Ulrath, if you're still seeing a cost doubling every so often and your game claims to be 1.96, I suspect you have an installation problem. I've been playing a 1.96 game for 170 turns and have seen the costs rise, but not double like they were doing earlier.
I like the change. Especially with tech trading of, for me it makes the game feel more like it is on a galactic scale. Simply choosing the slowest tech speed was a bit of a blunt instrument for the same goal.
p.s. If Stardock are being the good workplace I suspect them of being, everyone should be off for a well-deserved long weekend.
