How To Increase Character Happiness In The Alters

Are you thinking about keeping characters happy in The Alters? While Jan Dolski might find himself all by his lonesome on a strange planet, he does gain help from his own variants, clones from branching paths of his life. That said, complications will arise as you try to mend relationships with each new version of Jan. Our guide has all the details that you need for this particular feature of the game.How to increase happiness in The Alters - Character happiness and motivation guideThe mechanics involving happiness and motivation in the game tend to be fairly complex. We discuss various concepts that are intertwined, including the backstories/life paths of your alter clones, as well as potential conflicts that may occur during your playthrough.Note: The disposition and attitude of Jan's clones can be seen in the Alters menu/tab. Always consider the background and life choices of each characterIf you want to increase happiness in The Alters, then it's important to understand what motivates your clones. This can be seen via the Quantum Computer, which shows Jan's life path, as well as what transpired in the lives of his other selves.Each branch is, essentially, a life story or background, giving you a glimpse as to what happened to that character until the time you created them in your base. Talk to characters whenever you see a dialogue box iconNaturally, knowing the backstory of each character leads you to ascertain their quirks and idiosyncrasies. From there, you should talk to your buddies whenever you see a dialogue box icon next to their portrait. You should respond to them based on what you've learned from their past. Here are some examples that you're bound to encounter early in your playthrough:Jan Technician - Unlike Jan Main, the Technician variant is very close to his mother. He's also a no-nonsense, straight-shooter type of guy.Jan Scientist - The Scientist focused too much on his work, which also affected his social skills. As such, he tends to favor pragmatic and analytical responses.Jan Botanist - Although Jan Main and his wife are separated, Jan Botanist remains madly in love with her. He also tends to be more compliant and relaxed.Jan Miner - The Miner has had a hard life, which also led to his addiction to pills. Be on the lookout for baubles and accessories from crashed podsIn several areas of the game world, you might spot crashed pods. Some of these contain baubles and accessories, which can be given to your clones. This leads to new dialogue options, which may impact your relationship with them. Spend time doing mini-side quests and activities with your clonesIncreasing happiness in The Alters also requires you to tackle any requests they have in mind. For instance, you might be asked to build a certain module or cook a specific meal. This triggers a cutscene where Jan Main and his clone get to know each other. Conversely, if you're unable to complete a task within the given time frame, then that may lead to a clone's dissatisfaction toward you. Don't activate Crunch Hours unless it's necessaryYou can have alters handle tasks in modules/rooms or outposts via the Assignments tab. They tend to have shifts from 0900 to 2100 only.Later, though, you'll unlock an option to enable Crunch Hours, which causes your variants to work overtime. While this improves production and materials gathering, it also impacts your relationship since you're pushing them to exhaustion.Note: In the event of Magnetic Storms, your alters will work round the clock past their shift. This won't affect their attitude toward you since the actions are integral to everyone's survival. Have the proper facilities to attend to everyone's needsYou can construct various rooms and modules in your base, many of which are detailed in our base management guide. Here are some examples of important fixtures:Dormitory - You definitely need one since this is where your alters sleep.Greenhouse and Kitchen - The former is used to produce crops/vegetables, which can then be cooked into nutritious meals in the latter. These meals are better than the usual mush that you can make.Social Room and Gym - Alters will visit these areas so they don't get bored with monotonous work. That said, these rooms may also impact their productivity.Contemplation Room - You can assign a Shrink or a Guard in this room. Depressed or unruly alters can either be counseled or disciplined here.Infirmary - In all likelihood, your variants will suffer from injuries or radiation sickness during the journey. If this occurs, you should have them rest and recuperate in the infirmary, lest their condition worsen. A Doctor can also be assigned here to speed up the recovery process. Make the right call when prompted with a decisionThere are cases when two or more alters confront each other in your base. When this happens, you might be prompted with a dilemma. Siding with one person, naturally, negatively impacts your relationship with the other

Jun 14, 2025 - 04:20

How To Increase Character Happiness In The Alters

Are you thinking about keeping characters happy in The Alters? While Jan Dolski might find himself all by his lonesome on a strange planet, he does gain help from his own variants, clones from branching paths of his life. That said, complications will arise as you try to mend relationships with each new version of Jan. Our guide has all the details that you need for this particular feature of the game.

How to increase happiness in The Alters - Character happiness and motivation guide

The mechanics involving happiness and motivation in the game tend to be fairly complex. We discuss various concepts that are intertwined, including the backstories/life paths of your alter clones, as well as potential conflicts that may occur during your playthrough.

