I’m loving the 1.1 beta so far! I’ve always wanted to concentrate on things other than trade and bartering, and with tech trading disabled I’m able to assimilate my neighbors in true self-sustaining imperial fashion without falling behind the research curve. Great option! I haven’t given the ship builder a workout since the upgrade, but it’s looking good. I hope to be able — down the line — to design ships as one race and play them as another if they use the same ship style. Currently one cannot.
Again: Best. Update. Ever!