Guide · early game
Beginner guide — first steps
Everything that matters before your first Singularity: the Energy → Cash loop, the first Researches, the Laboratory, the particle walls and your first talents. Every figure comes from the game data.
1. The core loop: Alpha → Energy → Cash
Your (free) Alpha particle produces Energy. The Market sells it: base price 0.5 per unit, each Energy Price level adds +0.1 (first upgrade at 20). Buyers purchase continuously: 1 buyer at start, +1 per level (upgrade at 100).
Advice: balance both — a high price with no buyers sells nothing; buyers with no price sell for peanuts.
Raise Alpha's stats first (Spawn Rate, Life Time, Velocity — see the Particles page), then alternate Energy Price and Buyers at the Market.
2. Researches: the first snowball
Research #1 costs 1000 and grants “Alpha Particle Energy Output is increased by 30%”. #2 (10000) is the early-game key: “Alpha Particle Energy Output is increased by 50% for each Research Purchased” — every research you buy afterwards amplifies it. Buy researches in batches as soon as you can.
3. The Laboratory: Data Cubes
Scientists cost 1 at first and ×1.3 per hire — start early, they are your Data Cube source (the bonus follows (x/10⁶)^0.087). Equipment then Morale come when your Cash allows.
4. The particle walls
Beta unlocks at 10⁷, Ceti at 2·10¹³ — each new particle yields a different substance and adds its own stats to level. These thresholds are the early-game “walls”: stalling in front of them is normal — that's where Researches and the Market make the difference.
5. Your first talents (LP)
Each level-up grants LP. The tree unlocks in order — you must max a talent to buy the next. The first one, “BANNER CONSULTANTS” (1 LP/level, 5 levels), scales on your PLAYER LEVEL: This talent increases the output of the Gamma particle by 0.5% per talent level, for every Player Level you've acquired.
The second, “QUANTUM CONNECTIONS”, scales on your Alpha Velocity level — one more reason to invest the Velocity stat early.
6. Aim for your first Singularity
Don't cling to your first run for too long: the Singularity (prestige) converts your progress into SC, charges the Prism and opens the Perk tree — the game's real engine. The story continues in the Mid-game guide.