Computing

_{Focus Areas · Design document §3}

Available from: EN02 + MA07, or MC14 (Babbage — rare early access), or QM-E03 (Resonance/Cycle-Logic Computing — the elemental-world route, no semiconductor required)

Also reachable in this focus (dual-path; home focus in parentheses): Bio-Computing (GN08, from Genetics); Massively Parallel Bio-Processing (GN09, from Genetics); Organic Neural Architecture (GN11, from Genetics); Animate Intelligence (GN14, from Genetics).

19 breakthroughs — CORE 2 · STANDARD 14 · UNCOMMON 1 · RARE 2 — Modern – Space

Builds on: Mathematics (6) · Philosophy and the Arts (2) · Medicine (1) · Mechanics (1) · Electricity (2) · Electronics (4) · Quintessic Physics (1) · Quantum Physics (1) · Materials Science (1) · Genetics (3)

Leads into: Construction (1) · Warfare (1) · Mathematics (4) · Mechanics (1) · Materials Science (1) · Genetics (6) · Energy Systems (1)

_{The numbers count prerequisite links between this focus and the other. How to read the tables.}

Overview

ID	Breakthrough	Tier	Era	Prerequisites
CP01	Programmable Computer	CORE	Atomic	(EN02 Transistor, or QM-E03 Resonant-State Computing) + MA07 (Binary Math) + PH10 (Information Theory)
CP04	Internet	CORE	Atomic	CP01 + (EL09 (Wireless) or EL04 (Telegraph))
CP06	Cryptography	STANDARD	Atomic	CP01 + MA13 (Topology — set theory)
CP07	Artificial Intelligence (Narrow)	STANDARD	Atomic	CP01 + MA09 (Statistics)
CP08	Machine Learning	STANDARD	Atomic	CP07 + MA09
CP09	Artificial General Intelligence	UNCOMMON	Space	CP08 + (EN06 or GN09 or GN11 or CP15) — cost ×2.5
CP10	Quantum Computing	STANDARD	Space	((QP07 + CP01) or GN10) + CP16 — cost ×2
CP11	Neural Interface	RARE	Atomic	CP07 + MD03 (Anatomy) + EN03
CP12	Sentient AI	RARE	Space	CP09 + PH01 (Formal Logic) — cost ×4
CP13	Analog Computing Mastery	STANDARD	Modern	(MC14 (Babbage) or EN01) + MA05
CP14	Perceptron Machines	STANDARD	Atomic	CP13 (Analog Computing Mastery) + MA09 (Statistics)
CP15	Neuromorphic Processors	STANDARD	Space	CP14 + MS02 (Nanotechnology / Fine Structuring) — cost ×2.5
CP16	Planetary Data Networks	STANDARD	Space	CP04 + CP07
CP17	AI Advisory Council	STANDARD	Space	CP16 — cost ×2.5
CP18	Autonomous Logistics	STANDARD	Space	CP16 — cost ×2.5
CP19	Cyber Operations	STANDARD	Space	CP16 + CP06 — cost ×2.5
CP20	Digital Twins	STANDARD	Space	CP16 — cost ×2.5
CP22	Autonomous Economy	STANDARD	Space	CP17 + CP18 — cost ×4
CP21	Macroscopic Quantum Control	STANDARD	Space	CP10

Prerequisite map

flowchart LR
  n_CP01["CP01 Programmable Computer"]:::CORE
  n_CP04["CP04 Internet"]:::CORE
  n_CP16["CP16 Planetary Data Networks"]:::STANDARD
  n_CP10["CP10 Quantum Computing"]:::STANDARD
  n_CP21["CP21 Macroscopic Quantum Control"]:::STANDARD
  n_CP17["CP17 AI Advisory Council"]:::STANDARD
  n_CP22["CP22 Autonomous Economy"]:::STANDARD
  n_CP18["CP18 Autonomous Logistics"]:::STANDARD
  n_CP19["CP19 Cyber Operations"]:::STANDARD
  n_CP20["CP20 Digital Twins"]:::STANDARD
  n_CP06["CP06 Cryptography"]:::STANDARD
  n_CP07["CP07 Artificial Intelligence (Narrow)"]:::STANDARD
  n_CP08["CP08 Machine Learning"]:::STANDARD
  n_CP09["CP09 Artificial General Intelligence"]:::UNCOMMON
  n_CP12["CP12 Sentient AI"]:::RARE
  n_CP11["CP11 Neural Interface"]:::RARE
  n_CP13["CP13 Analog Computing Mastery"]:::STANDARD
  n_CP14["CP14 Perceptron Machines"]:::STANDARD
  n_CP15["CP15 Neuromorphic Processors"]:::STANDARD
  n_CP01 --> n_CP04
  n_CP01 --> n_CP06
  n_CP01 --> n_CP07
  n_CP07 --> n_CP08
  n_CP08 --> n_CP09
  n_CP15 -.-> n_CP09
  n_CP16 --> n_CP10
  n_CP01 -.-> n_CP10
  n_CP07 --> n_CP11
  n_CP09 --> n_CP12
  n_CP13 --> n_CP14
  n_CP14 --> n_CP15
  n_CP04 --> n_CP16
  n_CP07 --> n_CP16
  n_CP16 --> n_CP17
  n_CP16 --> n_CP18
  n_CP16 --> n_CP19
  n_CP06 --> n_CP19
  n_CP16 --> n_CP20
  n_CP17 --> n_CP22
  n_CP18 --> n_CP22
  n_CP10 --> n_CP21
  classDef CORE fill:#dbeafe,stroke:#1d4ed8,color:#0b1b3b
  classDef STANDARD fill:#f1f5f9,stroke:#64748b,color:#0f172a
  classDef UNCOMMON fill:#dcfce7,stroke:#15803d,color:#052e16
  classDef RARE fill:#fef3c7,stroke:#b45309,color:#3b2005
  classDef UNIQUE fill:#fae8ff,stroke:#a21caf,color:#3b0a3f

