I wouldn't go as far as "it sucks" but can we please as a start have visibility of the tree or at the very least a message which says "There is no available reasearch for these kernals yet" and then they are not consumed.

I have just swallowed 6 observer lights, 2 observer mechs and 4 observer heavy mechs and received NO RESULTS! I'm quite a long way down the Thelodica research tree but I still get research from Elite/Supreme kernals of all sizes. This observer no result mystery is not the first time either.

I know there is a tree - for example you won't start researching a T4 detector until you finish the T3 masker (there are other examples I could point to as well).

Please let me see it so I don't waste hard earned observer kernals.

A points system could work well for research, in the way it works well for industry, because it could remove the mystery from the process and introduce a common "currency" for research. I am also a fan of more extensions because it means that players have to choose to invest EP and thereby creates distinct professions.

• Create research extensions for parts of the tree (Armour/Shield, Engineering, Electronics, Industry, Weapons, NEXUS, MPC) where each extension reduces the number of points required to complete a node on the tree.

• Attribute a points value to each type of kernal

• Display full tree in Agent profile (including items where research has not begun) and provide additional information:

  • Points required to complete item

  • Research pre-requisites

  • Kernal types which will add points

• Stop "roll of dice" landing on completed items which could be balanced by increasing points on higher tier items

Kernals of all sizes can still overlap items, as they do now, the process would still be to some extent random and the speed of research roughly the same but at least we'd know what was going on AND we'd know how many kernals we needed. Also would avoid fundementally changing the system which would generate a lake full of tears.

A gamma research facility would also be nice. One where people could share their fully researched items, whether in corp or not. It would work exactly the same as a prototype facility points wise but the number of researched items that could be installed and the number of "runs" possible from each installed item would be determined by the tech level of the facility.