[AJC]

I create a race with every racial tech, then I create a game with all tech already researched - to test and examine the new components. Without any opposing AI - just one player. I have found that the simulator is good for testing the results of changes to weapons.

When building an AI, I create a game that I save on turn 1.
I set the Ministers to Full AI, switch off some of the confirmation windows, such as colony types, end of turn confirmation.

Then I run the game and watch the AI I am testing to see how it does against the other AIs. As I make changes I reload the saved game on turn 1 to test the changes. F12 is a useful button ....

then when I think I am done I actually run a low tech game - with no economic bonus in the set up , and include all the main AIs in the game , with each running on full AI and watch and monitor the show. When I do this, I always include my personel Shipset AI to see how it does.