Thanks! I'm certainly having a lot of fun with your game, i only wish i had more time to enjoy it!
As for increasing the challenge... yeah having waves twice as big vs technologists is about as hard as it gets without the cheaty things and made for a really rough first half, but the game is getting close to the end now. I just needed a break because of the amount of micro and the hours required for the new knowledge raids on a low income were getting to me.
Anyway, my alternate more relaxed game with 6 homeworlds i used to test a bunch of things is almost done so i'll get back to the challenge shortly, i should be able to finish it within a month and post about it.
Also, i gotta say some of the new stuff looks really interesting, it's good to know there is more to look forward to. This game provides very good value for the price!