The Terraformation Index (Ti) is a number that gives a general indication of terraforming progress on the planet. It is displayed in the upper right corner of the screen. It is measured in units of Ti, with standard metric prefixes such as k, M, G, T added to the front once the number is high enough. Increasing the overall terraforming index leads to progress through the terraformation stages and unlocks new blueprints.
Description[]
The planet's Ti value is the combined total of the following measurements:
Oxygen (ppq)
Heat (pK)
Pressure (nPa)
Biomass (g). Note that Biomass is unlocked later in-game, and split into three subcategories, and all are equally measured in grams:
The values tend to always be displayed in this order, such as on the Display Screens. On the Blueprints screen Ti will be listed in the first row on the first tab, before the others (OHP); and on the second Blueprints tab (as seen in the Biodome T1), Biomass will be listed first, then its subcomponents (PIA). On the Terraformation screen the sum total will be shown at the bottom. On the Biomass screen, the sum is likewise shown at the bottom (note that the biomass icon includes the arrow symbols around the icon). This also applies to the order of the rockets on the Orbital screen.
Calculation[]
The index is calculated according to the following equation, noting the base unit for each measurement:
Therefore as an example, the rate of Terraformation Index gained will be equivalent between the following machines:
Units[]
After reaching a quantity of 1000Ti, then the unit Ti will not be shown any more. Instead, there will be the unit of kTi. For example, 56.45 kTi = 56.45 * 1000Ti = 56450 Ti.
Afterwards MTi will appear and 1MTi=1000kTi. After some time even bigger numbers would appear: 1GTi=1000MTi; 1TTi=1000GTi; 1PTi=1000TTi and so on. These are the short form of the metric prefixes for multiplying by 1000, so kilo, mega, giga, tera etc. Lately, some video footage has been found of a guy managing to reach 1000PTi to check, 1000PTi = 1 ETi. These are for multiplying by peta- and exa-. If following this scheme, we'll get ZTi (zetta-) and YTi (yotta-).
Progression[]
Terraformation is tied to progress in the overall game, because this is one of the ways to unlock new blueprints. Blueprints can be unlocked after reaching thresholds of Ti as a whole, or thresholds in the subcategories. When the proper amount of terraforming progress is achieved the blueprint will be awarded automatically.
The player will need to advance all of these values in order to unlock everything, because each category has certain unique items that can only be unlocked in that category. Therefore, it is important to build machines that increase all of the categories.
At different stages, the player can visually see significant changes in the planet. The planet starts at the Barren stage and as the index goes up, different weather events and planetary changes will happen. Planet changes depend on overall Ti, and are not directly affected by the individual subcategories.
Terraformation Index always increases and will never decrease, even if the machines are later deconstructed or as time passes.
Lore[]
As revealed in the Messages, Sentinel Corp uses the Terraformation Index in order to monitor the player's progress. The company is also the source of the blueprint unlocks, stating that "Our sensors will periodically scan your progress and will send you the required blueprints."
System Terraformation Index[]
The System Terraformation Index (SysTi) is similar to the planet specific Terraformation Index (Ti) and is tied to late game unlocks like the T5 Jetpack or Cosmic Quartz.
Calculation
The index is calculated according to the following equation using each planet's / moon's Ti value (neglecting any Ti values of zero):
Unlocks
| Technology | SysTi |
|---|---|
 Interplanetary Exchange Shuttle
|
1000.00 QaSysTi |
 T7 Backpack
|
10.00 QiSysTi |
 Quartz Craft Station
|
100.00 QiSysTi |
 T5 Oxygen Tank
|
600.00 SxSysTi |
 Planetary Delivery Depot
|
10.00 SpSysTi |
 T2 Plant Rocket
|
5.00 OcSysTi |
 Trade Rocket Multiplier Fuse
|
2.50 NoSysTi |
 T5 Jetpack
|
15.00 NoSysTi |
 T2 Insect Spreader Rocket
|
70.00 NoSysTi |
 T2 Magnetic Field Protection Rocket
|
500.00 NoSysTi |
 T2 Rocket Engine
|
10.00 DcSysTi |
 Energy Multiplier Fuse
|
500.00 DcSysTi |
 Cosmic Quartz
|
5.00 UdSysTi |
