[Chris Haltiner]

Any particular reason why you went with Standard instead of Deluxe?

I didn't want to fool around with the images enhancement required by FQM Deluxe. However, if the Deluxe warrants the extra work then I'll look into it.

Making the large hulls so much more expensive will hurt the AIs. They tend to go with the biggest hull available, though some TDM AIs go with battlecruisers and Battleships even in the end game.

I assume you mean the AI will be inhibited since it will want to build bigger hulls but not be able to field as many ships due to higher construction and maintenance costs. Or, will the AI be perpetually running a deficit economy since the AI engine and text rules don't compensate for such an increase?

I think there are plenty of planets already though.

My biggest concern about FQM is the "excessive" number of asteroid belts within most of the systems. Since an asteroid belt in reality, and in the game, could represent the remants of a crushed planet, then having dozens of asteroid belts in a system seems excessive. Also, since I heavily research the stellar manipulation tree, I would have super systems consisting of dozens of planets... could be a good thing, but it would allow me to dominate much too easily.

Yes, I have considered not even allowing the stellar manipulation and planet utilization trees to make for a harder game. At the very least, I would not allow atmospheric coVersion...

Torpedoes are already quite poor weapons. I reccommend adding a 15-25% accuracy bonus to make them worth using in some situations.

I have been dismayed by the meager capabilities of the torpedo weapons. (This is my Star Trek bias.) I may consider 'upping' them a little more.

-Chris