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_{Prerequisites within this focus. Box colour is the tier (blue CORE, grey STANDARD, green UNCOMMON, amber RARE, purple UNIQUE); dotted arrows are alternatives (“or”); a line can pass behind another box, so follow it from its start. 12 of these 19 breakthroughs also need breakthroughs from other foci, which the overview above lists.}

Breakthroughs

CP01 · Programmable Computer

• Tier: CORE · Era: Atomic
• Prerequisites: (EN02 Transistor, or QM-E03 Resonant-State Computing) + MA07 (Binary Math) + PH10 (Information Theory)
• Unlocks: ⟨[+10]% Strength <for [Siege] units>⟩ (ballistics). A computer is named for what it does, so it keeps its name in every world; only the switch inside differs. ⟨[+1 Science] per [4] population [in all cities]⟩ — digital administration turns a populace into knowledge: a computer and the system that makes it usable (Operating System, merged here in v3.104). All later Computing breakthroughs build on this.
• Notes: The switch differs by world: bistable forms driven by resonant electric fire, or two-phase patterns pushed forward and back.
• Leads to: CO14 3D Printed Construction, WA20 Drone Warfare, MA11 Fractal Mathematics, MA14 Chaos Theory, MA15 Optimisation Theory, MA20 Computational Proof, MC12 Robotics, CP04 Internet, CP06 Cryptography, CP07 Artificial Intelligence (Narrow), CP10 Quantum Computing, GN03 Genetic Engineering, GN08 Bio-Computing

CP04 · Internet

• Tier: CORE · Era: Atomic
• Prerequisites: CP01 + (EL09 (Wireless) or EL04 (Telegraph))
• Unlocks: ⟨[+10]% [Science] [in all cities]⟩ (Insight is science); ⟨[+2 Gold] from each Trade Route⟩ (commerce); United Nations (world wonder). Switches Knowledge Diffusion to its Internet phase (Section 1.2). ⟨[+1 Science] [in all cities connected to capital]⟩ — the network follows the roads; ⟨[+1 Gold] from all [Stock Exchange] buildings⟩ — prices move at the speed of light, on fibre (Networking, merged here in v3.104, with Fiber Optics merged into it in v3.101). Database Centreⁿ [625/3; +3 Gold; ⟨[+1 Gold] from each Trade Route⟩; ⟨[+25]% spy effectiveness [in this city]⟩ (<when espionage is enabled>)] — the networked age keeps its records in data centres (Database Systems, merged here in v3.104).
• Leads to: CP16 Planetary Data Networks, ES22 Smart Grid

CP06 · Cryptography

• Tier: STANDARD · Era: Atomic
• Prerequisites: CP01 + MA13 (Topology — set theory)
• Unlocks: Great Firewall (world wonder); ⟨[-25]% enemy spy effectiveness [in all cities]⟩ (<when espionage is enabled>); ⟨[+5]% [Gold] [in all cities]⟩ (secure banking).
• Leads to: CP19 Cyber Operations

CP07 · Artificial Intelligence (Narrow)

• Tier: STANDARD · Era: Atomic
• Prerequisites: CP01 + MA09 (Statistics)
• Unlocks: AI Labⁿ [250/1; requires a Research Lab in this city; +2 Science; ⟨Remove [Perceptron Laboratory] [in this city]⟩]; ⟨[+2] Unit Supply per city⟩ (predictive logistics). The primary of the machine-intelligence Competing Solution; Perceptron Machines (CP14) are its alternative.
• Leads to: CP08 Machine Learning, CP11 Neural Interface, CP16 Planetary Data Networks, GN05 Synthetic Biology, GN11 Organic Neural Architecture

