I'm playing my first game with the balance mod in the 2005 tourney and believe it or not, I find it confusing.
Instead of spotting a huge breathable with lousy numbers and building research facs. till the cows come home, I have to make a decision every time! Do I need mins or research? Both,of course! (So what else is new?
) Makes for a quite different game.
I had a plan when I started. It disappeared down one of the non-existent black holes at the first sign of trouble.
Can't say I really enjoy the mod, but I understand its purpose. If you can improve it Geo you have my full support.
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And yes, FQM standard does have Paradise quadrants which is a good compromise between mid-life and balance mod.