actually, there is a solution to the too big planet improvement problem. it's kinda ugly tho, and you have to have tech trading on to do it reliably. skip a tech on any of the lines that have improvements you will be able to do the imp before the break and the highest one after it. works well with research imps but not such a great idea on the other lines. and when you go a'conquering you will get the missing tech rammed down your throat eventually. told ya it w
P0rcup1ne
i believe popularity is based on your status with all the other races combined. you know, friendly, wary, hostile.... so if your ally with all it should be maxed. of course the game is over then too... this should be easy to confirm, just ally with one or 2 ai then check the graph the next turn to see if your rating improved.
nice one cyberj914, was just about to go there myself there are more than one way to win this game. just because you have ffound one doesn't mean the game has nothing left to offer you. so you know how to crush everyone techrushing? try working the influence angle instead. that too easy? try playing puppetmaster for a change(tough since 1.1). use a standard race and try to play acco