CP08 · Machine Learning

• Tier: STANDARD · Era: Atomic
• Prerequisites: CP07 + MA09
• Unlocks: ⟨[+1 Happiness] [in all cities] <in cities with a [AI Lab]>⟩ (systems that know what you want); ⟨[+25]% spy effectiveness [in all cities]⟩ (<when espionage is enabled> — pattern recognition).
• Leads to: CP09 Artificial General Intelligence, GN09 Massively Parallel Bio-Processing, GN14 Animate Intelligence

CP09 · Artificial General Intelligence

• Tier: UNCOMMON · Era: Space
• Prerequisites: CP08 + (EN06 or GN09 or GN11 or CP15) — cost ×2.5
• Unlocks: ⟨[+15]% [Science] [in all cities]⟩ (a mind that never sleeps); the council's proposals (CP17) grow stronger, and alignment requests appear via Events.json: granting autonomy brings bigger returns but occasional overreach events with real costs; restricting it is safer. Each answer adjusts a hidden trust stockpile. Computing threshold met by Semiconductor Mastery (EN06), Massively Parallel Bio-Processing (GN09), Organic Neural Architecture (GN11) or Neuromorphic Processors (CP15).
• Notes: W18 — First step of capstone B; deepens the council. The deepest divide the Life axis creates: can a machine think, or only a living thing?
• Leads to: CP12 Sentient AI, MS07 Programmable Matter

CP10 · Quantum Computing

• Tier: STANDARD · Era: Space
• Prerequisites: ((QP07 + CP01) or GN10) + CP16 — cost ×2
• Unlocks: ⟨[+50]% spy effectiveness [in all cities]⟩ (<when espionage is enabled> — every cipher falls). Two routes: cryogenic silicon (QP07) or room-temperature biological (GN10). Atomic worlds only.
• Notes: W18 — Pool; Tunnelling engineering (atomic worlds).
• Leads to: CP21 Macroscopic Quantum Control

CP11 · Neural Interface

• Tier: RARE · Era: Atomic
• Prerequisites: CP07 + MD03 (Anatomy) + EN03
• Unlocks: ⟨[+2 Science] from every specialist [in all cities]⟩; ⟨All newly-trained [Military] units [in all cities] receive the [Neurolinked] promotion⟩ (Neurolinkedⁿ: ⟨[+10]% Strength⟩).

CP12 · Sentient AI

• Tier: RARE · Era: Space
• Prerequisites: CP09 + PH01 (Formal Logic) — cost ×4
• Unlocks: The Awakening — an Events.json chain coloured by the autonomy history (CP09): partnership (⟨Free Great Person⟩ every few turns and better proposals, with occasional demands that cost to refuse) or containment (much lower enemy spy effectiveness and more happiness; the proposals stop). No new civilisation is spawned — Unciv has no mechanism for that.
• Notes: W18 — Capstone B (rare).

CP13 · Analog Computing Mastery

• Tier: STANDARD · Era: Modern
• Prerequisites: (MC14 (Babbage) or EN01) + MA05
• Unlocks: ⟨[+10]% Strength <for [Siege] units> <before discovering [Programmable Computer]>⟩; ⟨[+10]% Strength <for [Water] units> <when attacking> <before discovering [Programmable Computer]>⟩ (fire-control computers); ⟨[+1 Science] from all [Observatory] buildings <before discovering [Programmable Computer]>⟩. Competing Solution (§1.2): the alternative to Programmable Computer (CP01), detour margin ×1.5 while Programmable Computer exists in this world; if Programmable Computer is discovered first this is never developed, and if it arrives later this is superseded — its bonuses carry <before discovering [Programmable Computer]>, and the digital computer's own siege bonus takes over. What persists is the road it opens: Perceptron Machines (CP14).
• Notes: What if analog was never abandoned?
• Leads to: CP14 Perceptron Machines

