[dogscoff]

This feature would be especially good if you could use it with the map editor - for example you could have an empire with their home system(s) behind a whole string of nebulae. Give them advanced propulsion and supply storage from the start and they would have an interesting defensive advantage.

Or how about an ancient race in the centre of a map with no warp points? All the human players start with diplomatic contact with the ancients, who have warp point creation tech. You have to persuade the ancients (one way or another) to open a warp point to your system so that you can explore beyond your home wihout researching stellar manip. Either that or steal the tech from them=-)

You could also use neutral empires a bit like the "ruins" planets - give a neutral some huge tech level or other so that other empires can race to assimilate them for the tech.

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"Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?"
"Uh, I think so Brain, but how are we gonna teach a goat to dance with flippers on? "