In a small map(v1.1b2) with two opponents, I decided to take down the Altarians by cultural conquest in the hope that I'd get their military and technology. All I got were a couple of trade goods. It was a complete anti-climax to my master plan. Conquer opponent #1 by culture then turn around and slam opponent #2 with a nice bloodbath. That should be the point to cultural conquest but it isn't. So what happened? Is this a bug? Can we get opponent military and technology via successful cultural conquest in the next patch?
Espionage does quite a good job at stealing technology. The intent of alternatively acquiring game elements seems to be everywhere else but not cultural conquest.
The other aspect of cultural conquest that doesn't make sense is the loss of trade routes. A peaceful transfer of power does not require corporate sponsors to bail. If a trade route is run by an enemy that does not want to do business or is at war, that makes sense. Otherwise, why stop trade in this instance?
Trade between colonies (see Interstate Trade), should be allowed at perhaps half of whatever intergalactic trade pays. That way, when cultural conquest comes, the trade routes and expensive freighters don't need to get destroyed.
The tech tree is so big that cultural conquest is a very important aspect to me for buying time to raise money for more toys.
I beat this particular map but it took 11 years instead of maybe 6.
Thanks for the great game and considering my position on this subject.