[Q]

I had a look at the data files: the damage types seem really fascinating. As far as I understand you can create almost unlimited damage type combinations, different armor and shield types. This is excellent.
I still do not see however why the ship design has to be so complicated if you consider how little effect it has functionally. I would prefer to be able to skip the layout and add the components like in SE IV (make this an option!). The auto complete seems to be useful only at the beginning, later you have to check carefully: it did not include combat sensor or ECM to my ships although I had the technology.
In the construction window I would still prefer the "one turn worth" option for units, even if now the construction of larger numbers is divided into turns automatically. However if you upgrade your unit designs, you are stuck with the old design if you entered a large number in the construction window.
The system map display is not optimal as already mentioned: overlap with other windows and the large empire flags make it hard to get all the relevant informations quickly.
I can't tell anything yet about the AI except that it seems I am far ahead of all AI empires.