Techtonica is a first-person factory automation game set beneath the surface of an alien planet. Players work alone or in co-op to build factories, gather resources, research new technologies, mold the destructible terrain, establish a base of operations, and uncover long-forgotten secrets.

I had this same exact issue with the scanning system in Techtonica. I scanned an item, but when I went back to the location it was supposed to be, it was clearly not there anymore. This effectively locked me out of any upgrades in that particular tree.

I even had to restart the game once due to this issue. However, the same problem occurred with a different item, fast inserters. Although there are technically more of them around to scan, at my current level of technology and access, they were not available for scanning.

Being locked out of upgrades can be extremely frustrating for players. In Techtonica, the progression heavily relies on the player’s ability to scan and unlock new technologies. Not being able to do so disrupts the flow of gameplay and hinders the player’s enjoyment of the game.

After encountering this issue, I searched for possible solutions and found that other players have experienced similar problems as well. It seems that the scarcity of certain items required for scanning is what leads to players being locked out of upgrades.

As a dedicated player, I believe that the developers of Techtonica should address this issue and provide a solution to prevent players from getting locked out. Here are some possible solutions:

1. Increased Item Availability

The developers could increase the availability of items required for scanning upgrades. Instead of having only one item in a specific location, there could be multiple items spread across the map. This way, if a player misses one, they can still find and scan another to progress.

2. Alternative Scanning Mechanism

Another option would be to introduce an alternative scanning mechanism. Instead of relying solely on finding physical items, players could unlock upgrades by completing specific quests, achievements, or challenges. This would provide more flexibility and ensure that players are not permanently locked out due to missing items.

3. Re-Scanning Option

If a player misses an item required for scanning, there should be a way to respawn or regenerate that item. This would allow players to revisit a location and find the item again, even if they missed it initially. Implementing a re-scanning option would prevent players from being permanently locked out of upgrades.

The scanning issue in Techtonica is a frustrating experience for players, causing them to be locked out of upgrades in the game. By implementing solutions such as increased item availability, alternative scanning mechanisms, or a re-scanning option, the developers can enhance the gameplay experience and ensure that players can progress smoothly through the tech tree.

As players, we eagerly await the resolution of this issue so that we can fully enjoy the exciting world of Techtonica without any limitations.