The colony keeps working while the game is closed.
How it works
For the first 8 hours away you earn 50% of normal production. After that a smaller tail of 15% runs until 24 hours. Research and the Lineage tree raise this as far as 100% for 24 hours, with a 30% tail to 48 hours.
Storage always holds at least one full absence, so coming back late never wastes what was earned. Combat pauses while you're away.
Welcome back
When you return you can double what was earned by watching an ad, or triple it for 20 Royal Jelly.