Note: The disposition and attitude of Jan's clones can be seen in the Alters menu/tab.

Always consider the background and life choices of each character

If you want to increase happiness in The Alters, then it's important to understand what motivates your clones. This can be seen via the Quantum Computer, which shows Jan's life path, as well as what transpired in the lives of his other selves.

Each branch is, essentially, a life story or background, giving you a glimpse as to what happened to that character until the time you created them in your base.

Talk to characters whenever you see a dialogue box icon

Naturally, knowing the backstory of each character leads you to ascertain their quirks and idiosyncrasies. From there, you should talk to your buddies whenever you see a dialogue box icon next to their portrait. You should respond to them based on what you've learned from their past. Here are some examples that you're bound to encounter early in your playthrough:

Jan Technician - Unlike Jan Main, the Technician variant is very close to his mother. He's also a no-nonsense, straight-shooter type of guy.
Jan Scientist - The Scientist focused too much on his work, which also affected his social skills. As such, he tends to favor pragmatic and analytical responses.
Jan Botanist - Although Jan Main and his wife are separated, Jan Botanist remains madly in love with her. He also tends to be more compliant and relaxed.
Jan Miner - The Miner has had a hard life, which also led to his addiction to pills.

Be on the lookout for baubles and accessories from crashed pods

In several areas of the game world, you might spot crashed pods. Some of these contain baubles and accessories, which can be given to your clones. This leads to new dialogue options, which may impact your relationship with them.

Spend time doing mini-side quests and activities with your clones

Increasing happiness in The Alters also requires you to tackle any requests they have in mind. For instance, you might be asked to build a certain module or cook a specific meal. This triggers a cutscene where Jan Main and his clone get to know each other. Conversely, if you're unable to complete a task within the given time frame, then that may lead to a clone's dissatisfaction toward you.

Don't activate Crunch Hours unless it's necessary

You can have alters handle tasks in modules/rooms or outposts via the Assignments tab. They tend to have shifts from 0900 to 2100 only.

Later, though, you'll unlock an option to enable Crunch Hours, which causes your variants to work overtime. While this improves production and materials gathering, it also impacts your relationship since you're pushing them to exhaustion.

Note: In the event of Magnetic Storms, your alters will work round the clock past their shift. This won't affect their attitude toward you since the actions are integral to everyone's survival.

Have the proper facilities to attend to everyone's needs

You can construct various rooms and modules in your base, many of which are detailed in our base management guide. Here are some examples of important fixtures:

Dormitory - You definitely need one since this is where your alters sleep.
Greenhouse and Kitchen - The former is used to produce crops/vegetables, which can then be cooked into nutritious meals in the latter. These meals are better than the usual mush that you can make.
Social Room and Gym - Alters will visit these areas so they don't get bored with monotonous work. That said, these rooms may also impact their productivity.
Contemplation Room - You can assign a Shrink or a Guard in this room. Depressed or unruly alters can either be counseled or disciplined here.
Infirmary - In all likelihood, your variants will suffer from injuries or radiation sickness during the journey. If this occurs, you should have them rest and recuperate in the infirmary, lest their condition worsen. A Doctor can also be assigned here to speed up the recovery process.

Make the right call when prompted with a decision

There are cases when two or more alters confront each other in your base. When this happens, you might be prompted with a dilemma. Siding with one person, naturally, negatively impacts your relationship with the other. Of course, this also means that you have to follow through by completing that task or objective. Otherwise, you'd tick off multiple people.

Some choices are extremely crucial for survival and learning lessons

Eventually, you'll have to make tough decisions that greatly affect the people around you. Here are some examples:

When discussing matters with a particular alter, you can choose responses that match their quirk or motivation. Doing so can potentially unlock their "Lessons Learned" cutscene or core memory.
Certain alters may suffer from addiction or injuries, which gradually worsen. For instance, we did not give pills to the Miner because we feared that he'll become addicted. This caused him to amputate his arm, and we had to leave him in the infirmary for several days. Later, though, we were able to craft a prosthetic arm for him.
Your clones can also die as part of certain events or decisions.
Some major plot points, which we won't spoil here, may cause your variants to leave your base.

That does it for our guide on how to increase happiness in The Alters. If you're keen on delving further into important gameplay mechanics, then you can check our base management guide. We also have a beginner's guide that has several tips related to survival.

Can you help Jan Dolski and his clones stay alive throughout their ordeal? Well, if you need more tips, you can head over to our The Alters guides hub.