Oxygen Not Included: A Guide To Surviving (and Thriving) In A Space Colony

Oxygen Not Included: A Guide to Surviving (and Thriving) in a Space Colony
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Introduction

Welcome to our in-depth look at Oxygen Not Included: A Guide to Surviving (and Thriving) in a Space Colony

Oxygen Not Included: A Guide to Surviving (and Thriving) in a Space Colony

Introduction: Welcome to the World of Space-Age Farming

Oxygen Not Included (ONI) isn’t your typical space exploration game. Instead of battling aliens and exploring vast galaxies, you’re tasked with something much more grounded (and arguably more challenging): building and maintaining a self-sustaining colony on a distant asteroid. You’ll be managing a team of adorable, albeit somewhat demanding, duplicants who need food, water, oxygen, and a whole lot of other things to survive.

Think of it as a cross between a space-age farming simulator and a complex puzzle game. You’ll need to master the intricate systems of resource management, environmental control, and automation to keep your duplicants alive and well. But don’t worry, even if you’re a complete newbie, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and strategies to thrive in the depths of space.

Gameplay Overview: The Basics of Building a Space Home

1. The Duplicants: Your Colony’s Heart and Soul

The heart of your colony is your team of duplicants. Each one has unique skills and personalities, influencing their performance and how they interact with the environment. You’ll need to assign them tasks, manage their morale, and ensure their basic needs are met.

2. Resource Management: The Lifeblood of Your Colony

ONI is all about resource management. From water and oxygen to food and energy, you’ll need to carefully track and manage every aspect of your colony’s resources. This includes:

Food Production: Farming, ranching, and even foraging are essential for feeding your hungry duplicants.

Water Management: Maintaining a clean and consistent supply of water for drinking, sanitation, and plant irrigation is vital.
Oxygen Generation: You can’t breathe in space, so you’ll need to build complex systems to generate and distribute oxygen.
Energy Production: Powering your colony requires a steady supply of energy from various sources, such as solar panels, geothermal vents, and even burning waste.

3. Environmental Control: Keeping Your Colony Comfortable

Your duplicants are delicate creatures who need a comfortable environment to thrive. This means:

Temperature Regulation: Maintaining a stable temperature range for your colony is crucial, as extreme heat or cold can be fatal.
Gas Management: Controlling the composition of the atmosphere, including oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other gases, is essential for survival.
Disease Prevention: Keeping your colony clean and sanitized is vital to prevent the spread of diseases.

4. Automation: Unlocking Efficiency and Complexity

As your colony grows, manual management becomes increasingly difficult. Automation is the key to simplifying your life and maximizing efficiency. You can create complex systems using:

Pipes: Transporting liquids, gases, and even solid materials around your colony.
Conveyor Belts: Moving items and resources efficiently.
Power Systems: Connecting your energy sources to your appliances and machines.
Logic Gates: Creating complex automated systems that respond to changes in your colony’s environment.

Walkthrough: From Humble Beginnings to Thriving Colony

1. Early Game: Setting the Foundation

Initial Setup: Start with a basic colony, focusing on generating oxygen, producing food, and creating a comfortable living space.
Prioritize Water: A consistent supply of water is crucial for your duplicants’ survival and for plant growth.
Build a Farm: Cultivate food sources like algae, mushrooms, and later, more complex plants.
Manage Temperature: Ensure your colony stays within a comfortable temperature range.

2. Mid-Game: Expanding and Refining

Unlocking New Technologies: Research new technologies to improve your colony’s efficiency and unlock new possibilities.
Automation: Start building automated systems to manage resources and simplify your tasks.
Advanced Farming: Explore new food sources like slime, ranching, and more complex plant cultivation.
Power Management: Optimize your energy production and distribution to meet the growing demands of your colony.

3. Late Game: Reaching New Heights

Complex Automation: Create intricate automated systems that manage your colony’s resources and environment.
Research and Development: Explore advanced technologies, including rocketry, space exploration, and even terraforming.
Sustainability: Focus on creating a self-sustaining colony that can thrive for the long term.
Exploration: Venture beyond your colony to explore the vastness of space and discover new resources and challenges.

Tips and Tricks for Playing Oxygen Not Included

1. Master the Basics:

Prioritize Water: Always have a reliable source of water for drinking, sanitation, and plant irrigation.
Oxygen is Key: Ensure your colony has a constant supply of oxygen, especially in areas where duplicants are working.
Temperature Control: Maintain a comfortable temperature range to prevent heatstroke or frostbite.
Manage Waste: Dispose of waste properly to prevent disease and contamination.

2. Automation is Your Friend:

Start Small: Begin with simple automated systems and gradually increase complexity.
Utilize Pipes: Transport liquids, gases, and even solid materials efficiently.
Conveyor Belts: Move items and resources around your colony without manual labor.
Logic Gates: Create complex automated systems that respond to changes in your environment.

