in the camper van. More advanced technologies demand rarer materials that may only be available in specific biomes, creating a natural incentive to explore broadly rather than staying in one area.

Progression Branches

The technology tree spans several broad categories:

• Crafting — Unlocks new workstations, refined materials, and complex recipes

• Building — Expands the library of structural and decorative modules for the van

• Energy — Improves the efficiency of energy sources and unlocks higher-capacity batteries

• Automation — Enables workstation linking, automatic resource routing, and hands-free production chains

• Farming — Introduces advanced farming techniques, new crop types, and improved garden bed modules

Strategic Choices

Players cannot research everything immediately — resource costs and biome-locked materials force prioritization. Some players may rush energy upgrades to support power-hungry automated factories, while others focus on building unlocks to create their dream van layout early. This branching structure gives each playthrough a distinct feel based on the order technologies are unlocked.