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No, the names of the raiders would not just be changed to "zombies". The size of the zombie attacks would grow considerably faster than normal, any humans killed would turn, raiders would stroll by occasionally, animal life would be removed, and bodies could be burned. Several tweaks could be made to make this feel more like an apocalypse! (Yes this has been discussed, but I haven't seen a poll on this.)

I definitely would like to see the proposed research tree by Lechai or something similar. The research system is really what will put a lot of story into each structure. I'd also like to see multiple people being able to research maybe by putting multiple chairs at the research table. Researchers could also haul a specified amount of metal to the table to boost the rate of research (on the note of metal, please, Tynan, we need mining drills that spew out debris and metal [and also slag>sand in the stonecutter table]).

Building: Mining Drill. Costs 1000 metal, but mines beneath the surface and slowly extracts metal. It would dump metal deposits on the ground beside the drill for colonists to haul to dumping areas.

First off, this idea sounds easily exploitable, but you could make it so drills are only placeable over geothermal vents or maybe a different rare deposit that could be added to the game. Currently metal is the only way to construct things, but it is a non-renewable source and is not that easy to come across.

Another way of making it easier to obtain metal is to add a research for communication boost. It would allow the colony to send out signals to passing trading vessels. The player could specify which vessel they would like, and in this case, industrial traders. Of course, metal-thieves may receive the signal as well, and with broadcasting for vessels may attract unwanted guests.

I know this game is still not even in Alpha, so I'm sure the system is getting balanced out and will probably be completely different down the road. I'm excited to see where this game takes us!