fˈɜːst ɪz ðə ɹᵻsˈɜːtʃ fˈeɪz, wˌɛɹ ˌaɪpˌiːsˈiːz ɐ ɹˌɛpɹᵻzˈɛntˈeɪʃən ʌv ɪndˈʌstɹɪəl pˈaʊɚ kæn biː ɡˈæmbəld ɪn ɐn ɐtˈɛmpt tə dɪvˈɛləp ɐdvˈænst tɛknˈɑːlədʒi, sˈʌtʃ ɐz dʒˈɛt ˈɛndʒɪnz ɔːɹ ɹˈɑːkɪts.
First is the research phase, where IPCs (a representation of industrial power) can be gambled in an attempt to develop advanced technology, such as jet engines or rockets.