[Ygorl]

Well, the Magic scale does not affect research as much as it used to, for one. For another, the default research point costs for each level of magic have been jacked up by one level. So, while it's true that at turn 30 or turn 50 you are likely to have more research points available in Dominions 3 than in Dominions 2 (due to more money), you're likely to have amassed fewer research points or at least fewer spells (due to a slower start and to research levels costing more). This definitely prolongs the early game phase. I haven't played enough to know if it shortens the midgame, but I can imagine it might.