To research new items in LifeAfter you need blueprints, the actual reseraching itself is done by interacting with the machines found throughout the game. There are several ways you acquire blueprints, these are listed below:
The cluster of balloons icon on your screen represents the Weekly or if any are available the Limited Events. When you click on the icon you will be able to see the date that the event is running and the tasks that you need to be complete to earn the corresponding reward. The rewards will be resources which can be used to purchase blueprints. You will be limited to four blueprints per day.
Each day the game gives you daily rewards that will usually just be a random selection of resources. There will be times however when you will be given blueprints.
You can collect blueprints as rewards by completing book tabs. As you work your way through each of the tasks you will recieve various rewards that sometimes includes bluprints. Once you have a blueprint you will need to learn it so you can garner the upgrade points that can then be used to upgrade your weapons and items.
These events can be attempted at any time whenever there are 24 players available to participate. Regardless if you win or lose you will alway receive a reward which can sometimes be a blueprint. The 12 v 12 Event can be completed four times per day.
Completing the various Achievements in the game will earn you rewards that typically comprise of gold, cash, and blueprints. The Achievements tend to be milestones in the game and although a good source to get blueprints they can take time to achieve.
Blueprints can always be purchased from the shop, the cost of blueprints varies from day to day but expect to pay around the 3-5,000 mark in gold. This is a reasonable price when you consider that gold is not a difficult resource to earn.
Check out our Crafting the Repair Bench page to find out how you can repair, dismantle, and empower the gears you build from blueprints.
We have questions and answers related to this topic which may also help you: