Originally Posted by Central_Speaker_Dan

the tech tree in all games is very linear. You (the designers) mentioned something about scripted visibility requirements for the upcoming tech level however this still creates a one track tech tree.
Would it be possible to create a scripted requirements list for the tech levels. I am reasonably sure that in reality we have not discovered a vast variety of possible technologies because they are incompatible with our existing technologies. Equally different races would do things at different speeds and in different ways.
Here's a good example: Brunel (a British Engineer) developed an alternate track gauge that was more fuel efficient, comfortable and faster than the one used at the time for trains. He built all his own train tracks to this gauge including the Edinburgh to London line.
When he died the other train companies either had to change to his tracks, which would have meant re-building the whole industry, or keep to what the rest of the country was already using, which was less efficient.
They chose to keep the original track because it was cheaper.
As such 'Brunel's Train Tech' was made more costly the more 'UK Train Tech' you have in use.
Could this sort of thing not be added to a game?

Originally Posted by Central_Speaker_Dan

Look at it this way:
If I researched Photon Pulse Weapons (whatever they are...) then it will cost me less to develop Photon Torpedo Weapons because I already have much of the basic knowledge.

On the other hand if I develop technologies that use Neutrinos (a sub-atomic particle) It will cost me a lot lot more to research technologies using Anti-Neutrinos because if they aren't separated properly they would annihilate, rendering BOTH devices useless.
In fact it may not even be possible to use both in one civilisation therefore if I have one I CANNOT research the other at all.