[Jmenschenfresser]

-Yes, you can make new culture and demeanor, and even as I mentioned earlier, races with specific tech on start up, but as SJ mentioned you have to mod some files in the data folder. It's no biggie if you are just going to use the race in your own games, but if you distribute the race you'll have to distribute the changed data files as well.

-the research file for the AI is the order the AI researches tech. The numbers (25, 33, 50, 100) correspond to how many other research projects will be allowed to run along side that one. As SJ mentioned if you modded your attack ships to use, say, meson bLasters, you have to make sure Pysics 1 is researched and then the tech for Meson bLasters. There is no generic, unless you design ships to fit the so-called generic research file. It's a difficult process to do this file. I've tried a few times. Just ask yourself how you want the AI to go through the techs. Hope that helps.