3. Duplicant Management:

Assign Tasks: Choose duplicants with appropriate skills for each job.
Manage Morale: Keep your duplicants happy and motivated by providing them with comfortable living spaces and fulfilling tasks.
Avoid Stress: Minimize stress on your duplicants by ensuring they have enough sleep, food, and a clean environment.

4. Resource Management:

Plan Ahead: Anticipate future needs and gather resources accordingly.
Recycle and Reuse: Minimize waste and maximize resource efficiency.
Optimize Production: Find the most efficient ways to produce food, oxygen, and other resources.

5. Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment:

Try New Strategies: Experiment with different approaches to resource management, automation, and colony design.
Learn from Your Mistakes: Analyze your failures and adjust your strategies accordingly.
Embrace the Chaos: ONI is a challenging game, but it’s also incredibly rewarding to overcome obstacles and build a thriving colony.

Advanced Strategies for ONI Masters

1. Power Management:

Maximize Efficiency: Choose the most efficient energy sources for your colony, such as geothermal vents, solar panels, and even burning waste.
Optimize Distribution: Utilize a network of power poles to distribute energy efficiently to all areas of your colony.
Battery Storage: Store excess energy in batteries for use during peak demand or power outages.

2. Automation Mastery:

Logic Gates: Create complex automated systems using logic gates to control your colony’s environment and resources.
Modular Design: Break down complex systems into smaller, manageable modules for easier maintenance and troubleshooting.
Feedback Loops: Utilize feedback loops to create self-regulating systems that respond to changes in your colony’s environment.

3. Advanced Farming:

Slime Ranching: Cultivate slime for food, energy, and other resources.
Hydroponics: Grow plants without soil using nutrient-rich water solutions.
Automated Farming: Create automated systems to manage your farms, from planting and harvesting to irrigation and fertilization.

4. Environmental Control:

Gas Management: Control the composition of your colony’s atmosphere using filters, vents, and other tools.
Temperature Control: Utilize heat exchangers, cooling systems, and other technologies to maintain a comfortable temperature range.
Disease Prevention: Keep your colony clean and sanitized to prevent the spread of diseases.

Game Setup and Configuration Tips

1. Choosing the Right Difficulty:

Casual: A good starting point for new players, offering a more forgiving experience.
Standard: The default difficulty level, providing a balanced challenge.
Hardcore: For experienced players who want a truly challenging experience.

2. Modding ONI:

Steam Workshop: Access a vast library of mods that add new content, features, and gameplay mechanics.
Modding Tools: Use the game’s built-in modding tools to create your own custom mods.
Mod Compatibility: Be aware of mod compatibility issues before installing multiple mods.

3. Performance Optimization:

Graphics Settings: Adjust your graphics settings to optimize performance, especially on lower-end computers.
Mod Management: Disable mods you’re not using to improve performance.
Game Optimization: Use the game’s built-in optimization tools to improve performance.

Quick Review and Conclusion

Oxygen Not Included is a unique and challenging game that offers a rewarding experience for players of all skill levels. With its complex systems, diverse gameplay mechanics, and endless possibilities for creativity, ONI provides a truly immersive and engaging experience. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a complete newbie, this guide has provided you with the knowledge and strategies to build a thriving space colony and survive the challenges of life on a distant asteroid.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the best early game resources to focus on?

Water: Ensure a consistent supply for drinking, sanitation, and plant irrigation.
Oxygen: Generate enough oxygen to sustain your duplicants.
Food: Cultivate algae, mushrooms, and other early-game food sources.

2. How do I manage temperature in my colony?

Insulation: Use insulated tiles to prevent heat loss or gain.
Heat Exchangers: Transfer heat from one area to another.
Cooling Systems: Use fans or air conditioners to cool down your colony.

3. What are some good automation tips for beginners?

Start small: Begin with simple automated systems and gradually increase complexity.
Utilize pipes: Transport liquids, gases, and even solid materials efficiently.
Conveyor belts: Move items and resources around your colony without manual labor.

4. How do I keep my duplicants happy?

Provide comfortable living spaces: Ensure they have enough sleep, food, and a clean environment.
Assign fulfilling tasks: Give them jobs that match their skills and interests.
Avoid stress: Minimize stress by providing them with breaks, entertainment, and a positive work environment.

5. What are some advanced strategies for experienced players?

Slime ranching: Cultivate slime for food, energy, and other resources.
Hydroponics: Grow plants without soil using nutrient-rich water solutions.
Automated farming: Create automated systems to manage your farms.

6. How do I mod Oxygen Not Included?

Steam Workshop: Access a vast library of mods that add new content, features, and gameplay mechanics.
Modding Tools: Use the game’s built-in modding tools to create your own custom mods.
Mod Compatibility: Be aware of mod compatibility issues before installing multiple mods.

7. How do I optimize performance in Oxygen Not Included?

Graphics Settings: Adjust your graphics settings to optimize performance, especially on lower-end computers.
Mod Management: Disable mods you’re not using to improve performance.
Game Optimization: Use the game’s built-in optimization tools to improve performance.

Closure

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