I like that too.
We been approaching the changes to technologies with the mindset that which ever new technology will replace the existing technologies.
How about instead of replacing, we just add additional technologies? Thus, we will have more options and more things to trade.
Here’s the list of technologies I would like:
Economics :
For each star, earn $Y*(9+X) every 24 ticks where X is your economics tech level and Y is the amount of economy at a star.
Banking :
On production, earn an additional $2XY where X is your banking tech level and Y is your total amount of your economy.
Manufacturing :
A star produces Y*(5+X) ships every 24 ticks where X is your manufacturing tech level and Y is the amount of industry at a star.
Fabrication :
On production, a star produces an additional 2XY ships where X is your fabrication tech level and Y is your total amount of your industry.
Analysis :
A star produces Y*(23+X) points of research every 24 ticks where X is your analysis tech level and Y is the amount of science at a star.
Experimentation :
On production, your scientists will conduct experiments that will unlock 2XY points of research in a random technology where X is your experimentation tech level and Y is your total amount of your science.
Terraforming :
All your stars natural resources are improved by X*10% where X is your terraforming level tech.
Shields :
Ships prevent X-1 damage each round of combat where X is your shields tech level.
Weapons :
Ships deal X damage each round of combat where X is your weapons tech level.
Lasers :
Ships deal an additional X damage when defending, each round of combat where X is your lasers tech level.
Missiles :
Ships deal an additional X-1 damage when attacking, each round of combat where X is your missiles tech level.
Hyperspace :
Carriers may make hyperspace jumps up to 3+X light years where X is your hyperspace tech level.
Scanning :
Stars may scan the infrastructure and strength of enemy fleets and stars up to 2+X light years where X is your scanning tech level.
With the above double technologies for economy/industry/science, players can chose a progressive payout each tick; or a one-time payout at production but with double the effect; or a combination of both.
I have always felt that Terraforming should not make all worlds good, hence the reason for changing the +5 to +10% per level.
The additional combat technologies will reduce the focus on only weapons. Note that Weapons and Shields should negate each other, then it will become Lasers versus Missiles. Also, a lot of new users do not fully realize that the defender gets an advantage, thus I hope this more clearly highlight the benefit of defending (without needing an extra rule of defender get +1 to weapons).