[Mark Walton]

Perhaps I should explain what I am doing a bit more.

First, I did this in SectType:
---------------------
Physical Type := Planet
Picture Num := 264
Description := Research Point.
Planet Size := Tiny
Planet Physical Type := Gas Giant
Planet Atmosphere := None


Then, I did this in StellarAbilityTypes:
------------------------------
Name := Research Point
Number of Poss Abilities := 4
Ability 1 Chance := 250
Ability 1 Type := Ancient Ruins
Ability 1 Descr := This "world" represents a place to observe interesting phenomena. First player to colonize gains random tech research.
Ability 1 Val 1 := 1
Ability 1 Val 2 := 0
Ability 2 Chance := 350
Ability 2 Type := Ancient Ruins
Ability 2 Descr := This "world" represents a place to observe interesting phenomena. First player to colonize gains random tech research.
Ability 2 Val 1 := 2
Ability 2 Val 2 := 0
Ability 3 Chance := 350
Ability 3 Type := Ancient Ruins
Ability 3 Descr := This "world" represents a place to observe interesting phenomena. First player to colonize gains random tech research.
Ability 3 Val 1 := 3
Ability 3 Val 2 := 0
Ability 4 Chance := 50
Ability 4 Type := Ancient Ruins
Ability 4 Descr := This "world" represents a place to observe interesting phenomena. First player to colonize gains random tech research.
Ability 4 Val 1 := 4
Ability 4 Val 2 := 0


Name := Hiding
Number of Poss Abilities := 4
Ability 1 Chance := 250
Ability 1 Type := Sector - Sight Obscuration
Ability 1 Descr := Hides a research point.
Ability 1 Val 1 := 2
Ability 1 Val 2 := 0
Ability 2 Chance := 250
Ability 2 Type := Sector - Sight Obscuration
Ability 2 Descr := Hides a research point.
Ability 2 Val 1 := 3
Ability 2 Val 2 := 0
Ability 3 Chance := 250
Ability 3 Type := Sector - Sight Obscuration
Ability 3 Descr := Hides a research point.
Ability 3 Val 1 := 4
Ability 3 Val 2 := 0
Ability 4 Chance := 250
Ability 4 Type := Sector - Sight Obscuration
Ability 4 Descr := Hides a research point.
Ability 4 Val 1 := 5
Ability 4 Val 2 := 0

Then, I did this in PlanetSize:
-------------------------------

Name := Research
Physical Type := Planet
Stellar Size := Tiny
Max Facilities := 0
Max Population := 0
Max Cargo Spaces := 0
Max Facilities Domed := 0
Max Population Domed := 0
Max Cargo Spaces Domed := 0
Constructed := False
Special Ability ID := 0


Finally I did this in SystemTypes:
---------------------------------

Obj 2 Physical Type := Asteroids
Obj 2 Position := Ring 3
Obj 2 Stellar Abil Type := Hiding
Obj 2 Size := Any
Obj 2 Atmosphere := None
Obj 2 Composition := Rock
Obj 3 Physical Type := Planet
Obj 3 Position := Same As 2
Obj 3 Stellar Abil Type := Research Point
Obj 3 Size := Tiny
Obj 3 Atmosphere := None
Obj 3 Composition := Gas Giant
Obj 4 Physical Type := Planet
Obj 4 Position := Ring 6


Result:

Players may build ships with Sensors to detect these hidden "worlds", which are really just abstract interesting phenomena to study, and look like nebulas-behind-asteroids. Once they are detected they may be colonized, but the colony never does anything (no population / no facilities/nothing), all that happens is they land there and get the "research".

All I have to do is update all the SystemTypes that I want, to have a random hidden sector.

Slight weaknessess:
The world is a GG/tiny/none. I hijacked this type because it is never used.
This gives a small advantage to GG players.
But: I have introduced a "research station" component which is basically a more expensive GG colony mod which is gained by research tech. This means other players can colonize GG a bit earlier. (but at greater cost)

I have also introduced special "unique" techs gained at certain system types. I have a system type "Neutron Star" and the hidden world there will always give the unique ruins tech "Neutronium".

Now maybe I just went a VERY long-winded way around doing something fairly simple, but it was the only way which I could figure out, of letting players go off on scientific missions.

Now, what I would love, is if I could create Constructed worlds which gave Unique Techs. That way I can let players "build a world" on their science vessels, then drop a research station and get either random tech, or maybe some of the constructed world types could grant specific "ruins" techs. This would be a way to let players "research" these unique techs.

But, I can't figure out (yet) a way to make a constructed world with stellar abilities. Is it possible?