History Main / NewTechIsNotCheap

* Part of the issues in the war between the People's Republic of Haven and Manticore in the HonorHarrington series. Courtesy of their control of the largest known wormhole junction in the Galaxy and a massive merchant marine Manticore can afford to run a robust R&D program in the middle of a shooting war while the bankrupt PRH can't, even if their educational system wasn't hideously crippled.

* In ''{{Contact}}'', a terrorist attack destroys the first device. There are plans, but building the device was so expensive for the entire world that the prospect of building a second one (especially since it would invite yet another attack) is summarily dismissed. It is then that a second, backup device is revealed to have been built in secret. It is explained with the CrowningMomentOfAwesome line:

* In the ''Halo'' universe, the [[FrickinLaserBeams Spartan Laser]] costs as much as A 400,000 TON WARSHIP.

* ''{{Stars}}!'' has "[[http://wiki.starsautohost.org/wiki/Bleeding_Edge_Technology Bleeding Edge Technology]]" trait, doubling the cost of new technologies, but improving miniaturization later. Sucks on higher levels since no room is left for miniaturization, so costs remain high.

* In ''MasterOfOrion 2'' "[[http://strategywiki.org/wiki/Master_of_Orion_II/Warship_technologies#Miniaturization miniaturization]]" lowers both cost and size of devices, and on top of TechTree empty levels are left to allow extra miniaturization of previous levels (and score points).

* In ''{{Contact}}'', a terrorist attack destroys the first device. There are plans, but building the device was so expensive for the entire world that the prospect of building a second one (especially since it would invite yet another attack) is summarily dismissed. It is then that a second, backup device is revealed to have been built in secret. It is explained with the CrowningMomentAwesome line:
"First rule of government spending: why build one, when you can build two, at twice the price? Only, this one can be kept secret.

* ''SidMeiersAlphaCentauri'' has prototyping, where the first unit of a new design has an added initial cost before you can even produce any. This cost is ignored by the Spartans and at bases with a Skunkworks.

* ''SidMeiersAlphaCentauri'' has prototyping, where the first unit of a new design has an added initial cost before you can even produce any. This cost is ignored at bases with a Skunkworks.

New technology is not cheap. There is a lot of associated costs to new technology. That is often used as excuse not to just blow up rampaging technology in stories. Also often used to enhance item in stories, especially as setup to get it destroyed or rescued. Sometimes used as excuse not to simply have a whole lot of certain tech item, like just few flying suits rather than everyone in certain group having them.

* ''MasterOfOrion 2'' has "[[http://strategywiki.org/wiki/Master_of_Orion_II/Warship_technologies#Miniaturization miniaturization]]" -- lowering of devices' cost and size as the player develops the corresponding field further, and even empty levels on top of TechTree that gives only extra miniaturization of previous levels (and score points).
* ''{{Stars}}!'' has "[[http://wiki.starsautohost.org/wiki/Bleeding_Edge_Technology Bleeding Edge Technology]]" trait doubling the cost of new technologies, but improving miniaturization effects later. Sucks on higher levels, though.

* Inverted in [[http://www.melonpool.com/?p=2051 this MelonPool strip]]. It's because of the OLD technology (engine) that required expensive fuel.

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* In Einstein's Bridge, the expense of SSC were used as one of reasons to close that project.

* ''Stars!'' has "[[http://wiki.starsautohost.org/wiki/Bleeding_Edge_Technology Bleeding Edge Technology]]" trait doubling the cost of new technologies, but improving miniaturization effects later. Sucks on higher levels, though.

* Subverted in [[http://www.melonpool.com/?p=2051 this MelonPool strip]]. It's because of the OLD technology (engine) that required expensive fuel.

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* Good number of technologies like DVD were expensive when first released. In old days a good desktop computer could cost thousands of dollars. Nowadays a decent laptop could only cost few hundred dollars.
** It can get to ludicrous amount of money if you want some new technology early enough.

* Does your new tech have an Apple symbol on it? Then it's going to start and stay expensive. It's called the Apple Tax.

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* In some canons, one of {{Spiderman}} major plot is budget on the expensive chemicals for his web shooters.

* In SpiderMan2, when Doctor Octopus' tentacles convince him to try to build his fusion generator again, he specifically mentions needing to be able to fund it, which results in him robbing the bank where he has his first fight with Spider-Man.