Read the Museum as three linked sets
The verified structure has three quest NPCs, three currencies, and three research branches. Treat those as separate sets that interact through the Museum rather than collapsing them into an invented one-to-one mapping. The announcement does not state that each NPC belongs exclusively to one currency or branch, and this reference does not infer that relationship.
When you open the live Museum interface, record the visible quest, currency, and branch information for the current version. Keep the wording and order exactly as shown if you are making a personal plan. A screenshot can help you remember the state, but the interface remains the authority for current requirements and costs.
Research planning should follow the park you are actually building. Identify which verified theme or broader progression direction fits the next area, then compare the live branch options. Avoid spending based on an old guide that claims exact values without a date, because the sealed evidence does not support a permanent cost table.
| Research element | Verified count | Evidence boundary |
|---|---|---|
| Quest NPCs | 3 | Names and exact quest chains are not in the sealed handoff. |
| Currencies | 3 | Names, rates, and costs must be read in the live version. |
| Research branches | 3 | The complete node order is not reproduced here. |
| Named themes | Aztec, Sea, Pirate | Themes are verified; exact unlock conditions are not. |
Keep Aztec, Sea, and Pirate themes separate from maps
Aztec, Sea, and Pirate are the three themes named in the 1.0 announcement. They provide verified directions for park presentation and research planning. The handoff does not establish that they are separate maps, nor does it provide numeric attraction bonuses for choosing one theme. Describe them as research themes unless a later first-party source changes that classification.
The Beach addition is a map and requires a new park because layouts do not transfer. That is a different system boundary. A player can therefore plan a Beach park and separately consider researched thematic content without assuming that “Sea” and “Beach” are the same unlock or save context.
Choose a research direction after checking the live Museum state and the needs of the current park. Preserve room for later construction, keep service access readable, and treat visual identity as part of the park plan rather than proof of a hidden rating modifier.
Frequently asked questions
How many research branches are in Waterpark Simulator version 1.0?
The official version 1.0 announcement describes three research branches in the Museum, along with three quest NPCs and three currencies. The sealed handoff does not provide verified branch names, a complete node list, or exact unlock costs, so this page records the supported structure rather than inventing a full research tree.
What research themes are confirmed?
Aztec, Sea, and Pirate are the three themes named in the official version 1.0 announcement. They belong to the Museum research context in the reviewed evidence. Exact unlock requirements, prices, and every cosmetic or building effect should be checked in the current game interface because those details are not completely supplied by the handoff.
Are exact research costs listed here?
No. The sealed handoff does not provide a complete version-bound cost or unlock table. Read the current values and requirements in the live Museum interface. This reference intentionally avoids filling missing entries with estimates, screenshots interpreted as universal prices, or values copied from a different version without a dated first-party source.
Is the Sea theme a map?
The evidence classifies Sea as a research theme. Beach is the verified map addition and requires a new park because layouts do not transfer. Keep those concepts separate when planning: a named theme belongs to the Museum research structure, while Beach is a distinct park context described in the official version 1.0 announcement.