High Tech Cost and Tech Trading allowed - makes the actual gaming irrelevant, only problem is to form a good and effective tech trading alliance. Though tempted, I'll not join a PBW game with tech trading allowed (ship trading and analysing is bad enough) - unless its a 1-on-1
I know that from similar games, it is too much emphasis on diplomacy and/or prearranged alliances due to personal knowledge (happens), and the actual strategy game aspect has little effect. I prefer planing, managing and solving problems like too many borders for too few fleets
