[Repo Man]

Here is a mod I would love to see, as it would add some real flavor to the game.

Special research points

Have some techs require special research points, which either are required to obtain the tech, or greatly reduce the time involved for research.

Special research points can be acquired by research stations or ships located in special quadrents. Best example would be a black hole quadrent. Players would have to build a starbase or leave a research ship in the black hole quadrent. Research obtained from these units would apply as special research.

Better still, special research could be subdivided to different quadrent types.