2.5.0.1 - GearCity Bug: Instant Component Upgrades Exploit

[AstraMeccanica]

There's a bug in GearCity that allows for infinite instant improvements to a component—even if it hasn't been researched yet.

In order to replicate it.

1. Open the Research & Development section.
   
2. The first time you click on any component and select Modify Design, the game incorrectly displays the three instant upgrade options (Minor, Significant, Major).
   
3. Only on the second attempt does the game correctly show the expected behavior—either displaying the research completion time or informing you that the component can't be upgraded.
   

This exploit can be used to gain an unfair advantage by continuously upgrading components beyond normal limitations.

Here's a short video to show what I mean: https://youtu.be/9JLF1hL-FdM

[Eric.B]

Thanks much! I'll take a look at it when I start working on the game again in June.

[AstraMeccanica]

Thanks much! I'll take a look at it when I start working on the game again in June.

I'm looking forward to it!
While we're at it, there's another odd thing.
Many of the sub-components I regularly use or research don’t seem to improve at all.
The really curious thing is that the Carriage Frame and One Speed do improve—which is ironic, considering that not only have I never researched them, but I’ve used the first one just once and the second one never.

[Eric.B]

Thanks much! I'll take a look at it when I start working on the game again in June.

I'm looking forward to it!
While we're at it, there's another odd thing.
Many of the sub-components I regularly use or research don’t seem to improve at all.
The really curious thing is that the Carriage Frame and One Speed do improve—which is ironic, considering that not only have I never researched them, but I’ve used the first one just once and the second one never.

Did you start a save game before or after 2.5.0.1 came out?

[AstraMeccanica]

Thanks much! I'll take a look at it when I start working on the game again in June.

I'm looking forward to it!
While we're at it, there's another odd thing.
Many of the sub-components I regularly use or research don’t seem to improve at all.
The really curious thing is that the Carriage Frame and One Speed do improve—which is ironic, considering that not only have I never researched them, but I’ve used the first one just once and the second one never.

Did you start a save game before or after 2.5.0.1 came out?

After. That's my first new save game since...last summer I guess. I didn’t even think it was possible to play old save files on new versions of the game

[Eric.B]

If you can upload the save game to this thread, that will be helpful, thanks!

[AstraMeccanica]

If you can upload the save game to this thread, that will be helpful, thanks!

Ok, I'm attaching the save.
Being currently at the peak of my neurodivergence, I've also prepared a table with info and remarks about the components I'm keeping an eye on. You'll find it attached too.

In the meantime, a couple of after thoughts.

I wonder if some components aren't increasing in score because they don't meet the minimum department skill and year requirements. If so, why does the game allow investing money in research if it can't progress?

I've noticed that some components I don't use or research still "improve," meaning they become more performant. This happens even if I never use them. I imagine this is due to the constant 0.01 increase. On the other hand, other components, available from the start, don't show any improvement, despite receiving the same 0.01 increase.

[Eric.B]

I wonder if some components aren't increasing in score because they don't meet the minimum department skill and year requirements. If so, why does the game allow investing money in research if it can't progress?

It's likely sql errors from performance optimizations on the new features.