SimCity (2013) consists of two city services, The Academy and University, that can conduct research to unlock high tech modules for various ploppables.
University Research[]
The player can initiate 1 of the 10 research projects at a time at a given university, granted they have plopped the required college module for the project.
It is possible to pursue different research projects simultaneously through multiple universities. Numerous universities researching the same project will not accelerate the progress, however. Progress only hastens as students attend classes daily, which dormitories are beneficial for.
The School of Engineering and School of Science unlock 4 projects each. Both the School of Law and School of Medicine only grant 1 project each, the Detective Wing and Surgical Center respectively. The School of Business unlocks 0 projects, but increases commercial profit across the city when attended.
Plopping a School of Engineering grants access to the Hazmat Garage module of the Large Fire Station, meaning no research is necessary.
| Research Project | Research Cost | Module Cost | Requirement | In-game Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concentrated Solar Array | §62,500 | §40,000 | School of Science | These futuristic dishes are small, efficient, and expensive. They pack much more power than the basic panel and take up much less space! |
| Solar Farm Great Work | §175,000 | §500,000 | School of Science | This dazzling solar array requires advanced resources and workers from participating cities in the region. Cities connected to the Solar Farm can purchase large amounts of power at a discounted cost. |
| Vertical Turbine | §55,000 | §20,000 | School of Engineering | It looks crazy! It also produces huge amounts of power. Service Roads only please! |
| Gen II Thermal Reactor | §300,000 | §75,000 | School of Science | This mid-sized generator uses slightly more water and skilled workers, but produces slightly more power than the Gen I Thermal Reactor. |
| Fast Neutron Reactor | §400,000 | §130,000 | Gen II Thermal Reactor | Uses more water and skilled workers, but produces more power and three-eyed llamas. |
| Clean Coal Generator | §175,000 | §20,000 | School of Engineering | This is as “clean” is it’s going to get, bub. This is coal, after all. |
| Clean Oil Generator | §72,000 | §27,000 | School of Engineering | After crude oil is used in a combustion turbine generator, excess exhaust is used to convert water into steam. |
| Surgical Center | §160,000 | §80,000 | School of Medicine | This top-notch Surgical Center attracts the most skilled surgical talent. The hotshot surgeons here will heal injured Sims twice as fast! |
| Detective Wing | §55,000 | §60,000 | School of Law | While patrol cars can arrest criminals committing crimes, you need detectives to investigate criminals at large. Detectives will park their detective car outside the homes of criminals at large and arrest them. |
| Space Center Great Work | §200,000 | §1,000,000 | School of Engineering | This sprawling compound required high tech resources from cities in the region. With the Space Center constructed, mayors in the region will reap the benefits of a more skilled workforce, resulting in more high tech industry. Satellites will launch every few days, which draws tourists to the surrounding cities.
* construction awards you the secret "We Are Not Alone" achievement |
Academy Research[]
Available through the SimCity: Cities of Tomorrow expansion.
| Research Project | Research Cost | Module Cost | Requirement | In-game Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maglev Station | §5,000 | §15,000 | Why should your Sims drive on roads, when they can be rocketed above them? Drop this station on any road to begin a high-speed, elevated mass transit network. | |
| Sewage Sanitizer | §5,000 | §40,000 | Advanced filtration technology allows the direct conversion of waste water into potable water. Grab a glass and don't worry about ground pollution ever again! | |
| Wind/Solar Power Amplifiers | §5,000 | §40,000 | High tech modules for the Wind Power Plant and Solar Power Plant that double the power generated. |
| Research Project | Research Cost | Module Cost | Requirement | In-game Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academy Level 2 Upgrade | Free | Upgrade your Academy for permission to add an annex module. Annex modules enable additional research projects. | ||
| ControlNet Facility | §50,000 | §40,000 | Plop this in your city to transmit ControlNet to Academy technology when the ControlNet from The Academy just isn't enough. | |
| Waste Reduction Level | §50,000 | §60,000 | Quantum Science Annex | The Waste Reduction Level greatly reduces the garbage output and increases the amount of recyclables produced by a single MegaTower. This level also converts a portion of the MegaTower's sewage into potable water. |
| Wave Power Plant | §50,000 | §60,000 | Nanoscale Engineering Annex | Placed along the shoreline, this power plant generates small amounts of cheap, clean power. |
| Skybridge Station Level | §50,000 | §20,000 | Nanoscale Engineering Annex | Connect MegaTowers with this elevated magcar track that allows Sims to travel between MegaTowers. Sims may never need to travel on roads again! |
| Fusion Power Plant | §50,000 | §155,000 | Plasma Physics Annex | Generates massive amounts of clean power at a huge cost. The fusion reactor requires a jumpstart of power from an existing source to begin power generation. |
| Nuclear Reactor Level | §50,000 | §100,000 | Plasma Physics Annex | Meet the massive power needs of your MegaTower with a powerful Nuclear Reactor Level. The advanced reactor at the core of this level will not meltdown like traditional Nuclear Power Plants. |
| Mark II Air Scrubber Crown | §50,000 | §100,000 | Quantum Science Annex | The Air Scrubber absorbs air pollution around the MegaTower. Once full, it creates rain clouds that add water (and some ground pollution) to the ground. |
| Research Project | Research Cost | Module Cost | Requirement | In-game Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academy Level 3 Upgrade | Free | Upgrade your Academy for permission to add an annex module. Annex modules enable additional research projects. | ||
| Garbage Atomizer | §75,000 | §25,000 | Plasma Physics Annex & Quantum Science Annex | Superheated plasma atomizers resolve the quantum uncertainty, confirming that no, the garbage is not there. |
| Advanced Wave Generator | §75,000 | §110,000 | Quantum Science Annex & Nanoscale Engineering Annex | This advanced generator produces more power than a Standard Wave Generator |
| Fusion Reactor Level | §75,000 | §10,000 | Plasma Physics Annex & Nanoscale Engineering Annex | Power your Elite MegaTower with this high tech Fusion Reactor Level. Jumpstart the reactor with another source of power and then enjoy safe, clean power. |
| Research Project | Research Cost | Module Cost | Requirement | In-game Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academy Level 4 Upgrade | Free | Upgrade your Academy for permission to add an annex module. Annex modules enable additional research projects. | ||
| Ground Scrubber | §100,000 | §100,000 | Plasma Physics Annex & Nanoscale Engineering Annex | Extract ground pollution or radiation, converting it into air pollution. Warning: bulldozing a polluted scrubber releases pollution back into the ground. |
| Advanced Fusion Reactor | §100,000 | §500,000 | Plasma Physics Annex & Nanoscale Engineering Annex | This reactor provides a substantial increase in power generation, provided you can afford it. |