colonization Tech Comparison
Orbital Platforms vs Megacity Planning
Comparing the Orbital Platforms (Tier 4) and Megacity Planning (Tier 3), both colonization technologies in Starforge MMO. Use this to decide which to queue first when your research lab can only run one project at a time.
Research Comparison
| Attribute | Orbital Platforms | Megacity Planning |
|---|---|---|
| Tier | T4 | T3 |
| Research time | 55 | 25▼ |
| metal cost | 100,000 | 50,000▼ |
| crystal cost | 50,000 | 25,000▼ |
| antimatter cost | 500▼ | — |
| Effect | unlocks orbital platforms: true; +35% orbital defense strength | +40% max planet population |
▼ marks the lower resource / time cost. Cheaper isn't always better — weigh it against the effect each tech unlocks.
Orbital Platforms
Deploy permanent orbital platforms that provide mining, defense, and logistics support above any colonized world.
Unlocks buildings: orbital platform
Requires: colonization 8, colonization 9
Megacity Planning
Arcology design and urban stacking increases maximum planetary population capacity by 40%.
Unlocks buildings: arcology district
Requires: colonization 7
Which Should You Research First?
The Megacity Planning is the lower-tier prerequisite step and typically comes first in the colonization branch, opening the path toward Orbital Platforms.