Idle Research
Early access since Jul 2022
Idle Research is an addictive, resource management, incremental game with both idle and active playstyles. Research and craft colorful Flasks and Tubes to earn as much Energy as possible! Big numbers guaranteed.
83% positive · 1,911 reviews
Not yet
In early access, active development but status unclear
Medium confidence
Active Development
Development Uncertain
Not yet
In early access, active development but status unclear
Medium confidence
Active Development
Development Uncertain
Where to get it
Free on Steam
Evaluation
Idle Research has been in Early Access on Steam since July 31, 2022. On July 4, 2024, the developer posted a significant update explaining that development focus was shifting to a new sequel, Idle Research 2. For the existing Early Access game, the developer stated it would remain live and playable, bugs would be maintained, and some features might be slightly tweaked — but the planned "Cylinders" feature (referenced in the current store description as "in the future") was explicitly cancelled. The developer's creative energy has since been entirely directed at IR2, with detailed developer standup blogs documenting that game's progress as recently as June 29, 2025.
The current store description still references Cylinders as a planned future feature, which is now outdated following the July 2024 announcement. The game remains in Early Access with no announced path to a 1.0 release and no active content development for the base game beyond maintenance. The developer is a solo developer who has been transparent about balancing game development with college (now completed as of late 2025) and full-time software work.
Evidence
Developer posts extensive standup blog covering IR2 development from May through December 2025, confirming active development continues on the sequel while IR1 receives no new content.
Developer announces shift of focus to Idle Research 2. IR1 will remain playable, bugs maintained, but the planned Cylinders feature is cancelled. No plan for moving IR1 out of Early Access.
Media
Details
Developer
Publisher
Considera Core LLC
Achievements
99
Platform
Windows, macOS, Linux
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Playable
Players
Single-player
About this game
Idle Research is an addictive, resource management, incremental game with both idle and active playstyles.
Research and Craft items (Flasks, Tubes, and Cylinders (in the future)) to earn as much of the 3 types of Energy as possible!
The game can be played anywhere at anytime, no internet or constant attention is required (though it would speed up progress :D).
Supports different platforms from Mobile and the Web version!
Research, the most important feature of the game, can unlock up to 18 different and colorful vital items!
Craft researched items that will make you even more Energy and can be used in different features of the game!
Progress through the game and complete 148 achievements!
Currently there are 100 Steam achievements for you to collect :)
Reset some progress, gain Golden items, and come back even faster!
There are lots of different types of prestiges for you to unlock
Fight enemy Tubes and steal their Energy!
Explore through 7 different zones with a maximum of 500 stages each!
Steal precious Skill Shards and level up 70 different skills!
Become an alchemist and brew various types of potions!
There's much more content for you to unlock, no more spoilers :^). 100s of hours guaranteed!
The game can be speedruned for you speedrun addicts.
The game is currently in Early Access, as you might have noticed from the tags and the banner at the top. Currently, there are two layers of content: Flasks and Tubes. My goal is to add a third and final layer of content, and add some holiday events!
If you're curious, the third content layer will be larger than Flasks and Tubes, combined! There will be some form of educational material related to chemistry, physics, and math. Additionally, there will be some form of story or dialogue, if that's your kind of thing.
If you want more previews and details, join the discord! I love to keep the community updated with what I am working on :)
I am a sophomore college student, majoring in Computer Science with a focus in Data Science and Space. My goal is to focus on college and allocate as much as into game development as possible, while trying to balance other hobbies and social life :^)
Other hobbies include: making YouTube videos, rock climbing, videogames, drawing, friends, and programming random side-projects. I'm a huge music person. I'm always open to discuss these on Discord!
I hope you enjoy the game! It's been in the making since October 2020, all started with a simple shower thought!
Research and Craft items (Flasks, Tubes, and Cylinders (in the future)) to earn as much of the 3 types of Energy as possible!
The game can be played anywhere at anytime, no internet or constant attention is required (though it would speed up progress :D).
Supports different platforms from Mobile and the Web version!
Features
We all love numbers right? How about big ones? That’s what this game is about! I designed the game to be a fun and addicting incremental. Fans of basic and complex incrementals will love this game.Research, the most important feature of the game, can unlock up to 18 different and colorful vital items!
Craft researched items that will make you even more Energy and can be used in different features of the game!
Progress through the game and complete 148 achievements!
Currently there are 100 Steam achievements for you to collect :)
Reset some progress, gain Golden items, and come back even faster!
There are lots of different types of prestiges for you to unlock
Fight enemy Tubes and steal their Energy!
Explore through 7 different zones with a maximum of 500 stages each!
Steal precious Skill Shards and level up 70 different skills!
Become an alchemist and brew various types of potions!
There's much more content for you to unlock, no more spoilers :^). 100s of hours guaranteed!
The game can be speedruned for you speedrun addicts.
The game is currently in Early Access, as you might have noticed from the tags and the banner at the top. Currently, there are two layers of content: Flasks and Tubes. My goal is to add a third and final layer of content, and add some holiday events!
If you're curious, the third content layer will be larger than Flasks and Tubes, combined! There will be some form of educational material related to chemistry, physics, and math. Additionally, there will be some form of story or dialogue, if that's your kind of thing.
If you want more previews and details, join the discord! I love to keep the community updated with what I am working on :)
Future Development
As a sole indie developer, this is my passion and hobby. Making games is one of my favorite hobbies, and I don't expect that to change anytime soon. I always seek suggestions, fix bugs, and find ways to add new content that will make the game even better. My goal is to satisfy as many players as possible and to create a fun experience.Community
One of my major goals is to create a community of players and indie developers that are friendly and helpful towards one another. Want to come along with the crew? Join the discord!Meet the Developer
Hi everyone! My name is Zach. I am the only developer for CryptoGrounds. Everything in Idle Research was made from scratch, this includes: game design, art, music, marketing, etc.I am a sophomore college student, majoring in Computer Science with a focus in Data Science and Space. My goal is to focus on college and allocate as much as into game development as possible, while trying to balance other hobbies and social life :^)
Other hobbies include: making YouTube videos, rock climbing, videogames, drawing, friends, and programming random side-projects. I'm a huge music person. I'm always open to discuss these on Discord!
I hope you enjoy the game! It's been in the making since October 2020, all started with a simple shower thought!
Are these done yet?
Last evaluated Jun 23, 2026
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