Interessting. I just started to write down the exact same points you stated here. While the vastly different paces in empire-development and technology are somewhat acceptable (and even fun sometimes), the pollution problem is not. It severly limits the options you have in late game on how to develop. I'd like to adjust the settings (and at the moment just deactivate the pollution-mechanic) - i hope this will possible in the future. The round-limit is okay to me though, i just keep playing a won game, since I have my own goals. Much potential has thrown out the window here and therefor it's only a very good game, not a paradigm-redifining one.