I don't think so, although I may be wrong. I remember being able to modify the ability bonuses of the Metaverse and still get a legit game. I think with the system of today it would get a cheat flag, as the original XML of the game has been tempered with.

I'm *almost* certain custom tech trees cannot be used on the Metaverse. Something about people giving themselves 1 RP endgame weapons techs, buildings that give +200% economy, engines that take up 4 space that give 30 movement points, etc. doesn't really seem fair to compare to people using stock tech trees.