Thank you for the suggestion.
But, .. I don't know. I understand your opinion and can relate to it to a degree. But I don't think I agree it warrants a change.
Most notably, I firmly believe that if new players want to enjoy the vanilla experience they start the game without any mods. For more experienced players, the 1st field of a playthrough is just "as old" as the last field of a finished world. So I'm assuming people install P.U.M.P. because they've had enough of the tedium. I don't think it matters if that's early game or not.
Also, it's a tool; not a tech. Blueprints are also always available regardless if bots are unlocked.
There's another research requirement P.U.M.P. hides behind; but that's optional, and more of the level to keep it 'out of the way' until it becomes relevant.
Finally, P.U.M.P. is only marginally useful before bots are unlocked. Which should be well after you did your first oil field. Even if you use it without having bots, you still need to tediously place everything down by hand.
So, I don't think I'll add this now for the reasons above. But I still think it's a compelling suggestion, and wouldn't be surprised if I backtrack on this opinion at a later date and still add it.
