How to Increase Base Size in The Alters

The Alters is largely a base-building sim with a lot of resource management thrown on top of it. While things start off easily enough, the number of modules players will need to add to their base will quickly outgrow the original size of the base. Fortunately, there is a way for players to increase base size in The Alters, but it can easily be missed.

If players fail to get this done early in Act 1, it can have a compounding effect on issues that can really blow up a playthrough, with Alters getting angry, resources depleting, and restrictive storage space. There are more base expansion upgrades later in the game, too, but they all work in the same way, so let’s dive into the process.

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How to Increase Base Size in The Alters

More Room for Activities (and Facilities)

Players can increase their base size in The Alters by increasing the Qubit Level of their Quantum Computer. After doing so, players need to head to the Research tab within the menu and go to the ‘Base’ menu. After unlocking Qubit Level 2, they can research Base Expansion II. This expands the base significantly, allowing more room for building modules. It also expands the Organics tank size to 450.

That larger Organics tank is going to come in handy, because the larger base means more Organics are needed to move the player’s base at the end of each act, and more food is going to be needed to fuel their ever-increasing army of Alters. There are better ways to make food in The Alters than using Organics, but it’s always a last resort if needed.

All Base Expansion Upgrades in The Alters

Keep It Growing

Further base expansion upgrades in The Alters requires players to increase the Qubit Level of their Quantum Computer to level 3 and then level 4, respectively. Each act of the game hides another of the Damaged Chips that players can use to create a Qubit Chip, which are required to increase the Qubit Level.

After the Qubit Level has been increased, players can go to the Research tab and select the Base Expansion III and Base Expansion IV options from the ‘Base’ tab. All Base Expansion upgrades are listed below.

• Base Expansion II: Expands the base, allowing more room for building modules. Additionally, it expands the Organics tank size to 450.
• Base Expansion III: Expands the base and the Organics tank size to 700.
• Base Expansion IV: Expands the base and the Organics tank size to 800.

Each expansion takes 14 hours for players to research. This requires players to have a Scientist Alter in their team, so I’d make this a priority to create. It was the second Alter I created, as it’s also one of the best in the game.

Tips for Optimizing Base Layout

Keep It Simple

A player’s base can quickly become an unruly mess if they don’t take the time to optimize its layout. Here are a few pointers below to ensure they can cram as much into its grid-based layout as possible.

• Keep elevators in one straight column. Take the time to rejig the base early on and create a column of elevators down the middle to enable you to reach every level of the base. This avoids wasted space and makes it easier to fit in other modules.
• Use Small Storage modules around the edges to fill in any little gaps that have started to appear around larger modules. Medium Storage modules can be placed at the very top and bottom thanks to their shorter, wider shape.
• Don’t be afraid to move modules in the base around as base expansion upgrades are unlocked. The added space almost always allows things to be reorganized to make the most of the new room.

The Alters

10/10

Released

June 13, 2025

Engine

Unreal Engine 5

PC Release Date

June 13, 2025

Xbox Series X|S Release Date

June 13, 2025

PS5 Release Date

June 13, 2025