CP14 · Perceptron Machines

• Tier: STANDARD · Era: Atomic
• Prerequisites: CP13 (Analog Computing Mastery) + MA09 (Statistics)
• Unlocks: Perceptron Laboratoryⁿ [250/1; requires a Research Lab in this city; +2 Production; pattern recognition on the factory floor; no Rare Earths; ⟨Remove [AI Lab] [in this city]⟩]. The trade: analogue neurons are fast, frugal and good at recognising things, but imprecise and not general-purpose — so a Perceptron Laboratory gives less Science than an AI Lab and none of Machine Learning's rewards for AI Labs, in return for production, one Gold of upkeep instead of three, and no chip supply chain. Competing Solution (§1.2): the alternative to Artificial Intelligence (Narrow) (CP07), detour margin ×1.5 while Artificial Intelligence (Narrow) exists in this world; if Artificial Intelligence (Narrow) is discovered first this is never developed, and if it arrives later this persists — a city chooses between a Perceptron Laboratory and an AI Lab.
• Notes: Rosenblatt's Mark I Perceptron (1958) was analogue hardware, its weights turned by motor-driven potentiometers; Minsky and Papert's critique (1969) helped end the line until digital deep learning revived the idea.
• Leads to: CP15 Neuromorphic Processors

CP15 · Neuromorphic Processors

• Tier: STANDARD · Era: Space
• Prerequisites: CP14 + MS02 (Nanotechnology / Fine Structuring) — cost ×2.5
• Unlocks: Neuromorphic Foundryⁿ [375/2; +2 Production; no Rare Earths; ⟨Remove [Fab] [in this city]⟩]; meets the computing threshold for Artificial General Intelligence (CP09) without Semiconductor Mastery. The trade: thinking at a thousandth of the power, and with no Rare Earths — but a Foundry yields less Science than a Fab and takes its place. The perceptron road reaches a general mind without the silicon supply chain, which matters most in elemental worlds, where the silicon age comes slowly.
• Notes: W18 — Pool. Analogue in-memory and neuromorphic computing are live research fields again.
• Leads to: CP09 Artificial General Intelligence

CP16 · Planetary Data Networks

• Tier: STANDARD · Era: Space
• Prerequisites: CP04 + CP07
• Unlocks: ⟨[+10]% [Science] [in all cities] <in cities with a [AI Lab]>⟩. The planet's data joined into one network.
• Notes: W18 — Entry: opens Computing's Space-era pool; on Tunnelling's build through CP10 (atomic worlds).
• Leads to: CP10 Quantum Computing, CP17 AI Advisory Council, CP18 Autonomous Logistics, CP19 Cyber Operations, CP20 Digital Twins

CP17 · AI Advisory Council

• Tier: STANDARD · Era: Space
• Prerequisites: CP16 — cost ×2.5
• Unlocks: ⟨<every [5] turns> Triggers a [Advisory Council] event⟩: the player chooses a research push (Insight for the funded focus), an industry plan (⟨[+X]% [Production] <for [N] turns>⟩) or an intelligence sweep (map reveals, spy promotions); X and N set at spec.
• Notes: W18 — Pool; the playstyle's reliable core.
• Leads to: CP22 Autonomous Economy

CP18 · Autonomous Logistics

• Tier: STANDARD · Era: Space
• Prerequisites: CP16 — cost ×2.5
• Unlocks: ⟨[5] units cost no maintenance⟩ — fleets that run themselves.
• Notes: W18 — Pool; first step of capstone A.
• Leads to: CP22 Autonomous Economy

CP19 · Cyber Operations

• Tier: STANDARD · Era: Space
• Prerequisites: CP16 + CP06 — cost ×2.5
• Unlocks: ⟨New spies start with [1] level(s)⟩, ⟨[+25]% spy effectiveness <when espionage is enabled>⟩; fallback ⟨[+1] Sight <for [Military] units> <when espionage is disabled>⟩.
• Notes: W18 — Pool.

CP20 · Digital Twins

• Tier: STANDARD · Era: Space
• Prerequisites: CP16 — cost ×2.5
• Unlocks: ⟨[+10]% [Production] <in cities with a [AI Lab]>⟩ — every plant simulated before it is changed.
• Notes: W18 — Pool.

CP22 · Autonomous Economy

• Tier: STANDARD · Era: Space
• Prerequisites: CP17 + CP18 — cost ×4
• Unlocks: ⟨[+15]% [Production] [in all cities]⟩, ⟨[+10]% [Gold] [in all cities]⟩.
• Notes: W18 — Capstone A (the reliable one).

CP21 · Macroscopic Quantum Control

• Tier: STANDARD · Era: Space
• Prerequisites: CP10
• Unlocks: ⟨[+10]% [Science] [in all cities]⟩. Hosts macro-scale coherence (Tunnelling; merged into its build, W14), blocked by measurement: unlocks the Orbital Quantum Laboratoryⁿ [national wonder — every civilisation may build its own; cost set at spec, about 3–6 turns of construction; massive superpositions in free fall, as ESA's MAQRO proposal would test; on completion it settles the condition]. Entanglement is already mastered (QP07); what is unknown is whether coherence survives for massive objects.
• Notes: W18 — Pool; Tunnelling engineering (atomic worlds); hosts a condition, so priced as a decider.