[dmm]

Off the subject, but...
I thought Joda's post was excellent (and hilarious). That's exactly the sort of loophole that needs to be exposed publicly. It will generate good debate about how upgrades are handled. Personally, I don't like the current limit based on comparative cost. It seems very artificial. Why can't I pull out cruddy old level one DUCs, and replace them with my latest expensive superweapons, as long as they're also direct fire and the same size? That should be easier than replacing them with storage or engines or even missiles. In Tina Turner's words, "What's [comparative cost] got to do with it?" So I definitely WILL use Joda's idea, for all my upgrade needs. (But only when playing against AIs and like-minded humans, or when I might lose. HeHeHe!)

While I'm ranting, the construction system is also very artificial. The limit of one spaceyard per planet is a good example. Only allowing one project in a planetary build queue is another example. Spaceyards should have their own queues. Requiring a minimum of one turn per facility is another example. It is bizarre that a world with 8 B will take as long to build a farm as a world with 1 M. Facility construction should be like unit construction. Actually, ship construction should also be like unit construction! Or, more simply, apply unused "construction points" to the next item in the queue, just like the research queue.

OK, the ranting is over. I will regain my composure by reciting the mantra: Flawed but still fun. Flawed but still fun. Flawed but still fun. OMMMMH!