[Andrés]

You can make the Generic file first, start a game using another race (repeat this step until your race is selected as an AI race), change to players to play with your race and save the empire.
However it’s sometimes easier to just copy the data and descriptions between the .EMPs and the AI_General and for example get the right values for your racial characteristics.

IMHO we’re using .Emp files to cover an important missing function in the game, that is the “add default data from this race general file”
Empire files should only be used to save starting options for your race, and setting up multiplayer games.