My problem, which is most probably my own doing, is that I'm a munchkin.
I think it's the best way to describe it, yes...
I didn't play too many games yet (newly bought) but I already see that just like in MOO2 I'm going to research everything possible before attacking.
The problem is that even with all the technologies, it takes a huge amount of time to conquer the galaxy. So eventually I give up and go for either alliance or tech victory...
Now if during the game the AI would force me to fight and conquer it, then by end game I'll have a reasonable task in front of me
So what I'm really asking here is: "How do you play the game so it'll be interesting until the very end, in which you conquer the planet of the last victim?"
Do you start the wars yourself (personally I always want the research just that other tech before attacking)
Does the AI attack you? (They seem awfully friendly to me though...)
Are you just very patient?
Something else?
(FYI, I'm playing on tough, and I don't find the game too easy)